President lauds SHGs success in Assam

Guwahati, Oct 20 (UNI) Impressed at the massive response the women's Self Help Group (SHG) movement has generated in Assam, President Pratibha Patil today urged the fair sex to take forward the impetus the SHGs have given to their empowerment movement. The immense self-confidence is perhaps the biggest achievement of the SHG movement, Ms Patil said during an interaction with women SHG members of the state here.

Maintaining that the SHGs have helped the women to tap their hidden potentials, she said, '' The SHGs have brought a new revolution and the women are discovering their confidence and capabilities and striding forward. It has given her economic independence and social uplift,'' she added.

Underscoring the need for empowering women as they form half of the country's population, the President said, '' Men and women are like two wheels of a chariot. You cannot run the chariot when one wheel is weak.'' Congratulating Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi for the success of SHGs in the state, she said, '' The SHGs have brought energy and colour to the women's lives.'' She highlighted the need for better marketing of SHG products to help the women more.

Earlier, representatives of the SHGs put forward their reactions and comments on the changes the movement has brought to their lives.

The three speakers from Jorhat, Morigaon and Karbi Anglong stressed that the SHG movement has instilled in them self-confidence and made them aware of their potentials.

It has brought them all financial independence and security, they added.

The President also visited an exhibition of SHG products at the venue during the interaction.

UNI SG KK RN1930