PAHAL

(Since 1988)
Institute of Community Empowerment & Micro Finance
Registered Under Society Reg. Act 1860 & 12 A & 80 G under Income Tax Act

Member :
Microfinance Platform Planet Finance, France
Micro-credit Campaign, USA
Sa-dhan- New Delhi
CREDIBILITY ALLIANCE- MUMBAI

Net work

-:Managed by :-
PAHAL Institution
Gola Barrage Road Kathgodam, Nainital, Uttarakhand, INDIA
igy laLFkk xkSyk cSjkt jksM dkBxksnke] uSuhrky& Qksu@ Phone &05946 266209@216] 09412905815
Email- naipahal@yahoo.co.uk , pahal.info88@gmail.com
Introduction
PAHAL is a voluntary organization working in the field of Microfinance, Livelihood Support,
Rural & Slum area Sustainable Development, Environment Protection, Micro enterprise,
Capacity building of the Marginalized Community (esp. women), Awareness Programs ,
with Co-operation & Co-ordination.
At Pahal, we work towards nurturing and unleashing the untapped potential that resides in
rural India. We aim at long-term solutions to problems that exist at the grass root level.
Tools of Microfinance, Livelihood Services and agriculture & rural development are a broad
classification of the work that we do. We believe that rural India needs a change to be
brought about and we are working towards it. We are working in 125 Villages and slum
areas of Four Districts of Uttarakhand & one Districts of UP State and approaches more
than 12000 families. This year we have decided to work as consolidated approaches for
the holistic development of our target community & we have restructure our organization &
decided that all community services will come under the aegis of PAHAL Institute For
Community Empowerment We are providing , Livelihood support Services, Micro Finance
Services, Health Support Services, Education Support Services & Capacity Building
Services to the marginalized communities and we are committed for the holistic
development of our target community

Our Mission
“Socio - Economic Development and empowerment of marginalized community with
optimum utilization of the Natural Resources & Innovation”
Our Services
We are providing following services to the community-
• Pahal Community Livelihood support Services
• Pahal Community Micro Finance Services
• Pahal Community Capacity Building Services
• Pahal Community Health Support Services
• Pahal Community Education Support Services

The first three services are providing directly while the rest two are referral and mobilization
support to access services provided by governmental & other institutions.
Being a community organization we are deeply focused on livelihood issue in our
operational area. We have selected livelihood activities as per the local requirement,
community need & their skill, In first phase we have start market need & easily available
raw materials based livelihood opportunity i.e. News paper shopping bag, Traditional &
innovative, Patch work & Embroidery work & Stone Art. In this context we have decided to
concentrate our all mean on those area where livelihood services are required by
communities, in this context we have given job work of patch work on clothe, stone art work
& paper bag shopping bag making, vegetable dehydration. We have also given income
generation & livelihood opportunity to those girls who’s families (has not sufficient mean of
livelihood) are not providing education to their girl child due to lack of livelihood means.
Livelihood Support Services-1

Innovative Paper Bag

An Innovative Paper Bag- Reduce The Non Biodegradable Waste & Increase The
Livelihood Opportunity

The geography of our target area is very sensitive which makes employment and livelihood
opportunity limited. We have observed that the female population in this is dependent on
traditional paper bag making work, but they don’t get proper income because of extensive
use of polythene bags. They do make news paper bags and sell it in local market but these
bags does not fulfill the demand of consumers and shopkeepers as well also. These bags
don’t have the carrying capacity like that of polythene bags.
To solve the issue of less earning and pollution threat PAHAL has come up with the idea of
making consumer friendly bag. We have develop a innovative and eco-friendly news paper
shopping bags with greater carrying capacity, better durability and a strong competitor to
polythene bags. These bags have also replaced polythene bags in some extent.
We have found the test marketing results to be very encouraging. We have started training
our women SHG’s member to make this bags in volume.
We have intimated the National Innovation Foundation (An apex institution in India for
same cause) about this innovative idea and they have registered our idea for competition.
We have also launched these paper bags in two different public functions in the presence
of public representative’s officials’ general public and media. We have trained 200 women
from marginalized section of society in our operational area to make these new innovative
news paper shopping bags. And their production is being marketed in local area. We have
also trained trainers and officials of other institution to propagate this concept at large level
for the benefit of community and environment also.
The marketing activity is gradually increasing and hoping that it will useful in all aspect.
This initiative is giving employment opportunity and making the women financially stable.
The consumers usually like facility & they do not want to bring cloth/jute/gunny bags from
home for shopping & liking bring gods in polythene carry bags providing by shopkeeper, so
their lies huge potential for marketing these news paper bags.
Livelihood Support Services-2

Patch Embroidery Work

We have been conducting patch work, embroidery work training for more than 100 women
artisans on latest designs and pattern with the support of different developmental agencies

in previous years, With continuous support on technical inputs, exposure on market trend,
SHGs have gradually linked themselves with local marketing channels. Artisans are now
getting regular orders through SHG network and marketing their products through events,
melas, exhibitions and festivals with or without our support.

