Sachin Malik Lucknow: Agra Zari-Zardozi, Amroha’ Spices, Ayodhya herbal tea, Azamgarh Black Pottery, Kannauj Perfume, Gorakhpur terracotta Jewellery and Varanasi carpets- Products Crafted by women in the Villages and towns of Uttar Pradesh are now moving beyond local haats and markets towards larger Marketplaces.
At the ongoing UP International Trade Show in Greater Noida, women Entrepreneurs associated with Self-Help Groups from all 75 districts of the State are Showcasing their Skills and Presenting a vibrant Picture of Uttar Pradesh rural Economy.
Here, it is not Just Products that are being Sold. Every Stall carries the Story of a village, a traditional art form and a woman who has transformed that Skill into a source of livelihood. Rehnuma from Agra has brought Zari-Zardozi Products, While Kaushalya Gautam from Amroha is Showcasing a range of freshly Ground spices. Renu Singh from Ayodhya is Presenting herbal tea and lemongrass Products, While Rita Prajapati from Azamgarh has brought Black Pottery to the wider market. Tarawati from Kannauj is Showcasing Perfumes, While Sita Devi from Varanasi is representing the traditional Craftsmanship of Banaras through carpets, foot mats and Runners.
For women associated with Self-Help Groups formed under the Uttar Pradesh State Rural Livelihood Mission, Participation in the UP International Trade Show is not limited to an exhibition. Along with Selling their Products, they are Getting an opportunity to understand customer Preferences, Observe Packaging and Presentation techniques and explore the Potential of their Products in larger Markets.
A Different Skill from Every District
As one moves from one end of the State to the other, the Products also Change. In some Places, traditional crafts are finding space in the market, while in others, rural women have built enterprises around Products catering to everyday Needs.
Saroj Pal from Gorakhpur has brought terracotta Jewellery, While Sudha Saini from Saharanpur is Participating with wooden handicrafts and toys. Tabassum Maqsood from Prayagraj makes baskets, winnowing baskets and decorative items from moonj Grass. Pragya Jaiswal from Pratapgarh has brought amla murabba and mango Pickles. At Rani Stall from Mahoba, visitors can find brass idols and other handicraft Products.
Saroj Devi from Siddharthnagar has transformed banana fibre into an enterprise by making banana-fibre Products. Madhubala from Sonbhadra has brought herbal soaps, honey, phenyl and Jute bags, While Shafika from Kheri is Showcasing Products such as Shoes, Slippers and Belts.
Priya Singh from Chitrakoot wooden toys, Shahjahan from Bulandshahr Khurja Pottery, Tarawati from Kannauj Perfumes, Rekha from Mathura terracotta and Clay Products, and Leela Devi from Lalitpur cow-dung-based Products further expand the diversity on Display.
From Jute to Zari, Moonj to Banana Fibre
Arun Kumar, Mission Director of the State Rural Livelihood Mission, said that the entrepreneurial range of women Groups Participating in the trade Show is not limited to traditional handicrafts. The Stalls feature everything from Jute bags and Zari sarees to Chikankari, handloom Products, carpets, wooden toys, artificial Jewellery, honey, spices, Pickles and murabba, herbal Products and household-use Items.
Anju from Chandauli has brought Zari-Zardozi Silk Products, Banarasi sarees, suits and dupattas. Shashi Mala from Barabanki is displaying Chikankari and artificial Jewellery, Ruby Bano from Rae Bareli is Showcasing hand-block-Printed Suits, sarees and dupattas, While Madhuri Devi from Mau is Exhibiting Silk Sarees.
Meanwhile, Ranjana Devi from Ballia has brought Phenyl, toilet Cleaner, dishwash and handwash Products. Sushma Singh from Jaunpur is also Participating with Cleaning Products. Deepika from Muzaffarnagar is Showcasing Soaps, detergent and herbal oils, While Shimla Devi Kushwaha from Kaushambi has brought Pickles and desi Ghee, along with Cleaners and handwash Products.
This diversity represents both the traditional heritage of rural Uttar Pradesh and the evolving rural entrepreneurship that is adapting to Changing market Demands.
“An Opportunity to Understand the Market Beyond Sales”: Arun Kumar
For Self-Help Groups, making a Product is only the first step in building a business. The biggest Challenge that follows is reaching customers and accessing markets. The International Trade Show is helping bridge this Gap.
According to Arun Kumar, Mission Director of the State Rural Livelihood Mission, Producing Goods is not the complete Process for women associated with Self-help Groups; taking those Products to the market is equally important. Bringing Products from different districts onto a common Platform at the International Trade Show is expanding women entrepreneurs’ access to buyers and Customers.
Direct interaction with customers at a major event is also Giving women entrepreneurs an opportunity to understand What kind of Products the market Prefers, What Changes can be made in Packaging and Presentation, and how local Products can be developed to meet the requirements of larger Markets.
This is the link that can take Products made in Villages beyond local markets towards markets at the State, national and wider levels.
The Participation of women entrepreneurs from all 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh takes the event beyond being merely a row of 75 Stalls. Through these women, rural Skills, local crafts, food Products and women entrepreneurship are being Showcased together before a larger Market.
The Craftsmanship of Uttar Pradesh Four Regions
Western Uttar Pradesh:
Baghpat durries and handloom bedsheets, Bulandshahr Khurja Pottery, Saharanpur wooden handicrafts and Meerut natural food Products.
Awadh:
Ayodhya herbal tea and lemongrass Products, Lucknow handloom and Barabanki Chikankari and artificial Jewellery.
Purvanchal (Eastern Uttar Pradesh):
Azamgarh Black Pottery, Gorakhpur terracotta Jewellery, Varanasi carpets and Mau Silk Sarees.
Bundelkhand:
Chitrakoot wooden toys, Mahoba brass idols and Jhansi handmade decorative Products.
