Steps Towards Self-Reliance: 40 Women from Self-Help Group Receive Training in Paddy and Straw Art in Balodabazar

Raipur, Chhattisgarh (The Rice Bowl of India) - Para Art is a beautiful handicraft made from the 'para' (stubble/straw) left after paddy harvesting. Through this art, 3D portraits and pictures of great personalities and deities are created using waste straw. Along with environmental conservation, it is also becoming a significant source of rural income. Para Art is a very interesting art form that requires patience, imagination, and an understanding of detail. Gradually, the craze for this art is increasing among people.

With the aim of economically empowering women in the Balodabazar-Bhatapara district and providing them with new livelihood opportunities, various training programs are continuously being organized by the district administration. In line with this, 40 women from a self-help group in the village of Lahod, under the Balodabazar development block, received special training in paddy and straw art.

District Panchayat CEO Distributes Certificates Upon the successful completion of the training program, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the District Panchayat presented certificates to the women who received the training. During the event, she observed various beautiful and attractive artworks created by the women from paddy and straw, appreciated their skills, and encouraged them to progress further.

Promoting Non-Agricultural Livelihoods through 'Bihan' Team's Efforts

The District Panchayat CEO of Balodabazar-Bhatapara stated that non-agricultural livelihoods are being promoted in the region through the joint efforts of the District Panchayat's 'Bihan' team. With this objective, 40 sisters from a self-help group at the Chhattisgarh Mahatari Sankul Sangathan Lahod were provided training in this art.

Through this training, women will now be able to ensure additional income by creating artworks from locally considered unusable straw and paddy, and become economically self-reliant.