Banking and finance for Self-help groups:- One family, One Bank surging ahead with Bank of Maharashtra

Banking and finance for Self-help groups:- One family, One Bank surging ahead with Bank of Maharashtra

On a rainy day, I set out to Laule Village in Mulshi block of Pune district to attend a Bank loan disbursement camp organised by the Bank of Maharashtra. The onset of monsoons had added hues of green to the mounatins making them beautiful. Gurgling waterfalls in frothy white added to their charm.
My mind traversed to an equally interesting journey of Self help groups , SHGs as institutions.
SHGs have certainly moved forward as institutions and are being recognised as reputed entities of social change.
Almost 30 years ago, the need to organise the poor into community based organisations and linking them with banks was initiated by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD). This concept of Self-Help Group Bank Linkage Program (SBLP), had revolutionised the outlook of the country towards rural women. Banks started opening accounts in the name of women and they were channelised for creating sustainable livelihoods.
This initiative was strengthened further through DAY NRLM which has taken the SHG Bank linkage to new heights.
Self-help groups are now recognised as entities and entrepreneurs engaged n sustainable livelihoods and also promoting community development programs.
Social, financial and economic inclusion leading to sustainable livelihoods are the four pillars of DAY NRLM.
Slowly but surely Maharashtra has created a network of over 4 lakh SHGs in the state , reaching out to over 40 lakh households. However access to finance still remains a challenge. Till date , in Maharashtra, about 15 lakh households and SHGs have received loans amounting to over Rs. 5500 crores.
Yes, the SHG Bank linkage has gone up remarkably from about Rs.500 crores in 2016 to Rs. 1400 crores in 2018 yet compared to the southern states we still have a long way to go. The average size of loan and the timing is another major problem as also the delays in opening bank account of SHGs. Authentcation of documents of signatories has been another major problem
Great empathy and support has been created for SHGs at the topmost level in SLBCs however field level realities are different. It is often observed that SHG financing does not receive as much attention due to the small size of loans and the efforts needed for processing the same. In contrast processing larger loans in an appropriately filled application is perhaps easier for acheiving targets And so there is a tendency to neglect this sector.
Studies conducted by MSRLM have clearly indicated great improvement in helath, education, food security, savings , income and expenditure among the SHGs who have accessed finance and manage enterprises.
Therefore financing of SHGs can be a good catalyst in transforming society.
Of course, members being less educated have problems in maintaining accounts and face governance issues. These can be tackled through continuous capacity building.
Digitization of SHG platforms can also play a huge role in bringing in the much needed transparency and streamlining the process. Once understood digital banking will not only be easier but safer too.
MSRLM provides capacity building and institutional support to promote financial inclusion.
SHGs are not only trained regularly in financial inclusion but also monitored. The weekly meetings and the discussions on Dashasutri ensure that financial issues are discussed to enable them to understand its importance. Updation of records also helps them to build their strength. Therefore the SHG platform is the most suited to expand financial inclusion. It can also act as an intermediary to provide financial services in the community.
Bankers being overburdened with work , MSRLM has created a dedicated cadre of more than 4000 Bank Sakhis and Financial Literacy Community Resource persons FLCRPs to facilitate SHG bank linkage. In fact , there are directives to appoint one Banking Correspondent Sakhi, BC Sakhi, in each GP. This dedicated cadre will definitely help in bringing about a great change in rural banking.
While travelling to the camp organised by the Bank of Maharashtra I also remembered the MoU signed two years ago to facilitate SHG financing. The Bank of Maharashtra had made great strides in supporting SHG finance since then. So much so that it also received the national level award for the best bank in SHG credit linkage for the financial year 2018-19.
Cheques to the tune of Rs.1 crore were being distributed in the camp organised by BoM. These included 15 loans between Rs.1 lakh and Rs.10 lakhs for women SHGs amounting to Rs.45 lakhs. The remaining 25 were loans for agricultural finance.
The officials of the bank gave extremely good information on financial literacy, various insurance schemes like PMBSY, PMJJBY, Atal Pension, MUDRA loans and MSME loans to more than 200 people who had come for the programme.
The enthusiasm and eagerness of the Executive Director, BoM, Mr.Tamta and his team was extremely infectious. As we handed over the cheques to the groups of women it was wonderful to see their smiles and hope that all banks would steer up this enthusiasm.
Even today all banks were not as sympathetic and were unable to understand the needs of the SHGs. The attitude and regulations were individual based instead of being group based.
SHGs now needed a mix of finance. Some were still at the beginning stage while others were ready to accelerate to the next level of finance with bigger loans upto Rs.50 lakhs for bigger enterprises. Bankers needed to absorb this requirememt. The Reserve Bank also needed to consider amending its directives suitably. The simplest way would be by extending the SHG model of loan to Village organisations and Cluster level Federations. 
The concerns of NPA could  be suitably addressed taking into consideration
the fact that at the National level the percentage of NPA was below three per cent.
Maharashtra had been grappling with 10 % NPA but with the use of effective CBRM, community based recovery management and efforts by the respective teams it has been brought down to 8%
With schemes like Zero per cent rate of interest on regular repayment of loans it can become better.
SHG movement has therefore made great strides in the last decade and come a long way. SHGs have become a great force to reckon with. lt is high time banks also recognised their true potential and treated them with dignity.

