Jaunpur, Aug 8 (NationPress) In a remarkable response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for swadeshi products, women from Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in rural Jaunpur have come together to create vibrant, indigenous 'rakhis' for this year's Raksha Bandhan festival. These handmade items will not only adorn the wrists of brothers nationwide but will also reach soldiers stationed at the country's borders.

The National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM), a vital poverty alleviation initiative managed by the Ministry of Rural Development under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana (DAY), is spearheading this endeavor.

Focused on socially and economically uplifting rural women, NRLM operates through SHGs and their federations, enabling underprivileged households to access self-employment and skilled job opportunities.

In alignment with the objectives of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' and 'Make in India', NRLM has equipped women in SHGs with the skills needed to produce 'rakhis'. There is an ongoing effort to market these products, providing consumers with a homegrown alternative to imported, particularly Chinese, 'rakhis' that often dominate festival markets in India.

Recently, Prime Minister Modi reiterated his appeal for adopting swadeshi goods. Officials emphasize that purchasing locally made 'rakhis' not only bolsters the 'Make in India' initiative but also champions the livelihoods of rural women.

Jitendra Pratap Singh, the Deputy Commissioner of Self Employment in UP, stated that many women have already undergone training in 'rakhi' making.

“NRLM will guarantee that interested women have access to markets. We encourage everyone to purchase indigenous 'rakhis',” he affirmed.

He also mentioned that on Friday, 1,000 'rakhis' crafted by district SHGs will be sent to the nation's soldiers.

For numerous women, this initiative has been transformative. Saroj Singh, an SHG member, shared, “Our group comprises 120 women focused on self-employment. This Raksha Bandhan, we are crafting 'rakhis' for sale, with the earnings being shared among us. Additionally, we have dispatched 1,500 'rakhis' to our 'fauji' brothers at the border.”

Established in 2011, DAY-NRLM operates nationwide in mission mode, aiming to integrate at least one woman from every rural poor household, identified through the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011 and the Participatory Identification of Poor (PIP) process, into the SHG network. These groups receive support in undertaking sustainable economic activities, promoting financial independence and community resilience.

As of January 31, 2025, approximately 10.05 crore women have been mobilized into 90.90 lakh SHGs across India.