*NRLM achievements, products to be highlighted
Bivek Mathur
JAMMU, Jan 21: In what could be termed as a fresh start, 20 contingents of women Self-Help-Groups (SHGs) associated with the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) would be participating in the Republic Day parade for the first time since the inception of the mission in Jammu and Kashmir in the year 2014.
Official sources said that each contingent of 30 women SHG members from all the 20 districts of Jammu and Kashmir shall participate in the Republic Day march-past both at district and divisional headquarters in Jammu and Kashmir.
They said the marching contingent of the women Self-Help-Groups shall highlight through their march an NRLM banner, achievements of various themes of NRLM in the form of banner and the handmade products made by the women SHGs.
“The marching contingent of 30 women SHG members shall wear a proper dress code i.e. maroon coloured suite in the march-past,” sources said.
Confirming the development, District Programme Manager (DPM), Poonch, JKRLM, Mohammad Ouwais Karni told the Excelsior: “10 women SHG members each from Mandi, Surankote and Bafliaz shall be participating in the Republic Day parade this year at District Headquarters, Poonch, for the first time.”
He said, “our contingent of 30 women will display handicraft items, handmade cushions, baskets, sweaters, food items, pickles and sattu during their march in the Republic Day parade.”
Block Programme Manager (BPM), JKRLM, Chenani, Mubarak Jalil said that 20 women of Udhampur and 10 women from Chenani Tehsil would be participating in the Republic Day Parade 2023 at the District Headquarters, Udhampur for the first time, where they will display during their march handicraft items and various foods of the district.
Kamran Hanief, BPM, JKRLM, Rajouri also claimed that 10 women each from Kalakote, Budhal and Nowshera blocks would be participating in the Republic Day Parade for the first time at the district headquarters in Rajouri, where they will display products made of pine needles, Rajmah and cushions along with the display of other achievements of the mission thus far in the district.
Pertinently, since the inception of the mission in 2014, JKRLM has federated around 7 lakh rural women in about 72, 407 self-help-groups and actively involved in providing gainful employment opportunities to the rural women across the UT of J&K.
“Participating in the Republic Day parade is a noteworthy initiative of Jammu and Kashmir Government aimed at showcasing the skills of the rural women and their products, which provide them employment opportunities,” a senior JKRLM official said on condition of anonymity.
“Participating of the rural women in the Republic Day parade is also a step towards women empowerment,” added the officer.
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