SHGs key to ‘Viksit Arunachal’: Guv Parnaik

In a spirited celebration of grassroots entrepreneurship and women-led development, Governor of Arunachal Pradesh Lt. General KT Parnaik (Retd.) and First Lady Anagha Parnaik interacted with Self-Help Groups (SHGs) from across the state at a special event hosted at General Bipin Rawat Hall, Raj Bhavan, Itanagar, on the occasion of World Population Day 2025.

The event, organised in collaboration with the Arunachal State Rural Livelihood Mission (ArSRLM) under the Department of Rural Development, celebrated the transformative journey of ‘Lakhpati Didis’—women entrepreneurs who have empowered themselves and their communities through enterprise, resilience, and innovation.

The Governor emphasised the establishment of dedicated SHG Product Marketing Hubs in major towns such as Itanagar, Ziro, Tezu, Pasighat, Namsai, Aalo, Bomdila, and Tawang. While the government would provide the infrastructure, he stressed that the leadership and ownership must come from the SHGs themselves.

“These hubs should become vibrant SHG Bazaars—windows into the creativity and strength of rural women,” he said, urging SHG members to embrace branding, packaging, digital marketing, and to take local products to global markets.

To ensure long-term capacity building, the Governor proposed a ‘Train the Trainers’ initiative aimed at developing a cadre of Master Didis. These mentors would guide other SHG members in essential skills such as business management, accounting, hygiene, packaging, and customer service.

Encouraging the fusion of traditional knowledge with modern techniques, the Governor advised SHGs to utilize local resources like bamboo, herbs, wild fruits, textiles, and recycled materials to create innovative products under a unified ‘Made in Arunachal’ identity.

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He also encouraged SHG members to register their businesses, build group brands, and participate in exhibitions both within and beyond the state.

Recognising the vital role SHG women play in society, the Governor called upon them to lead awareness campaigns against drug abuse and tuberculosis, promote sanitation and hygiene, and ensure every child receives basic education.

Earlier, the Governor and First Lady visited SHG exhibition stalls and were impressed by displays of traditional handicrafts, organic produce, and innovative handmade items. They purchased several products as a gesture of encouragement, which will be distributed among underprivileged communities in the districts.

The Governor concluded his address by inviting SHG members to share their personal stories for a proposed ‘Voices of Change’ series, capturing the spirit of grassroots transformation and inspiring others across Arunachal and beyond.

The event reaffirmed the commitment of the State to fostering a Viksit Arunachal through women-led, community-driven development, with SHGs emerging as its strongest pillars.