By OUR STAFF REPORTER
Dehradun, 2 May: A seven-day training programme on the production of eco-friendly cow dung-based ‘diyas’ successfully concluded here, today, at Haripur Kala. The initiative was jointly organised by SPECS Dehradun and the Uttarakhand State Council for Science and Technology (UCOST), Dehradun.
Present at the valedictory session was the Dehradun district coordinator (UCOST) and Dean of the Faculty of Science, Sridev Suman Uttarakhand University, Prof (Dr) Gulshan Kumar Dhingra, who appreciated the active participation of all trainees. He emphasised that the initiative aligns with the goals of sustainable development, environmental protection, and the economic empowerment of local women. A total of 1,263 eco-friendly diyas were crafted during the training. These diyas are not only biodegradable but also convert into organic manure after use, thereby contributing to, both, the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and environmental conservation.
Dr Brij Mohan Sharma, President, SPECS, said that The core objective of the Cow Dung Diya-Making – A Green Business training programme was to promote sustainable livelihoods by equipping women from rural and semi-urban communities with the skills to create eco-friendly, biodegradable diyas using cow dung—a locally available and environmentally beneficial resource. The initiative aimed not only to foster environmental awareness but also to build pathways for self-employment and economic empowerment among women.
Dr Sharma emphasised the socio-economic significance of the programme during the valedictory session. He stated that the training is a strategic step toward enabling women to participate in green business initiatives that align with sustainable development goals. He announced an ambitious production target of 500,000 diyas by the upcoming Diwali festival, expressing confidence in the participants’ ability to meet this goal. Dr Sharma also assured the trainees of continuous support from SPECS in areas such as product marketing, branding, and distribution. He urged the participants to take full ownership of the initiative, work collaboratively, and ensure that every diya produced reaches the market—thereby converting skill into income and effort into empowerment.
Tulsi Mehra, President of the Gayatri Cluster, expressed gratitude to UCOST and SPECS for their support and trust. She affirmed that the women involved are committed to achieving the production target and will work diligently to promote the products in the market. She also underscored the importance of ongoing technical guidance and institutional support to strengthen women’s skills and economic independence.
Providing a day-wise summary of the training, Programme Coordinator Neeraj Uniyal reported that 33 participants remained actively engaged throughout the programme. Diyas produced per day were as follows: A total of 2,262 diyas were produced over the course of the training – 144 on Day 1, 280 on Day 2, 167 on Day 3, 407 on Day 4, 435 on Day 5, 412 on Day 6, and 517 on the final day (Day 7). A total of 2262 Diyas were produced.
At the conclusion of the programme, certificates of participation were distributed to all trainees by Dr Dhingra and Dr Sharma. The closing ceremony witnessed the presence of officials from UCOST and SPECS, representatives of local community organisations. In this event, Meenakshi Devi, Kaushal Devi, Kaushalya Devi, Renu, Rani Khanduri, Vishal Kumar, Rekha Nyal, Isika Kumari, Lalita, and others participated.
