The Helping Hand Foundation has successfully concluded a skill development program at the Shakrara Training Centre near Ghanhatti, Shimla, aimed at fostering entrepreneurship among women. During the workshop, 30 participants received practical instruction from trainer Poonam Bansal on crafting handmade soaps using natural, locally sourced ingredients such as amla, turmeric, aloe vera, beetroot, lemon, and sandalwood. The initiative focused on helping rural women translate practical skills into sustainable, home-based businesses.
Attending the valedictory function as Chief Guest, Poonam Thakur, HPRS, Assistant Commissioner, State Taxes & Excise, encouraged the participants to look beyond basic production and focus on branding, packaging, and commercialization. She emphasized that authentic storytelling—highlighting Himachal’s rich natural resources and the craftsmanship of local women—can create a strong, recognizable identity in the market. She advised the group to leverage digital marketing platforms like Instagram and WhatsApp Business, maintain consistent quality control, and tap into the state’s thriving tourism sector through hotel, gift shop, and homestay partnerships under a “Handmade in Himachal” banner.
Supporting this vision, Kapil Kumar, Chairman of the Helping Hand Foundation, urged the women to focus on customer outreach, market requirements, and strategic pricing to build reliable streams of income. To maximize their reach, participants were encouraged to form Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and divide key responsibilities—such as accounting, production, packaging, and digital sales—based on individual strengths. The program concluded with the felicitation of the Chief Guest and the distribution of certificates, marking the start of the participants’ transition toward economic self-reliance and entrepreneurship.
Sponsored
Nurturing Creativity – Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla
