Himachal Pradesh CM Introduces Him-Era Portal for Products Crafted by 350,000 Rural Women
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Shimla, January 3 (NationPress) In a significant effort to uplift rural women, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu of Himachal Pradesh inaugurated the e-commerce platform Him-Era on Friday, aimed at promoting items produced by more than 350,000 rural women affiliated with 44,000 Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
The website himira.co.in serves as a global marketplace for SHG products, assisting rural artisans and entrepreneurs in expanding their market access and enhancing their income.
The Chief Minister mentioned that the Himachal Pradesh State Rural Livelihood Mission (HPSRLM), operating under the Rural Development Department, has been established to advance the empowerment of rural women.
He also launched seven specially designed food vans to provide new income avenues for SHG women. Additionally, a booklet featuring inspiring narratives of women who achieved financial independence through the Himachal Pradesh State Rural Livelihood Mission (HPSRLM) was presented during the event.
Sukhu characterized Him-Era as a beacon of transformation and pledged to enhance the initiative further. He urged SHGs to focus on quality to maximize their benefits, revealing that the state government intends to set up dedicated shops within government buildings to display and sell Him-Era products.
The Chief Minister underscored the government’s dedication to policies that align with the state’s cultural and environmental values, prioritizing rural economic growth and self-employment.
Significant measures have been initiated to empower women, including reserving 30 percent of police constable positions for women; increasing the minimum legal marriage age for girls from 18 to 21; providing loans to women to improve financial accessibility in rural households; and engaging women’s and youth groups in forest conservation initiatives with monetary compensation.
Sukhu criticized the preceding BJP administration for distributing Rs 5,000 crore in what he referred to as “electoral freebies,” even to wealthy individuals, which he claims caused economic strain. In contrast, the current government emphasizes targeted support, such as providing 300 units of free electricity to economically disadvantaged households and offering financial assistance for home construction.
He encouraged affluent families to voluntarily forgo subsidies, citing his own decision to relinquish his electricity subsidy as an example.
“I am presenting Him-Era products to Union Ministers and other dignitaries,” Sukhu added, reinforcing the state's commitment to promoting rural women’s entrepreneurship and showcasing their talents on a broader platform.
