Dharwad:
Shanivara Sante has set a platform for the members of self-help groups (SHGs) and
women entrepreneurs to display and sell their products. Sante is the brainchild of the department of commerce and industry, University of Agricultural Sciences, Uttar Karnataka Veda Mahila Uddimedarara Sangha,
Dharwad Taluk Brahmin Sangha and other local organizations.
The maiden
exhibition, organized in the premises of Vanavasi
Ram Mandir on Station Road on Saturday, provided an opportunity to SHGs to sell their products, known for their superior quality and highly competitive price.
Over 40 SHGs and women entrepreneurs displayed garments, dolls, home-made products, including snacks, pickles, chutnies, jewellery, footwear and bags. Even food items made from millets were displayed and sold.
SHG member Uma said that they have been selling home-made products for the past few years, but they lacked market exposure. Hence, a plan was mooted to bring like-minded SHGs under one roof and set a platform to display their items. “The maiden sante has received good response from the public. Feedback from the customers has also been taken to improve quality,” she said, adding that the expo will help them network better which would translate into good business.
Rati Srinivasan, one of the organizers, said at present, the expo is held on the second Saturday of every month. “Based on the response from the public it would be made a weekly affair. Several women entrepreneurs have offered to join the sante. In the days to come, this would be held on a bigger scale,” she added.
