Port Blair, June 04: A One day workshop on problems and prospects of SHG movement in the islands was held at Rajiv Gandhi Cooperative Training college at Teylarabad in South Andaman today. Presiding over the workshop, the Chairman of Andaman and Nicobar Cooperative Union, Kuldeep Rai Sharma emphasized the need for strengthening the cooperative movement and Self Help Groups(SHG) in the islands to accelerate the economic growth of the region. He said the major issue needs to be addressed on priority is unemployment problem in the absence of any major industry in the islands. He categorically stated that the cooperative movement and the self help groups only can solve this problem by the creation of small and micro level enterprises at grass-root level. Highlighting the role of SHGs in rural areas, he said the SHGs were well trained by the Cooperative training college to take up different commercial activities in their areas and thereby contributing to the all round development of the society. He further revealed that the Andaman Nicobar Cooperative Union makes all out efforts to motivate the people to form SHGs in the rural areas and also guides them in availing of financial assistance from the banks to support their business activities. General Manager of NABARD
Inaugurating the Workshop, the Chairperson of State Social Welfare Board, Ratna Kannan called upon every one to strengthen the Self Help Groups in the islands. She said the SHGs are basis for women empowerment and they will make the women empowered in socially and economically.
The NABARD General Manager, Athirshtavel in his keynote address informed that NABARD launched the SHG movement in the country around 20 years back with the objective of empowering the women in economic, social and political fronts and thereby changing the rural face of India. As a result, the women who were earlier restricted to household works came forward to take part in the income generation activities of their families and contribute for economic development of their areas. He said the role of Non governmental organizations (NGO) is very important in arranging for necessary training, financial assistance and marketing facilities for the SHGs so as to make them functioning effectively.
Emphasizing on the need for proper marketing facilities for the SHGs, the NABARD General Manager suggested for creation of exclusive marketing complex at the suitable place for sale of products manufactured by the SHGs to ensure profitable returns in their ventures. He said the SHGs as Joint Liability Groups take commendable initiatives to solve the marketing problems. Citing an example, he said in Tushnabad area one SHG concentrates only on marketing of the products, while other SHG actively engaged in manufacturing of candles to ensure attractive income out of their activities.
Anantha Krishnan, Deputy General Manager, NABARD, Ravindra Rao, General Manager, Andaman Nicobar State Cooperative Bank and Suresh Babu, Principal of the College also addressed the workshop, followed by the open house discussion on prospects and problems of the SHGs. A large number of women from different Self Help Groups attended the workshop. (PIB)
