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CSD Commemorates its 34th Anniversary in a Jubilant Manner, Awarding Prominent Personalities of Microfinance for their Remarkable Achievements
Hon. Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Mr. Prithvi Subba Gurung, inaugurating the program
The 34th Anniversary of the Centre for Self-help Development (CSD), held on 28 Shrawan, 2082 (13th August, 2025), was inaugurated by Honorable Minister of Communication and Information Technology, Mr. Prithvi Subba Gurung in the esteemed presence of Honorable Lila Nath Shrestha and Honorable Yogendra Mandal, Members of House of Representative and Former Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank, Mr. Deependra Bahadur Kshetry. The program was chaired by CSD Chairperson, Mr. Shankar Man Shrestha.
In his remarks, the Honorable Minister highlighted that CSD’s small cash incentives reflect the “small is beautiful” principle, where modest investments can spark innovation and transformation of lives of the people. Citing Huawei, Zodiac Energy, and Shenzhen, he noted how small beginnings focused on Research & Department can evolve into transformative success.
Hon. Lila Nath Shrestha said that in the last couple of years, some vested interest groups have been spreading false propaganda that microfinance institutions, cooperatives, and loan sharks are the same. He said, “I need to inform the general public about their differences.” Mr. Deependra Bahadur Kshetry noted the declining credibility of microfinance during this period, while Hon. Yogendra Mandal’s initiative to start a hospital in his local village has been able to change this discourse.
CSD’s Chairperson Mr. Shankar Man Shrestha with the Chief Guest and Guest
CSD Chairman Mr. Shankar Man Shrestha expressed pride in the organization’s 34-year service to the deprived communities, noting that many NGOs do not sustain this long. Since 1991, CSD has implemented different Community Based Self-help Development Projects in different parts of rural area like Jumla, Kalikot, Salyan, Okhaldhunga and so on to boost their socio-economic condition by mobilizing financial resources along with developing local capacity of the poor and disadvantage people to manage their own resources in a simple manner. He emphasized that credit alone cannot drive socio-economic growth. “A holistic approach is most for the sustainable development of the downtrodden masses and MFIs has been building the capacity of the poor people” he said. He also highlighted unanimous adoption of a 9-point action plan formulated by Nepal Country Forum 2025, prioritizing initiatives such as the “Learn and Earn” program, youth self-employment program, fruit tree plantation, eco-village program, and promotion of 3Zero Clubs.
On this occasion, there is also a tradition of honoring individuals and institutions that have made special contributions to the wellbeing of the poor farmers through microfinance sector. This practice has added a distinct significance to the program, as it not only recollects CSD’s role in the socio-economic development of the rural people but also recognizes and encourages the remarkable efforts made in advancing microfinance in the country.
In this occassion, CSD bestowed the Shankar Man Shrestha Laghubitta Puraskar with NPR2,00,000.00 cash prize, established in 2079 BS, to Mr. Yogendra Mandal of Dhanpalthan Rural Municipality-2, Morang, in recognition of his exemplary contributions to the microfinance sector. He has been upholding the norms and principles of microfinance and serves as a role model for sustainable growth and socio-economic progress of the deprived families. “Receiving this award has marked the fulfillment of a long-pursued and meaningful milestone in his life”, Mr. Mandal stated.
Hon. Yogendra Mandal receiving the Shankar Man Shrestha Puraskar
Since 2073/74, CSD has been conferring the Micro-entrepreneurship Development Award to microfinance organizations that have exhibited outstanding performance in promoting and nurturing micro-entrepreneurship among their members. For the fiscal year2080/81, the Chhimek Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd. is selected for the award in recognition of its exceptional efforts in promoting and developing entrepreneurs within its microfinance network. Accepting the award on behalf of the organization, Chairman Mr. Ram Chandra Joshi stated that the recognition has been a significant motivator for the organization and the staff.
Mr. Ram Chandra Joshi, Chairman of Chhimek Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd. receiving the Award
Since 2075/76, CSD has also been giving awards with cash prize to three women microfinance members who have achieved significant socio-economic transformation through their microenterprises Ms. Asha Budamagar from Bangad Kupinde-1 Municipality, Panikhola, Salyan, a member of the Bauddha Grameen Bahuudeshiya Sahakari Sanstha Ltd. Surkhet; Ms. Jamuna Ghimire from Ishwarpur Municipality-4, Sarnath, Sarlahi, a member of the Chameli SACCOS, Sarlahi; and Ms. Bimala Tharu from Bardaghat Municipality-14, Gangabasti Tole, Nawalparasi, a member of the Nawaprativa SACCOS Nawalparasi, were honored with the awards recognizing their exemplary women entrepreneurship performance, with each recipient receiving a cash prize of NRs. 50,000 and a letter of appreciation.
Winners of Outstanding Women Microfinance Members
Ms. Asha Budamagar shared that prior to joining Bauddha Grameen Bahuudeshiya Sahakari Sanstha Ltd. Surkhet, she faced financial hardship; starting with a loan amount of Rs. 60,000 for goat farming, she has now expanded her enterprise and earns Rs. 10 lakh per year. Ms. Jamuna Ghimire noted that her modest beginnings evolved after joining Chameli SACCOS, Sarlahi by taking loan amount of Rs. 50,000 and she now manages a herd of approximately 25 Holstein cows and buffaloes. Ms. Bimala Tharu of the Nawaprativa SACCOS Nawalparasi stated that she began with a Rs. 20,000 loan to purchase a single fabric weaving machine and has grown her business to operate eight machines, employing 15 people, while also upgrading from a small hut to a two-story concrete home. They expressed their joy and said that being recognized has greatly inspired them to achieve even more in the future.
Letters of Appreciation were also presented to Jeevan Bikas Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd. for Self-help Eco-village Development Program, Grameen Mahila Utthan Kendra for 3Zero Best Support Organization and Mr. Prakash Rajbanshi of the Chhimek Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd. for 3Zero Best Support Person. The event witnessed the enthusiastic participation of over 120 dignitaries and well-wishers of CSD.
