An exhibition-cum-sale of products made by the beneficiaries, who had availed loans from the Puducherry Backward Classes and Minorities Development Corporation, began at Anna Thidal here on Friday.
Food items, handicrafts, wood carvings, educational toys, terracotta items, embroidery products, dress materials and leather crafts are for sale at the expo which would go till May 24.
The Puducherry Backward Classes and Minorities Development Corporation had been extending financial assistance to members from the backward and minority communities to help them start self-employment ventures. The exhibition helps them to market their products directly to customers without the intervention of middlemen.
V. Mageswary of Ariyankuppam, who had availed of a loan from the Corporation, had now set up her own unit for selling leather crafts. “I worked in a leather factory in the city for eight years and learnt the basics. I availed loan from the Corporation for the third time and started making leather bags and accessories. The products are made from goat and buffalo leather and have a good demand in expos organised by various corporations across the country,” Ms. Mageswary said.
The Corporation has also assured a steady income for Farida from Puducherry. Farida who got trained in a food processing workshop organised by the Corporation had started her own unit Ammi’s selling organic food products such as pickles, jams, squash and sun dried items like Vathal.
“I have sought help from the Government for setting up a permanent outlet in the city to get regular orders,” Farida said.
Earlier, inaugurating the expo, Chief Minister N. Rangasamy said that the revised assistance under the old age scheme and widow pension would come into effect from June.
The Puducherry government will implement all the promises announced in the budget, he said.
Puducherry Backward Classes and Minorities Development Corporation expo begins
