Women of self-help groups of Assam are exploring the true concept of self-help.

From finding markets for perishable vegetables to making gamosas masks and contributing to Assam Arogya Nidhi, these women have managed to earn praise from the chief minister.

The women were able to find a market for vegetables with the Assam State Rural Livelihood Mission (ASRLM). Most of the rural women (SHG members) grow a lot of vegetables and fruits besides paddy cultivation. They also have poultry, piggery and dairy farms. In view of the lockdown, the farm produce of these women came handy.

“Under the initiative of ARSLM, a link was established with the district administrations and supply agencies so that the agricultural produce of the SHGs finds a selling outlet. The district administrations readily welcomed the initiative and directed the departments and supply counters to procure the items and also give the SHGs their profit,” ASRLM state project manager (livelihoods and marketing) Dhrubajyoti Gogoi said.

As many as 2,500 to 2,700 SHG members have sold perishable commodities worth more than Rs 2.5 crore during the lockdown.

Various SHGs came up with mask-making initiatives as masks available in market in pharmacies were limited and not within the financial reach of many. The SHG members made gamosas in abundance which they traditionally do so during Bohag Bihu. This year the gamosas failed to find the desired market but that did not deter the women to be creative. They made trendy masks out of them. People across Assam are seen donning gamosas masks. The masks made by the SHG’s are now branded as Asomi.

Till date more than 4,43,245 masks been made by 2,269 SHG members across the state and 49,069 have been distributed for free and 2,88,292 were sold to different organisations. Chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal lauded the initiative of the SHG’s and ASRLM.

ASRLM officials said SHG members and village organisations donated to Assam Arogya Nidhi Fund, Chief Minister’s Relief Fund and PM Cares Fund.

With contribution ranging from Rs 2,000-20,000, more than Rs 12 lakh has been donated by 450 community-based organisations under ASRLM.