GRAMEEN SAHARA is a development facilitating organization initiated in ‘support of sustainable livelihood’ in the year 2002. The organization has been incorporated as a not-for-profit organization under the Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860. Since inception, it endeavors towards bringing significant changes in the livelihoods of the poor and underprivileged through its different livelihood programs and micro-finance service.

Background

The North East of India is endowed with rich natural resources and beautiful amalgamation of different people and cultures. Blessed with biodiversity, huge hydro-energy potential, oil and gas, coal, limestone, forest wealth, fruits and vegetables, flowers, herbs and aromatic plants, rare and rich flora and fauna, NE India has all the potential to transform into wealthiest regions of India. However, despite these great advantages, the North-East has not grown at par with the rest of the country, and the region’s potential has not been tapped properly. Overall growth rates over the past years have remained low, poverty incidence (especially in Assam) is high. In recent years, the region has missed out on the economic growth acceleration witnessed in much of India.

The issues and concerns of NE India have been very different from that of other regions of India. The need of a development institution having grass root knowledge of the region was felt which can contribute in promotion of livelihoods for the poor by providing financial services, technical assistance and other required development support services in an integrated manner.