By TC News Desk
Agartala, 8th January 2026: A village in Paharpur ADC village, Amarpur Sub-Division of Gomati District is witnessing a strong example of grassroots transformation led by Jiranbati Reang. Once a daily wage labourer earning barely Rs 800 a week, she has emerged as a symbol of women’s empowerment and rural development.
Her journey changed in 2021 after attending an awareness programme organised by JUST, where Director Fr. Lathees spoke on entrepreneurship, sustainability, and alternative livelihoods. Inspired, Reang approached JUST to improve her family’s condition and support her community. With its guidance, she formed Paharpur’s first Self-Help Group (SHG) consisting of 10 members. The group leased three kani of land and began collective farming with technical support from JUST.
In the first year, they earned a modest but encouraging profit of Rs 15,000. Motivated by this success, the group expanded cultivation to five kani, reinvested in seeds, and shared the remaining income.
JUST continued its support by providing seeds, spray machines, nets, water pump, capacity-building training, and linkages with institutions such as Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Agriculture Department, and other NGOs. As word spread, nearby villages sought Reang’s guidance, leading to the formation of seven SHGs within three years.
Recognizing her leadership, JUST appointed her as an Animator under the Single Headed Women’s Programme, giving her a stable income. She later received recognition from government departments, completed leadership and livelihood trainings, and travelled across India.
A major milestone was linking her SHG with BAPCL, Tripura’s largest FPO, ensuring better market access and sustainability. She was also appointed Gram Sakhi by the Agriculture Department, Government of Tripura. By 2025, her SHG recorded an annual income exceeding Rs 1 lakh, with total earnings since 2021 crossing Rs 3.5 lakh, transforming not just her life, but the entire community.
