Shanklal Metkar of Pohra village, which lies 12 km. from Dharani town in the Amravati district of Maharashtra, is aged and extremely poor. His son and daughter-in-law live elsewhere, and do not provide any support. Old man “Baba” lives with his wife Laadki, and his advanced age prevents him from working as a labourer. One time, in the course of her home visits on behalf of Samaj Pragati Sahayog’s ‘Health and Nutrition’ programme, Jayashree Didi (elder sister) happened to meet Baba. She asked, “Baba, do you receive the Shravan Bal pension amount?” Baba replied that he hadn’t even heard of the scheme. Jayashree Didi checked their Aadhaar cards and voter IDs, and found that Baba was 74 and Ma Laadki 60 years old.

Jayashree Didi explained that the Shravan Bal Scheme was meant for persons over the age of 65 with no means of income and no BPL card. To avail of the scheme’s benefits, they would need to submit an application via the online SETU portal, and get together photocopies of certain documents to be filed at the tehsil or subdivision office. After allowing for three months’ processing time, they should start receiving the pension. Baba demurred, “All this is beyond us. We have no money and we never travel go into Dharani, so what shall we do?” “Don’t worry,” Didi reassured him, “I’ll get your income certificate out from SETU. What you must do is collect the necessary letters of proof from the sarpanch and police chief, for filing along with copies of your Aadhaar cards, bank passbooks, ration cards, and two photos each. The online application costs Rs 200. If you can somehow manage that sum, I’ll handle the rest.” “All right,” said Baba.

On 18 September 2023, Jayashree Didi filed Shanklal Baba’s application documents with the tehsil, and a little over three months later, on 10 January 2024, the first pension amount of Rs 1500 was credited to Baba’s bank account. He has since been receiving the sum every month. Ma Laadki and he now have some financial support in running their household, and in times of medical need. Now, if he has any concerns, Baba gets in touch with Jayshree Didi.

In this way, the ‘Health and Nutrition’ programme provides people with information about various government schemes, and enables them to avail of the benefits. At the Anganwadi level, the programme works continually to create awareness around issues concerning breastfeeding mothers, pregnant women, and balanced diets for malnourished children. It helps with getting job cards made for those in need, and provides information on MGNREGA. It also conducts leadership training sessions at its Hissedari Sabhas for women. It is through these and other such activities that Samaj Pragati Sahayog’s ‘Health and Nutrition’ initiative plays a role in awareness building and women’s empowerment.