Pioneer News Service
Daltonganj
Women members of Sakhi Mandals in Lesliganj, Parwa More and Naudeeha Bazar blocks of Palamu are turning into neo-entrepreneurs this Raksha Bandhan season, with 30 women engaged in making colourful handmade Rakhis.
Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society (JSLPS) District Programme Manager Anita C Kerketta said 10 women from each of the three blocks were working at a rapid pace to meet the seasonal demand. “The Rakhi market is highly competitive and short-lived. Our Didis are displaying their skills and creativity by making attractive and colourful Rakhis,” she said.
JSLPS District Manager Naval Kishore Raju said the women were using locally sourced materials as well as supplies procured from Gaya and Ranchi. Threads, beads, satin ribbons and adhesives are among the materials being used.
Deputy Commissioner Dilip Pratap Singh Shekhawat on Monday inaugurated a Rakhi outlet at the Palamu Collectorate. On the occasion, a Sakhi Mandal member tied a Rakhi on the DC’s wrist, while other officials, including DDC M Sadat Anwar, also participated.
Raju said the wholesale price of the handmade Rakhis ranges from Rs 8 to Rs 10, allowing the women to earn around Rs 4-5 per Rakhi. Each woman has reportedly been assigned a target of producing 15,000 Rakhis.
Meanwhile, India Post has witnessed strong demand for Rakhi deliveries. Palamu Postal Superintendent S K Sangam said 35,000 Rakhi envelopes had already been delivered, while 22,000 Speed Post bookings had been recorded.
Post offices across Jharkhand will remain open on Wednesday for Rakhi bookings and deliveries despite the state holiday for Eid Milad-un-Nabi.
