Chandrapur and Kannamvar Nagar....SHGs at Mahalakshmi Saras Bazaar, Gram Vikas Bhavan, Kharghar

Chandrapur and Kannamvar Nagar, SHGs at Mahalakshmi Saras Bazaar,  Gram Vikas Bhavan,  Kharghar.....

My father was an officer in the railways and we were fortunate to have lived in the much talked about railway colonies. Travelling in the comfort of the railway trains was the added bonus.
We lived at Bhusawal, one of the largest railway junctions. A trip to Chennai, (then Madras) every summer was a must.
The only route available was via Wardha East where we changed to take the famous GT Express or the slower Dakshin Express.
My first memories of Chandrapur are Chaanda Ballarsha on this railway route.
I knew of Chandrapur as the famous coal town. It derived its name of the black gold city due to the coal mines.
Established by the Gond kings there are many legends about the place.
It is also the hometown of Shri. Marotrao Shambshio Kannamwar who was the second Chief Minister of Maharashtra between1962 and 1963. Many Mumbaikars would not know that Kannamwar Nagar in Vikhroli ( East), Mumbai is named after him. 
They would also be unaware of the fact the National Rural livelihoods Mission works for the empowerment of women through SHGs in rural areas. MSRLM Umed works under the aegis of NRLM and has almost 4 lakh self help groups. It works to provide them with sustainable livelihoods.
The SHGs produce many goods which are marketed through exhibitions at the district, division and state level. Thirty permanent shops has also been set up at the Mahalakshmi Saras Bazaar in Gram Vikas Bhavan, Kharghar.
Every ten days one of the 34 districts of Maharashtra comes there to sell their products.
This time the SHGs of Chandrapur have come with a variety of products.
These include decorative wooden art and craft, exquisite Bhadravati terracota pottery and bamboo products. Different kinds of colorful bags, purses and table cloth are also available.
There is a variety for the foodies which includes hand pounded Organic Rice, brown rice, lentils and pulses.
SHGs are see synonymous with paapads and pickles and you will have much to choose from since a variety of mango, lemon, amla, mirchi pickles, amchur Powder, murambaa etc are available. However what is different are the fish pickles and the mohache pickles. Some SHGs have brought handmade Shevaaya, chutneys, spices, turmeric powder, mirchi powder, dhaniya powder and Ambadi powder. For those who like ready to eat food shev, chakli, ladoos, shankarpaale, chivda are waiting to be savoured.
Mushrooms, mushroom powder are another unique and hit item
Organic compost will be useful for those who love gardening.
Shevgaa kavach beej , pharmaceuticals plant, flax seeds will be worth trying as these are not commonly found in and around Mumbai.
The ladies can also pamper themselves with Bangles and silk thread Reshim Jewellery and feel they are on the moon.
That is what a visit to the stalls of the SHGs from Chandrapur district at the Mahalakshmi Saras Bazaar will make you feel like.
Kannamwar Nagar or Chandrapur, Maharashtra is all ours as also the diverse products made by the SHGs of Chandrapur district of MSRLM. The added attractions are a visit to the gushing Pandavkada waterfalls in the adjacent hills. For once, be carefree and enjoy the waterfalls and also
soak yourself in unparalleled joys of shopping for hand made products made by SHGs of Chandrapur....

P.S. The products will be available at Trimurti Praangan of Mantralay on 26th July 2019 from 11 a.m to 5 p.m.