Bhandara SHGs: rice, spice, silk and mushrooms....

Bhandara SHGs: rice, spice, silk and mushrooms....

Bhandara, the word evokes thoughts of God blessing us through divine prasad , naivedhyam or bhog as per hindu traditions. Bhandara also happens to be the name of a beautiful district in Maharashtra. Some of you may also know it as the "District of Lakes" or even as the "Brass City" due to it's brass industry. The district is also known for it's production of rice. Tumsar block of the district has a famous rice market.
MSRLM has been working in the district since 2015 but in in an intensive mode for the last two years. The district has more than 4500 SHGs.
Bhandara has a mixed economy based on agriculture, industries, silk and resources from the forest. It therefore has a natural scope for growth of enterprises. The training and capacity building under MSRLM Umed has facilitated this growth.
No wonder 30 SHGs from Bhandara have come to Mahalakshmi Saras Bazaar at Gram Vikas Bhavan, Kharghar for exhibition and sale of their products.
The first thing that struck me on my visit there today was the vast range of products. The second important aspect was the emphasis on quality.
I was overwhelmed by the huge variety of rice packed in neat bags like mounds of pearls. It would definitely be difficult to get rice of that colour and look in Mumbai. I was told that the taste was unique too. There were different kinds of daals, specially chanoli which is a totally local grain from Bhandara. The added advantage was that the grains were totally organic.
A number of other pulses like moong, vataane- dried peas, chaney- bengal gram is also available. The famous Wainganga organic jaggery looked tempting and could be easily eaten with phutaane- roasted horse gram which was also available in plenty.
A variety of puffs like the Wheat puffs- Gahu Murmura, Sabunadana Murmura, Basmati Murmura are available. Hand pounded turmeric, special turmeric, coriander powder, amchur- mango powder, dhaniya- coriander powder, masala tea powder, ajwain, methi seeds, red chilly powder will add spice to your life.
Of course a variety of pickles, papads, mung vadis, shevaaya- vermicelli, urad vadi, ready to eat chakli and chivda, mukhvaas, dahi mirchi, laddoos, til chikki are also available.
Cloth bags, different kinds of purses, mobile pouches, carry bags, velvet bags, jute bags, tiffin bags can be bought. They look rural and may lack Mumbai's finesse but have great utilitarian value.
And how about a little aroma in the house with a variety of rose, sandalwood and jasmine agarbatties- incense sticks and dhoop all handmade by the women.
Stepping into the house in the rains will certainly be easy with the unique multi coloured handmade doormats. Colorful candles to brighten your life and handmade wooden show pieces to beautify your homes, aprons to keep your clothes clean and stain-free.
Your gardens could become greener or flower more by using the compost manure. You could also create a beautiful kitchen garden with the nutri-garden paras baag kit. Neem oil as a skin disinfectant could be extremely useful more so if it is made from the choicest neem trees found locally at Bhandara. Natural honey from the forests would make life sweeter.
A few women in all innocence had brought colourful bail jhuli used specially for covering oxen without realising that they would not have any market in Mumbai. Maybe such things could adorn your homes.
Now how many would have heard of cashews from Bhandara? Well, an SHG had brought cashews too. On probing, I learnt they had procured them from Konkan for business in their own district and brought them to Saras Bazaar too.
And of course for the lovers of silk , there's some lovely silk material, sarees of Tussar and Gichaa silk, matetial with Warli painting. The sarees in pastel shades of pink, mauve and green were tempting as also the rich Gichaa silk in red, black and green.. Ladies could go ahead and indulge themselves.
The most unique products have been brought by Lakshmi SHG and include dry food mushroom, mushroom papad, mushroom pickles, mushroom powder and mushroom baasundi. Interestingly their pamphlet not only talks about the health benefits of mushroom but also about cost effectiveness in eating mushrooms.
So do visit Saras Bazaar at Gram Vikas Bhavan, buy home made goods and food grains from Bhandara for your home and experience heart's content.....

