From time to time, surveys across cultural backgrounds and gender reveal how women are bearing the burden of unpaid labour.
For working women, this means the collapse of the demarcation of their professional and domestic spaces. But, housewives are always faced with unpaid household labour every day. Apart from dusting, washing clothes and washing dishes, it is cooking that forms a big part of their never-ending to-do list.
This is precisely the area where Deputy Commissioner Reasi, Babila Rakwal has attempted to bring a change in the life of 1500 Self Help Group Members of “Naari ki Pehchaan”, a Cluster Level federation with “Duggardhani”, launched on 16th May 2023 by District Administration Reasi in convergence with the J&K Tourism department, J&K Rural Livelihood Mission, as a platform to harness the culinary skills of homemakers, hones and enables them to earn a livelihood out of their kitchens.
Through Duggardhani, SHG women of Cluster level federations (UMEED) of block Pouni have turned it into a career option and have taken their talent beyond four walls of their house and in this way they have made good money without going out of their way and in the process become big financial support to their families.
Duggardhani has also fulfilled the long-standing demands of the SHG members for providing a marketplace for traditional handicrafts Chabhari Binna (grass craft) and handlooms and also value added agriculture and horticulture products of the region (Tikki Masala, Pickles, Chutnies, Jams, Papads, etc.).
These SHGs have been taught the basics of stocking up the pantry, quick recipes, packing techniques, social media skills and order management etc. They have also been made to understand promotional strategies for the modern market, to prepare Self Help Group women to run their kitchen single-handedly.
“Some of the popular Dogra cuisines include Makki Ki Roti, Saag, Quer, Khurmure, special Dogra dal and mixed rice with Lassi and Kheer as additional compliments. This is what sets them apart from commercial restaurants because Duggardhani menu includes just home cooked food prepared to the liking of the patrons.
Quality and affordable price is their main USP. Every food item is prepared fresh and hence no food wastage.
Duggardhani is more a women’s empowerment movement than a business as it includes women from all age groups and even conservative families. Each woman brings her area of specialisation to the table. They are clever, calculative, know their kitchen inside-out, and are great with damage control. “Duggardhani” has lifted the spirits of these rural women and boosted their confidence enormously.
“Duggardhani” has been instrumental in empowering the SHG women, who are now confident in their skills and eager to become financially independent.The response to the Duggardhani from the tourist inter/Intra state has been overwhelming and the Haat has delivered big orders to tourists and not only rural but urban customers are amongst their clientele.
“Duggardhani” was inaugurated on 16th May, 2023 and within a span of 1 Month they made a sale of Rs. 2,00,000.
With its roadside proximity, huge tourist influx to Shri Shiv Khori, eye-catching traditional and rural revamped look and traditional way of eating, “Duggardhani” is ready to become a major source of tourist attraction in the coming months.
