Women SHGs display products at Vaatsal

New Delhi, Nov 16 (UNI) Self-help groups of women from 32 states are displaying their products at the 'Vaatsalya Mela' being organised by the Ministry of Women and Child Development from November 14 to 19 in the capital.

Products by 120 self help groups and nearly 500 women range from bamboo basket, jute bags, hand made saaris, Madhubani paintings, regional pickles and several other unique products made by rural women. All the women participating in the mela are not only producer but also trainer and coordinator of local self-help groups.

Besides this, several programmes for children such as magic shows, puppet shows, on the spot competitions, bioscope, clowns and joyrides have been arranged. Everyday more than 500 school children from disadvantage groups are coming to the mela and enjoying all the activities.

Women can participate in cookery demonstrations, mehendi, rangoli, bangle-making demonstrations and shop for handicraft and handloom items.

There are free health checkups, dental and eye check ups, nutrition tips and counseling for women and children. Several cultural troops from various states present folk dances every evening with enchanting music and throbbing drumbeats.

So far Minister for Rural Development Raghuvansh Prasad Singh and Minster of State for Heavy Industry Kanti Singh have visited the mela to interact with these women groups.

Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chaterji, Panchayati Raj Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar and several other eminent persons from various walks of life are expected to meet these self help groups of women.

Minister of State for Women and Child Development Renuka Chowdhury visits the mela every evening.

UNI AJ MSJ Mir RK1530