G20: Products of women self-help groups wowed delegates

Srinagar: Women entrepreneurs wowed the G20 delegates with their crafts on the first day of the summit today.

A stall of handicrafts, horticulture, and agriculture produce by Jammu and Kashmir Rural Livelihood Mission (JKRLM) was the star attraction.

JKRLM, which essentially works to empower women by giving them avenues of employment, in their stall, had displayed cricket bats, handicrafts, wicker baskets, apples, and samples of agriculture produce by the women.

Delegates applauded the craft of Kashmiri women.  “The delegates were very happy to see the stall. The stall contained some samples of horticulture (apple) and agricultural produce (saffron, lavender)apart from the handicraft products made by women. These products were made by the self-help groups working under JKRLM throughout Jammu and Kashmir,” an official said.

He said the department had decided to display the art to encourage the women to ‘bigger achievements in their respective fields.’

“There is an inspiring story behind each piece. From delicate hand-woven wicker baskets to Kangri, the range of products on display represented the rich cultural heritage of the countries these artisans hailed from,” the official said.

Pertinently, more than six lakh rural women are successfully running their businesses in Jammu and Kashmir under JKRLM.

At least 79000 self-help groups are functioning in Jammu and Kashmir, which guide and assist our women to become financially independent. Out of the 6.36 lakh women, at least 50,000 are millionaires,

The three-day G20 Tourism Working Group meeting kicked off at Sher-e-Kashmir International Conference Center (SKICC) on Monday. The first Working Group meeting was held in February at Rann of Kutch in Gujarat. The second meeting was held from April 1 to 3 in Siliguri, West Bengal.

G20 comprises Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union.