International Journal of Research in Management, Economics & Commerce (Impact Factor: 4.604, ISSN 2250-057X, Volume 5 Issue 1, January 2015) Website: www.indusedu.org

DEVELOPMENT OF SCHEDULE CASTE WOMEN THROUGH SELF HELP GROUPS IN TALUK Dr. M. Meganathan Assistant Professor, Department of Commerce, Alagappa University of Arts and Science College, Paramakudi R. Saravanan Assistant Professor, Department of Commerce, Alagappa University of Arts and Science College, Paramakudi R. Sudha Ganthi Research Scholar, Department of Management Studies, Government Arts College, Paramakudi

ABSTRACT Empowerment is a multidimensional process which should enable individual or a group of individuals to realize their full identity and powers in all spheres of life. As per the survey conducted in 2011-2012, the percentage of persons below the Poverty Line in India for the year 2011-12 has been estimated as 25.7% in rural areas, 13.7% in urban areas and 21.9% for the country as a whole. In India Schedule Caste women are not empowered much than compare with any other community people because of that the government was introduced many central and states schemes and given more important for Schedule Caste Women for the purpose of improving the socio-economic status, creation of employment opportunities and development of various skills. This paper focuses to study the socio-economic status of Schedule Caste Women SHGs in of District. Out of 966 SHGs in 20 SHGs have been randomly selected and then out of 20 SHGs, 120 members have been randomly selected for the field survey, by using multi-stage random sampling method. The major findings from the study are the majority 41 per cent of the members are in the age group of 26- 35 years, the majority 92 per cent of the members who are in the group of married, around half of the members are involving agriculture and allied activities, the majority of members of SHGs are saving their money from earning for the purpose to meet the children’s education

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International Journal of Research in Management, Economics & Commerce (Impact Factor: 4.604, ISSN 2250-057X, Volume 5 Issue 1, January 2015) Website: www.indusedu.org

expenditure and majority of them spending their earning for the purpose to meet the household expenditure. The concept of Self Help Groups is providing to be a helpful weapon for the women empowerment. Self Help Groups is an organization of rural poor, particularly of women that deliver finance to undertake the self-employment and income generating activity. Self- employment and income generating activities are a feasible solution for empowerment women. Women especially Schedule Caste women must be empowered by enhancing their loan subsidy, external relationship, training programmes, awareness, knowledge, skills and technology use efficiency, thereby, facilitating overall development of society. Key Words: Poverty, Unemployment, Women Empowerment, Self Help Group, Schedule Caste, Paramkudi, . INTRODUCTION As per the survey conducted in 2011-2012, the percentage of persons below the Poverty Line in India for the year 2011-12 has been estimated as 25.7% in rural areas, 13.7% in urban areas and 21.9% for the country as a whole. The respective ratios for the rural and urban areas were 41.8% and 25.7% and 37.2% for the country as a whole in 2004-05. It was 50.1% in rural areas, 31.8% in urban areas and 45.3% for the country as a whole in 1993-94. In 2011-12, India had 270 million persons below the Tendulkar Poverty Line as compared to 407 million in 2004-05, that is a reduction of 137 million persons over the seven year period. (Planning Commission report 2011-12). In India SC below poverty line population status in rural areas 36.8 per cent and urban areas 39.9 per cent. The percentage of persons below poverty level in has come down significantly between 1993-94 (35.03%) and 1999-2000 (21.12%) as a result of the implementation of various Central and State sponsored schemes, the level of poverty in Tamil Nadu is highest among the four southern States (Rural Development Report). The Government's policy and programmes have laid emphasis on poverty alleviation, generation of employment and income opportunities and provision of infrastructure and basic facilities to meet the needs of rural poor. Therefore, the Micro finance concept was introduced in India.