P.S. SHGs from Bhandara will be at Trimurti Praangan in Mantralay, Mumbai on Thursday, 8th August 2019

33 crores tree plantation in Maharashtra....Devotion to a tree....

33 crores tree plantation in  Maharashtra....Devotion to a tree....

The government of Maharashtra has launched the ambitious programme of planting 33 crores trees between the months of July and September 2019. Hindu mythology speaks about 33 crores Gods and Goddesses. It would be appropriate to treat each tree which has been planted like a God. More so, to ensure that each tree planted is taken care of with the fervour of a devotee.

Planting a tree has always been a great work for mankind from times immemorial. I remember our lessons of History in school which glorified our kings and made special mention of those like Emperor Ashoka who planted trees along the road to ensure protection from the heat and fruits for the needy.
I discovered the importance and relevance of this act of tree planting once again yesterday while supporting my son to memorise the poem, "The Heart of the Tree" by the US poet- Henry Cuyler Bunner.
Written almost 100 years ago, the poem appeared so relevant even today as it spells out all our present day concerns and also beautifully explains the usefulness of planting a tree.
A person planting a tree is glorified by the poet saying that the one who plants a tree helps life on earth.
The opening lines set the tone by asking ,
“What does he plant who plants a tree?” The poet replies to his own query stating that by planting a tree, the man plants a friend of the sun and sky. He goes further and brings out the feeling of patriotism by comparing the leafy branches of the tree to a flag and the stem to the beautiful shaft (pole) on which the flag stands tall.
The trees become home to sweet singing birds and their melody while their presence helps in maintaining the eco-system.
He emphasises that the work of planting a tree is heavenly and glorious.
In this era of global warming it is important we plants trees as they provide us with cool shade and help in bringing rain.
Also the years may pass by silently but the tree will continue to remain through its seeds and keep producing new trees.
Trees can transform barren and plain lands into something green and beautiful. So the poet describes the trees as ‘the glory of the plain’. He also believes in the power of a single tree transforming into a forest . So by planting a tree now, the man plants a heritage of the forest.
We need to preserve the greenery on this earth for the future generations so that they would be delighted seeing so much vegetation and reap its benefits.
By planting a tree the man also shows his love and loyalty for this earth , his sense of civic duty and his blessings.
Directly or indirectly, he contributes to the growth of the nation which is what strikes us in the last line as it talks about the man’s heart, his feelings, dreams and wishes behind planting the tree.
For the poet planting of a tree is highest form of patriotism since planting a single tree also contributes to the growth of the nation.
Only a month has passed since the tree plantation drive begun by the state. If each one of us resolves to plant and nurture a tree the ambitious target of planting 33 crores can easily be achieved.
The lines of this poem can surely be our  source of inspiration.

