CII launches project for women in disaster-hit village

The unit has been constructed with the support of the CII, as part of its community-based livelihood interventions under the disaster rehabilitation initiative

Most of the men of Bhanigram village in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand lost their lives in the 2013 Kedarnath calamitous floods. They were the main bread-winners of their families.

And very soon, Bhanigram came to be known as the village of widows.

After struggling for nearly two years, women of Bhanigram are all set to create new livelihood opportunities for themselves.

Chief Minister Harish Rawat on Tuesday inaugurated the production unit of Mandakini Mahila Bunker Samiti (MMBS) at Bhanigram, where women are now making hand-made scarves, shawls, cushion-covers and several other handloom products.

The unit has been constructed with the support of the Confederation of Indian industry (CII), as part of its community-based livelihood interventions under the disaster rehabilitation initiative. The unit provides employment to 83 women of Bhanigram village in handloom, embroidery and traditional aipen items. Overall, the MMBS projects provides livelihood to 300 women from seven villages in and around Dewali Bhanigram.

Addressing the inaugural session, Rawat said the project was a right step in right direction, as it provides livelihoods to women in the hills. He said such projects also help prevent migration. He urged the industry to come forward and compliment state government's initiatives in creating livelihoods in the villages and improving the quality of life in the hills.

On the Char Dham yatra, Rawat said the yatra occupies a place of pride for the state and that his government is committed to ensuring a safe, comfortable and hassle-free yatra this season.

Elaborating on CII Foundation's support to the project, Prashant V Mahadik, Chairman CII Uttarakhand State Council said the project is in line with the model of Panchachuli Women Weavers of Kumaon. He said it is a women-centric project and aims to reach out to the most affected by the 2013 June disaster. He added once the Char Dham yatra starts, the MMBS project will help showcase Uttarakhand's handloom and handicrafts to the world.

VIbha Malhotra, director of the state CII office, said industry is not the only agenda for CII, but the larger goal is contributing to the nation building. She added CII takes its corporate social responsibility role seriously. When disaster struck Uttarakhand in June 2013, CII Foundation immediately swung into action with relief efforts. The rehabilitation work continues focussing on school education, employment oriented skill development and community-based livelihood initiatives, she added.

The state Agriculture Minister Harak Singh Rawat, who also present at the inauguration, also appreciated the CII initiative.