Livelihood Support Service-3

Stone Art

River stone (Pebbles) can be used as a resource of sustainable livelihood without

environmental threats. Our master craftsmen and artists have found that these pebble can
take the shape of decorative and salable art pieces. With a minimal investment and
resources these stone pieces cold be given high artistic value with high market prices.
Our designers are developing these craft items on a large scale. And we are in the process
of training as many as SHG members whose livelihood is affected by river closure.
This concept has already been acknowledged by NABARD Regional Office, Dehradun.
They have not only appreciated but have also decided to conduct a skill-training
programme for SHG members under their MEDP programme. As of now ‘pebble art’ is
providing livelihood support to almost 100 women in our target area and we are hoping the
numbers to increase rapidly in the coming years.
Livelihood Support Service-Stone Art
The salient features of the Stone Art are as follows:
• Readily available resources in the forms of pebbles and stones.
• Steady year long income. INR 40-50 per day all year round, as a result women involved in
this project supplement the income of the family (which is existent for about 6 months in an
year).
• Minimal monetary investment.
• High rate of return due to high market opportunities that Pebble art pieces opened.
• Traditionally excavating 1 ton of stone earns the laborers about 70-80 INR while in our
project only 1 kg of stone yields the same amount for them.
• Minimum level of skill needed.
• Ready acceptability of the Livelihood solution among women of the community.
• No environmental threat as the quantity of rock required is marginal as compared to
excavation processes.
• High rate of value addition with relatively less number of man hours.
• Year round employment opportunity thus catering to other socio-economic problems.
• Tapping of women as valuable human resource.

We have conducted successful test marketing in cities like Mumbai, Chandighar, New
Delhi & local tourist spot and the rests are quite encouraging. The products are been
appreciated and are already n demand..
Pahal Community Micro Finance Services-
We are providing Microfinance to SHGs & JLGs under the aegis of "PAHAL Community
Micro finance Services" & providing range of micro finance services to the marginalized
community for their socio economic empowerment. Under these services we are providing
2 type services one is Direct micro finance and another is linking SHGs to the formal
financial institution i.e. banks etc .We are organizing community in the form of SHGs to
help them access the financial services available. We are proud to say that we are a
pioneer in this field in Uttarakhand. We are also strengthening our SHGs by regularly
organizing financial literacy training and timely informational inputs.

Direct lending

Under direct micro-finance services we have provided Rs.180 lac as micro credit to 1950
members with the support of SIDBI, Nainital Bank ,ICICI Bank & NMDFC, Uttarakhand
Micro Finance & Livelihood cooperative Institution, Dehradun and Indian Gramin services
(Basix Group)

SHG Formation

PAHAL has promoted 576 Self Help Groups, JLGs and credit linked 325 so far in
Haldwani, Kathgodam, semi-urban and rural areas in Bhimtal, Jeolikote, Kotabagh, Jaspur,
Chanpawat, Purala & Naogaon Block (Uttarkashi) & Rampur (UP). About Rs.500 lakh of
credit (1000000 $)) has been mobilized as saving, internal landing, and bank credit. These
groups are being encouraged as a tool of social mobilization too. This SHG Promotion &
Bank Linkage Programme is being supported by NABARD Dehradun.

Micro Insurance
Pahal is facilitating micro insurance product to our clients for securing their life against any
unprecedented circumstances. Well established & reputed Insurance Company like LIC of
India & Birla Sun life Insurance Company are offering services to our SHG & JLG
members.
Capacity Building Services-
We believe that development process should start from the grass-root level and gradually
reach the higher level. We are preparing community to take part in this process, at this
level we are supporting the community to get access and procure information, techniques
and training suitable for their socio economic betterment.
As per the felt need of community & requirement we have provided following capacity
building training to the community in our working area-
1- SHG Formation
2- JLG Formation Financial practices
3- Financial Literacy & Functional Knowledge
4- Vocational training on stone art etc.
5- Skill up gradation in traditional embroidery, patch work, stone art, painting etc
6- Vocational training on Innovative shopping paper bags, Jute Bag, Cloth bag, travel
bags,
7- Technical training in House wiring, Motor winding, welding etc