"The Heart of a tree"
- Henry Bunner

What does he plant who plants a tree?
   He plants a friend of sun and sky;
He plants the flag of breezes free;
   The shaft of beauty, towering high;
   He plants a home to heaven anigh;
      For song and mother-croon of bird
      In hushed and happy twilight heard—
The treble of heaven's harmony—
These things he plants who plants a tree.

What does he plant who plants a tree?
   He plants cool shade and tender rain,
And seed and bud of days to be,
   And years that fade and flush again;
      He plants the glory of the plain;
      He plants the forest's heritage;
      The harvest of a coming age;
The joy that unborn eyes shall see—
These things he plants who plants a tree.

What does he plant who plants a tree?
   He plants, in sap and leaf and wood,
In love of home and loyalty
   And far-cast thought of civic good—
   His blessings on the neighborhood,
      Who in the hollow of His hand
      Holds all the growth of all our land—
A nation's growth from sea to sea
Stirs in his heart who plants a tree.

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.

Asmita Bazaar : MSRLM's Baby steps with Himalaya.....

Asmita Bazaar : MSRLM 's Baby steps with Himalaya.....

Maharashtra State Rural livelihoods Mission, MSRLM Umed works for the empowerment of women through self-help groups. A three pronged strategy is adapted to achieve the ultimate aim of sustainable livelihoods. These include providing support to enhance agricultural productivity and ancillary activities, like goatery and poultry, continuous capacity building for setting up enterprises and Skilling of youth through DDUGKY.
The goods produced by the SHgs need access to markets as also foward linkages. This is done by organising exhibitions at district, divisional, state, national and international level.
A market place for SHG products is essential to cater to the demands of urban areas. The Mahalakshmi Saras Mart at the Gram Vikas Bhavan in Kharghar was started with that intention. It has been a great exposure for the rural women from self help groups to present their goods here and also upload it online on the 'e-saras' platform.
This e-saras platform has over hundreds of products and has made online purchase and delivery of SHG products possible in the city of Mumbai and Navi Mumbai.
The urban market is also flushed with malls providing FMCG to purchasers at competitive rates and fabulous discounts. Though such markets are opening up in tier 2 and 3 cities, rural India is yet to experience that boom of discounted prices.
The launch of Asmita app and Asmita sanitary napkins which were made available at about 1/3 the price of other good quality sanitary napkins on an e-platform was the first revolutionary step in that direction.
A project of this kind promoting rural SHGs to operate an end to end digital platform right from registration as retailers of Asmita sanitary napkins, to recharge of wallets , placing of order, receiving of product and selling it via Asmita app has been the first of its kind. More than 25000 SHGs have registered as retailers and have sold over 15 lakh packets of Asmita sanitary napkins. More than 40000 girls in Zilla Parishad scools have been provided Asmita sanitary napkins at a subsidised rate of Rs.5/-
Encouraged by this success it was decided to add another window for SHGs for retailing by way of Asmita Bazaar.
Asmita Bazaar envisages to make Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), from companies like Himalaya drug company, Reckitt Benckiser, Unilever, Agro products from Godrej Agrovet, & handmade products made by SHGs accessible to rural consumers through SHG network on the existing ASMITA mobile app.
MSRLM has over 3.8 lakh SHGs who are potential rural retailers under the ASMITA Bazaar Project. They would procure FMCG and agri products at discounted rate from manufacturers using ASMITA mobile applications, and sell the products to rural consumers at a discounted rate known as the ASMITA price thus giving benefit to the whole ecosystem. Quality products would be made available in rural areas just like the urban areas without any differentiation. The multinationals would have the benefit of easy access to a  potentially ready  untapped market of over 40 lakh households associated with the 3.8 lakh SHGs of MSRLM. 
ASMITA Bazaar platform focusses on ensuring availability of shortlisted grocery items, nutrition supplements, baby care products, beauty and personal care products, household and kitchen items, agro, poultry and goat farming feeds products etc. based on market demands among the village locals of rural Maharashtra.

