MGNF and Self Help Groups: Building social capital among women

We now bring forward the story of crusaders Devika Kalangutkar and Maya Nilesh Palekar who build networks and empower women

IIMB is a business school with a consistent and significant focus on Sustainability and Social Impact. The school is constantly reinventing itself to stay relevant and contribute towards nation building. This direction includes programmes such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Fellowship, which is a Certificate Programme in Public Policy and Management designed at the initiative of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Government of India (GoI), and implemented in collaboration with State Skill Development Missions (SSDMs). The objective is to develop a cadre of professionals who will work towards improving the skilling ecosystem at the district level and act as catalysts of social change.

MGNF Fellows Shama Pradeep Kamble and Bindiya Sham Gadkar, who are engaged with South and North Goa respectively, have been providing significant and meaningful support to the district administration to improve the skill development program delivery.

Devika Kalangutkar (left) and Maya Nilesh Palekar lead Self Help Groups in Goa that not only make handicrafts products to sell, but also conduct classes for a minimal fee to upskill local women.

Om Sateri and Shri Shakti Mahila Manch Self Help Groups - Devika Kalangutkar and Maya Nilesh Palekar

Entrepreneurial journey: Om Sateri Self Help Group (SHG) was set up about two decades ago in Merces, North Goa by Devika Kalangutkar, who has been an expert in various kinds of handicrafts for the past 35 years. Crochet, hand and machine embroidery, making soft toys are just a few examples of her expertise. Equipped with training from the Department of Handicrafts, Textiles & Coir, Government of Goa, she is now a trainer at the National Institute of Fashion Technology, Mumbai, Directorate of Art and Culture, Goa, and the Department of Handicrafts, Textiles and Coir, Goa.

“The training received from the government really enhanced our existing skills. It helped us learn about various other types of crafts, about colours and much more, which in turn helped us expand the range of products we could create. I am also able to share and transfer the knowledge by training local women through workshops of various types. Today, we also have the bandwidth to execute bulk orders. Moreover, we showcase our products at exhibitions in Chennai, Hyderabad, Haryana, Delhi and other places”, shares Devika. 

She has partnerships with other women and groups with similar interests. Her associate Maya Nilesh Palekar, under the SHG Shri Shakti Mahila Manch, is engaged in doll making and other crafts. Shri Shakti Mahila Manch is a 10-member group through which both these enterprising women conduct different training programs to upskill the women in the villages. 

“We have engaged local women in handicraft, tailoring, carving, etc. Our products have received media attention too, with sales having picked up significantly in recent years”, Maya says while explaining her range of activities under the platform.

Maya Nilesh Palekar, an expert in doll making, with some of her beautiful creations.

Sharing skills and making social impact: The uniqueness of the SHGs is that they not only make products to sell, but also conduct classes for a minimal fee, by forming batches of women who are interested in learning the craft, thereby contributing to involvement of more stakeholders.

Devika has been conducting handicraft workshops in villages of Goa for the past 20 years. Maya too is passionate about upskilling other women, apart from focussing on her business pursuits. She says that by engaging housewives and 60-plus women in their work, she has been able to make a difference in their lives in terms of keeping them busy as well as helping them earn. “Now we want to train more people who are interested.” 

Association with IIMB/MGNF: Both Devika and Maya say that their association with MGNF has added value to their skills as well as their business. “During our first few meetings with Shama and Bindiya, they explained a lot about business processes. Thereafter, they took our products, especially crochet and seashell, for sale at Yamini (the dusk-to-dawn Indian music and dance concert, held at IIM Bangalore on the eve of Republic Day), and handed us the profits of sale. Yamini made our products known to, and be appreciated by, a lot of people outside Goa, something that we always strive for.”

“Shama and Bindiya still keep in touch and continue to mentor us in various ways. With continued support from MGNF, we hope to diversify into other markets as well as do much more for the women in our villages.”

Since the SHGs have requested the MGNF Fellows to assist them in terms of market linkages, a training session on digital marketing, market linkages through creating supply chains, linking to e-stores and market platforms, etc., designed to make the stakeholders better equipped to face challenges in marketing products, is slated to be conducted.