A papad production unit at Aralia near Agartala has palyed an important role in making the local women self-reliant by providing them an opportunity to become financially independent.
This papad production unit was started in 2009 by Tanoy Saha, a microbiology degree holder from Bangalore, who decided to become self-reliant after failing to get a job.
He took a loan under the Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme from Khadi and Village Industries Commission and started the business by getting automatic machines from Punjab.
Tanoy started a training programme for local women, mostly housewives, to meet the staff requirement.
" I had gone to Punjab where I saw a papad factory. Then, I tried to find out more about it. Finally, I managed to procure the machines and started this factory three years ago," said Tanoy.
" The factory is very beneficial for us, as after completion of our household chores we are able to work here and make an extra income. This helps in educating our children and also in running the family smoothly," said Niro Ray, a worker.
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The unit currently employs over 20 women and about 6 men.
It produces various types of 'papads' and plans to start a chips production unit soon. Its products are presently sold within Tripura, but there are plans to market them in Assam, Mizoram and neighbouring Bangladesh.
" The factory is a boon for us, as we have been empowered through it, and with the income we are able to educate our children, and run our family," added Chaya Rani Dey, another worker.
Such small business ventures play an important role in making the local women self-reliant by providing them an opportunity to become financially independent.