Team News Riveting
Balconagar, October 28
Under the Unnati project of Bharat Aluminium Company (BALCO), an entity of Vedanta Limited, Diwali Bazaar has been organized in the cooperative premises of the Township by the company-backed women self-help groups (SHGs).
The market started on Sunday and will close on Tuesday. All the items related to the festival of lights are available for sale in single premises, which has become an ideal place for Diwali shopping. Every purchase encourages SHG women’s inspiring journey “Angan Se Aasmaan Tak”. The company’s ‘Unnati’ project is working to empower and organize women’s self-help groups (SHGs).
SHG women have set up many stalls. Murals depicting the art culture associated with Chhattisgarh, Ganpati and decorated mugs with Gonkara, Lippan and Warli art are available at the decorative stall. In view of the Diwali Festival, Jhalar Lights, Diyas, Baati and Rangoli are also available for sale at Nano Enterprise’s stall. Along with this, brooms and cloth bags made by SHG women are also on the display.
Besides, Chocolate, coconut laddoos, rose petals, dry fruit chocolate, saloni, khaja, papachi and thetheri are also available at Unnati stall in Diwali bazaar with flavors of tea, coffee, french fries, shakes and momos. Samosas and dumplings will be available at the food stall. At the most popular Mushx stall in the market, mushroom casserole, rolls and soup are also available to drink.
Similarly, other women of the community have also joined the Unnati project and strengthened themselves financially with the skill of making rakhi, gulal and idols of Lakshmi and Ganesha.
BALCO has established 7 micro enterprise units with 12 products. The company is empowering women with various opportunities and skill building support through community development activities with its plant which ensures that they overcome barriers and emerge as inspiration for women. Through the project, women have been connected to many activities that have helped them earn a living and stand on their own feet.
A Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) dedicated to community and social services is operated in association with GPR Strategies and Solutions (GPRSS). About 5768 women of 531 self-help groups in 45 urban and rural areas of Korba are benefiting from various programs from this project. BALCO is benefiting more than 1.5 lakh people annually in 123 villages through its community development program.
