KORAPUT: From vending liquor to winning the Rani Gaidinlau Stree Shakti award at the national level, Kamala Khora, a tribal woman from the district, has come a long way.

For the 35-year-old woman from Padampur village in Koraput block, the turning point was when she took up the task of achieving prohibition in the year 2000 under `Jagaran Abhiyan'.

Acknowledging her task and determination, then district Collector Aparajita Sarangi bestowed on her special police powers to carry out the mission.

Skilled manpower

Many women joined her in the struggle. Sibani Self Help Group was formed with 20 women and an account was opened with an initial deposit of Rs.100 in the bank.

"Now, the SHG has Rs. 3 lakhs to carryout its manifold activities," Ms. Kamala said. The district administration also came forward in honing their skills.

Public distribution

"Every member of the group is skilled in some trade or the other. They have been trained to make bricks, phenyl, broom binding and sanitary napkins," she said.

Not just that. These women also take charge of the public distribution system in the village, sell kerosene to the entire block as a wholesale dealer, impart training as resource persons to other SHGs on different trades and earn profits for the group, said district Collector Mrinalini Darshwal.

Special awards

Ms. Kamala is now president of District MASS, the apex body of all Self Help Groupss.

"The achievements of the group have been recognised by the State Government and the group has received special awards from the Chief Minister himself. The group plans to promote use of sanitary napkins in the village and also sell them to other Self Help Groups at a concession," Ms. Kamala said.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail