✆ +91 62651 61081    ✉ pv.amsind@gmail.com Reg. No. 27688  |  12A & 80G Registered  |  NGO Darpan: CG/2020/0263901
Astitva Mahila Samiti logo
ASTITVA MAHILA SAMITIBilaspur, Chhattisgarh · Estd. 2015

About Us

Our story, mission, and the people who lead us

Our story

Founded in 2015 to give women an identity of their own

Astitva Mahila Samiti, Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, was established in July 2015 under the leadership of its Founder President, Smt. Pooja Verma, with the vision of empowering underprivileged women, particularly those from rural, remote, and disadvantaged communities.

The Samiti was founded in response to the limited livelihood opportunities and challenging socio-economic conditions faced by women. Beginning with grassroots-level initiatives, it focused on building women’s confidence, developing practical skills, and creating sustainable employment opportunities.

Our work later expanded into Tasar silk reeling, spinning, and handloom weaving as a means of creating livelihood opportunities for tribal women, and into rehabilitation programs for women inmates at Central Jail, Bilaspur.

Women training on Tasar reeling machines

Our mission

To empower women, especially those from underprivileged and rural communities, by providing essential vocational skills, training, and livelihood opportunities that enable them to achieve financial independence, self-reliance, and a dignified life.

Our goal

To build a society where women are skilled, economically self-sufficient, and socially empowered, by promoting sustainable livelihoods, entrepreneurship, and equal opportunities for growth and development.

Leadership

Our team

Smt. Pooja Verma
Smt. Pooja VermaFounder & President
Shri Ramesh Chandra Das
Shri Ramesh Chandra DasSecretary
Shri Sanjeev Kumar
Shri Sanjeev KumarJoint Secretary
Smt. Pooja Verma receiving the Special Recognition award from Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani, Union Minister of Textiles
Recognition

Honoured for building an institution that changes lives

  • Special Recognition for Institution Building (2019)Presented to Smt. Pooja Verma by Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani, Union Minister of Textiles, at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi, on 9 February 2019. The Central Silk Board recommended her for this award.
  • Chhattisgarh State Women CommissionAward presented by Smt. Harshita Pandey, then President of the Chhattisgarh State Women Commission.
  • Featured in Indian Silk magazineOur work with women inmates and tribal women was featured in the January–February 2019 issue.
See media coverage →
Transparency

Registrations and certifications

Astitva Mahila Samiti is a registered, non-profit society recognised by the Income Tax Department and NITI Aayog.

Society Registration No.27688
NGO Darpan ID (NITI Aayog)CG/2020/0263901
12A Registration No.AAEAA8099EE20231
80G Approval No.AAEAA8099EF20241

Help a woman build her own livelihood.

Support our work