Sahiyar Purti | Gujarat Samachar Sahiyar

Gujarat Samachar has reported extensively on how a Sahiyar group in Anand district began with just ₹500 in savings and now runs a ₹50-lakh dairy cooperative. In Banaskantha, Sahiyars have taken over the distribution of sanitary napkins, breaking age-old taboos. Yet, the path is not without thorns. In a recent investigative series titled “Sahiyar ni Vedna” (The Agony of a Friend), Gujarat Samachar revealed that many women’s groups still face bureaucratic red tape. Loan disbursements under the Sahiyar Puri (perhaps referring to a specific local scheme or location) have been delayed due to lack of digital literacy. Moreover, domestic violence remains a silent epidemic, with many Sahiyars suffering in silence despite their economic independence.

In the heart of every Gujarati village, the word ‘Sahiyar’ resonates with more than just friendship. It symbolizes trust, resilience, and collective action. Over the past decade, Gujarat Samachar has repeatedly highlighted how women’s collectives—often called Sahiyar Mandals —have transformed rural economies and social structures. From the salt deserts of Kutch to the cotton fields of Saurashtra, women have traditionally worked in isolation. However, under various state and central schemes (such as the Sahiyar Yojana by the Gujarat Government’s Women and Child Development Department), these women began forming self-help groups (SHGs). Each group member calls the other ‘Sahiyar’ – a sister in struggle and success. sahiyar purti gujarat samachar sahiyar