Chhattisgarh, a state in central India, is making remarkable strides in empowering rural women through its Mahatma Gandhi Rural Industrial Park (RIPA) scheme. According to the NITI Aayog's India Index for 2020–21, the state also holds the distinction of being ranked #1 in gender equality.
Recognizing the importance of self-reliance for rural women, the Chhattisgarh government has established RIPA units across the state. One such success story comes from the village of MK Bahra, where the Jai Maa Lakshmi women's self-help group has found financial independence by producing a popular snack called namkeen saloni, known locally as mathri.
To equip these women with the necessary skills, the group received one-month training from the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM). With the aid of namkeen manufacturing and packaging machines installed in unused cattle sheds called Gauthans under the RIPA scheme, ten women from the self-help group are now engaged in the production of various delectable snacks. The namkeen saloni they prepare is not only sold in nearby local markets but also finds its way to other stores.
Encouraged by the demand in the local market, the women have expanded their snack repertoire to include other types of snacks. In the near future, they plan to register the names of these food items and officially launch them in the market. As a testament to their dedication, the group has already begun preparing samples. They also have aspirations of selling their products at C-Mart, a well-known retail chain.
Yogeshwari Sahu, the president of the Jai Maa Lakshmi group, shared that previously, the women were engaged in farming, which provided them with an insufficient income to meet their family's needs. However, with the establishment of Gauthans under the RIPA scheme, employment opportunities have opened up for the women in the village. Recently, they packaged and sold over one-and-a-half quintals of namkeen saloni in local markets. They have also taken the initiative to spread awareness about their food items by personally visiting households in the area.
The Chhattisgarh government's commitment to promoting financial self-dependence among villagers is evident in its plan to set up 300 RIPA units across the state, with an allocated budget of Rs 600 crore. This ambitious initiative aims to provide villagers with the means to manufacture, process, and sell their end products, not only in local markets but also in city-based retail outlets such as C-Mart. The first RIPA unit in Bastar district was inaugurated on Republic Day earlier this year, marking the beginning of a transformative journey for rural women.
Chhattisgarh's Mahatma Gandhi Rural Industrial Park (RIPA) is not only empowering women but also catalyzing economic growth and fostering gender equality. By supporting self-help groups and providing training and resources, the state is paving the way for a brighter future, where rural women can thrive and contribute to their communities.