Training to other /Partner Institutions-

We have arranged training & capacity building programme for our partner organizations-
1- Skill Training to UPASAC Community & Team leaders in Almora
2- Skill Training to JSS Groups & staff on Innovative Shopping paper bags in Bhimtal &
Bageshwar.
Marketing of Artisan’s Products –
Kota Fresh Rural Mart Open-
PAHAL-promoted SHG federation in Kotabagh has opened an outlet for marketing of farm
& non farm produce of SHG promoted in Kotabagh Block in the name of Kota Fresh this
outlet has been sanctioned by NABARD under rural mart scheme to market SHGs
products. It is notable that Kotabagh is famous for agriculture produce like pulses, spices &
vegetables and to cash this concept SHGs are marketing the products using interesting
branding techniques.
SHGs & artisan’s products are been displayed and sold in following events, exhibition and
market outlet:
1. Mumbai SARAS mela
2. Maha Kumbh Mela Haridwar
3. Char Dham Yatra Rout Near Badrinath Dham.
4. Nainital Market
5. SARAS Mela Dehradun.
6. SARAS Showroom Haldwani.
7. Industrial Exhibition Chandighar
8. Tourist Resort, Naukuchiatal
9. Haldwani Market
10. Bageshwar Market
Advocacy on following issues -
• Micro Finance Sector- We have made representation through a letter to Reserve
bank of India for easy fund availability to Financial for on lending to marginalized
community. We have also represented in State Government & state level Bankers
forums on this issue including financial literacy & proper action on SHG bank linkage
program.
• MNEREGA- At grass rot level we have also mobilized Development Machineries,
Public Representative and Community for better implementation of MNAREGA
• Non Biodegradable wastes & Polythene Bag – In recent past government has
banned use of polythene bags less than 20 mg. to check pollution caused by non
disposal of polythene wastes, but somehow this cause is not being supported. This
has led to continuous usage of polythene bags thus increase in pollution. In this
concern we have approached the local administration and arranged meeting of all
stakeholders on this issues & hoping for a fruitful outcome.
.
We have coordinated with civil societies, action groups and other stake-holder on
following issues at National, State & local level.-
• NGO policy
• Panchayat Act
• Cooperative Act
• Forest Right Act
Volunteering & Training Opportunity to other Institutions -
We have provided exposure & on field training opportunities to volunteers & student from
following institutions-
• Commerce Students of Ramjas college ,University of Delhi
• Volunteers from I Volunteer organisation
• MSW & BSW student of IGNOU Centre MBPG College Haldwani

Exposure Visit, Conference Training attended by Pahal staff -

• Workshop on Pease Building in South Asia - Executive Director Pahal Mr. Islam Hussain
has been participated 5 day International workshop in Colombo organized by Pease
Building Institute Sri Lanka on Development Conflict resolution & Pease Building in South
Asia.
• Workshop on SME in BIRD - Business Manager of PAHAL mr. Devendra Chandra &
manager mr. Mohammad Farooq has been participated Training workshop on Promotion of
Small & Medium Enterprise IN BIRD Lucknow
• Field visit & Training Programme - BIRD- Mr. GS Rana Manager Pahal has participated
Field visit & Training Programme on SHG in Mangalore Karnataka organized by BIRD
• Gender Budgeting-Ms Maya Negi Secretary PAHAL Ms Lubna Account officer has been
participated training program on Gender Budgeting in NOIDA.
• Other workshops attended by Pahal staff
• State Bank of India DDN sponsored SHG workshop attended by Mr. Islam Hussain and Ms.
Priyanka
• Micro save sponsored work shop New Delhi on HR issue attended by Mr. Islam Hussain
• TERI sponsored Community Radio work shop Mukteshwar- attended by Mr. Devendra
Chandra
• Marketing Channel workshop New Delhi attended by Mr. Devendra Chandra

Conference /Workshop/Training
• Innovation conference- Chennai attended by Mr. Islam Hussain
• NRDC Bangalore- attended by Mr. Islam Hussain
• Agriculture summit- attended by Mr. Islam Hussain
• India Micro Finance New Delhi- attended by Mr. Islam Hussain
• NRM conference- attended by Mr. Islam Hussain
• Micro Finance conference- attended by Mr. Islam Hussain & Ms Lubna
• Rural Development conference- attended by Mr. Islam Hussain
• CSR Conference- attended by Mr. Islam Hussain
• Vani workshop DDN- attended by Mr. Islam Hussain
• Sa dhan AGM- attended by Mr. Islam Hussain
• Ramjas College workshop on micro Finance special reference PAHAL work on Micro
Finance- attended by Mr. Islam Hussain
Funders Dignitaries Visit -
We are vary fortunate that many reputed dignitaries VIPs & Funders has given chance to Pahal
staff to show their work, those who has made visit to PAHAL & Pahal Program are-