MSRLM has already signed an MoU with Himalaya Drug Company to be a part of the Asmita Bazaar platform and enroll SHG women as retailers. It has also been decided that those companies which would come on board Asmita Bazaar would also be allowed to share small retail space at The Mahalakshmi Saras Mart at Gram Vikas Bhavan, Kharghar.
The Himalaya shop with mother and baby care products was inaugurated on 8th July 2019. It has a range of premium wellness products like Baby pants, wipes, Intimate wash, Nipple care butter, Happy Baby Gift Packs, Anti-rash cream, Soothing calamine baby lotion, Soothing body butter, Baby cream, Toning massage oil, Prickly heat and baby powder, baby soaps, baby shampoos, baby wash, Diaper rash cream, baby massage oil.
The shop is offering a flat 20% discount on all products of baby care & mother care without minimum order till 14th July 2019.  
So there is one more reason to rush to the Mahalakshmi Saras Mart, Gram Vikas Bhavan, Kharghar.
Of course, the SHGs are there with their products, additionally, you can now shop for Himalaya products.
The ultimate dream of MSRLM is the ASMITA Bazaar Shop, a brand stores for ASMITA which shall be managed by members of SHGs selling FMCG products procured from manufacturers at discounted rate and sold at discounted prices. The brand store shall also be wholesaler in the village.
Surely these would be great milestones for the SHGs to achieve. May the beginning of these baby steps with Himalaya be the first milestone in that direction.....

Attivaradan Vaibhavam, divine darshan after 40 years in Kanchipuram....

Attivaradan Vaibhavam, divine darshan after 40 years in Kanchipuram....

Kanchipuram, the historic city of temples, also famous for its silk is known throughout the world as a centre of culture and learning.
It has been home to many famous saints. and seers. Fifteen of the 108 Divya Desams are there at Kanchipuram as also the revered Kanch Kamakoti Peetham.
Adding glory to it this year is the Atthi Varadar Vaibhava Utsavam which is celebrated once in 40 years.
Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple, at Kanchi is one among the 108 Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu. The Alwars, holy saints had also visited this temple and sung praises to the Lord
The idol of Sri Varadarajar also known as Athiyuran is believed to have been made of Fig Tree (Athi Maram).
Legends say that during a Muslim invasion, the moolavar murthi of Lord Varadarajan, was damaged and could not be worshiped, it was kept in a silver cask and immersed in the temple's Ananda Saras tank.
The moolavar, main idol which we see now was brought from Pazhaya Seevaram, about 20kms from Kanchipuram.
The original moolavar of Lord Varadarajan which was immersed in the temple tank is taken out once in 40 years and placed outside for public worship for a period of 48 days.
The last utsavam was in 1979 and it is now being celebrated again with great pomp after 40 years.
Ever since June this year I had been hearing about the raising of Atthi Varadar at Kanchipuram in the month of July 2019.
As an individual I am extremely spiritual but not a big frequenter of temples. As written somewhere in my earlier blog, this is what I admire and love the most of being a devout Hindu. One can chose the path to bhakti and salvation. Prapatti as they say is ultimately the surrender of the mind to Narayana.

My father who had come from Delhi to be with us for Vishnu's birthday was to be dropped to Chennai on 30th June. This visit had to be postponed to 7th July due to some reasons. And as if by providence due to this change in dates I got the opportunity to take darshan of Atthi Varadar and experience the vaibhavam.
I feel blessed at getting this opportunity as I also firmly believe that Darshan of the Lord ultimately depends on his benevolence. As God's special child I was lucky to get this opportunity. Much to my joy I always end up being the chosen one for any prolific darshan.

