Adani Foundation organises Gram Bharati 2022 to give SHG members a platform to showcase and sell their products
Team News Riveting
Raipur, October 13
Veena Devangan and Vedmati Uikey, a member of a Co-operative society MUBSS, Mahila Udhami Bhudeshya Sahkari Samiti, Surguja, Chhattisgarh were awestruck when they stepped inside the global headquarters of the Adani Group, Adani Corporate House (ACH), on 26 September 2022 to put up a stall to showcase products made by their SHG members.
They were proud to be part of an exhibition, Gram Bharati 2022, the inaugural edition organized by the Adani Foundation, the social development arm of the group.
The 3-day event that took place from 26-28 September 2022 displayed handicraft products made under the sustainable livelihood development initiative of the Foundation. SHG members across India are given skill development trainings that enable them to improve their living conditions and become contributors in their families and communities. The Adani Foundation is committed to giving back to the communities as a responsible corporate citizen and Gram Bharati is one such initiative that resonates with the spirit of self-reliance.
The Adani Foundation is working with a women co-operatives consisting of 250 members and 300 SHGs. All these SHGs and a Co-operative society is based in different villages of Udaipur Block of Surguja district in Chhattisgarh.
Veena, hails from Parsa village of Surguja. She has been associated with the SHG in her village since 2018. She is a very active member in her Co-operative society as well. A spice grinding unit has been installed by the collective efforts of the Co-operative society, where they procure fine quality of wholesome spices like Turmeric, Red Chilli, Cumin, Coriander, Cinnamon sticks and etc. These spices are sun dried and finely grounded, maintaining a proper temperature to retain the natural colour and flavours of the spices. These spices are packed in different sizes and dispatched to the local shops and nearby market.
Displaying her group’s products at Gram Bharti on the auspicious occasion of Navaratri was a dream come true for Vedmati and Veena. It was the great learing experience for both of them as they have hardly travel out of their village. Her eyes lit up as she explained each item on display to the visitors. After all it was a matter of pride, as she was representing all her sisters from the SHG back home.
“This is the biggest opportunity that they have got. The exhibition will play an important role in the growth of their business,” says Vedmati.
When asked about her experience at the exhibition, she said it was her first time in Ahmedabad, and she never expected the event to be such a grand affair. She was very happy to meet SHG members from other state, interact with them and get an insight into their products.
Both felt blessed to meet Chairperson of the Adani Foundation Dr (Mrs) Priti Adani and Chairman of the Adani Group Gautam Adani when they came to their stall and enquired about the products.
They were overjoyed by the visitors’ response and the business, her stall did. All their spices were sold and they made the sale of worth Rs 14,200 in 3 days. “We will never forget this event as it has given us several big orders. Platforms like Gram Bharati is necessary to widen the horizon of village women who have qualities of becoming an entrepreneur. The event helped us to recognize the potential of what an SHG can achieve in future. We will use this experience to sharpen the skills of our fellow members,” says Veena.
