Summary:
Despite discouraging remarks of some villagers, such as ‘houses do not run on women’s income’, I continued working hard. So when Puja Sharma came to us with a request to grant them the refreshments orders, I agreed. The new deal is a step towards turning that ambition into reality. GURUGRAM: From now on, the self-help groups ( SHGs ) of Chandu village will supply snacks and drinks to government offices, especially for official meetings, in the district The women will also get space in district hospitals and academic institutions to sell their products.The head of these SHGs, Puja Sharma, met RK Singh, additional deputy commissioner, and Rajesh Gupta, project officer, rural development department, with the proposal to which both agreed.Singh told TOI, “The SHGs of Chandu village have a good track record. I cleaned an old ancestral house, which was deserted and known as a ‘ghost house’, and set up a kitchen where roasted snacks were prepared.” She said that initially, she was able to get hold of 10 women from the village but when awards started coming her way, many more joined her and the number swelled to 50.She said that till now, the women had been selling their products in fairs organised by the state.However now, they were keen to expand, involve more women and earn better..