Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu has said that some of the 8000 railway stations and premises could be used for the promotion of skill development activities.
He said the railways will also help in marketing rural products made by self-help groups and other such agencies so as to help common rural people.
Referring specifically to the Konkani-cuisine restaurant "Konkan Swaad Katta' recently set up at the Ratnagiri station on the Konkan Railway route, Prabhu said such initiatives will encourage traditional businesses and local talent, besides ensuring the financial empowerment of local people.
Referring to the marketing potential of the railway public sector undertaking IRCTC whose website is hit by several lakhs people everyday, the minister said that a pilot project could be started to sell rural products through e-commerce activity of IRCTC website.
Prabhu was speaking at a function organized to release a book titled "Twenty Five Years Journey of Lupin Foundation" brought out by the Lupin Human Welfare and Research Foundation and also to release a CD regarding the tourism scenario in the Sindhudurg region.
Prabhu also felt that non-state actors can intervene more in the field o economic development of common people and for this there is a need synergize between NGOs, corporates and the government.
The book presents the story of the Lupin Foundation's 25 years of work in rural India.
