The Bihar government’s Jeevika program, under the Rural Development Department, organized a debriefing session at the Patna Secretariat. This event was part of an Immersion and Learning Exchange (ILE) program, which brought together representatives from the Sri Lankan Ministry of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment and the Asian Development Bank. The session began with a welcome speech by Mrs. Abhilasha Kumari Sharma, Additional Chief Executive Officer of Jeevika. Mr. Himanshu Sharma, Chief Executive Officer of Jeevika, provided an overview of the Sustainable Livelihoods Scheme, detailing its goals and the significant steps taken to combat poverty in Bihar.
A 28-member delegation from Sri Lanka and the Asian Development Bank visited Gaya district to witness the implementation of the Sustainable Livelihoods Scheme. The delegation observed the livelihood initiatives undertaken by the program beneficiaries. H.T.R.N. Piyasena, Additional Secretary from the Sri Lankan Ministry, praised the scheme’s execution and its impact on the ground, sharing his experiences. He acknowledged Jeevika’s role in facilitating the visit.
Piyasena outlined key aspects of the scheme and the lessons learned, emphasizing their relevance in addressing poverty in Sri Lanka. He also discussed a similar initiative being developed by the Sri Lankan government. Lokesh Kumar Singh, Secretary of the Rural Development Department of Bihar, noted the positive changes the Sustainable Livelihoods Scheme had brought to the lives of numerous impoverished families in Bihar. He expressed pride in Sri Lanka’s interest in the program, believing it would strengthen cooperation between the two countries and contribute to worldwide poverty reduction.
Pratyaya Amrit, Development Commissioner of Bihar, welcomed the delegation, highlighting the cultural connections between Sri Lanka and Bihar. He lauded Jeevika’s efforts in empowering marginalized communities, highlighting the program’s foundation in women’s collective efforts, transparency, and involvement. This collaboration, he noted, provided a chance to showcase local innovations globally, even suggesting a future opportunity for Sri Lankan community professionals to observe Bihar’s operational methodologies.
Amrit Lal Meena, Chief Secretary of Bihar, discussed the “Sustainable Livelihoods Scheme,” launched in 2018 to support very poor families, which has benefited 2.1 lakh families so far. He underlined its successes, which have been recognized both nationally and internationally. In addition, he mentioned the creation of the Jeevika Nidhi, a cooperative union established to provide financial support to women’s self-help groups.
The recent inauguration of the Buddha Samyak Darshan Museum and Memorial Stupa in Vaishali by the Chief Minister was also a significant point of cultural connection. Rajesh Kumar, Special Officer, Jeevika, concluded the session by expressing gratitude and emphasizing the shared commitment to poverty reduction, with the Sustainable Livelihoods Scheme serving as a bridge between the two nations.