An urban girl living for the rural dreams: Chetna Sinha’s inspirational story 

In a world where barriers seem imperishable, some individuals defy the odds and lead a path of empowerment for others to follow and get inspired. One such individual who is nothing short of hope and joy in human form is Chetna Gala Sinha.   

With her head up high, Chetna began her journey from the rural space into becoming one of the most influential women known across India and the world, as she serves as a living proof of vision and humility.  

Early Life

Born and raised in Mumbai’s fast-paced life during the peak long years of social activism, she rallied for the drought-ridden farmers of rural Maharashtra during India’s mid-1970s ’emergency’ period. 

Even in her college years, while completing her BCom degree from Mumbai University, she showed a great deal of interest and promise in politics. This inclination drew her towards the likes of Jayaprakash Narayan.   

From dream to reality 

Kickstart to the big venture 

The idea that has become a worldwide economic phenomenon started when a woman came to Chetna with the usual issue of being unable to open a savings account due to low deposit income. This struck Chetna ultimately, leaving a scar that only she could remove in the foreseeable future for other women. 

Along with her studies, she was always involved in activism, first with Jayaprakash Narayan’s organization and later with Sharad Joshi’s Shetkari Sanghatna. 

Support matters 

After marrying Vijay, who was also another Shetkari Sanghatna activist with a completely different lifestyle than her as she was a city girl, she waited for hours for buses; lack of electricity and non-availability of mainstream newspapers were only a few of the many challenges she faced. She continued working for Shetkari Sanghatna, which led her to take the revolutionary step. 

‘Necessity is the mother of all invention.’ 

Chetna has religiously followed the above quote as she prioritized solving the economic problems of rural women in her village, Mhaswad, and other rural areas.  

A ray of hope  

When the idea of setting up a cooperative bank and taking up the initiative with much-advanced research came up, Chetna even said her background in public life and knowledge of economics helped. But back then, very few women ventured into this sector, and even the RBI was nervous about the idea because they had never issued a license for such a bank.  

Her first stumbling block was when the central bank rejected their proposal as the non-members were non-literate. This led her to take the first and foremost step to organize literacy classes to teach them how to sign and other necessary authorization methods. 

Six months later, with a sanctioned cooperative, Mann Deshi Bank was born, India’s first bank for and by rural women. 

The ultimate solution: Mann Deshi Bank 

One step after another 

As the founder of Mann Deshi Bank, widely known as a microfinance bank that lends to women in rural areas, Chetna Sinha faced many struggles before this innovative reality and even during its inauguration.  

The day after the inauguration she eagerly expected an immense response as it was a very innovative step benefiting the locals, but no one turned up as she couldn’t afford to lose an entire business day to bank work.  

That’s how the idea of starting doorstep banking occurred. In the initial days, our staff would go to them to collect money, come to the bank and make necessary entries, later which they modified by using wireless devices to produce receipts which are time effective as well as simple to use 

Along with doorstep banking, they even adapted to technology to make their work easier and faster than usual.  

Unlike regular banks, Mann Deshi Bank’s products were personalized to meet the wants and needs of its clients. To make everyone feel more inclusive, it primarily consisted of street vendors, vegetable vendors, and the tribal community. Initially, it offered daily, weekly, and monthly savings accounts, one-year loans, etc. Chetna proudly shares, “98% of the time, our clients pay back their loans.” 

Find inspiration in everything. 

Her primary inspiration, which led her to take all these significant steps for the locals, were the women who deserve everything including all the education and benefits the world provides. Although it’s stereotypical of many to assume rural women are weak and inferior in many aspects, it’ll shock you that they have the brains for unique innovations and creative works but don’t have the required resources and utilities needed to implement or develop them. Hence, Chetna aimed to give women the utmost financial and economic stability to live their passions and become independent.  

When a 10-year-old girl approached them asking to work over the summer, she wanted a bicycle to ride to school many miles away. Without cribbing or blaming, she sought a solution through work to travel efficiently via bicycle to her regular high school studies. 

Side ventures  

Along with starting the bank, she has led many other initiatives for the locals, mainly women, to educate them continually to aim high. Her side initiatives include starting a business school in 2005 because many needed to learn how to market their products. They even offer vocational skills like tailoring, repair work, etc., and soft skills like financial management, business management, marketing, computers, and other financial literacy programs.  

Secondly, she even has a community radio named ‘Mann Deshi’, which serves as a platform for cultural exchange through folk music and stories and helps advertise the bank and other facilities. The government uses it to create awareness of health and other issues, and they allow their clients and women entrepreneurs to advertise their products. 

The many accolades 

Passion, patience, persistence, listening and humility 

All the above words describe Ms. Sinha in the best way possible.  Despite being blessed with the utmost income she was born with; she chose to earn for the rest of the people as the betterment of society mattered to her more. With a positive attitude throughout the journey, she radiated optimism through thick and thin.  

She believed the women who start businesses there, are surrounded by a hostile atmosphere. Hence, it is essential to create a supportive structure that they can depend on and support them as Instilling courage and confidence in them are critical to their success. 

Awards and recognition 

Chetna won numerous awards in the past decades, including the Entrepreneurship Development Award” in 2010; Chetna Sinha received “Rani Laxmibai Puraskar” in 2009 from Cyclo Transmissions Ltd., Satara, which is given to the women who have done outstanding work in various fields, Jankidevi Bajaj Puraskar Award for Rural Entrepreneurship 2005 and most importantly, received the first Godfrey Phillips Bravery Amodini Award in  2009 by Godfrey Phillips himself. 

She has also been awarded Nari Shakti Puraskar, India’s highest civilian award for women who work for women’s empowerment.  

In addition to these awards, she has been recognised as a Yale Fellow, Schwab Fellow, and Ashoka Fellow. 

Saviour in need 

People in rural areas were in a crisis due to the demonetization of paper currency by the Indian Government. However, this microfinance bank, Mann Deshi Bank, helped the rural people by providing 500 rupees of coins in exchange for 500-rupee notes. 

Conclusion  

Chetna Sinha has proved why she’s a beacon of hope for women navigating the darkest passage of their lives. Her dedication to empowering women economically and socially has dramatically impacted many women’s lives in rural India. Not only did Chetna work for their financial success but also taught them how not to limit their dreams due to unusual circumstances. All the fruitful efforts she has undertaken have made her a notable figure in the fields of social entrepreneurship and women empowerment.