Published Paper Details:

This study investigates the transformative impact of the Tripura Rural Livelihood Mission (TRLM) and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) on women in rural Tripura, focusing on their roles in cultural preservation, economic development, and community leadership. Tripura, a culturally diverse state in Northeast India, has seen significant social and economic progress through community-based initiatives aimed at reducing poverty and gender inequality. The research highlights how TRLM, by empowering women through SHGs, has created platforms for financial independence, skill development, and cultural innovation. Case studies of five women artisans--specializing in weaving, bamboo craft, and culinary entrepreneurship--demonstrate how traditional practices can be revitalized using eco-friendly techniques and modern technologies. These women have not only achieved personal success but have also become community change-makers by generating employment, leading cooperatives, organizing training workshops, and mentoring others. Their ventures blend indigenous knowledge with digital marketing and sustainable practices, enhancing the visibility and viability of Tripura's cultural industries. The study uses a qualitative methodology, drawing on personal narratives and comparative analyses of women's lives before and after TRLM involvement. It finds significant gains in income, leadership roles, and decision-making capabilities. Furthermore, it emphasizes the inclusive and intersectional nature of TRLM programs, which aim to close social and economic gaps across ethnic and class lines. Despite these successes, the study also identifies research gaps, such as the need for more data on women's participation in formal cultural policymaking and long-term sustainability of TRLM-supported initiatives. Still, the findings underscore how SHGs and TRLM interventions not only uplift women economically but also enable them to serve as custodians and innovators of Tripura's rich cultural heritage. The achievements of these women, recognized nationally, illustrate the potential of grassroots empowerment to drive sustainable rural development. Their stories exemplify how traditional arts can become instruments for socioeconomic change when supported by structured training, policy inclusion, and digital access. The study concludes that TRLM and SHGs offer a replicable model for fostering sustainability, gender equity, and cultural resilience across similar rural contexts.