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International Journal of Research in Management, Economics & Commerce (Impact Factor: 4.604, ISSN 2250-057X, Volume 5 Issue 1, January 2015) Website: www.indusedu.org

Micro Finance is one of the most efficient and effective tools to fight against poverty. It is flexible in nature and is acclaimed globally as a tool for eradicating poverty and improving the socio-economic condition of the disadvantaged of the women society. People at the grass root level are immensely benefited by the micro finance activities implemented throughout the country. Micro Finance should be not only to eradicate poverty but also to solve the adverse side effects of poverty on the poor like: education of their children, health problems, permanent shelter, and other risks relating to their life. Empowerment as a process of awareness and conscientization, of capacity building leading to greater participation, effective decision-making power and control leading to transformative action. This involves ability to get what one wants and to influence others on our concerns. With reference to women the power relation that has to be involved includes their lives at multiple levels, family, community, market and the state. In India Schedule Caste women are not empowered much than compare with any other community people due to that the government was introduced many central and states schemes and given more important for SC Women for the purpose of improving the socio-economic condition, creation of employment opportunities and development of various skills. Therefore, this paper focuses to study the Empowerment of Schedule Caste Women SHGs in Paramakudi Taluk of Ramanathapuram District. Table No.1 Details of Block-wise SHGs in RamanathanaPuram District Total Amount of No. of Total No. Total No. of Total No. of Name of the Block Savings Panchayat of SHGs Members SC Members (Rs. In Lakh) 53 1,083 18,310 4,674 820.69 Paramakudi 39 966 15,867 4,680 755.52 R.S. Mangalam 35 647 10,570 1,709 467.83 Thiruvadanai 47 927 14,016 2,784 931.13 Ramanathapuram 25 441 6,944 1,979 610.28 Mandapam 28 578 7,237 739 663.08 Thirupullani 33 407 6,953 1,591 413.49 60 750 10,528 1,913 768.36

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Mudukulathur 46 678 11,489 3,034 503.42 Bogalur 26 254 4,282 1,233 269.73 Nainarkoil 37 403 6,576 1,993 500.53 ------Grand Total 429 7,134 1,12,772 26,329 6,704.06 Source: Mahalir Thittam: T.N. Corporation for development of Women limited at Ramanathapuram District Ramanathapuram District is situated in the South East corner of Tamilnadu which is highly drought prone and is most backward area in development. The district has been divided into 7 taluks and 11 community development blocks. Table No.1 clearly shows that the total number of panchyat in Paramakudi was 39, number of Self help Group was 966 groups its member size is 15,867 out of this 4,680 members are belongs to Schedule Caste and the total saving amount of Rs.755.52 lakhs. REVIEW OF LITERATURE The purpose of literature review is to convey the readers about the knowledge and ideas that have been established on the study. 1. Pathak.D.C and Pant. S.K (2008) the study analyzed the socio-economic impact of Micro Finance on rural poverty alleviation. This study was mainly based on primary data and data were collected through questionnaire with the sample size of 100 SHG members had selected on the basis of simple random sampling method. The major findings of this study were showed that from the Mann-Whitney test, the average income for SHG group was higher than the non-SHG group. Finally, it is revealed that the SGSY had not contributed significantly in the change in the level of income of the beneficiaries. The study was suggested that the efforts should be made to check competition in implementation of SGSY and that woman should be given more encouragement in the making of SHGs. 2. Murlidhar. A Lokhande (2010) have analyzed the socio-economic impact of women SHGs on groups. The primary data were collected through questionnaire with the sample size of 150 members had selected on the basis of simple random method. The major findings of this study were that majority respondents livelihood is agriculture in own form or as a laborers. Remaining of them was engaged in traditional small business

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International Journal of Research in Management, Economics & Commerce (Impact Factor: 4.604, ISSN 2250-057X, Volume 5 Issue 1, January 2015) Website: www.indusedu.org