My heart was full of emotion as we made way for the Darshan.
Lord Atthi Varadar in reclining postion in all its glory was there for us to see and receive blessings. The beauty of the Lord and His composure took me to another world.
As I looked at the Lord , I felt thankful to him for making it possible.
Verily it was Lord Varadharaj who is believed to have replied to Saint Ramanuja's queries that , He himself was Para Brahman , the cause for the world. Jeevatma and Paramaatma are certainly different and prapatti was the path to mukti, salvation emphasising that complete surrender to the Lord would ensure salvation from the cycle of births and deaths even if the bhakta did not think of the Lord at his last moment.
Lord Vishnu was generous to bless even Lord Brahma with a boon he wanted.
And since in this avatar, Lord Vishnu accepted requests of everyone and gave them what they wanted, he came to be called ‘Varadar’(one who gives).
The Varadaraja Perumal temple is referred to as the ‘Perumal Koil’ among Divya Desams is on a 22 acre temple complex in Kanchipuram and has many beautiful sanctums dedicated to different Gods. It also has the Ananda Saras  tank where the desecrated idol of Lord Atthi Varadar was hidden.
Legend says that it was probably discovered when the tank dried once. Ever since then it is taken out once in 40 years and kept for darshan for 48 days , this includes a reclining position for the first 24 days and standing position therefater.
So all bhaktas have the opportunity to see this wonder in a reclining position till the 23rd July and from the 24th July in nindra kolam, standing position till 9th August 2019.
For those of you who are in and around Chennai and Kanchipuram this is a unique opportunity one must not miss. For those who are away too it could be an experience of a lifetime because most people would witness this glorious wonder once or twice only in their lives.
I am fortunate to have received His blessings. I hope many of you are.

From Dhule with warmth....

From Dhule with warmth....

It has been raining in Mumbai, just the right time for tea, bhajiyas and a little warmth.
Yes, this time it is the SHGs from Dhule who have come to the Mahalakshmi Saras Mart at Gram Vikas Bhavan, Kharghar.
You will be certainly surprised with the range of different products.
As I sauntered through the stalls , colourful rajaais and godhadis attracted my attention. One in shocking pink others in beautiful colours. I could not help holding one close to me and feel its warmth. Just right to overcome the cold feeling in the rains. May be that loving touch from the woman of the village made me feel so warm reminding me of my childhood.
Kushmanda SHG has brought organic lamps made from cow dung which made me look up. Earthly and simple, some of the cow dung lamps were coloured to add to their charm. The SHG was also making mosquito repellant and agarbattis, incense sticks.
Another enterprising lady from Jay Mahakali SHG has brought beautiful paintings in water colours for exhibition and sale. The riot of colours would make any gloomy day pleasant.
And the quilts made from original sheep wool are so unique. Now where can one find such genuine products in Mumbai?
There is a variety of rice and for those who love food straight from the villages this would be just perfect to stock up. There are quite a few varieties of organic dals to go with it. Ragi, rice, udad, paapads, kurdaaya, shevaaya, groundnut chutney, pickles and spices, wheat flour, flax seed are there in plenty as also organic jaggery .
Garlic buds for a healthy heart, sweet jagerry chikki which melts in the mouth and puranpoli flour are all waiting for you.

Full marks to Lamasa Art SHG from Fagane village of Dhule for discovering Lamasa Art and making it so popular.
Lamasa is a clay like substance, made by mixing and heating corn flour. It is coloured and used to create flowers, figures and objects such as paper clips, pencil caps, napkin holders, key holders, flower pots, decorative articles and jewellery.
It looks similar to porcelain but is harder despite looking delicate. So discover something new ways decorate your homes , wear colourful bangles in your hands or beautify your hair.
Come to the Mahalakshmi Saras Mart at Gram Vikas Bhavan, eat food made by SHGs of Dhule, soak in the warmth of their innocence and truly get the feeling " From Dhule with warmth."