Himachal weaving industry makes women self reliant

Kullu, Mar 25 (ANI): Weaving industry in Himachal Pradesh's Kullu district has helped women to become self reliant.

Women, who constitute over 90 percent of weavers in Kullu, work in well-organized women weaving cooperative societies.

The Co-operative Societies perform multiple functions from coordinating with weavers to marketing, assisting them to earn money.

They earn around Rs. 3000 to Rs. 6000 a month.

"I have been working here for the past 15 years. We make various shawls and simultaneously I mange my household chores," said Sharda devi, a weaver.

The societies also run various schemes and provide gratuity and bonus to the women.

"They are doing all types of jobs in weaving sector whether it is a managerial job or salesmanship job. This way they are earning good wages approximately Rs 100 per day for ordinary people, for a master craft they are earning around Rs 200 per day," said Satya Prakash Thakur, chairman of Bhuttia Co-Operative Society.

They make shawls, mufflers and stoles in various patterns and designs and sold in the markets also exported outside Kullu.

Weaving industry is one the biggest industries in the region that comes after agriculture, horticulture and tourism. By Prem Thakur (ANI)