The District Development Commissioner (DDC), Kupwara, Imam Din today inaugurated a daylong Mela cum Exhibition at Rural Development Complex, here.The Mela was organized by National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) under the ambitious HUNER programme (SARAS-2021).Speaking at the occasion, the DDC highlighted the historical background of the concept of self help and said that this concept has been derived from Gandhian philosophy of self-sufficiency. He said the self-help programme is growing fastly in Kupwara district and presently 4,900 Self Help Groups with 41000 members are registered with NRLM Kupwara and are earning their livelihood.The DDC assured these Self Help Group members of every possible support from District Administration to further strengthen the ambit of self-help in the rural fabric of remote and backward areas of Kupwara district.The DDC directed concerned officers to reach out rural and remote areas of the district and extend awareness regarding the programme. He said the objective of NRLM is generation of livelihood and women empowerment.
He said that various SHGs have registered their success stories by not only earning livelihood for themselves but also provided employment opportunities to others. He directed concerned officers to make a documentary of these success stories for inspiration of others. He also directed the launching of a mobile App which will help in marketing of goods being produced and prepared by SHGs.Imam Din said that the programme was organized as a part of celebration of ‘Aazadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last week.The DDC also stressed the need for preparing a convergence plan to further boost the self-help groups in the district.The Additional District Development Commissioner Kupwara, Mohammad Ashraf Bhat, and ACD Kupwara Mehraj Din also spoke on the occasion.Various other speakers including successful artisans spoke on the occasion and shared their experience. Additional District Development Commissioner Kupwara, Mohammad Ashraf Bhat, Assistant Commissioner Development, Mehraj Din, officers of NRLM attended the function, besides, hundreds of Self Help Group Members.