NGVCT's Silver Jubilee Celebration Marks a Legacy of Change

The Navodaya Grama Vikas Charitable Trust (NGVCT) celebrated its Silver Jubilee with a grand event at Goldfinch City in Bangrakuloor, Mangaluru yesterday.

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This milestone marks 25 years of groundbreaking work under the visionary leadership of Dr. M.N. Rajendra Kumar, the founder of the Trust and the driving force behind its success. The celebration promises to be a reflection of the Trust's enduring commitment to uplifting rural communities through economic empowerment and social development.

The story of NGVCT began on January 29, 2000, when Dr. Rajendra Kumar launched the Navodaya Self Help Groups (SHGs) initiative with a mission to help rural populations achieve economic self-sufficiency. The programme was designed to empower individuals, particularly women, by providing them with the tools and resources to lead dignified, self-reliant lives.

Over the years, the SHG initiative has grown exponentially, with women comprising 80% of its members. This strong female participation has been a cornerstone of the programme's success. Today, the Trust's SHGs boast total savings of around Rs 315 crores, a clear reflection of the financial independence it has fostered among its members. Through a motto of "By the members, of the members, and for the members," NGVCT has empowered individuals across Karnataka to realise their full potential.

The formal establishment of NGVCT on October 17, 2004, at the sacred Shree Mookambika Temple in Kollur was a key moment in the Trust's history. It enabled the organisation to better manage SHG operations and implement a wide array of developmental programmes.