activities such as tailoring, goat rearing etc. It was also observed that a few respondents had used borrowed funds preferably for business activities and majority of them had used borrowed funds for household needs like medical care, education etc. The study was conclude that in order to achieve the objective of poverty eradication, every poor person should have easy access to credit for starting small economic activities based on local resources. 3. Gowhar Jhan.M & Hima Bindu.M (2011) the study assessed the socio-economic of Micro Finance on members of SHGs in Chennai city of Tamil Nadu. The study was based on a simple random sample survey of 120 respondents. From the study it was found that majority of the respondents were doing small business whereas remaining of them belongs to other occupations such as labour, home-maker, and private employees etc. It is also expressed that more than half of members availed loan amount range between Rs.25,000- 50,000 per annam. Finally, the chi-square test result revealed that there is an association between educational qualification and amount of loan given in micro-credit. This research work can be concluded that microfinance had emerged as a savior for the poor. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY The main objective of the present study is to evaluate the Development of Schedule Caste Women through Self Help Groups in Paramakudi Taluk of Ramanathapuram District. The specific objectives of the study are: 1. To know the Personal Profile of Schedule Caste women in SHGs. 2. To identify the reasons for joining SHGs. 3. To study the Monthly Income of members of SHGs. 4. To evaluate the impact of SHGs on Socio-Economic empowerment of SC women. METHODOLOGY The present study is analytical nature based on collection of data from both primary and secondary data. Primary data were collected through well structure interview schedule methods from Schedule Caste Members of SHGs and the secondary data were obtained from various published and unpublished annual reports, journals, magazines and information given by the

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International Journal of Research in Management, Economics & Commerce (Impact Factor: 4.604, ISSN 2250-057X, Volume 5 Issue 1, January 2015) Website: www.indusedu.org

mahalir thittam office in Ramanathapuram District. The multi-stage random sampling has been adopted for the present study. At the first stage, paramakudi taluk has been selected for the study. At the second stage, there five (5) villages have been randomly selected on the basis of in which those are more number of SC groups in each village, there are 20 SHGs have been randomly selected. At the final stage, from each group six (6) members have been randomly selected. Ramanathapuram district is having four municipalities and 11 community development blocks namely Paramakudi, Ramanathapuram, Keelakarai and . Among the blocks the Paramakudi block is having highest level of Schedule Caste women Self Help Groups. The areas covered were Emaneswaram, S.Kavanur, Gandhi Nagar, Kattuparamakudi, and . The study has conducted among the Schedule Caste members of SHGs in Paramakudi taluk and the period of the study was from June 2013 to September 2013. GARRETT RANKING Garrett Ranking technique was used to convert the order of preference given by the sample positive women into ranks. The following formula was used to convert the order merit into ranks.

100 (Rij-0.5) Per cent Position = ------

Nj th th Rij – Rank given by the j individual for the i factors and th Nj – Number of factors ranked by the j individual Total Garret Score Mean Score =______No. of Respondents RESULT AND INTERPRETATION Age Profile: Age and Socio-economic activities are interrelated. The young and middle age people can actively participate in the socio-economic activity. It is reveals that people of diverse age groups are involved in SHGs. In almost all study area, it is found that the members of 26-35 years (41%) and 36-45 years (35%) age groups are actively participating in SHG activities. The

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above middle age people of above 46 years (19%) and below 25 years (5%) are also in the SHGs and their representation and participation is higher. Therefore, the young and middle age groups are actively participating and representing in the Self Help Groups. Educational Potential: It is depicts the educational background of the members and majority 39 per cent of the respondents have not educated, 22 per cent of them with up to Primary level, 24 per cent of the respondents are having qualification of up to Middle class, 9 per cent of the respondents having the educational background of High School, 4 per cent of them having graduation and only 2 per cent of them having educational background of professional qualification. Therefore, from the above analysis we can say that those who are in Self Help Groups movements are able to increase their literacy level. Marital Status: It is explain that 92 per cent of the members who are in the group are married, 1 per cent of them are single, 5 per cent of them are widows and 2 per cent of them are divorced women. The above analysis infer that almost are in the SHGs are married women that means they were joined the SHGs for improving their socio-economic condition and to get self respect and recognition from family members and society. Type of Family: From the above table it is observed that 71 per cent of members of SHGs are living nuclear family whereas, 29 per cent of the members are living as joint family. Further we can conclude that the members in SHGs even though they are living in village area are not ready to live as joint family due to misunderstanding between family members. Family Size: It is depicts the members of Self Help Groups still not aware of proper family planning incase of family size result reveals that the majority (65%) of the respondents are having the family size between 4–6 members in a family, followed by (24%) of them having the family size of below 3 members while remain sample members are having the family size between 7- 8 members (6%). Type of House: From the above table it is found that various structures are used for the construction of member’s houses. Nearly 82 per cent of members have their own house, followed by 17 per cent of them members are having rented house and remaining 1 per cent of the members live in the leased house. From the above result we can say that after joining the SHGs the members are able to construct their own house and improved their standard of living.

