A group of specially-abled individuals have turned from employment seekers to entrepreneurs with a strong product line.

With some support from the city-based VILD Foundation, a wing of Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM) which has been working for decades to empower rural and tribal communities, the Jeeva Jyothi Vikalanga Chethanara – an SHG from Bandipalya – is now into agarbathi manufacturing and marketing.

Of the individuals in the SHG group, seven are visually impaired, three are orthopaedically handicapped, and one is hearing impaired. Along with their families, they got involved in the SHG’s activities and processes. The members were keen on exploring new avenues to improve their financial status.

Impressed with their desire to scale new heights, VILD Foundation decided to support them with a new entrepreneurial venture.

N. Mahadevaswamy, senior manager, VILD Foundation, stated in a release, that VILD held regular discussions with the members to chart the future course of action. The members were trained in agarbathi preparation, packing and marketing besides receiving training in management of their unit and their finances.

Aradhana agarbathi

Soon the SHG came out with its first product – Aradhana Agarbathi – and followed this up by manufacturing candles under the same brand name.

Key members of the SHG, Shambulinga and his wife Manjula, said they were languishing in the four walls of their homes.

“We were put on the road to independence by the efforts of SVYM. Now, we are able to generate income based on our own abilities and are not dependent on others, they added.

Yashashwini food

But this is only not the only one. A similar SHG-inspired entrepreneurial effort has fructified in Chunchurayana Hundi village of Mysore taluk, where 10 women entrepreneurs have come together to start ‘Yashashwini Mahila Kiru Udyamigala Sangha’.

Fast-moving food products like pickles, pappad, and confectioneries are being produced by these women.

Training in preparation

They were trained in hygiene and nutritional aspects of preparation as also on management and financial aspects. The production process has been standardised and streamlined to ensure quality while FSSAI accreditation (Food Standards and Safety Association of India) has been obtained, said Mr. Mahadevaswamy.

The products of both these entrepreneurial initiatives – Aradhana Agarbathi and Candles and Yashashwini Food – were launched in the city recently.

Officials of the Department for the Empowerment of Differently Abled and Senior Citizens; M.R. Seetharam, Executive Director, VILD Foundation; Sudarshan, Director, Vivekananda Institute for Leadership Development;, SHG members and staff of SVYM were present.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Mysuru – September 03rd, 2018