Male Allies in the Women Led Swavalamban (Self-Reliance) Ecosystem

Last week, we heard from Sewali and Minu, two dedicated women community leaders from Assam, who shared their journeys of guiding and empowering women through local enterprises.

This week, we meet two equally essential yet often unsung roles: Mitra and Dhavak. Traditionally held by men, these roles are critical for female entrepreneurship to flourish within the village.

In a powerful shift from conventional dynamics, these men work not as heads of the system but as steadfast supporters, allowing women to take the lead in driving sustainable livelihoods. Their presence has eliminated the need for men to migrate to cities, allowing them to earn a livelihood locally while reinforcing the vision of a self-sustaining community.

Today, we introduce our readers to a Mitra from Chhattisgarh and a Dhavak from Maharashtra. Their stories are a testament to how communities grow strongest when both men and women work together toward a shared vision of development.

A Word from the Mitra: Facilitating Local Needs and Resources

“I run a grocery shop, but as a Mitra, my role goes beyond simple transactions,” says Ghasi Ram Patel, a Mitra from a small village in Chhattisgarh. “In the Swavlamban model, I collect and analyze data about our community’s resources and needs. I get a full picture of what we have, like local crops, handicrafts, or services like carpentry, and what we need, like groceries, clothes, and supplies.”

The Mitra’s role as a community connector is vital in creating a “haves and needs” list for the village. Producers of essentials like rice, vegetables, and local crafts are cataloged, as well as the daily needs of consumers. This allows Mitras like Ghasi Ram to identify how the community can use its own resources to meet demand. This insight even led Goalpora’s women we met last week to produce banana chips from local bananas, which otherwise went to waste, boosting income for everyone involved.

“Another unique aspect is the barter system. In many rural households, they have seasonal produce in surplus, like wheat or rice. Using barter, they trade these for other items like soap, detergent, or snacks,” explains Ghasi Ram. “Through the Swavlamban model, we’ve added a digital currency called Livelihood Points (LP), where 1 LP equals 1 Rupee. This currency helps balance trades and eliminates issues that arise in traditional bartering, like differences in value.”

Managing transactions through Livelihood Points and entering all the data in Drishtee’s app took some getting used to. But for Ghasi Ram, the benefits soon outweighed the challenges: “Once I got the hang of it, I saw how much time it saved me and how it streamlined our trade system. Now, I know I’m not just supporting myself—I’m making sure the whole village thrives.”

A Word from the Dhavak: Connecting Rural Markets with Village Enterprises

The Dhavak, or “carrier,” plays an equally significant role in Swavlamban’s ecosystem. As a Dhavak in Amravati, Ankush’s work requires him to carry large packages of Vaibhavi-produced goods like pickles, soaps, and snacks to about 150 rural retail points (RRPs) each day. These RRPs are spread across villages, and Ankush helps connect village enterprises to both local and broader markets.

“It’s hard work, balancing those heavy packages on my bike and sometimes even navigating rough, unpaved roads,” says Ankush with a grin. “But I know every delivery matters. Each item I carry means income for an entrepreneur in the village and a product for the people in town. I’m building a network that’s valuable to me and the community. We’re all working together to make this system grow.”

Through his work, Ankush ensures that rural businesses thrive, linking the production of small enterprises to larger markets without the need for urban migration. “It’s about creating an economy that works for us,” he reflects. “With every delivery, I feel like I’m not just earning a livelihood but helping everyone.”

In the Swavlamban model, Mitras and Dhavaks are more than individual roles; they are symbols of community-driven resilience. For Ghasi Ram and Ankush, it’s not just about their own earnings but about seeing their village prosper.

By supporting women entrepreneurs in bringing local resources to life and building connections across markets, they strengthen the self-reliant village economy at its core.

If you would like to connect with?us?virtually or in person?to learn more about?our journey, please reach out to the Drishtee team.

Stay tuned to meet our sisters from Bihar next week.

Creative credits: Vishal Singh Kandari,?Preetam Raj, Akshat, Mayur Inamke, Rahul Deshmukh, Pratik Athvale, Eesha Yadav.

This video highlights the role of Mitras and Dhavaks in the Swavalamban ecosystem.