Cuttack: Self Help Groups (SHGs) have been playing a vital role in the empowerment and socio-economic development of women in Odisha in the last few years.
One such bright example is Maa Tarini Self Help Group of Kazidiha in the Link Road area of Cuttack.
The SHG led by Kabita Sahu is engaged in making coir products like doormats, other utility products and handicrafts. Kabita is a graduate and had a job. But as she was drawing a meagre salary, she quit it and organised the SHG.
Members of the SHG first extract coir fibre from the fibrous outer cover of the fruit of the Coconut palm using machines and then make a variety of utility, home decor items and handicrafts out of it.
Apart from Kabita, 12 other women members engaged in the unit earn their livelihood from it and have become self-reliant.
“We started this in 2005. 12 women are working in this unit. We have toured different States and countries with our products. We make a variety of doormats, items of utility and home decor out of coir apart from coir ropes,” said Secretary of Maa Tarini SHG Kabita Sahu.
Coir products manufactured at the unit are despatched to places outside the district for sale.
The unit’s products are also sold in exhibitions held across the State.
However, sale through exhibitions has been badly affected ever since the Covid-19 pandemic broke out.
“We sell our products online to buyers abroad. That apart we sell our products through exhibitions. We also supply our products to shops,” informed President of Maa Tarini SHG Sujata Samal.
Kabita has trained over 700 women hailing from various districts.
