Arunachal Celebrates Women-Led Development on World Population Day

Itanagar: In a vibrant celebration of grassroots entrepreneurship, Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt. General KT Parnaik (Retd.) and First Lady Anagha Parnaik engaged with Self-Help Groups (SHGs) from across the state at a special World Population Day 2025 event at Raj Bhavan’s General Bipin Rawat Hall.
Organised in collaboration with the Arunachal State Rural Livelihood Mission (ArSRLM), the event honoured the inspiring journeys of ‘Lakhpati Didis’—women who have become community changemakers through enterprise and resilience.
The Governor proposed the creation of SHG Product Marketing Hubs in towns including Itanagar, Ziro, Pasighat, and Tawang, with government-supported infrastructure but SHG-led operations. “These should be vibrant SHG Bazaars—windows into rural women’s creativity,” he said, urging members to adopt branding, packaging, and digital marketing for wider reach.
A ‘Train the Trainers’ initiative was also announced to build a cadre of Master Didis who will mentor SHG peers in business skills, hygiene, packaging, and customer service. The Governor encouraged use of local materials like bamboo, wild fruits, and textiles to develop innovative products under a unified ‘Made in Arunachal’ brand.
He urged SHGs to register their ventures, participate in exhibitions, and lead awareness campaigns on issues like drug abuse, TB prevention, sanitation, and education.
Earlier, the Governor and First Lady visited SHG exhibition stalls, purchasing handmade goods for donation to underprivileged communities. He also invited members to contribute their stories to a forthcoming Voices of Change series, celebrating grassroots transformation across the state.