Himachal tribal women adopt carpet-manufacturing business

Kinnaur (Himachal Pradesh), Apr 9 (ANI): Tribal women in Himachal Pradesh are adopting carpet-manufacturing business for self-reliance.

A group of women in Pooh village in tribal Kinnaur district of the state have started weaving traditional carpets to generate earnings and also preserve their centuries old culture.

These women have formed a group named 'Lakshmi Group', nearly 300 kilometers from Shimla.

The government has been providing full support to these women. They are given loans and subsidies under the Integrated Rural development Programme (IRDP) or self-employment scheme run by the government.

For the last one-year, these women are trying to make themselves self-reliant with the government help.

"We started this carpet centre with the help of government. The government gave us some loan. We can earn from this and fend for our needs. We also sell these carpets locally. It is also a way to preserve our culture," said Geeta Negi, the head of the group.

New weavers are being trained everyday and more and more women are being involved in the business.

"I have been learning to weave carpets for the past three months. I have learnt quite a bit and want to learn more. I can earn sitting at home and don't have to be dependent on anyone," said Angmo Negi, a trainee weaver at the centre.

The sale of these carpets varies from 500 to 5000 rupees in the local and utside markets.

The IRDP is aimed at providing self-employment to the rural people through acquisition of productive assets or appropriate skills which would generate additional income.

It is a holistic programme run by the government covering all aspects of self-employment. By Hemant Chauhan (ANI)