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Occupation Status: Table No.2 result depicts that Occupation undertaken by beneficiaries are around 51 per cent of the members are involving agriculture and allied activities because of they are always depending upon the cultivation of agriculture. 16 per cent of the members are involving self employed activities like cow rearing, hen rearing, goat rearing, petty shops, grocery store, tailoring shop etc. Whereas around 16 per cent of women members are home- maker because of misunderstanding between the husband and children. From the above analysis we can conclude that the women members after joining the SHGs they may able to create self- employment and to offer employment opportunity to neighbour family members and then provide employment to area people. Table No.2 OCCUPATION OF THE RESPONDENT

Percentage Occupation Frequency (%)

Self employed 39 16

Cooli / labour 15 06 Home maker 39 16 Live stock 11 04

Agri. and allied 128 51

Govt. employee 13 05

Others 5 02

Total 250 100 Source: Primary data So, the microfinance movement helps the village people to increase their mobility, recognition from family, decision making power, participate in village development programs and to participate in political activities.

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Table No.3 ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME

Percentage Income (Rs.) Frequency (%)

Below 10000 123 49

10001 - 15000 96 38

15001 - 20000 19 08

20001 - 25000 10 04

Above 25001 2 01

Total 250 100

Source: Primary data Family Income: Table No.3 shows that the majority 49 per cent of the members are earn per year below Rs.10,000 per year, 38 per cent of them earn between Rs. 10,001-15,000 per annum, 8 per cent of the members are earn between Rs.15,001-20,000 per year, 4 per cent of them earn between Rs.20,001-25,000 per year and only 1 per cent of them earn above Rs.25,001 per annum. This analysis infers that after joining the SHG Programme, they are able to enhance their earning level through doing some self employed activities like cow rearing, hen rearing, goat rearing, petty shop etc. because the Ramanathapuram district is one of most under developed district due to shortage of rain-fall and sandal conditions. Table No.4 PERSONS WHO IS RESPONSIBLE TO SPEND FAMILY INCOME Percentage Member Frequency (%)

Self 93 37

Husband 130 52

Children 16 06

Father/Mother in law 6 02

Others 5 02

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International Journal of Research in Management, Economics & Commerce (Impact Factor: 4.604, ISSN 2250-057X, Volume 5 Issue 1, January 2015) Website: www.indusedu.org

Percentage Member Frequency (%)

Self 93 37

Husband 130 52

Children 16 06

Father/Mother in law 6 02

Others 5 02

Total 250 100 Source: Primary data Spending of Family Income: Table No.4 explains that who spend the family income here the majority 52 per cent of the members family income spend their husbands whereas, 37 per cent of members they are spending their family income but when compared with before the microfinance 99 per cent of family income spend by their husband only. Table No.5 PERSON WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR TAKING FINAL DECISION IN THE FAMILY Percentage Decision Maker Frequency (%) Self 50 20 Husband 48 19

Both of them 152 61

Total 250 100 Source: Primary data Decision-Making: From the above table result it is clear that 61 per cent of the family decision are taken jointly both husband and wife but before joining Self Help Group all family decision taken by their husband. 19 per cent of member’s family decision are taken by their husband whereas 20 per cent of them they are taken decisions them-selves. It shows their independents from the family and society. From the analysis we can concluded that after joining the SHGs the women are able to participate all kind of family planning and decisions.

