Empowering Women: Unique Handmade Supermarket Unveiled

A women-led supermarket has been inaugurated on the premises of the Udupi taluk panchayat in Karnataka. This initiative, part of the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), aims to offer a variety of handmade products under one roof. Spanning 500 sqft, the supermarket showcases items such as handmade bags, cane baskets, wall paintings, organic rice, GI-tagged sarees, and more.

The products are crafted by self-help group members who are also involved in producing a range of items including candles, key chains, door mats, organic jaggery, detergents, and health drinks. With over 85,000 members belonging to 7,623 self-help groups in the district, this supermarket serves as a platform for their merchandise.

Funded by the community investment fund (CIF) of Rs 30 crore, initiated by self-help groups associated with the gram panchayat-level federation (GPLF) in 155-gram panchayats, the venture has received assistance from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard). Nabard will provide Rs 15,000 monthly (including Rs 10,000 for rent) to the self-help group managing the supermarket. The supermarket not only brings convenience to busy households but also supports women empowerment and showcases the talents of local artisans.
Re-reported from the article originally published in The New Indian Express