Kiran Mazumdar Shaw is an Indian entrepreneur who founded Biocon, India's largest biotechnology company. Some key points: - She has a degree in brewing but switched careers to found Biocon in 1978, becoming India's first female brewmaster. - Under her leadership, Biocon transitioned from producing enzymes to becoming an integrated biopharma company conducting strategic research. - She faced challenges as a young female entrepreneur in an unfamiliar industry lacking funds, but was determined to succeed. - Biocon's achievements include being the first company to produce insulin in India. Shaw has received many honors for her contributions to science, business, and India.

2. Introduction
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Self-Help Group or in-short SHG is now a
well-known concept. It is now almost two
decade old. It is reported that the SHGs have
a role in hastening country’s economic
development. SHGs have now evolved as a
movement.

3. What is a Self Help Group ?
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A self-help group (SHG) is a villagebased financial intermediary usually
composed of 10–20 local women or men. A
mixed group is generally not preferred. Most
self-help groups are located in India, though
SHGs can also be found in other
countries, especially in South Asia and
Southeast Asia.

4. SHG model in India
In India three different models of linkage of SHGs to
the financial institutions have emerged. They are:
 Banks, themselves, form and finance the SHGs.
 SHGs are formed by NGOs and other agencies but
financed by banks.
 Banks finance SHGs with NGOs and other
agencies as financial intermediaries.
The second model is the most popular model. Almost
three-fourths of all the SHGs come under this
model. Only 20% of the SHGs are covered under
the first and 8% under the third model respectively.

5. The history of the self-help
group READ:
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In 1997, READ was the first organization in its area to introduce
the concept of women self-help groups, and 5 women self-help
groups were formed in Andimadam Block of Ariyalur District (in
the villages of
Periyakrishnapuram, Thanjavooranchavai, Vilandai, Vilandai
Colony and Keelnaduvai).
Since then, the program has expanded a lot. With financial support
from the Mahalir Thittam project of the Tamilnadu Corporation for
the Development of Women Ltd., (TNCDW), The Council for
Advancement of People`s Action and Rural Technology
(CAPART) and Sahaya International, READ has currently
organized more than 1300 groups, each with 10-15 members.
READ's SHG program currently covers three blocks in two
districts (Ariyalur and Cuddalore district). To operate these
programs, READ has extablished four branch offices
(Andimadam, Sendurai, Variyangkaval and Srimushunam)

6. 
The READ staffs gave basic training to each
of the Self-Help Groups on a variety of
topics:
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Rules and regulations of SHG
Animators training
Accounts training
Leadership development Training
Capacity building training
Entrepreneurs Training
Self employment Training

7. Self Help Group
A Self Help Group in
Ariyalur District
organized and
managed by READ.

8. The need for Self-Help Group:
More than 60,000 women spread in 2 Blocks of
Ariyalur District belong to the ‘Below poverty
line’ category (ie. their annual income is less
than Rs. 24000 (=$500)). These women are
from different caste groups such as Scheduled
Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), most
backward Caste (MBC) backward caste (BC)
and minority groups (Muslims).
 Most of them are illiterates/semi-literates. Only
15 percent of this population own economic
assets, such as weaving looms, cows and
goats, or a petty shop business.
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If they need money, they cannot go to a bank to get a
loan, so often their only choice is to get a loan from a
local money-lender, who usually charges outrages
interest rates (sometimes more than 100%!).
Often such debts cannot be paid off in time, and the
individual or the family gets in deeper poverty, and
sometimes leads to suicide.
The situation is especially poor for women, because
they have often little or no economic status, and
especially when their husband is working
elsewhere, they have to face severe financial hardship.

10. 
Occupation-wise they are
landless laborers, agricultural
laborers, construction
workers, weavers and contract
weavers and daily wage labor
(coolie workers). The job
availability in the agricultural
sectors is roughly for 3-4
months a year and the rest of
the period they travel usually
to nearby areas for coolie
work. They try to support
their families with their little
income.