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Table No.6 REASONS FOR JOINING SHG Percentage Reasons Frequency (%)

To start business 13 05

Socio-economic empowerment 28 11

Saving habits 95 38

Loan 73 29

Meet household expenses 31 12

Compulsion from other members 10 04

Total 250 100 Source: Primary data Purpose: Table No.6 result reveals that the purpose of joining into the SHGs, around 38 per cent of members are joined the SHGs for improving the saving habits, followed by 29 per cent of the respondents joined the SHG to get loan from SHG, Bank, NGO, and Micro Finance Institution at same time to prevent to get loan from money lenders, 12 per cent of them joined the SHGs for the purpose to meet the house hold expenditure like children education, medical care, purchasing of household items and festivals expenses etc., 11 per cent of the women joined the SHGs to improve the socio-economic conditions like decision making power, communication skill, entrepreneurs skills and savings etc., and remaining members joined the SHGs to start enterprises. From the above result, we can infer that after joined the SHGs they may able to enhance the all kinds of socio-economic conditions. Table No.7 OPINION OF THE RESPONDENTS SAVINGS SL.No Purpose of Savings Garret Score Mean Score Rank 1 Food Security 14,364 57.5 2 2 Children Education 18,189 72.8 1 3 Medical Expenses 13,940 55.8 3 4 Marriage Expenses 10,441 41.8 7

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5 Emergence Expenses 10,316 41.3 8 6 Festivals 9,884 39.5 9 7 Agriculture Expenses 13,569 54.3 4 8 Self Respect 10,553 42.2 6 9 Assets Building 13,174 52.7 5 Source: Primary data Table No.7 depicts the Garret Ranking regarding purpose of savings. It is shown clear from the above table that the members of SHGs are saving money for their children’s education ranks first, followed by food security ranks second, medical expenses ranks third, agriculture expenses ranks four, assets buildings ranks five, self-respect ranks six, marriage expenses ranks seven, emergency expenses ranks eight and festivals expenses ranks ninth. Further, we conclude that the members after joining in SHGs, they are giving more preference to children’s education than any other expenses. It shows that definitely enhance the saving habit of members through SHGs programmes. Table No.8 OPINION OF THE RESPONDENTS EXPENDITURE SL.No Expenditure Garret Score Mean Score Rank 1 Household Expenses 15,176 60.70 1 2 Emergence Expenses 10,235 40.94 5 3 To pay old debt 12,556 50.22 4 4 Festivals Expenses 8,466 33.86 6 5 Assets Buildings 13,673 54.69 3 6 Children Education 15,136 60.54 2

Source: Primary data Table No.8 explains that the Garret Ranking regarding expenditure preference given by members of the self help groups. It is show clear from the above table that reveals the members of SHGs are spending their earning for purpose to meet the household expenditure ranks first, followed by children’s education (mean score: 60.54) ranks second, assets buildings (mean score: 54.69) ranks third, to pay old debt (means score: 50.22) ranks four, emergency expenses (mean score:

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40.94) ranks five and festivals expenses (mean score: 33.86) ranks six. Further we conclude that the members after joining the SHGs they are giving more preference to their children education than any-other expenses. It shows that increasing the literacy level definitely through Self Help Groups training programs and awareness programs. MAJOR FINDINGS OF THE STUDY 1. It is identified that majority of the respondents are in the age group of 26-35 years, therefore the middle age groups are actively participating and representing in the SHG Programme. 2. The result shows that the majority of the respondents who are in the group of married. 3. It is also observed that the majority of members of SHGs are living nuclear family. 4. It is found that more than half of the respondents are having the family size between 4 – 6 members in a family. 5. It is express that half of the members are involving agriculture and allied activities because of they are always depending upon the cultivation of agriculture. 6. It is found that majority of the members are earn per year below Rs.10,000 per year. 7. It is observed that most the family decisions are taken jointly both husband and wife but before joining Self Help Group all family decision taken by their husband. 8. Garret Ranking analysis shows that members of SHGs are spending their earning for main purposes to meet household expenses and children’s education. CONCLUSION The concept of Self Help Groups is providing to be a helpful weapon for the women empowerment. Self Help Groups is an organization of rural poor, particularly of women that deliver Micro-Credit to undertake the self-employment and income generating activities. Self- employment or income generating activities is a feasible solution for empowerment of women. It generates income and also provides flexible working hours according to the needs of home- makers. Economic independence is the need of the hour. Participation in income generating activities helps in the socio-economic empowerment of women. The major results from the study are the majority of the members are in the age group of 26-35 years, the most of the members who are in the group of married. It is observed that around half of the members are involving agriculture and allied activities and majority of the members are earn per year below

