NRLM among most transformative poverty alleviation programmes, says former secretary

New Delhi, Apr 1 (PTI): The National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) is one of the most ambitious and transformative initiatives for rural poverty alleviation and women's empowerment, former Rural Development Secretary Shailesh Kumar Singh said on Wednesday while launching a book on the flagship schem.

By : PTI | Updated at : 02 Apr 2026 12:49 AM (IST)

New Delhi, Apr 1 (PTI): The National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) is one of the most ambitious and transformative initiatives for rural poverty alleviation and women's empowerment, former Rural Development Secretary Shailesh Kumar Singh said on Wednesday while launching a book on the flagship scheme.

The book, "Claiming Our Skies -- the Story of National Rural Livelihoods Mission", was released on the mission's 15th anniversary, highlighting its journey of more than a decade of rural transformation.

Brought out by Transform Rural India (TRI) and published by Social Science Press, the book includes contributions from 30 practitioners, policymakers, researchers and community leaders, documenting the programme's evolution through self-help groups, federations, and livelihood initiatives.

Highlighting the scale of the programme, a statement from TRI said NRLM is among the largest social sector initiatives globally, having mobilised around 100 million rural women into more than 9 million self-help groups, enabling access to finance, livelihoods and community-led institutions at an unprecedented scale.

"Claiming Our Skies is a comprehensive chronicle of one of India's most ambitious and transformative initiatives for rural poverty alleviation and women's empowerment. This book inspires renewed commitment to harnessing the power of women's collectives, strengthening institutional frameworks, and advancing rural livelihoods for a more equitable and prosperous India," Singh said.

Anirban Ghose, Managing Director, TRI, said the mission's biggest contribution has been building inclusive grassroots institutions.

"NRLM's greatest achievement is precisely this: it has created a new grammar of deliberative community where women across caste lines sit together, decide together, and hold each other accountable," he said.

The National Rural Livelihoods Mission, also known as Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-NRLM, is the Ministry of Rural Development's flagship programme aimed at mobilising rural poor women into self-help groups and strengthening community institutions to improve livelihoods and financial inclusion.

Over the last 15 years, it has emerged as one of the world's largest poverty alleviation programmes, driving a visible shift in women's roles as decision-makers, entrepreneurs and community leaders, the statement added. PTI AO RUK RUK

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