40 women were given training in para art and paddy art in Balodabazar, Chhattisgarh. Now women will earn additional income and self-reliance by making beautiful artefacts from straw.
Raipur. Chhattisgarh is called the ‘rice bowl’ of the country. Here, the use of large amount of para (straw/straw) left after harvesting of paddy is no longer limited to just fodder for animals. The attractive handicraft ‘Para Art’ prepared from this para is making its own identity today. Through this art, beautiful 3D portraits and artworks of great men, gods, goddesses and other subjects are created using waste paras.
This art not only gives the message of environmental protection, but is also becoming an effective medium of additional income and self-reliance for rural women. Para art requires patience, creative thinking and special attention to detail. This is the reason why the popularity of this unique art is continuously increasing with time.
40 women got training in para art and paddy art in Balodabazar
With the aim of economically empowering women and creating new livelihood opportunities for them, Balodabazar-Bhatapara district administration is continuously running skill development based training programs. In the same sequence, 40 women of self-help group in village Lahoud of Balodabazar development block were given special training in paddy and para art. During the training, women were taught the techniques of making attractive decorative items and artistic models from paddy and straw, so that they could link this skill with employment.
District Panchayat CEO boosted the enthusiasm of women by giving certificates
After completion of the training program, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the District Panchayat presented certificates to the women who received the training. On this occasion, he observed various artefacts prepared by women from paddy and para. Appreciating the creativity and hard work of women, he inspired them to pursue this art and make it a permanent source of income.
Non-agricultural livelihoods are getting a boost due to the efforts of Bihaan team.
According to the District Panchayat, non-agriculture based livelihood opportunities are being continuously promoted in the district with the joint efforts of Bihan team. For this purpose, training in para art and paddy art has been provided to 40 women of self-help groups through Chhattisgarh Mahtari Sankul Sangathan, Lahoud.
Income will be generated from straw, women’s self-reliance will increase
After this training, women will now be able to create attractive artefacts using para (straw) and paddy which are considered useless at the local level. They will get additional income from the sale of these products and will be able to become more financially independent. This initiative is becoming a successful example of simultaneously pursuing the three objectives of environmental protection, better utilization of waste and women empowerment.