By Our Correspondent
Saptari, Sept. 24: Women of Rajgadh Rural Municipality-5, Saptari, belonging to an extremely deprived Dalit community are busy making bangles lately.
With a motive to become self-reliant by learning some skills, they are working in full swing to produce lacquered bangles.

They learnt the skills required to make bangles under the Citizens Activity Project organised by Forum for Dalit Concern on initiation of Asaman Nepal (ASN). The technical and financial support for the project was provided by the WHH and the European Union (EU).

"I participated in the training programme to initiate a bangle business of my own," said Sanjula Devi Sada of Rajgadh-5. "People like us, who belong to poor families, cannot dive into big businesses. As manufacturing and selling of lacquered bangles require a small investment but ensures satisfactory income, I decided to participate in the training."
Another participant Anita Devi Sada said that one could earn up to Rs. 1,000 daily by making bangles at home. "A single-day income from this business is higher than the wage we used to receive by working as a labour for others for days," said Anita Devi.  

Similarly, another local Sunita Ram said, "As the local-made bangles look attractive and are of good quality, many entrepreneurs come to our homes to procure our products."
"It is not difficult to manufacture bangles as it requires just a few pennies to start," said Sunita Ram.

Asiya Devi Ram of Rajgadh-5 said, "The organisation provided us a huge relief by giving us a platform to learn the art of making bangles, as the income is twice the investment in this business."
By learning the skills, people like us can earn a handsome amount even with a small capital, she said.

Upendra Kumar Marik, facilitator at Forum for Dalit Concern, Saptari, said that the 25-day training programme was introduced to provide a source of income to Dalit women who are deprived of opportunities.
Marik said that seven women from Musahar Community and eight from Chamar Community had participated in the training.