Home-made delicacies enthrall visitors

35 SHG members had displayed their products

There were several success stories, at the five-day exhibition of products by Women’s Self Help Groups (SHGs)organised by the Karnataka State Women Development Corporation (KSWDC) and Women and Child Welfare Department, at Kanthi Church Hall, near Mangaladevi temple on Saturday.

The exhibition had an array of products like pickles, pappads, ‘sandige,’ juices, squashes, dress materials, one gram gold ornaments, and bags, produced by various SHGs.

Women Development Officer Chandrika said that there are 35 stalls. Women from Chikmagalur and Gadag too have come, to Mangalore to exhibit their products.

The objective of the exhibition is to provide marketing avenues to SHGs for their products, which will go a long way in augmenting rural economy.

She said “Women and Child Welfare department had imparted training in preparing paper bags to a SHG at Chembugudde. The ban on plastic carry bags, would provide an opportunity to the women’s SHGs to manufacture carry bags made of paper, cloth or other eco-friendly materials.”

Some the SHGs have been imparted training in making pickles of various flavours, herbal medicines, juices and Ayurveda products. These SHGs utilised the opportunity to showcase their talent and find marketing avenues.

Nagaveni who was selling an imitation jewellery said that she orders for the ornaments from Chennai, Coimbatore and sells them in Mangalore.

“There is a great demand for bangles, chains and necklaces here,” she added.

Vinoda Baliga from Mangalore was seen with her unique products like ‘thimare sendige,’ ‘Nuggesoppu sendige,’ ‘Ragi sendige,’ Nannari juice, ‘Appemidi,’  lemon, vegetables, ‘Karande,’ ‘Kanile’ and ‘Ambade’ pickles.

Kalavathi from Karkala was selling velvet hand bags. Shamala Shenoy said that she has 14 varieties of pickles. “I have been into pickle business for the last 30 years. I visit the stalls and exhibit my products. The consumers who visit the stalls, purchase the products and come back to me. I do not sell pickles to the shops.”

Meena from Chembugudde said that she learnt the art of making paper bags six months ago. “In the last six months, I have taken part in three exhibitions and papers bags were sold like hot cakes. I also sell incense sticks and wicks.”

Lakshmi Jangeri from Vaibhavalakshmi SHG, has come all the way from Gadag to introduce condiments like ‘Jola rotti,’ raagi laddu, groundnut chutney pudi, varieties of eatables to Mangaloreans. “I am into this business for the last eight years,” she said.
Prerana SHG Okkuta’s Shilpa has come with variety of sweets.

Earlier, inaugurating the exhibition Mayor Gulzar Banu called upon the women to maintain quality.

Assembly Deputy Speaker N Yogish Bhat said that marketing facility should be made available for the products produced by the SHG members.  SHGs in the city can work on segregating garbage to sell it to earn a livelihood. The Women and Child Welfare department should hold training the women SHG members in an effort to reduce the amount of garbage piling up in dumping yards.

Woman entrepreneur Kusuma Devadiga, ZP standing committee on social justice president Janardhan Gowda and others were present.