How are Women in Chamoli’s Self-Help Groups Crafting Eco-Friendly Rakhis and Boosting Family Incomes?

Chamoli, Aug 5 (NationPress) The women from the Self-Help Groups are enhancing their livelihoods by leveraging government welfare schemes, significantly improving their financial situations through the creation of eco-friendly rakhis in Uttarakhand's Chamoli.

This initiative is a part of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), a flagship programme by the Ministry of Rural Development aimed at alleviating poverty by establishing robust institutions for the underprivileged, especially women. These institutions are empowered to access financial services, market connections, and a variety of livelihood options.

In Chamoli, this mission has taken on a vibrant character. With Raksha Bandhan approaching, SHG members are creating rakhis from pirul, bhojpatra, and vaijayanti seeds—materials deeply rooted in the region’s ecology and traditions. Additionally, they are preparing local delicacies such as arasa and roti, which attract buyers interested in authentic, handmade goods.

The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with local residents and visitors eagerly purchasing these unique items, praising both the craftsmanship and the initiative’s eco-friendly principles. For the women involved, the sales have provided more than just extra income—they have gained recognition, confidence, and a stronger voice in household and community decisions.

"We are crafting rakhis from waste materials, giving new life to items often discarded," shared Pratibha Tiwari, a beneficiary.

"We’ve already sold over 500 rakhis, and today alone, around 200 have been sold."

Another SHG member, Sangeeta Bisht, noted: "There’s a high demand for our rakhis. We are selling a lot, and people appreciate our work."

For Suman Devi, the project's greatest success is collective empowerment.

"Seven or eight women collaborate on this. It’s not just about rakhis—it’s about enhancing our economic condition and supporting one another," she remarked.

Chamoli’s Chief Development Officer, Abhishek Tripathi, emphasized how the Chief Minister’s Empowered Behna Yojana has amplified the impact of SHGs.

"We have set up 18 stalls for SHG women across the district to sell rakhis crafted from pirul, bhojpatra, and vaijayanti, along with traditional sweets like arasa and roti. The festive season has significantly boosted sales, and these women are earning substantial profits," Tripathi told IANS.

DAY-NRLM adopts a demand-driven approach, allowing states to formulate poverty reduction strategies tailored to local needs. Intensive blocks and districts implement programme components through State Rural Livelihood Missions (SRLMs) or partnering institutions, while others are identified as non-intensive.

The mission, a restructured version of the Swarnajayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojana (SGSY), was rebranded as DAY-NRLM on March 29, 2016. Its ambitious target aims to reach 7 crore rural poor households across 600 districts, 6,000 blocks, 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats, and 6 lakh villages within 8–10 years. This is accomplished through self-managed SHGs and federated institutions, enabling members to form livelihood collectives and access rights, entitlements, and public services.