This study explores how Self-Help Groups (SHGs) under the Mission Shakti program have transformed the rural landscape of the Tangi-Choudwar block in Cuttack, Odisha. While rural development is often measured by infrastructure, this research focuses on the "Human Dimension" specifically the economic and social empowerment of women.

​Using a mixed-methods approach involving 150 respondents from 10 Gram Panchayats, the study evaluates the shift from traditional household labor to active micro-entrepreneurship. The findings reveal a significant 120% increase in average monthly household income and a marked improvement in women’s roles in domestic decision-making. However, the study also identifies a critical "Digital Divide," where high smartphone ownership has not yet translated into widespread e-commerce or digital banking for business.