Dehradun, March 1 – A women's Self-Help Group (SHG) in Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand, is in the spotlight for producing herbal colours for the Holi festival – an organic choice they made some time ago, and which has since gained support and recognition from the local community, both in their village and surrounding areas.
The herbal colours, which are free from chemicals, are in high demand in the market, and the SHG is now experiencing a resurgence in demand.
This has boosted their businesses and also created new job opportunities.
Many women are finding employment through this program, and it has also led to a change in the way people celebrate the festival of colours.
Women from the villages of Jawadi, Kumoli, Maikoti, Medanpur, and Ukhimath in Rudraprayag are involved in making these herbal dyes.
Sangita Kapravan, a member of the SHG, said, "We have created these herbal dyes. They are all made from natural ingredients and are priced at Rs 25 per packet."
She added that people avoid using chemical dyes due to concerns about skin damage.
"People should buy these herbal dyes, as they are safe to use."
Monica Kapravan, another SHG member, said, "We have made organic dyes at home."
She added that these colours are in high demand in the market.
She said that these colours are free from chemicals, and they have been made using homegrown flowers and other materials.
It should be noted that the National Rural Livelihood Mission and the Rural Training Institute have trained women in making natural colours.
Following this, women have now begun producing these colours in the villages.
They are making green colours from spinach, yellow from turmeric, pink and red from beetroot, and saffron from marigold flowers.
These colours are being made to promote the use of natural colours.
The Director and Trainer of the Rural Self-Employment Institute said that the sale of these colours during the upcoming Holi festival will strengthen women's livelihoods.
They also appealed to the people of the district to use indigenous and natural colours.
Bhupendra Rawat, Trainer at the Rural Self-Employment Training Institute, said that in recent years, they have been provided training in making herbal colours, and village women are producing them.
He added: "Herbal colours are in high demand during festivals. People don't want to use chemicals. Herbal dyes are being sold through various stalls this time as well."
Anoop Kumar, Director of the Rural Self-Employment Training Institute, said, "I want to inform everyone that the institute provides training in various self-employment areas. Special products are manufactured for festivals."
