AMN
On the occasion of International Women’s Day today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a story of Maharashtra’s Beed district’s Banjara community woman entrepreneur Vijaya Pawar. The video showcased her inspiring journey of working in the Banjara handicraft field for the last two decades and how she became a dedicated leader and entrepreneur of age-old Gomati handicrafts of the Banjara community.
Vijaya narrated her story and familiarise the world with Gormati art. She showcased how she encouraged thousands of women artisans working with 90 self-help groups (SHGs) under her guidance.
In a video posted by Pawar on the Prime Minister’s handle, Pawar said the Banjara handicraft has changed into languishing art.
With the guidance of the Khadi and Village Industries Commission currently, Vijaya is working in 99 Tandas of four Talukas in the Beed district of Maharashtra. A total of 982 women artisans, who are also members of 90 SHGs are working with her. Many of them are earning 150 to 225 rupees per day which is much higher than what they were getting in wages while working as agricultural labourers.
Pawar also congratulated Modi government for helping women in small villages through KVIC. She thanked PM Modi for encouraging her community to promote Gormati art but also provided financial assistance. She also mentioned that It is a matter of glory for her community to familiarise their art to the entire world through PM’s twitter on Women’s day.