The Jeevika program, spearheaded by Bihar’s Rural Development Department, hosted a debriefing session at the Patna Secretariat. The event was part of an Immersion and Learning Exchange (ILE) program involving representatives from Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Rural Development, Social Security, and Community Empowerment, along with the Asian Development Bank. Mrs. Abhilasha Kumari Sharma, Additional Chief Executive Officer of Jeevika, initiated the session with a welcome address. Mr. Himanshu Sharma, Chief Executive Officer of Jeevika, presented an overview of the Sustainable Livelihoods Scheme, highlighting its objectives and the poverty reduction initiatives undertaken across Bihar.
The 28-member delegation from Sri Lanka and the Asian Development Bank visited Gaya district to experience the ground-level implementation of the Sustainable Livelihoods Scheme, which is designed to assist the poorest segments of society. They observed various livelihood ventures initiated by beneficiaries, gaining firsthand insights. H.T.R.N. Piyasena, Additional Secretary from the Sri Lankan Ministry, commended the scheme’s execution and its tangible impact, sharing his observations. He also expressed appreciation to Jeevika for arranging the visit.
Piyasena discussed the key features and learnings from the scheme that could be instrumental in addressing poverty in Sri Lanka. He also shared details about similar initiatives planned by the Sri Lankan government. Lokesh Kumar Singh, Secretary of the Rural Development Department in Bihar, acknowledged the positive transformations brought about by the Sustainable Livelihoods Scheme, impacting the lives of countless underprivileged families. He expressed pride in Sri Lanka’s interest in understanding and adopting the model, anticipating that this exchange would foster stronger collaboration and contribute to global poverty reduction efforts.
Pratyaya Amrit, Development Commissioner of Bihar, welcomed the delegation, noting the cultural similarities between Sri Lanka and Bihar. He acknowledged Jeevika’s commendable efforts in empowering marginalized communities, emphasizing that the program’s success is built on women’s collective strength, transparency, and participation. He added that this collaboration offers an opportunity to showcase local innovations on a global platform, suggesting that Sri Lankan community professionals could learn from Bihar’s operational methods.
Amrit Lal Meena, Chief Secretary of Bihar, spoke about the “Sustainable Livelihoods Scheme,” launched in 2018, which has benefited over 2.1 lakh families, connecting the most impoverished with developmental opportunities. He highlighted the scheme’s national and international recognition due to its successes. Furthermore, he mentioned the recent formation of the Jeevika Nidhi, a cooperative union aimed at providing financial assistance to women’s self-help groups.
He also highlighted the inauguration of the Buddha Samyak Darshan Museum and Memorial Stupa in Vaishali by the Chief Minister as a symbol of shared heritage and pride. Rajesh Kumar, Special Officer of Jeevika, concluded the session by expressing gratitude and emphasizing that, just as Buddha united Sri Lanka and India, the Sustainable Livelihoods Scheme would unite both nations in the fight against poverty, allowing for mutual learning and cooperation in implementation.