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Rs.10,000 per year. It is also found that the majority of members of SHGs are saving their money from earning for the purpose to meet the children’s education expenditure and majority of them are spending their earnings for the purpose to meet the household expenditure and the children’s education. The study can be concluded that the Self help Groups have been successful in empowering rural women through income generating activities. Though this activities of SHGs Schedule Caste Women are increasing their abilities in the field Income, Expenditure, Savings, Decision-making and External Relationship in Paramakudi. REFERENCES 1. Kabeer N. (2000): “Reflections on the Measurement of Empowerment; theory and Practice” Sida Studies No 4 SIDA. 2. M.V. Shidaganal,(2001) Impace of stri shakti SHG scheme on the participation of women in Panchayat Institutions, Southern Economist Volume 48, Number 10 Pp. 16-18. 3. Amal mondal Swarnajay anthi Gram Swarojgar Yojana and self help groups, Kurukshetra January 2005. 4. Anitha H.S. and Ashok. D.Revankar, “Micre credit through self help groups for Rural Development” Southern Economist, Vol.46(8), August 15 2007. 5. Preeti Sharma & Shashi Kanta Varma (2008), “Women Empowerment through Entrepreneurial Activities of Self Help Groups”, Indian Research Journal Ext. Education, Volme 8(1). 6. Pathak,D.C., & Pant, S.K. (2008). Microfinance: A case study of Janupur District, Micro Finance and Poverty Eradication (pp.469-491), New century publication, New Delhi, India. 7. Murlidhar, A. Lokhande, (2010, August). Women SHGs and Women Empowerment –A case study of Hahila Arthik Vikas Mahamandal, Indian Journal of Marketing, Vol. 40(8), 52-61. 8. Gowhar Jhan.M & Hima Bindu.M ,Micro Finance and Poverty Alleviation- A Case Study with reference to Chennai city of Tamil Nadu, Abhijeet Publication, Delhi, 2011, pp.278- 286.

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9. Daniel Lazar, Renuka Peters, & Meganathan, (2011), Microfinance in Pondicherry: Mechanism to Empower the Poor, Vijay Nicole Imprints Pvt. Limited, Chennai. 10. Meganathan.M , Arumugam.M. & R.Kulanzhivel (2011), Role of Microfinance On Urban Women Self Help Groups A Micro Study- Puducherry, Article published in “Journal on Banking Financial Services and Insurance Research”, an Online Journal in August 2011, Volume-1,Issue No5,(ISSN:2231-4288). 11. Meganathan.M & Arumugam.M. (2012) Socio-economic impact of Microfinance on Rural Development of Puducherry, Arth Prabhand:A Journal of Economics and Management, Vol.1 Issue 3, pp.69-82. 12. Shobhana and Sanjeev kumar, Economic Security among Rural Women through Self Help Groups: An Analytical Study, Indian Research Journal Ext. Education, Vol.12(2), May 2012, pp.117-122. 13. Yoginder Sing, Effect of Self Help Group in Economic Empowerment of Rural Women Himachal Pradesh, Journal of Indian Research, Vol.1(3)2013, pp.54-61. 14. Thangamani and Muthuselvi, A Study on Women Empowerment through Self Help Groups with special reference to Mettupalayam Taluk in Coimbatore District, IOSR Journal of Business and Management, Vol.8(6),2013, pp.17-24. 15. Prakash, Self Help Groups and Women Empowerment with Special Reference to Jimmandiyur Village of Pochampalli Taluk, International Journal of Advanced Research in Management and Social Science, Vol.2(3), 2013, pp.85-91.

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