Playing the role of a catalyst, the Corporation of Madurai has created a platform, where in women self-help group members will learn to make bakery products from private bakers and prepare items like puffs and cookies and sell them under the common brand ‘cake stop.’
Madurai and Jaipur Corporations were selected for a pilot project study under the National Urban Livelihood Mission. The objective is to train womenfolk, who could either become entrepreneurs or turn up as employable skilled workforce in industries such as bakery product manufacturing, readymade garment manufacturing et al. Hence, the Union government earmarked funds to the respective Corporations. Once trained, the womenfolk may use the equipment after paying costs.
By roping in private sector under corporate social responsibility (CSR) activity, the aspirants would be given training in making the products. Thus, women in urban pockets, who were not employed, would become employable and also economically stand up.
Corporation Commissioner C. Kathiravan invited women aspirants to register their names, four months ago, following which close to 100 women responded positively.
A private bakery, Black Forest here, was invited to impart the training.
The Corporation established infrastructure at a cost of Rs.five lakh at it’s south zone office, near Kennett Hospital, here. Inaugurating the facility on Wednesday, Mayor V.V. Rajan Chellappa said that the Corporation would provide more support to women in their entrepreneurial activity.
The products baked by the SHGs here were already supplied to many government department offices and also served at the council meetings held in Corporation, said scheme consultant Neelavalli and the products produced by the SHGs would be marketed as ‘cake stop’ brand, said Assistant Project Officer V. Rajendran. Geetham Pengal Federation consultant S. Selva Kanagavalli said to showcase their products more outlets would be welcome.
