Early Times Report
REASI, May 15: On 15 May 2024, a team of District Officials visited Rural Mart at Village Karua, Block Katra, being run by women from Self Help Groups under JKRLM. The Rural Mart namely "Umeed JK Rural Mart" is being run by women SHG members under the guidance of the Block Manager, JKRLM with the financial support being provided by NABARD. The concept of Rural Mart aims to provide a dedicated sales point for the women SHG members to sell their products like art crafts, home-made food items, pickles, spices, or any other locally made products, etc.
District Manager, NABARD along with Dr. Banarsi Lal, Senior Scientist, KVK, Reasi and Block Manager JKRLM, held interactions with the women SHG members running the Rural Mart. Dr. Banarsi Lal provided key scientific inputs and guidance to the SHG members. He focussed on the importance of promotion of the unique products of Reasi like Grass Based Handicrafts, Spices, Masala Ticki, Lemon Grass Tea, Aksini Tea, etc. One of the key feature of the Rural Mart is its Aksini Tea, a special name given to tea made from the bark of Arjuna Tree. The word Aksini is refers to the Sankrit Name of River Chenab, which flows through the heart of the District Reasi. Arjuna Tree which available in abundance in the nearby areas especially in village Bhabber Brahmana, which is being highlighted by the SHG members from the area keeping in view its health benefits. It is known for its benefits in heart health, in Diabetes along with its antioxidant properties. The Rural Mart also displays a large number of decorative items of Grass Based handicrafts like roti case, dry fruit trays, flower pots, chabbri, binna, serving trays, etc. Besides, is also sales local haldi, mirch, masala ticki, pickle, etc., which is leading to the livelihood promotion of the local women. |
