Women support for team Stalin: Transformation of commercial complex into money making complex

Kalaignar centenary function is being celebrated grandly by the Tamil Nadu government. Instead of just being a birthday celebration, Kalaignar centenary function has transitioned into a means of livelihood for many people. As a testimony to this, 2 days ago CM Stalin virtually inaugurated "Poomalai Vaniga Valagam" (commercial complex). These commercial complexes were opened during the period of Karunanidhi for the women self-help groups in around 26 districts including Viluppuram, Coimbatore, Kanchipuram, Namakkal, Tirunelveli, Cuddalore, Madurai etc.

The complexes were reconstructed by Tamil Nadu Corporation for Development of women under the Rural Development department at a cost of 5.16 crores. The commercial complexes elevated the standard of living of many women within self-help groups. The women in self-groups engage themselves in several activities such as manufacturing of cloth bags, jute bags, play toys, bobble head toys and making of wood pressed oil, readymade clothes and running nursery, tailor shops and even grocery shops etc. By engaging themselves in different activities women became manufacturers and business entrepreneurs. By doubling the income of women, CM Stalin is planning to boost the economy of the country.

We asked for the opinion of women about the refreshed and reconstructed commercial complexes. Among the women who spoke, Punithavalli said that it gives her immense joy after getting a shop in the complex where she can arrange her home made chocolates and sell them. "More than the money the shop has earned me respect", said Punithavalli who belongs to the Thamarai self-help group. "Without having any affordable shops of our own we were selling saplings on the street side. The prevailing average rent of the shops which is Rs.8000, made the dream of having a shop impossible. The credit for making this possible goes to Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin", says a young woman who belongs to Phoenix Nursery farm which sells ornamental plants and saplings.

"To be precise, the shops in the complexes that are given to women have given the satisfaction of being an entrepreneur. For someone who has wandered from street to street to make a sale, the provision of shops has decreased the burden. Heartfelt gratitude to CM Stalin who made this happen", said a woman from Kungumam Women self-help group. "The period of good fortune has come to us after Udhayanidhi Stalin has assumed the position of the minister", said a woman from a self-help group which does embroidery works for blouses.

"The commercial complex is the main reason behind women being able to stand on their own leg and being able to support their children's education. Poomalai has provided livelihood for women which was initiated by former CM Karunanidhi", said a middle aged woman from a self-help group which makes wood pressed oil.

"Sometimes exhibitions will be conducted by the government in which shops will be set up by women to earn from the sales. The main constraint here is that the exhibition will not be conducted when there is demand among the public. In cases of festival times also only a particular section of people will come to the shop. If there is a permanent shop, then people will come and purchase the products whenever they need it. This need for a permanent shop was fulfilled by the government which helped us in getting a steady income", said a woman from Velu Nachiyar self-help group from Konambedu village in Avadi municipality. This group manufactures jute bags and they go to exhibitions that are being conducted in different districts to sell the products. The frequency of going outstation had been a burden for this community which was reduced by allocating a shop in Thriuvallur municipality.

The Poomalai commercial complex was initiated by former CM Karunanidhi and now during his centenary celebrations the complex was reconstructed by CM Stalin. All the shops within the complexes are held and run by self-help groups. "Just because the rent is low for the shops we were able to have some profit with which we are leading our lives", said Shenbagavalli from a self-help group which makes readymade or tailored clothes in Thiruvallur district.

Udhayanidhi has mentioned in his tweet regarding the commercial complex and the women who got shops in the complex. He also wished them happiness in their lives.

Empowering women is empowering a nation!!!!!