Namsai, Jul 9: In a significant push towards empowering rural women entrepreneurs, two Micro Enterprise Development Programmes (MEDPs), sponsored by NABARD and implemented by BLCCT in collaboration with Arunachal State Rural Livelihoods Mission (ArSRLM), concluded successfully on Tuesday in Jona I village and Alubari, Chongkham.
The 15-day training programmes focused on soap & household cleaning product making and incense stick production, respectively. Each programme trained 30 Self-Help Group (SHG) members with hands-on skills to initiate their own micro-enterprises.
At Jona I Village, the valedictory event saw active participation from SHG members and community leaders. NABARD AGM Kamal Roy, along with representatives from ICICI Bank, APRB, ArSRLM, Kudumbashree NRO, and local Panchayats, attended the event. He emphasized the importance of branding, packaging, and market linkages in transforming skills into viable businesses and urged the implementing agency to continue offering handholding support.
Simultaneously, at Alubari, Chongkham, the incense stick-making programme concluded with ADC Chongkham K Tikhak attending as chief guest. He commended the women for their high-quality products and encouraged them to pursue enterprise development actively.
The programme also witnessed the presence of the ZPM, BM SBI, BMM ArSRLM, mentor from Kudumbashree NRO, CEO BLCCT, and enthusiastic SHG participants.
In his address, Kamal Roy reiterated the importance of following the Panchsutra (five guiding principles of SHGs) and highlighted further opportunities under NABARD's developmental initiatives.
The SHG members shared inspiring testimonials about their experiences, expressing confidence and readiness to embrace self-reliance.
Certificates were distributed to the trainees, marking not just the culmination of training but the beginning of their journey as entrepreneurs.