Pune's Self-help group exports 80,000 bags to New York
Here's an unique example set by a self-help which could be worth emulating by thousands of self-help groups in Pune. Four months after the a self-owned industrial unit at Talawade was set up by the Swamini Mahila Bachat Gat Akhil Mahasangh, it has proved its mettle: by exporting 80,000 polythene bags to New York, thereby becoming the first self-help group in Pune to enter the international market.
The biggest moment of pride for the Swamini mahasangh came when it sent two trucks carrying the polythene bags consignment to New York through Mumbai from where they will shipped to US.
Heaping praise on the mahasangh, Band said, "Nothing is possible without determination. The success of this project, started by the self help groups, will make the women members more confident. They must keep the prices lower than the market price, keep looking for new markets and make the basic facilities available for continuous working." Commissioner Sharma assured that the civic body extend all possible help the self help group which was doing a very good job. He said if the spares are manufactured in-house, it would add to the profits. Sulabha Ubale, one of the architects of the mahasangh, said that the project took shape because of the initiative of Divisional commissioner Dilip Band and support of Municipal Commissioner Asheesh Sharma.
The total investment of the Swamini mahasangh in the project of Rs 1 crore includes Rs 50 lakh of bank loan, Rs 30 lakh of municipal grant and Rs 20 lakh from women's collective capital. Polythene bags of different sizes are manufactured here, which are used for storage of animal food, fertiliser and sugar. The raw material is provided by Sumedh Polymers, Pune and they take the finished goods. Some 50 women workers are working in two shifts.
This industrial unit has four looms, two cutting machines, three sewing machines and one printing machine. 80,000 bags have been produced till today. The project was inaugurated by MP Adhalrao Patil on May 28. The Swamini Mahila Bachat Gat Mahasangh comprises of 11 self help groups including Yamunanagar, Kala, Sakhi, Mauli, Nirmalmoti, Kumjai, Khushi, Trimurti, Ugam, Sankalp and Swamini. Ubale said the mahasangh employs 50 women and each one of them gets a monthly salary of Rs 2500 for six hours of work.
Related Items:Polythene Bags, Self Help Groups Export, Self Help Groups in Pune, Self Help Groups India
Government of India launches website for Online Copyright filing
Vikram Akula's – Moment of Reckoning