PIONEER NEWS SERVICE | Dehradun
Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has urged all pilgrims to purchase quality products from women’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs). Officials informed that this year, women SHGs from Rudraprayag district are actively participating in the Kedarnath Yatra. About 150 groups in the district are engaged in various activities, including selling Prasad, barley, sesame, coin souvenirs, local products, as well as operating homestays and refreshment houses along the Yatra route. This initiative is supporting the livelihoods of hundreds of women.
Officials also informed that Kedarnath Prasad can be purchased online. Additionally, a replica of the Kedarnath temple is being created as a souvenir at the Growth Centre of the Industry department, located in Bhatwadi Sain. Devotees are taking these replicas home as mementos. This Growth Centre, managed by the District Industry Center of Rudraprayag, is operated by local women, and so far this year, they have produced 5,000 replicas, with production still ongoing.
The official further informed about the contribution of women in Jakholi, around 50 women SHGs are involved in businesses related to the Yatra. Of these, 30 groups are preparing Prasad, while 10 groups are making incense sticks and the remaining 10 are selling local hill products. The administration has also allocated shops for them to sell their goods. Whereas, in Agastyamuni, about 38 women’s groups are engaged in travel-related businesses. These groups are involved in producing souvenirs, packaging Prasad and selling local products along the travel route. Some groups are also operating refreshment houses on the journey. Further, in Ukhimath, approximately 60 women groups are engaged in travel-related businesses. This includes 48 women directly preparing Prasad, while the others focus on making souvenirs, running refreshment houses, providing tents for travelers, offering homestays and selling local products.
Regarding this, Dhami stated that the Char Dham Yatra is becoming a vital economic foundation for women’s groups. He emphasised that the government is providing various forms of assistance to these groups, including offering stall spaces along the travel route. He commended the women for embodying the slogan “Vocal for Local” by promoting and selling local products.
