PIB DELHI-The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), under the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), in collaboration with PRADAN and State Rural Livelihoods Missions (SRLMs), with support from Axis Bank Foundation, today launched the National Compendium titled “Strengthening Rural Livelihoods through Convergence: Insights from Practice.”
The compendium is the outcome of a nationwide “write-shop” process involving 24 SRLMs and presents 67 curated stories from 19 states. These narratives highlight on-ground experiences of convergence, showcasing how strong community institutions and cross-sector partnerships are enabling sustainable livelihood opportunities for rural women across India.
The compendium was released by Shri Shailesh Kumar Singh, Secretary, MoRD, Government of India, in the presence of Shri T.K. Anil Kumar, Additional Secretary, MoRD; Ms. Smriti Sharan and Ms. Swati Sharma, Joint Secretaries, DAY-NRLM; Shri Charanjit Singh (Retd. IFS); Dr. Avinash Neeraj (DAHD); Shri Avinash Sharma (Axis Bank Foundation); Shri Saroj Kumar Mahapatra, Executive Director, PRADAN; and representatives from SRLMs and partner organisations.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Shailesh Kumar Singh emphasised that convergence is central to achieving sustainable outcomes. He noted that the Government has made sustained efforts to align ministries, states, and programmes despite inherent complexities. He underscored the need to strengthen institutional leadership for convergence through emerging platforms such as the rural stack and called for replication of successful state-level models across the country.
Shri T.K. Anil Kumar highlighted the vast scale of DAY-NRLM, which has mobilised nearly 10 crore women into Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and facilitated bank linkages of ₹12 lakh crore. He stressed the importance of strengthening institutions and noted that NRLM 2.0 aims to scale the Lakhpati Didi model to 6 crore women through intensive grassroots support driven by “institutions of the poor, for the poor and by the poor,” supported by professionals.
Ms. Smriti Sharan emphasised the need for strategic investments to strengthen Cluster Level Federations (CLFs) as self-sustaining institutions capable of driving local area development. Ms. Swati Sharma highlighted that sustainable livelihoods rest on three pillars—programmes, institutions, and convergence—and called for convergence to be treated as a core strategy rather than merely a concept.
Shri Saroj Kumar Mahapatra, Executive Director, PRADAN, highlighted that convergence can be scaled using a “6I framework”—income diversification, infrastructure, intensity, ecological integration, inclusion, and institutional integration—and emphasised the importance of adopting a collective “We” approach.
The event also featured a structured panel discussion on scaling livelihood prototypes. Dr. Avinash Neeraj underlined the role of DAY-NRLM’s social capital in effective scheme utilisation, while Shri Raman Wadhwa stressed the need for professionally driven convergence through a “6P model.” Ms. Monisha Mukherjee highlighted the potential of CLFs to lead convergence through institutionalised multi-stakeholder planning and layered financial approaches. The discussion concluded with Shri Charanjit Singh raising key questions on measuring and ensuring the impact of convergence initiatives.
Shri Bishnu C. Parida, COO, JSLPS, shared insights on successful convergence models implemented in Jharkhand, including Birsa Harit Gram Yojana and Didi Badi Yojana, and emphasised the need to replicate similar initiatives across states. Shri Pallab Goswami, SPM (Non-Farm), Assam SRLM, highlighted the journey of documenting field experiences and assured continued efforts to compile success stories from farm and non-farm interventions.
Ms. Rajeshwari S. M., Director (RL), emphasised that strong community architecture and cross-sector collaboration are critical to achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat. Dr. Monika, Deputy Secretary (RL), reiterated that convergence is no longer optional but a necessity for impactful rural development.
The event concluded with a shared commitment to deepen convergence at all levels, with a focus on scaling proven models, strengthening partnerships, and enhancing monitoring and learning systems to ensure sustainable and inclusive rural livelihoods.
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