Statesman News Service
KALIMPONG, Aug. 18. — Besides being moral guides the mothers are now all out to lead their whole family. Acting upon guidelines of World Vision, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), mothers have now found new ways to sustain their families, economically as well as socially, through a programme christened as, ‘capacity building measures’. More than 40 self-help groups are now taking part in a three-day workshop organised by the NGO at Disha since yesterday.
Project manager of World Vision Mr Jyoti Mukhiya said that the female heads of our society are not only trustworthy but also act as guiding stars. With this aim the NGO almost two years back had formed SHG in far-off locations in Kalimpong as well as neighbouring Sikkim. “The groups in fact have been very successful for self-sustenance, so we though of organising a centralised workshop so that they can learn about newer concepts”, Mr Mukhiya said.
More than 100 women hailing from the villages of Sangsey, Tarkhola, Tashiding, Melli Dara (Sikkim) etc were exposed to fresh ideas like marketing strategy, networking, and bodies like CADC, NABARD and the benefits of their products. “Till date they have been acting as producers. Now we want them to lead as entrepreneurs”, Mr Mukhiya said, adding: “They are also submitting project plans”. Special sessions over, facilitating credit flow for consumption and productive process — information and extension services and self-development of SHG were also conducted.
In return the SHG will be imparting the ideas to the friends villagers. “ Considering the prospects of the cultivation of ginger we are submitting a project over it”, Mrs Teju Sharma of Melli Dara (Sikkim), said.