CHENNAI: Self help groups (SHG) have become synonymous with the economic empowerment of women in Tamil Nadu. And perhaps as a display of that phenomenon, a self help group Muluneelavu, formed by women from Mylapore and Old Washermanpet, had a handicrafts exhibition and sale in the city. “The self help group transformed us from housewives to entrepreneurs,” chimed the women in chorus. Indeed, these women who were finding it difficult to make ends meet, especially in times of rising prices, have found a fresh lease of life. Muluneelavu was started four years ago and has grown under the able mentoring of their group leader Geetha.On Wednesday this SHG showcased its products in an exhibition at Srividhya Mahal, near Jayanthi Theatre on L B Road, Thiruvanmiyur. Geetha said, “When we started we were small, with a small funding of `60,000 from the government. With the hard work and commitment of our members, today we are in a position to get a fund of `4 lakh from the government.”“All of us attended the skill development training programmes conducted by the government according to our interests. Now, after four years, we have an understanding of changing trends and of what customers like and keep improvising to stay ahead in the market,” said Geetha.This exhibition will be on for the next 13 days. They have stalls selling handmade kurtis, kurtas, jute handbags, candles, agarbatti, soaps, menakari jewellery, embroidered sarees, children’s clothes, applique work, paintings, brassware and much more.Geetha said, “We have invited some SHGs from other states like Orissa and Rajasthan to display their wares so that the customers will have a wide variety of choices.”Last year, Muluneelavu conducted 12 exhibitions across the city. This year, they plan to conduct 20 such exhibitions.
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