Women entrepreneurs of Punjab

By Ravinder Singh Robin

Tarsika (Amritsar) April 1, : They may be brilliant graduates from country's premier management school, they have a dream to become entrepreneurs.

As a first step, they have formed a women club at a village, 40 kilometers from Amritsar.

After completing their daily chores, these household women gather to prepare various products. Working in two separate groups like "Parkash" and "Aman", these women are developing their latent talent and creating a market for various household traditional items prepared by them. These items have always been part of their family life for ages but were never sold commercially.

For Parmjit Kaur, an undergraduate student of home science, the rural women club of her area has proved to be a boon, as it has provided her an opportunity to become an entrepreneur while residing in a village. Not only she has added to her family income but also done her family proud.

Each group is comprised of 15 members. One joins the club after payment of rupees 100, which is to be paid every month. The fund raised through monthly fees is used for loan, when the need arises for any member.

These women prepare eco-friendly bags, designer ladies suits, mirror work, dolls, soft toys, decorative items, handicrafts, flower arrangements, pickle and Papad and food processing.

Every member manages to earn over Rs.1,500 a month.

On the last day of every month, the members are expected to show the products at the club and prices are fixed depending upon the finished products' quality. These products are then sent to a shop for being sold off.

Rajinder Kaur says, it is like a dream coming true. She has learnt flower arrangements With the help of the club, she has been able to sell off her products. It has also boosted her self-confidence besides to self-esteem.

Rajinder, however, believes the government should arrange camps in villages to professionally train skilled women who can do a lot better after learning marketing skills.

These women wish that the government should help them to export their goods to the people living in abroad who love Punjabi culture.

Kuldeep Kaur, president of the club says, the members are satisfied with the response received during the last five years.

She said though Banks are ready to provide them financial assistance, in villages they have very limited resources. She wants big companies take interest by providing raw material and due labour in time. We can perform a lot better than we do for good earnings," she says.

ANI