Uttarakhand: Women’s groups did business of around 1 crore during Kedarnath Yatra, more than 500 women got direct employment

Women groups have done a business of about 1 crore in Kedarnath Yatra. This year this Yatra proved to be very pleasant for the women groups operating in Rudraprayag district. This year more than 16 lakh 53 thousand devotees reached for the darshan of Baba Kedarnath Dham. The direct impact of which was also seen on the income and economy of the women power.

Women groups did a business of about 1 crore in Kedarnath Yatra

Due to the increasing number of devotees in Kedarnath Yatra, the business of women groups is getting new heights every year. While various women groups associated with Kedarnath Yatra did a business of about 70 lakhs last year. So this year it has increased to about one crore rupees.

Chief Development Officer Dr. GS Khati said that women are engaged in self-employment by making Mahaprasad, Dham souvenir, incense, churma, Belpatri, honey, jute and silk bags and Chardham toran for pilgrims coming from all over the world to Baba Kedarnath. Apart from this, women power has also been linked to livelihood through Saras Restaurant and Outlet, Hilans Cafe and Bakery operation. This year, for the first time, seven outlets and parking of Aanchal Dairy were opened on the Yatra route through the Dairy Development Department due to the efforts of District Magistrate Saurabh Gaharwar. Which have become a better option of employment for women groups and local people.

Women earned 30 lakhs by selling Prasad in Kedarnath

Prasad worth about lakh rupees has been sold to pilgrims in Shri Kedarnath Dham. Laxman Singh Sajwan, President of Kedarnath Prasad Producer Group, Medanpur and Ghughra Devi, President of Ganga Milk Producer Group, Medanpur told that they receive Amaranth Laddus, Herbal Dhoop, Churma, Belpatri, Honey, Jute and Silk Bags etc. prepared by more than 60 women of 10 women self-help groups from across the district.

Apart from this, vessels for Ganga water and temple ash are also part of the prasad package. For this, about 100 quintals of amaranth were purchased from the farmers of the district at the rate of 110 rupees per kg. The farmers have got direct benefit of this. Along with this, about 40 women associated with the Aastha self-help group located in Tyudi of Ukhimath block have sold prasad worth Rs 5 lakh on the Yatra route.

Along with employment, local products also got a boost

Ghungra Devi, President of Ganga Milk Production Union, said that this year she has prepared about 100 quintals of amaranth laddu and churma and sold it in Kedarnath. In the last six months, she has given employment to more than 60 women. Out of which 30 women are regularly associated with her through groups formed under NRLM.

During the entire journey, he sold laddus and churma worth about 25 lakh rupees. Along with paying Rs 300 per day to the women associated with the group, they also provide training from time to time. He told that before the Prasad Yojana was started in the year 2017, the production of amaranth was very limited whereas now its production has increased. He told that this year amaranth was purchased from the farmers at the rate of Rs 110 per kg. Apart from this, the farmers producing Belpatri are also getting direct benefits of the scheme.