Sarala Development & Microfinance Pvt. Ltd. has continued its efforts to support women micro-entrepreneurs and preserve traditional rural craftsmanship through financial inclusion initiatives in West Bengal. In Darjeeling district, Anita Das, a local artisan engaged in crafting traditional rattan stools, has expanded her livelihood activities with the help of microfinance support provided by the company. Using techniques passed down through generations, Das produces small rattan stools that contribute to her household income while helping sustain indigenous craftsmanship in the region.
According to the company, Das received her first microfinance loan of ₹50,000 from Sarala’s Champasari branch in January 2024. The funds were used to purchase raw materials, upgrade tools, and improve production capacity. Following steady business growth and disciplined repayment behaviour, she later became eligible for a second loan of ₹60,000 in December 2025. The additional financial assistance helped her further expand operations and improve output efficiency, the company said.
Expressing gratitude, Anita Das said the support from Sarala had increased her confidence and enabled her to lead a more comfortable life while independently supporting her family. West Bengal remains a major microfinance market with a gross loan portfolio of ₹27,510 crore as of December 2025. According to the MFIN-NCAER report, over 86.7 per cent of borrowers utilise microfinance loans for livelihood-related activities including small businesses, farming and shop establishments. Sarala Development & Microfinance Pvt. Ltd., an RBI-registered NBFC-MFI headquartered in Kolkata, operates across several eastern states including West Bengal, Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand and Sikkim.