Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 21 Aug: With the festival of Raksha Bandhan approaching, demand for handmade rakhis prepared by rural women associated with self-help groups (SHGs) has surged in Dehradun. Supported by the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), a significant number of women from Raipur, Sahaspur and Doiwala blocks are turning rakhi-making into a source of livelihood and strengthening their economic independence. Dehradun District Administration is also providing the necessary assistance in the activities of the SHGs in Dehradun.
In Maldevta area of Raipur block, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law Leela Rawat and Alka Rawat, respectively, have carved out a niche in the rakhi business. Both are members of SHG Asha Kiran under the Nayi Disha Cluster Level Federation (CLF) and are jointly preparing attractive handmade rakhis. They have set a target of making more than 2,000 rakhis this year, of which around 1,500 have already been prepared.
Last year, the duo had made around 1,200 rakhis and earned a profit of nearly Rs 25,000 after receiving support from Dehradun district administration in accessing markets. Encouraged by the response, they have expanded the business this year.
Alka left her private job last year to join her mother-in-law in the venture. The two have opened a shop, ‘Vini Wonders Creation’, in Maldevta, where they sell rakhis as well as other handmade and local products. Orders are also being received through the shop’s Instagram platform, enabling them to reach customers beyond the local market.
The women are making rakhis using wool, crochet, mauli thread, ribbons and other materials, with designs ranging from traditional to contemporary, including Bhai Dooj, Mahakal, Rudraksha and Nazar Battu themes. Designing, printing, packaging and promotion are also being handled by the women themselves.
Leela Rawat, President of Asha Kiran SHG shared that she has been associated with NRLM since 2016 and has benefited from various government welfare schemes, which have helped her expand the self-employment initiative.
The women associated with SHGs in Doiwala and Sahaspur are also producing rakhis on a large scale. Around 100 women linked with Vaibhav Lakshmi and Pahadi Bhuli village organisations under Gayatri CLF in Doiwala are selling their products through stalls in Raiwala and Shyampur markets. Women of Saksham Cluster in Sahaspur are also preparing rakhis, which are being marketed in Selakui, Sahaspur and Vikasnagar.
Interacting with the media here today, Chief Development Officer Abhinav Shah said that efforts are being made under the Mukhyamantri Sashakt Bahana Yojana to provide better self-employment and market opportunities to women. He said that the district administration would facilitate rakhi stalls at three to four major malls in Dehradun and appealed to people to purchase handmade rakhis and other products made by self-help group members.
At the same time, assistant project director Anita Panwar said five stalls would be set up at the Uttarakhand Secretariat from 24 to 27 August under the Mukhyamantri Sashakt Bahana Yojana, where women from Raipur, Sahaspur and Doiwala would display and sell rakhis along with various other pahadi and local products.
She reminded that the initiative has given rural women an opportunity to convert their traditional skills into a viable business, while providing a boost to women’s empowerment and local self-employment ahead of Raksha Bandhan.
