REPORT ON SHG MEET 2015

This is the second year of the SHGs Fair in the Sagar Island. Paribesh Unnayan Parishad (PUPA) and Integrated Coastal Development Society took initiative to organize SHGs Fair ,held on 21st &22nd Feb 2015 at Sumatinagar Dhaspara Gram Panchayet of Sagar Island.

The Two – day fair has brought forward a plethora of hand made products & edibles straight from the coffers of the village women. Apart from agricultural products craft items also showcased. The main motive of the fair was to exhibit & promote women empowerment through their cultural lifestyle & arts and crafts beside sale of their products. Total of 16 stalls opened to showcase the creativity of SHG women.

To add value to the fair a Sport Meet was conducted by the organizer on 21st Feb, where women of different age participated enthusiastically. As age was no bar, some elderly women, who can’t even imagine of playing outdoor games because of social restrictions, took part in Spoon Race and Musical Chair. Some new events were introduced:

Small Mathematical problems on Loans and Interest.

Extempore Speech.

Writing of minutes of a Meeting.

The competition was very intense. However the participants enjoyed the victory and failure sportingly.

The Sport Meet served as a binding force that made the women of different SHGs and the whole community members in unison.

There was a Drawing Competition too .Mostly young women were participated in that competition. This was basically a talent hunt programme and some of them are found extremely talented. Dr Misra, Secretary, PUPA mentioned that “these talents may be utilized for drawing and designing part of Batik work ,Craft work and like. “

SHGs are becoming a successful model for empowering the disadvantaged groups. Around 16 SHGs from different corners of Sagar Island came all the way to showcase their creativity.

Out of 16 stalls a few were the areas of attraction:

1) Handmade Batik Sarees, Dress materials

2) Paper made Tray, Lamp Shades, wall hanging Notebook holders, Bags, Photo Frames.

3) Organic vegetables, Grains

4) Food Stall : Soft Drinks(without preservatives) made of Amla, Banana with Mango flavour, Banana Chip

5) Organic manure: vermin compose, Fish Tonic, Jibammrito etc.

Both the soft drinks were good in taste with high food value. These two will definitely set a benchmark in the market of soft drinks with a new set of standards.

Role of PUPA:

Around one month back PUPA organised some Training & Capacity Building Programme on Batik, Food Processing, Tailoring, Paper made crafts for the SHG women. The beneficiaries exhibited their hands on experiences in the form of Batik Sarees, Edible drinks, Banana Chips, Paper made designer items. All the

items were praiseworthy. Such was the quality and pricing of the products, people from various walks of life didn’t hesitate to pack them off.

Secretary, PUPA , added that they are thinking organising a few more Training & capacity Building programme in different field considering the present market condition and the customers need. PUPA is dedicated to enhance the socio economic conditions of marginalized women through the process of strengthening their abilities and potentials towards the total development of an egalitarian society.

Outcomes of the SHG Fair: The meet,

Brought all the disadvantaged women of that area under one roof.

Brought about positive changes in the lives of the underprivileged rural women by reviving and promoting their skills and crafts.

Provided a full cycle of services to the low income women SHG members-like, share of designs, exchange of technical views, development of management and marketing skills.

Created a sense of responsibility, raised the level of confidence and generated a feeling of Self Worth within the Women SHG members.

Helped in finding a new chain of customers.

Provided motivational lifestyle ideas to the Community as a whole.

The best part of the 2-Day Meet :

Some new talents were explored having,

Drawing Skill

Mathematical and Logical aptitude

Communication skill

Leadership skill

These talents may further be developed through training programme so that they can act as resource persons of Community Capacity Building Programme.