Poonam is 36 years old, graduated from B.com (Hons) from Delhi University, is a member of self-help group ‘Economic Development’ (SHG) in Lakshmi Nagar area in East Delhi district. A mother of two, she worked for 9 years as a CEO of a private bank before joining this SHG and started weaving beautiful jute bags, Dollyand other home decorations in fabrics, beads, pearls and sequins.
Showcasing her collection of artworks and products, Poonam was a participant for three days Diwali Mela was held at Select City Walk, Saket, Delhi, supported by DAY-NULM – Deendayal Antoyada National Urban Livels Mission and SULM Delhi, State Urban Livels Mission, Delhi. DAY-NULM, conducted by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, nurtures and supports urban SHGs and provides rewarding skills-based employment opportunities to address urban poverty, reducing vulnerability vulnerable households and empower urban poor communities through a strong institutional network.
Bandhanwaars made from Gota patti work and jaipuri design. (Credit: Swasti Pachauri)
Mela has seen many SHGs showcase their artistic talents, cultural programs, local cuisines and unique products. Ganpati bandhanwaars (door and wall hangings), hand woven bells, crocheted lanterns, gota patti wall hangings, lamps, terracotta products, diyas, bags, Madhubani pictures, Idol Lakshmi-Ganesh, greeting cards, gluten-free snacks like namkeen, gur paare, and sweets were introduced. Mehendi artists from Delhi, who specialize in traditional mehendi designs, also design their booths. Such melas offer a glimmer of hope amid economic recovery for urban poor communities. The sight of such boisterous exhibitions and singing becomes a rarity in COVID-19affecting the economic and social mobility of poor urban women.
Ganpati hanging on the wall. (Credit: Swasti Pachauri)
Urban Livelihoods and SHGs
The idea of urban SHGs is not new. These groups of women already exist in crowded, cramped cities; however, their presence in the public eye is limited to occasional and organized shows, exhibitions and markets. Many women like Poonam affiliated with these groups work from home businessmen take care of the household chores while participating in business ventures and home-based micro businesses involving tailoring, sewing, handicrafts, candles, diyas, embroidery, crochet, artificial flowers, furniture jewelry and other arts.
Parcel-COVID-19 and in the face of closure disruptions, active policy discussions explore the potential of urban livelihoods, urban employment planning ideas, and other policies to empower people. urban poverty to alleviate the challenges that characterize the disorganized sector. Some women like Poonam have faced severe economic difficulties during the closure, as their modest SHG-based business ventures did not bring any income. Urban poverty, unlike rural poverty, somewhat coexists with the urbanity of cities and obscures our attention due to the anonymity a city provides.
The concept of space and economic security
In urban areas, most of the poor do not have secure access to alternative means of income from farm or forest livelihoods, unlike in rural areas. Thus, the economic impact of poverty is more acutely felt due to the seasonality of employment as the urban poor work on small, seasonal contracts. Women like Poonambenefit from festival and occasional events, despite facing stiff competition from brands.
Poonam explains, “Such Diwali performances help us earn and save some money. Throughout the year, we continue to weave one or the other according to local needs from within our mohalla. Most women living in cities do not work full-time and quit their jobs to take care of the family. A solid and secure permanent space where we can display and sell our products would be very helpful.”
Candles and soap made by members of Uddan SHG, New Delhi district. (Credit: Swasti Pachauri)
Next to her stall is ‘Uddan’ SHG run by Mosmi Devi, 38 years old from Inderpuri, Krishi Kunj. Uddan specializes in handmade soaps, candle making, jute bags and embroidered lunch bags. In this Mela, Mosmi Devi earns around 1000-1500 rupees per day. She agrees with Poonam on providing a ‘permanent space’ in the canyon or mohalla, where products can be displayed and sold daily and where regular training programs can take place.