• Mr. Pathak Vice Chancellor Uttarakhand Open University

• Mr. Satish Lakhchaura GM Uttrakhand Micro Finance & Livelihood Institution
Dehradun
• Mr KS Rawat AGM SIDBI Dehradun
• Mrs Arunima Manager SIDBI Dehradun
• Mr. K N Kandpal Senior Manager Nainital Bank Nainital
• Mr. S K Chatarjee Director BIRD Lucknow -
• Mr. P C Chaudhry DGM BIRD, Lucknow
• Mr. G S Chaudhry AGM NABARD
• Mr. Sidhdharth Regional Manager BASIX Group Jaipur
• Prof. Das Ramjas College New Delhi
• Mr. Gopal Prasad Director JSS Bhimtal
• Mr. Jitendra Tiwari Director JSS Bageshwar
• Mr. Narendra Rautella Vice Chairman Uttarakhand Handicraft Board UK Govt.
• Mrs. Shahjahan Begum & Mr. Shokeen Ahmad Member Municipal Board
• Mr Pangti Manager state Bank of India.
• Mr. SN Srivastave Coordinator Credibility Alliance New Delhi
• Mrs Bhagwati Suyal Gram Pradhan Chopra, Jeolikote Nainital
Award, Facilitation & Recognition -
• Mrs. Afsar Bano Designer & coordinator of PAHAL has facilitated as Second Best
Artisan Award for Patch work embroidery work by Directorate of Industries
Uttrakhand.
• Leading Hindi News paper Hindustan has selected Mr. Islam Hussain-as a
diamond of Uttarakhand among total 21 prominent & well recognized social activist
/ development worker and awarded under their Sprit of Uttarakhand concept. all
21 selected dignitaries has been facilitated by Mr. Ramesh Pokhariyal Nishank Chief
Minister Uttrakhand & other Guest in a award gala organized by Hindustan in State
Capital Dehradun.
• Pahal Project on Rural Livelihood has been selected in Final list of Wantraprenure
Award process, organized by well known social Institution Villgro Chennai. Mr. Islam
Hussain has presented this project in conference organized by Villgro in Chennai.
• Pahal Project Innovative Paper bag has been selected in Final list of Innovative
Proposal award process, organized by NRDC.
• NABARD Dehradun has selected PAHAL’s Stone Art piece to print on front page
of SHG Information & Manual Book.

Mrs. Afsar Bano Receiving Best Artisan Mr. Islam Hussain Presenting Proposal Mr. Islam Hussain Receiving Award
Director of Industry in Wantraprenure Conference, Chennai Sprit of Uttrakhand Award from Well-
known Environmentalist Dr. Ravi Chopra

MPEA -2005 Award MPEA -2006 Award Best SHG Award Micro Finance Service Award
ABN Amro Bank & Planet Finance, France/ Indian NABARD, Mumbai State Bank of India, Dehradun

Other Awards & facilitation Memento

Electronic Media Internet & Print Media Coverage & Comment on our
work -

“This organization has been doing commendable work in the field of SHGs and we are
happy to be associated with them. Pahal is very progressive and is taking new initiatives.” -
A.K.Dhupar Chairman, Nainital-Almora Kshetriya Grameen Bank

“An excellent endeavor to harness the gifts of nature….Pahal is doing a great job” – S.K.
Chatterjee Director, BIRD Lucknow
Our Partner Funders –

NABARD Regional Office Dehradun DC handicrafts JSS Bhimtal NMDFC Delhi

JSS Bageshwar

Nainital Bank, Ranibagh, Nainital SIDBI Uttarakhand Micro Finance &

Dehradun Livelihood Promotion
Cooperative Institution
Govt Of UK, Dehradun

ICICI Bank Basix Group State Bank of India Nainital Almora Khetriya Gramin
Bank Haldwani, Nainital

HDFC Bank Rashtrya Mahila Kosh Birla Sun Life Insurance Life Insurance Corporation of India
Haldwani Ministry of Women
Empowerment Govt. of India
New Delhi