An exhibition and sale of products made by women’s self-help groups (SHGs), organised by the Madurai Corporation, was inaugurated by Mayor V.V. Rajan Chellappa and Commissioner C. Kathiravan at the Maditssia Hall here on Monday.
Readymade garments, jewellery, mats, coir and pith products, jute bags, terracotta items, sweets, savouries and vermi-compost bio-fertilizers are on sale.
Twenty SHGs take part in the two-day exhibition. R. Geeta from the Madurai Sri Meenakshi SHG said they manufacture a range of floor cleaners and incense sticks which serve the dual purpose of mosquito repellent as well. “We have been selling these products for the last three years and have received a good response for them,” she said.
Many of the SHG members said that while they started initially under the State schemes with funds given by the corporation, they were functioning independently now after having repaid their start-up loans.
“With 12 members, we have been functioning for the last 10 years and have become financially independent. While we take our products to exhibitions and small retailers, a common sales outlet for SHGs functioning throughout the year will greatly benefit us,” S. Vimala from the Sandhana Devi SHG, Chinnamanur, said. “W need more initiatives to help us market our products,” she added.
“We have inspired other women in our areas to start an SHG and venture into small-scale production. If more people are aware of schemes available, they will be encouraged to take up entrepreneurship by forming an SHG,” said M. Karpagam of Sakthi Mariamman SHG, Meenambalpuram, who is selling terracotta items.
