Viketuno Edith Rutsa is a resident of Sechü Zubza Village, Sechü Block under Kohima District. A single mother to six children, Rutsa joined Sede Self Help Group (SHG) in 2018. Rutsa was awarded the most successful financial credit linkage during the International Women’s Day 2024 celebration on March 8 at The Heritage.
The award was facilitated under the Nagaland State Rural Livelihoods Mission (NSRLM). Working as a daily wage labourer to manage her family, Rutsa started a small shop but faced hardships and challenges due to lack of financial sources. While struggling to sell limited products to support herself and her children, she became a beneficiary under PM-Kisan scheme.
Rutsa obtained her first loan amounting to Rs.75,000 from her SHG corpus to increase goods in her shop (a non-farm activity). She availed KCC loan of Rs. 1,40,000 in the first phase and 2,10,000 in the second phase. She also availed a loan of Rs. 1,00,000 through her Joint Liability Group (JG).
Garnering the confidence to take up multiple activities, Rutsa started flower cultivation-an agricultural activity. Further, she took another loan of Rs. 50,000 from her VLO/CIF and started piggery farming by purchasing 5 piglets and feeds. Currently, she rears 17 pigs.
Later, her group received a loan of 2,00,000 from the State Bank of India (SBI) Sechü Zubza Branch and provided her a bigger share of loan which she utilized in construction of a kutcha house for starting a Girls Hostel in her vicinity. She also started poultry farming and also expanded her shop. As she began taking up more activities, her children became more supportive in her daily chores.
Rutsa represented her Village Level Organization (VLO) to undergo training on Food Processing and Pickle Making sponsored by Industries & Commerce Department. Accordingly, her SHG received a loan of Rs. 1,80,000 through Pradhan Mantri Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME). Subsequently, her group got registered under FSSAl and now they are in the process of pickle making and juice production.
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With the improvement of her financial condition, Rutsa was able to purchase amenities such as television set, washing machine, refrigerator, fan etc. enhancing relief to the family. Rutsa is also able to support her children in education and managing health expenses.
She has enrolled in various social security schemes such as PMSBY & PMJJBY, and conducts regular transactions in her Saving bank account and facilitates her peers in individual Saving Bank Account opening.
Today, Rutsa’s annual income is estimated at Rs. 3,00,000. She currently serves as the treasurer of Niakracha Thenuko Block Level Federation (NTBLF) and is a role model not only to the Block but also to Kohima district.
Rutsa’s successful commitment, and versatility in diverse entrepreneurial activities is a motivation to all women where one can take up multiple activities to earn and alleviate the standard of one’s life.