11. Motive
This can lead to a strong and permanent improvement of
their socio-economic conditions in a number of ways:
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Initiation of savings and credit activities, and promotion of income
generating programs in these self-help groups will bring more
economic development and independence to these women and their
families.
For the first time in their life, these disadvantaged rural women and
men become organized into groups. The formation of these selfhelp groups will facilitate discussion of many issues pertaining to
their socio-economic, educational and health status.
This process will also lead to increased confidence and social
status, especially for women, in their communities. This will
encourage these women to participate and contribute in general
social and political matters in their respective villages, including
women's rights.

12. Case story of self-help group
member
•Kolanchiammal
Before Kolanchiammal got involved with
a self-help group, her family suffered
a lot from money lenders and it was
very difficult for her to maintain her
family. She came to know about the
importance of Self Help Groups and
made herself a member in the
Vanavil Self-help Group which is
being looked after by READ. After
getting a loan from READ, she
bought four goats and takes care of
them well. Now she is having a habit
of saving the amount for future use.
Thus the total family benefited from
this. One of the goats has yielded
two offspring.

14. KIRAN MAZUMDAR SHAW

15. Chairperson and CEO of Biocon Ltd, India’s
largest Biotechnology company
Born on March 23, 1953

16. EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
Schooling at Bishop Cotton Girls School and
Mount Carmel College,Bangalore
 B.Sc. in Zoology from Bangalore University
in 1973
 Ballarat University in Melbourne, Australia
and qualified as a master brewer.
 Awarded honorary doctorates from
University of Abertay, Dundee, U.K.
(2007), University of Glasgow, U.K. (2008)
and Heriot-Watt
University, Edinburgh, U.K. (2008)
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17. HER CAREER
Trainee brewer in Carlton & United Beverages
in 1974
 Became India’s first Brew Master
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Switch of occupation
 Trainee Manager with Biocon Biochemicals
Limited in Ireland in 1978
 Founded Biocon India in collaboration with
Biocon Biochemicals Limited

18. CAREER WITH BIOCON
 Capital
 Transition from
an enzyme production
company to an integrated biopharmaceutical
company with strategic research initiatives
 In 2004 she became India’s richest women
 As per 2009 Forbes ranking Mrs. Shaw
stands 92 among first 100 most powerful
women

19. CHALLENGES FACED
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Personal challenges
 Youthful age
 Gender
 Unfamiliar business
Lack of funds
 Not familiar with biotechnology
 Women entrepreneur
 Lack of assets
Infrastructure
Quality
Managing investors expectations

20. DETERMINATION
 First
company world wide to produce
Insulin and in October 2008 it
developed oral insulin too
 As
a leader she used to set feasible
goals like production of enzymes and
antibodies from fermentation and
research process

21. ACHIEVEMENTS
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Nikkei Asia Prizes- Regional Growth by Nikkiei Inc. (2009)
Wharton Infosys Business transformation Award (2006)
Padma Bhusan (2005)
Honorary Doctrate from Manipal Acadamy of Higher education –MAHE (2005)
Life time Acheivement Award from Indian chamber of Commerce (2005)
Honorary Doctorate of Science from Ballart Universty (2004)
The Economic Times Business Women of the year (2004)
Whirpool GR8 women award for science and technology (2004)
Australian Alumni High Achiever Award from the IDP Australian Alumni
Association (2003)
Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in Healthcare & Life Sciences
Category (2002)
Woman of the Year from the International Women's Association, Chennai (1998–
1999)
Padma Shri (1989)
Outstanding Young Person Award by Jaycees (1987)
Rotary award for the Best Model Employer (1983)
Outstanding Contribution Award (AWAKE) (1983)
Gold for Best Woman Entrepreneur, Institute of Marketing Management (1982)

22. PERSONALITY
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High self esteem
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High on conscientiousness
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Reliable
Responsible
Organised
Dependable
High on agreeableness
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Loves and believes in herself
Proud to be an Indian
Tradition and culture
Warm with employees, stakeholders
Trust
High on emotional stability
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Positive emotional stability