Disabled come together as SHG to earn livelihood
Rajesh Sharma
Una, October 25
Eighteen men and women, belonging to underprivileged families and fighting physical challenges, have come together as a Self Help Group (SHG) in Dehlan village of Una district to begin income generation activities.
The SHG, named ‘Aradhana’, is supported by the Chintpurni Temple Trust, the district administration and the National Career Service Centre (NCSC), Una, a rehabilitation centre of the Union Ministry of Labour and Employment for persons with physical disabilities.
The foundation for ‘Aradhana’ was laid about six months ago, when the then Deputy Commissioner of Una, Sandeep Kumar, visited ‘Ashray’, a rehabilitation centre for special children being run by a voluntary organisation in Dehlan village.
Suresh Aeri, who operates ‘Ashray’, said during one of his visits to their rehabilitation centre, the DC discussed with the staff the prospects of a vocational-cum-production centre for people with physical disabilities who had meager sources of income. The DC volunteered financial assistance from the Chintpurni Temple Trust, he said.
The technical assistance came from the NCSC, which has master trainers for providing rehabilitation trainings in various vocations. Dr BK Pandey, Deputy Director of the Una NCSC, said a suitable hall was provided by the local panchayat and the ‘Aradhana’ SHG was formed with 18 members. In August, Sandeep Kumar inaugurated the training-cum-production centre for the SHG.
Dr Pandey said the group was provided training in making incense (dhoop) and cotton wicks (batti) used in religious rituals. During the last two months, the group has made and packed about one quintal of incense and 1,000 packets of cotton wicks. While the sale of the products had already begun, the district administration too was trying to find bigger market for the goods.
Paramjeet Kaur and Satish Kumar, members of the SHG, said about 10 members were regularly coming to the centre. After getting free training, they were now able to prepare and pack the two items, getting their share of income, they added.
‘Though the income is small as of now, but with the help assured by the administration, locals and nearby temples, we expect to earn a reasonable amount of money to be able to support our families,” said Paramjeet Kaur.
Photo: Aradhana SHG members make cotton wicks for sale at their centre in Dehlan village. Photos by writer
