In a powerful boost to rural India, the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) is empowering self help group (SHG) women through ‘Gram Dukaan’, grant supported village shops that turn handmade skills into steady income. This initiative provides a vibrant marketplace for local products, elevating living standards and fostering economic independence.
A shining example thrives near Patal Bhairavi Temple in Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh. Here, SHG women showcase an array of homegrown goods: puja items, pickles, papads, murukku, nadda, bijori, murabba, candles, agarbatti, soap, yam, flowers, mushrooms, clothes, spices, dona pattal plates, decoration items, and household essentials. Attractive packaging ensures appeal, drawing steady sales from temple pilgrims.
Shop operator Nisha Mandavi reports enthusiastic response from devotees, yielding regular earnings. NABARD’s free shop space removes barriers, offering a permanent, accessible platform. What began as individual crafts now fuels collective prosperity.
This model exemplifies grassroots innovation: skill meets market, women gain agency, and local economies strengthen. By linking producers directly to buyers, Gram Dukaan cuts middlemen, boosts confidence, and sustains livelihoods. It is a blueprint for Atmanirbhar Bharat in villages.
Governments and banks must scale such efforts nationwide, integrating digital payments, branding support, and skill training. When rural women thrive, entire communities flourish, proving entrepreneurship knows no urban bounds.
