Exhibition of Handicrafts by Self Help Group held at Central University of Punjab
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in
The Institution Innovation Council (IIC) of Central University of Punjab, Bathinda organized a one-day exhibition-cum-sale of handicraft items crafted by the women of a self-help group from Bathinda as a part of National Innovation Day celebrations. The programme is co-organizd by women’s self-help group named Virasat, based in Buladewala Village in Bathinda district and is supported by Ambuja Cement Foundation.
A total of five women from Virasat and three women from Ghudda village were invited to showcase their handicraft items. The items included handwoven stools and chairs spun in traditional Punjabi weave patterns, cushion covers with colourful motifs, hand painted jute bags and purses, shimmery potli bags and wallets of different colours and sizes. The women also shared their stories of how they came together to form a self-help group to support themselves.
“Loan sharks are a huge problem in our village and many of us were caught in vicious cycles when we loaned money from them in emergencies. When we formed the self-help group. The idea was to add money and loan it in emergencies. We soon started making products and now we get regular sales. Ambuja Cement Foundation has helped us with training and new opportunities for bigger orders in realising our goal of self-reliance,” said Manpreet Kaur, an SHG member, speaking on the stage.
Exhibition of Handicrafts by Self Help Group held at Central University of Punjab. Prof Dr Monisha Dhiman, President IIC and Prof Dr Anjana Munshi were present at the inaugural event. Faculty, staff members and students of the university attended this exhibition-cum-sale. Everyone appreciated the work of Self-Help Group members.
About Self Help Groups
Self-help groups are informal groups of people who come together with an idea of mutual support – people helping each other.
October 18,2022
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