India is making a huge noise about women empowerment but what are we doing about it? Of course, something if not many things. Rangoli – (Mahilayon ki satrangi duniya) is a creative multi-purpose sales outlet set up by women, for the women and of the women in small district of Madhubani in Bihar.
Rangoli is a women-owned shop which is run by women with the purpose of empowering women in rural areas. The shops are a cause-driven initiative to help women attain financial independence and gain some business sense. The women who run Rangoli not only handle sale and purchase but also maintain cash register.
If you look at these outlets, these will appear like any other rural household from a distance but one can find anything from a hairpin to a dress material once you step in. Among some other items available here are undergarments, bangles, hair oils, talcum powders and woman personal care products, including sanitary napkins.
This multi- purpose sales outlet is especially benefitting females of the particular district. “Women in general and schoolgirls, in particular, find the Rangoli outlets most beneficial, as they come to get sanitary napkins, etc. which they are otherwise reluctant to purchase from shops, having male salesperson,” said Bhawna Jha, 38, a matriculate, who owns and runs one such shop in Madhubani’s Saurath village, nearly 175 km north-east of Patna, reported Hindustan Times. She further added “It has changed my life. Now, I earn Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000 a month.”
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The first Rangoli outlet came back in up in 2012 at Saurath village, which has a population of 10,000 (approx). Later such shops opened at 28 other villages, including Loha, Kapileshwar, Pakhrauni, Bakhari Tol, Dhanga and Dumra. More such outlets are lined up now.
