SHGs key to ‘Viksit Arunachal’, says Governor Parnaik

OUR CORRESPONDENT

ITANAGAR: Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt Gen (Retd) K T Parnaik on Friday urged women self-help groups (SHGs) to become torchbearers of a 'Made in Arunachal' movement and take their locally produced goods from "local to global."

Speaking at a special event held at Raj Bhavan, which brought together 69 SHGs from 22 districts across the state, Parnaik stressed the need for dedicated SHG product marketing hubs in key towns such as Itanagar, Ziro, Tezu, Pasighat, Namsai, Aalo, Bomdila, and Tawang, an official statement said.

"The government can provide infrastructure, but the leadership and ownership must come from the SHGs themselves. These hubs should become vibrant SHG bazaars, windows into the creativity and strength of our rural women," he said.

The governor called on the SHGs to embrace innovation while staying rooted in tradition. He urged them to utilise local resources like bamboo, wild fruits, herbs, and textiles, blending traditional knowledge with modern techniques to create market-ready products. Encouraging entrepreneurship, he asked members to register their ventures, build collective brands, and actively participate in exhibitions across the country.

Parnaik also announced support for a 'Train the Trainers' initiative to build a cadre of 'Master Didis' who would mentor other SHGs in business management, hygiene, packaging, and customer service.

He encouraged the women to document their journeys for inclusion in proposed voices of change series, showcasing grassroots success stories.

Responding to feedback from the SHG members, Parnaik assured them of his continued support. He said he would recommend to the state government the enhancement of transport services, increased CSR participation, and the setting up of SHG product outlets at airports and major city markets.

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