Dwarahat, Maa Dunagiri Pirul Group:- In Uttarakhand, a significant portion of household chores is managed by women. But the women of Uttarakhand, who used to manage household and agricultural work, are now setting examples of economic empowerment in front of the world. One such story is of the women from the small villages of Asgoli and Jhuria in Dwarahat. The women are transforming the negative perception of pine needles, once considered a curse in Uttarakhand, into beautiful products. Through Self-Help Groups (SHGs), these women have come together to create beautiful products under the name “Maa Dunagiri Pirul Group” and are launching them in the market.
Learning Handicrafts for Home Decoration
In an exclusive conversation with The Better Uttarakhand Mamta Adhikari, a member of the group, shares that they had no idea initially that products made from pine needles would be liked by people and become a source of income. She recounts that when one woman from the group returned after receiving training on making products from pine needles, the other women thought it was a good idea and decided to learn it for home decoration and personal use. However, due to their dedication and hard work, the demand for their pine needle products began to rise in the market. This led to the establishment of Maa Dunagiri Pirul Group as a business venture.
Creating Beautiful Products from Pine Needles
Another member of the group, Sonika Adhikari, explains that they create various products from pine needles based on demand. These products include hot cases, flower pots, bowls, plates, baskets, pen stands, and rakhis. These pine needle products are available in the market starting at just 200 rupees. In addition to this, the women of the group are also skilled in Aipan (a traditional folk art) and weaving.
The women of Maa Dunagiri Pirul Group sell their products in local markets. Moreover, their products can also be found in nearby tourist areas such as Kainchi Dham and Ranikhet. The group has set up stalls in various places like Almora, Ranikhet, Dehradun, and Kosi. Not only that, but the women also provide handicraft training at various locations.
Overcoming Taunts to Establish Their Identity
The group, which started with five women, has now grown to include about 10 to 12 women. Sunita, Mamta, Manju, Sonika, Vimla, Jyoti, Leela, Geeta, Neema, Pooja, Asha, Janki, and Lalita together are bringing beautiful products to the market under the banner of Maa Dunagiri Pirul Group. Manju mentions that in the beginning, people used to taunt them for doing this work. The products made from pine needles were considered a waste of time. However, due to their success and the recognition they have received, more and more women are now trying to join the group.
Pine Needles Gave a New Identity to Village Women
According to Jyoti Adhikari, a member of the group, it takes two to three days to make these products from pine needles. However, sometimes they do not receive the amount of money they deserve for their hard work, which initially discouraged some women. But now, due to these products made from pine needles, the village women have found a new identity. Women who were once confined to household chores are now meeting people outside and making a name for themselves.
Self-employment Helps in Preventing Migration from the Hills
Regarding self-employment in the hills, Pooja Adhikari says that earlier, farming was enough to sustain the families in the village. However, due to human-wildlife conflicts and other reasons, farming in the hills has become very difficult. In such a situation, it is time to promote self-employment. With handicrafts and other activities, people are now able to find work while staying in their homes. If such activities are promoted, migration from the hills can be prevented.
