Neil, Feb 13: Aiming at promoting and marketing the handicraft products manufactured by the Self Help Groups of Neil Island, the NABARD in collaboration with the Yuvasakthi NGO has inaugurated a Rural Mart at Neil Kendra on 12th February 2017. The Rural Mart was inaugurated by Mr.Hemant Songadkar, General Manager, NABARD in the presence of Mr. Ramakrishna, Pradhan, Neil Kendra where the AGM NABARD Mr. Vaidyanathan alongwith officials, volunteers and members of SHGs also present. Welcoming the gathering Mr. P.Senpagaraja, Co-Founder thanked NABARD for its schemes towards empowerment of women and also extending such a golden opportunity for the SHG handicraft artisans.
Mr.Ramakrishna, Pradhan, Neil Kendra during his speech lauded the efforts of Yuvasakthi in empowerment of Neil Island based women through various social schemes and acknowledged the earlier works done by the Yuvasakthi at Neil Island. Mr. Hemant Songadkar, General Manager, NABARD elaborated on various schemes being implemented by the NABARD for empowerment of women. Stating that, the rural mart opened at Neil Kendra is a second initiative of the NABARD after the first one being at Havelock, the GM informed that, the rural mart at Havelock was inaugurated by the Chairman, NABARD during his recent visit to these islands.
During his speech, Mr. Vaidyanath, AGM called up the womenfolk to make use of the opportunity to promote and market their products directly to the Consumers.He also exhorted them to identify the core areas of expertise in which they can excel and assured that, NABARD will provide requisite training for them. The meeting ended with the vote of thanks proposed by Mrs.Kamala Devi, CLRP, Yuvasakthi.
