Dehradun – Turning adversity into opportunity, women from the disaster-affected Sahastradhara region in Dehradun are set to brighten the city this Diwali with hand-made candles and diyas. Under the “Vocal for Local” campaign inspired by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, members of Durga and Laxmi Self-Help Groups (SHGs) have produced over 1,000 candle packets, promoting self-reliance and local enterprise while boycotting foreign products.
Just a month ago, heavy rains and landslides had left several Sahastradhara villages in darkness. Today, the same region is glowing again — this time through the efforts of rural women who have transformed loss into livelihood. Supported by the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), ten women from the groups underwent training in candle-making and entrepreneurship before starting production ahead of the festive season.
Each packet, priced affordably, contains 6–8 decorative candles ranging from ₹15 to ₹35 per piece, with a production cost of ₹10–₹20. The groups also sell their products through home delivery and city stores. They received financial assistance including a ₹1.5 lakh Cash Credit Limit at 7% interest, a ₹75,000 Community Investment Fund at 1% interest, and a ₹10,000 Revolving Fund, helping them build sustainable income.
Durga SHG president Kaushalya Negi said the initiative has already generated over ₹1.5 lakh in revenue, proving that rural women can achieve financial independence and become “Lakhpati Didis.” She added that alongside production training, members learned business management, digital banking, and customer handling.
Chief Development Officer Abhinav Shah stated that several SHGs across Dehradun district are now creating decorative Diwali items like diyas and clay lamps, which are receiving strong market demand. The initiative not only supports women’s entrepreneurship but also strengthens the local economy through self-reliant practices.
