VASCO
In a first-of-its-kind step to empower women and promote self-reliance, the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) will soon launch a special Sunday Bazaar exclusively for women. The bazaar, to begin after Ganesh Chaturthi, will give women a platform to showcase and sell homemade food, handicrafts, and decorative items.
MMC Chairperson Girish Borker told The Goan that the bazaar aims to support women entrepreneurs who often struggle to afford stalls or shop rents. “Many women in Mormugao make sweets, candles, cakes, chocolates, torans, and handicrafts, but their talent remains hidden. This bazaar is our way of giving them visibility and helping them support their families,” said Borker.
Idea from personal experience
Borker said the inspiration came during a stay at Goa Medical College, Bambolim. “I was admitted for a week and wanted home-cooked food instead of canteen meals. We relied on women selling food outside GMC, and their quality was far better. That experience showed me the potential women have in this space,” he said.
Open to all wards
The bazaar will be open to women across all 25 wards of Mormugao. Borker explained that while the Urban Livelihood Centre at MMC already supports self-help groups, many women outside these groups also deserve a chance. “Whether it is puran polis, sannas, sweets, or crafts, they will all find a platform here,” he added.
Free but disciplined
A key feature is that MMC will not charge women for stalls. “This is not about revenue. It is about empowerment. The only rule is discipline — women must clean their stalls after selling. We cannot allow complaints about garbage or dirt,” Borker said.
He stressed that the bazaar will be community-driven and self-sustaining. “We want this to be part of Vasco’s Sunday culture, like the Mapusa market or Karwar’s dry fish market. It should be a space where families come together, women feel empowered, and buyers get authentic homemade products.”
Towards women empowerment
Borker believes the move will boost financial independence for women. “Many talented women never get the chance to sell what they create. This platform can change their lives and give them respect, income, and confidence,” he said.
He added that the broader aim is to create an ecosystem for women-led entrepreneurship. “This is how real empowerment begins — at the grassroots.”
Looking ahead
Borker expressed hope that the Sunday Bazaar will draw buyers from Vasco and beyond. “Homemade products mean quality and health at affordable prices. This could give Vasco a unique identity and become a model for other municipalities,” he said.
The Sunday Bazaar, he added, will symbolise community spirit and women’s strength. “If successful, it will be remembered as a turning point in giving women their rightful place in Vasco’s economy.”
With the launch expected after Ganesh Chaturthi, anticipation is high among women entrepreneurs and local residents.
For many, it promises more than a marketplace — it is a celebration of creativity, family support, and a new Sunday tradition in Mormugao.
