Ranchi, Sept 11: Jharkhand Minister Dipika Pandey Singh on Friday inaugurated a Palash Didi Cafe at the Jharkhand Raksha Shakti University campus in Ranchi, with the initiative aimed at promoting the skills and economic independence of rural women.
The cafe is being operated by women associated with the Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society (JSLPS). It will offer traditional Jharkhand cuisine, including food items prepared from locally used grains such as madua (ragi).
Speaking at the inauguration, Singh said efforts were underway to establish more such outlets across the state as part of initiatives aimed at strengthening women’s economic empowerment.
She also said that construction of six Palash Marts was in progress and that the facilities would be opened soon. Products made by women-led self-help groups will be displayed and sold through these marts, providing them with additional avenues to access markets.
The minister said the Palash initiative seeks to provide greater recognition to the skills of rural women and create opportunities for them to earn sustainable livelihoods.
Singh said the broader objective was to enable women across Jharkhand to become financially self-reliant while ensuring that their skills and work receive wider recognition.
The Palash initiative is focused on creating market linkages for products made by women self-help groups and promoting locally produced goods and traditional food from the state.
