JKRLM, Ashok Kapoor Foundation Trust jointly opens “Duggardhani” dhaba in Bhalwal

Kitchen to offer traditional Dogra cuisines, delicacies

JAMMU, JUNE 14: Mission Director, Jammu Kashmir Rural Livelihoods Mission (JKRLM), Indu Kanwal Chib, on Wednesday inaugurated “Duggardhani- Dogra Dhaba”, an outlet of women Self Help Group, here at Bhalwal, Jammu.

Additional Mission Director JKRLM Jammu, Mridhul salathia, Founder Chairperson, Ashok Kapoor Foundation Trust, Kunwarani Dr. Ritu Singh were present on the occasion.

Pertinently, Duggar Dhnai is a joint initiative of JKRLM and Ashok Kapoor Foundation Trust which will be run and managed  by around 35 women members of Self Help Group (SHG) of JKRLM. The people can enjoy dogra food recipes such as Maki ki Roti  and sarson da Sag among other dogra delicacies.

Mission Director JKRLM, Indu kanwal Chib, appreciated women SHGs involvement in operating the Duggardhani. She said taht JKRLM is emerging as a huge platform for rural women to attain financial independence.

Giving Details, Mission Director said that Duggardhani  has been established to give a platform to the local Dogra cuisines prepared by  women SHG of Umeed JK. Duggardhani  of these SHG members offers an attractive menu with more than 20 varieties of comfort Dogra Recipe food. Some of the popular dogra food cuisines including Makki ki Roti, Saag,  special dogra recipe dal, Rajmah Ambal and mixed rice would be available in their kitchen which sets them apart from commercial restaurants, MD stated.

To support and increase capacity building of these women, JKRLM imparted skill development trainings from time to time. These women  were  also taught the basics of stocking up the pantry, making quick recipes, packing techniques and order management related to cooking techniques, she maintained.

Underlining the role of SHGs in eradicating poverty, she said these can play an important role in raising the economy. She added the SHGs are being strengthened by providing them with necessary platforms and they can showcase their calibre and contribute towards the society.

While interacting with the aspiring members  of self help groups, MD encouraged them to make full use of this platform  to empower their livelihoods. She also discussed strategies to boost sales such as food  takeaway and home delivery system.

The SHG members were also made to understand promotional strategies for modern market to run this outlet single-handedly, while keeping adequate quantity and affordable pricing as the core mantra of the business.

She asked the concerned Block Development Officer  to convene a meeting with  the SHG  members and various  stakeholders so that more  benefit comes to these members thus helping them in boosting theie sales.

Speaking on the occasion, founder Chairperson of Ashok Kapoor Foundation Trust, Dr Ritu Singh said that Duggardhani is more a women empowerment movement than a business and seeing the SHG women from all age groups as change dwellers is inspiring and motivating as well. JKRLM plays a key role in empowering rural women who are now confident of their skills and have become financially independent, she added.

Among others present at the inaugural ceremony included District Programm Managers JKRLM Jammu, Abha kotwal, Munisha Verma, Block Programme Manager Bhalwal Shruti Uppal, Block Development Chairman Bhalwal, Kuldeep Raj, Block Development Officer Bhalwal, Rajesh kumar besides SHG members of Umeed JKRLM.