Mega fair planned to market SHG products

[sajiv]

TIRUNELVELI: To popularise the products of women self-help groups among the public here and to explore new avenues for marketing their products, the 'Mahalir Thittam' has proposed to conduct a mega exhibition at MDT Hindu College Higher Secondary School at Tirunelveli Junction between December 30 and January 3.

After getting economic assistance from the Government, the SHGs started units to manufacture a range of products such as garments, aloe and banana fibre products, terracotta, Pathhamadai mats and silk mats, handloom sarees, sanitary napkins, paper cups, palm leaf products, vermicompost, decorative articles, a range of pickles, files etc. Though these SHG products are known for their quality, consumers are not aware of the products being manufactured and marketed by these groups and the places where the products are sold.

Ultimately, the SHGs struggled a lot to market their products. It was decided to organise weekly markets in select areas.

Moreover, a commercial complex near the new bus stand at Vaeinthankulam was established to exhibit their products under the brand name 'Ponbharani'. But the sale of the products, displayed in 18 shops, was not encouraging as it realised only Rs.3 lakh during the first year, forcing the planners here to explore new business opportunities.

Five divisions
To find untapped markets, the 19 blocks were divided into five divisions where weekly markets were conducted at Valliyoor (every Friday), Tenkasi (Saturday), Ambasamudram (Saturday), Palayamkottai (Friday), Kallidaikurichi (Wednesday), Shencottah (Thursday), Thisayanvilai (Wednesday) and Sankarankovil (Saturday).

Moreover, 'Collectorate Market' started functioning on every Monday as hundreds of people gather to submit petitions to the Collector during the weekly grievance day meetings.

Now, the 'Mahalir Thittam' has planned to organise this 5-day mega fair in which more than 40 stalls are to be established to showcase the SHG products.

"We are going to give the stalls on 'First Come, First Served' basis," said the Project Officer, Mahalir Thittam, R. Gunasekaran.

On January 3, rangoli, group singing, group dance and elocution competitions for the SHG women will be held for the finalists selected through the taluk-level competitions conducted earlier.

Winners will receive Rs. 5,000, Rs. 3,000 and Rs. 2,000 respectively on the same day.