Expansion of OSOP Scheme to Support Women Artisans at 1,854 Railway Stations
Click to start listening
Mumbai, Dec 16 (NationPress) The Centre’s One Station One Product (OSOP) initiative, designed to uplift women artisans, has expanded impressively with 1,854 outlets featuring a range of local products at numerous railway stations throughout the country.
“The Central Railway alone comprises 157 of these outlets, showcasing its strong dedication to the initiative. Among these, the Bhusaval Division is notable with 25 operational OSOP outlets, all flourishing and significantly impacting the local economy. Remarkably, they are all managed by women,” stated Ity Pandey, Divisional Railway Manager at Bhusaval.
“Women entrepreneurs are presenting local goods, including Paithani sarees and bags in Bhusaval and Jalgaon, as well as bamboo crafts in Akola,” Ity Pandey noted.
Launched as a pilot project in March 2022, the ‘One Station One Product’ initiative offers uniquely designed sales outlets for locals to market indigenous products. These stalls, located at designated railway stations, focus on the sale and promotion of items sourced from local manufacturers, enhancing their skills and livelihoods.
Women from low-income backgrounds are at the forefront of these enterprises. These outlets are evolving into profitable ventures that also provide training and employment opportunities for other women in the community.
For instance, at Nashik Road station, the Renuka Mahila Udyog Sahakari Sansthan, composed of 1,000 women members, plays a vital role in supporting local economies by empowering widows and women from underprivileged backgrounds. Similarly, in Bhusaval, the Utkarsh Swayam Sahyata Mahila Bachat Gat has embarked on a promising endeavor in packed roasted products, backed by an interest-free loan.
At Jalgaon station, the Gayatri Swayam Sahayata Samuh, a group of 10 women, successfully manages the OSOP stall, offering local delicacies such as papad, achar, chakli, and dehydration powder.
In Akola, Shegaon, and Badnera stations, bamboo crafts are being transformed into exquisite and functional items, with support from the Maharashtra Bamboo Development Board.
The selected products are local to the area, and the initiative emphasizes the involvement of marginalized communities, including artisans, weavers, and women self-help groups.
