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Arresting array
From a fledgling shelter for destitute women, the Stree Seva Mandir (SSM) has today become a landmark institution, nurturing under its umbrella orphanages, homes for destitute women, hostels, child welfare centres, balwadis, crèches, community health care centres and schools.
With unflinching support from international aid agencies, NRIs, corporate houses and prominent citizens, the organisation has been shaping the lives of socially and economically deprived women for the past 50 years, taking them on a journey towards creative self expression and economic independence.
The SSM has been constantly striving towards the emancipation and empowerment of women. Educating them and offering them vocational training in various fields has been the basic plank of the mandir's philosophy. At the Saligramam premises, classes are hald in tailoring, block printing, toy and candle making, spinning and weaving, printing and composing and assembling and manufacturing automobile parts.
Lifestyle products handcrafted by these women trainees in the various training schemes and projects organised by Stree Seva Mandir, along with those of other entrepreneurial groups are being showcased at Kala Mela.
Organised by the SSM, the mela has on display a wealth of value-added jute products such as attractive block printed bags, spectacle cases, satchels and stylish shopping bags, which have been handcrafted by the women trainees at SSM.
Also available are ethnic vegetable dyed river grass mats, chattais and table mats in a myriad hues. You can also choose from a variety of reasonably priced woven jute wall hangings, carpets and dhurries which has been made as part of a UNDP project in the Cholamandal village.
Beckoning attention are jute furnishings with a raw-silk finish, striped carpets, trendy handbags combined with leather and wall hangings with modern art.
For those with a penchant for block prints, there are elegant saris, wall hangings and classy salwar kurta suits on sale.
For an aesthetic-looking interior, there are candles in a multitude of colours, educational aids, honeycomb towels, cotton floor coverings and arresting door mats. Food products like papads, pickles are also on sale.
The other groups participating in the mela are MOOVES and the Federation of Indian Industrial Women Entrepreneur as well as individual craftswomen.
The Kala Mela is on at Sudharma Community hall, 13 KK Road, Saligramam, and ends December 2001.
PUSHPA CHARI
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