A one-day training programme aimed at strengthening rural entrepreneurship and improving sustainable livelihood opportunities was conducted at the Recreation Hall in Kamal Basthi, Campbell Bay, under the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyaan (RGSA). The programme, centred on the theme of fostering progressive rural entrepreneurship and poverty alleviation, brought together elected women representatives, self-help group members, and community resource personnel from Laxmi Nagar Gram Panchayat in the Campbell Bay Block.
The training is part of an ongoing effort to build local capacity and empower communities through knowledge-based initiatives. Officials noted that the session sought to equip participants with a better understanding of entrepreneurship models suited to rural environments, focusing on strategies that could enable individuals and groups to generate sustainable income. With the islands’ remote geography influencing livelihood patterns, the programme aimed at creating awareness about diversified opportunities that align with local resources and community needs.
Participants were introduced to concepts related to enterprise development, livelihood planning, and the importance of adopting a structured approach to economic activities. The training emphasised improving decision-making within SHGs, enhancing leadership among women representatives, and strengthening community-led development processes. Many attendees from Laxmi Nagar Gram Panchayat and nearby areas took part in discussions that explored ways to overcome challenges faced by rural households, particularly those related to limited market access and dependencies on seasonal income.
RGSA has been working across blocks in the islands to improve the administrative and functional capabilities of Panchayati Raj Institutions. The Campbell Bay training, officials said, forms a part of the broader framework where local bodies are encouraged to adopt capacity-building measures for their members and grassroots stakeholders. Rural entrepreneurship, when supported effectively, is expected to play a role in reducing poverty by broadening income sources and encouraging innovation at the community level.
The one-day session also focused on strengthening the role of SHGs as economic units. Trainers highlighted how collective action, savings discipline, and group-based enterprises can help reduce financial vulnerabilities. Case discussions from within the region were used to highlight how communities have gradually diversified into small-scale activities such as handicrafts, food processing, and service-based micro-enterprises. Participants exchanged experiences on how similar practices could be adopted in Campbell Bay, taking into account local resources and logistics.
Elected women representatives attending the programme engaged in conversations around inclusive economic participation and the importance of women-led initiatives in rural settings. With many SHGs in the southern islands already involved in various livelihood projects, the training aimed to reinforce organisational capabilities and encourage members to identify gaps and opportunities within their respective communities.
Resource persons also addressed issues relating to access to schemes, basic requirements for entrepreneurship, and the need for consistent coordination between panchayats, SHGs, and government departments. The session underlined that capacity-building initiatives gain effectiveness when combined with follow-up support, mentorship, and exposure to best practices from other regions.
For Campbell Bay and neighbouring areas, the training provided a platform for participants to reflect on the potential for local enterprise, even within geographic constraints. While agriculture, fisheries, and small trades remain dominant sources of livelihood, the organisers highlighted scope for growth through skill development and value addition, especially when guided by structured community support.
As the session concluded, participants expressed interest in further training opportunities under RGSA, indicating that such programmes help improve understanding of economic initiatives and expand awareness of available support systems. The organisers stated that similar training sessions are expected to continue across the block to maintain momentum and strengthen community engagement in livelihood enhancement activities.
