JSLPS women in Palamu make affordable handmade rakhis at ₹8-10, create festive livelihood opportunity
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK Daltonganj, August 25: As Raksha Bandhan approaches, women associated with the Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society (JSLPS) in…
Palamu DC Dilip Pratap Singh Shekhawat wearing a Rakhi on his wrist before the formal inauguration of the Rakhi sales outlet on the premises of the Palamu Collectorate.
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Daltonganj, August 25: As Raksha Bandhan approaches, women associated with the Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society (JSLPS) in Palamu are turning the festive season into an opportunity to generate income by making colourful and decorative handmade Rakhis.
Women from Sakhi Mandals in Lesliganj, Parwa More and Naudeeha Bazar blocks are preparing Rakhis for the local market, combining traditional craftsmanship with an effort to create sustainable livelihood opportunities.
Ten women from each of the three blocks are currently engaged in Rakhi-making, said JSLPS District Programme Manager Anita C. Kerketta.
“The Rakhi market is highly competitive and short-lived. Our Didis are putting up a brave and colourful display of their skills and talent by making the Rakhis as attractive as possible,” Kerketta said.
Handmade Rakhis Made With Locally Sourced Materials
The handmade Rakhis are being prepared using colourful threads and decorative materials such as beads, satin ribbons and adhesive. While most of the materials are sourced locally, some are also procured from Gaya and Ranchi.
Naval Kishore Raju, JSLPS District Manager, Skill and Jobs, and in-charge of Enterprise Promotion, said the initiative is providing women with an opportunity to understand market demand while developing their entrepreneurial skills.
JSLPS Rakhis Priced at ₹8-10
The Rakhis made by the women are being offered at affordable prices, with wholesale rates ranging from ₹8 to ₹10 per piece.
“Our wholesale price ranges from ₹8 to ₹10 per Rakhi. It cannot get much cheaper than this,” Raju said.
He said the women can earn a profit of around ₹4 to ₹5 per Rakhi, depending on the selling price.
“It is up to the Didis to make a profit of ₹4 to ₹5 per Rakhi on sale. Our Didis are market-oriented and understand the ups and downs of today’s market,” Raju said.
Sources said each Rakhi-making group has been given a target of producing around 15,000 Rakhis.
Rakhi Outlet Opened at Palamu Collectorate
Palamu Deputy Commissioner Dilip Pratap Singh Shekhawat on Monday inaugurated a Rakhi sales outlet on the premises of the Palamu Collectorate.
During the inauguration, one of the JSLPS women tied a Rakhi on the Deputy Commissioner’s wrist. Other officials, including Deputy Development Commissioner M. Sadat Anwar, also wore Rakhis on the occasion.
The initiative is aimed at providing women associated with Sakhi Mandals with greater access to the market while creating an additional source of income during the festive season.
India Post Sees Strong Rakhi Demand
The growing use of online shopping and postal services has also changed the way people send Rakhis to brothers and other family members living in different parts of the country.
Kiran Kumari, a homemaker from Nawa Toli in Daltonganj, said she used to buy Rakhis locally every year for her brothers living in different States.
“Every Raksha Bandhan until last year, I used to buy Rakhis locally for my brothers who live in different States. This time, however, my son arranged the Rakhis online for their maternal uncle on my behalf,” she said.
India Post is also witnessing substantial demand for Rakhi-related consignments.
Palamu Postal Superintendent S. K. Nigam said around 35,000 Rakhi envelopes had already been delivered to various destinations.
“There have been around 22,000 Speed Post bookings for Rakhis to different destinations,” Nigam said.
Jharkhand Post Offices to Remain Open for Rakhi Articles
Post offices across Jharkhand will remain open this Wednesday for the booking and delivery of Rakhi-related articles despite the State holiday on account of Eid Milad-un-Nabi, sources in India Post said.
For the JSLPS women in Palamu, the Rakhi season is more than a festive opportunity. Their handmade products are helping turn traditional skills into income-generating activities while giving rural women greater exposure to market-driven entrepreneurship.
