It's the sweat and labour of these unsung heroines which lend a festive touch to Ganesh Chaturthi. And caters to the sweet tooth of any devotee.
A total of 23 Self Help Groups (SHGs), all women, from Netravali village of Sanguem taluka are in the State's commercial capital. On display, are vegetables, fruits of different hues, having different medicinal value. Fruits for daily consumption. And traditional Chaturthi sweet-meats --- Nevryo, ladu, Chivda, etc. While fruits and vegetables adorn the traditional Matoli --- a canopy-like structure perched atop the idol of Lord Ganesha --- sweetmeats are Chaturthi delights.
"Netravali village has been adopted for its transformation into a Model Village. A total of 23 SHGs from 28 such SHGs in Sanguem taluka are here with their produce," informs Research Officer of Atal Gram Development Agency, Shivanand Alornekar.
Over the past four years, the footfalls at Netravali Matoli Bazaar have witnessed an upward swing. Into its fifth year in 2017, four truckloads of materials is on display here," Alornekar informs, while claiming that 15 women from each SHG are here at this Bazaar.
The whole idea behind this Bazaar is to upgrade the entrepreneurial skills of ST women. This Bazaar is a means providing such women a platform. We provide them with logistical support," adds Alornekar.
An assortment of 25 to 30 Matoli items esepecially sourced from the forests by local women are available at this Bazaar, informs Sapna Naik, president of Netravali Mahila Udyog. "These are prepared by these women themselves," she adds. The popularity of these sweetmeats among the Margao residents can be guaged from the fact that there are instances of repeat orders from the city populace. "People here place orders and items are prepared as per the customer's tastes even after Ganesh Chaturthi," adds Naik.
The Bazaar will remain open for the public on Thursday, 24 August.