Sell beautiful oxidized fabric jewelry made of beads, pearls and fabric is forty year old Vandana from Jahangirpuri, North West Delhi, associated with ‘Vandana SHG.’ A necklace takes about an hour and a half to complete and the price ranges from Rs 200-250. On the question of space and income, she said, “Delhi SULM paid the rent for our stall and so we didn’t incur any ‘kiraya’.” to do in such events is to move to the venue.”
Fabric jewelry made by Vandana SHG, Pitampura. (Credit: Swasti Pachauri)
Government support
Such government support to the urban poor is essential for eradicating poverty and achieving the goals of Sustainable Development Goal 1 (SDG) on ‘Zero Poverty’. Urban areas are characterized by unequal spatial distribution and access to resources, marginalizing the poor. Plans focus on strengthening Livelihoodssuch as PM SVANidhi (Atmanirbhar Nidhi of PM Street Vendor) and DAY-NULM, also have intangible results – increased confidence, enhanced self-esteem, and stronger business and leadership skills .
Convergence of rural and urban programs to address poverty can also be helpful. The ‘Son Chairiya’ initiative that provides market visibility for DAY-NULM-SHGs is one example. Similarly, urban-book a coffee shopoperated by several SHGs in Shimlais another example where problems caused by lack of access to a permanent workspace are resolved.
The way forward
Diversifying existing skills development programs and efforts to create adequate amenities and facilities for the urban poor is important. For example, the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) in some parts of the country – to deal with WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) issues – also empowered women through the unique livelihood opportunities it creates. ‘Rani Mistris, or women in construction, is a revolutionary idea to address gender stereotypes in construction work, and many rural women’s SHGs have benefited from it. that skill diversification.
On the overall questions about urban livelihoods, Akriti Bhatia, an urban labor expert, says, “It is not safe female workers such as street vendors and female SHG members face additional challenges in urban areas compared to their male counterparts when accessing different safety nets, safe spaces and dedicated to work, activities and organizations. We must focus on providing long-term productive employment and self-employment opportunities year-round (not just during the holiday seasons) through the urban job guarantee program; and the right to social-spatial and gender equity in cities. “
Deep waali Bahaar – a marigold nursery off the shores of Yamuna. (Credit: Swasti Pachauri)
The idea of urban forest groups and nurseries can also be exploited to promote diversification. During COVID-19, groups growing herbs and spices have been encouraged. During the recent flooding in Yamuna, several low-lying areas were submerged. 40 year old Sunita started selling her marigolds plant for Rs 20 each and set up her nursery on a road near East Delhi. While the floods caused severe discomfort and disrupted their daily lives, selling beautiful bonsai from her nursery on the street gave her more legs.
Pointing at her blooming marigold flowers, she said, “Deep waali Bahaar mein achi bikri ho jaati hai (I sell very well at Seep waali Bahaar).” Therefore, enhancement of floriculture and horticulture can be done with urban SHGs.
Business and civil society organizations can also strengthen Public Private Partnerships (PPCPs) to support street vendors and street vendors. The recent Cadbury campaign #ShopsforShopless addresses the challenge of this lack of accessibility to the permanent sales space. It realizes the great potential of Small business without access to physical infrastructure, despite raising questions about digital equality.
Moreover, the interaction between SHG in rural areas – 70 lakh plus in the country and SHG in urban areas can be implemented. DAY-NULM has mobilized 61 thousand urban poor women, into SHG and their federation (PIB, 2021). Mutual knowledge and cultural exchange between rural and urban SHGs can be helpful in cross-learning. Such knowledge exchanges also contribute to the general cultural capital of the country as envisioned by the objective of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat.’
At the end of the day, Poonam tells us how she founded the Namkeen factory with all her savings and hopes to one day become a businesswoman. “Atmanirbhar sach mein bano, apne Husband se paise mat maango (be independent and don’t take your husband’s money),” she says, giving us hope and resilience as much as the market buzzes with carnival after a dismal, post-pandemic hiatus.
Here’s wishing everyone a happy Diwali!
For more lifestyle news, follow us on Instagram | Twitter | Facebook and don’t miss the latest updates!
