They praised the taste of millet cookies and Navkaleva rice chips prepared in RIPA
On the request of the women of the sewing machine unit, Chief Minister announced allotment of 20 big sewing machines and interlock machines
Mr. Baghel asked the members of women self-help group about the benefits they are receiving
Raipur, 20 January . Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel and former Union Minister Ms. Shailja Kumari today visited Kalpataru Rural Industrial Park located at Serikhedi in capital Raipur. They took a tour of the Bakery Unit, Sewing Unit, Nursery, CMTC, Solar Dryer, Solar Cold Storage, Herbal Gulal, Chalk, Phenyl, Soap and Mixture Unit operated by women groups there. Chief Minister Mr. Baghel interacted with the women of the self-help group there and asked them about the changes RIPA has brought in their lives. He also took selfies with the members, on their request. Urban Administration and Development Minister Dr. Shiv Kumar Dahria was also present on the occasion.
The women working in the bakery unit told Chief Minister that their group is engaged in making biscuits and cookies from Kodo, Kutki and Ragi. Chief Minister Mr. Baghel and Ms. Shailja Kumari tasted the biscuits made from Kodo and appreciated the taste. They praised the livelihood oriented activities of the women, and encouraged them to keep up the good work. Mrs. Ishwari Dahria, who works in the sewing machine unit, told that her group is engaged in the manufacturing of cloth. She requested Chief Minister to provide necessary machine for stitching T-shirts. She told that her group had received some orders for preparing clothes with interlock stitching, but due to non-availability of machines, they could not take up the task. Ishwari told them that the women working in this unit earn Rs 7,000 a month. During the discussion, Ishwari requested for 20 big sewing machines and interlock machines from Chief Minister Mr. Baghel and said that this would help us a lot. On being asked about the price of the machine by the Chief Minister, she told that the big sewing machine costs Rs 28,000 and the interlock machine costs Rs 80,000. In response, Chief Minister immediately announced allotment of 20 big sewing machines and interlock machines for this center.. Chief Minister directed Additional Chief Secretary Mr. Subrat Sahu to make the arrangements. Members of Women Self-Help Group thanked Chief Minister for the announcement
More than 16 thousand women are being provided training in income-oriented activities in RIPA training center.
Mrs. Yamuna Dhruv of Nursery Manufacturing Unit told that she has been working there for the last 5 years. In this unit, women prepare small plants and sell them to private nurseries, earning an income of 5 to 6 thousand per month. The chairperson of CMTC unit, a training center run by Lakshya Mahila Sangathan, said that so far 195 training sessions have been conducted here, through which 16 thousand 600 women were trained in various income generating activities. So far, an income of Rs 1 crore 20 lakh has been generated from the training work. There are 40 trainers to provide the training here. The women told that during the residential training programme, they were provided proper facilities and good arrangements were made for food and accomodation. Chief Minister Mr. Baghel also inspected the solar cold storage unit set up to preserve button mushrooms.
On reaching the Anganbadi center established as day care for the children of women working in RIPA, Mr. Baghel and Ms Shailka Kumar were accorded warm welcome by the children. Anganbadi workers welcomed the guests by applying tilak. They told that women work here from 09 am to 5 pm, and provide basic education and nutritious food to the children in Anganbadi. During the tour of the Mixture Unit, Chief Minister Mr. Baghel and Ms. Shailja Kumari inquired about the process of Navkaleva Rice Chips manufacturing. On the request of the ladies, the guests also tasted rice chips. Lemon grass flower petals, mushroom, turmeric etc. are dried in the solar dryer installed in this centre.
Ms Tikeshwari Yadav, working in the chalk manufacturing unit, told the Chief Minister that she earns Rs.6000 per month by working there. She is a first year MA student at Durga College in the capital. After joining RIPA, she is able to complete her studies without any interruptions and she has also bought a scooty for herself.
Women’s group earned Rs 5 lakh by selling soap
Mrs. Momin Dhiwar, associated with the soap manufacturing unit, gifted soap to the Chief Minister and the guests. She told that till now her group has earned Rs.5 lakh. Mrs. Dhivar said that the Rural Industrial Park has brought a new revolution in the lives of women. Women have become financially empowered and more self-confident. During the tour of Handloom Unit and Tattoo Art Unit, the women welcomed the guests by presenting them the state gamchha made in this unit.
Appreciating the work of women self-group, Chief Minister Mr. Baghel congratulated them and also wished them a bright future. He also took selfie with the members of the group upon their request. The women of the group presented a basket of products made in RIPA to the Chief Minister and the guests.
During this tour, Chairman of Chhattisgarh State Mineral Development Corporation Mr. Girish Dewangan, Chairman of State Civil Supplies Corporation Mr. Ram Gopal Agarwal, Chairman of Chhattisgarh State Construction Workers Welfare Board Mr. Sunny Agarwal were also present.
