Shimla, 27 July 2025
Women have enjoyed a special place in Indian society since ancient times. Even in the modern era, women are participating equally in the mainstream of development. They are not only contributing to nation building, but are also making their impressive presence felt in important fields like politics, law, medicine. Women empowerment is being given top priority by the Himachal Pradesh government so that social and economic empowerment of women can be ensured.
As a strong initiative in this direction, the Himachal Pradesh government has organized a ‘Pahari Aangan Exhibition’ at the historic Bantony Castle in Shimla. In this exhibition, women from self-help groups are setting up stalls of traditional Pahari cuisine, handicrafts, handicraft products and local items under the Him-Era brand. This exhibition is not only a live display of Himachal’s cultural heritage, but is also an effective step towards women empowerment.
This event is dedicated to the traditional lifestyle, food, clothing and folk arts of Himachal, where local people as well as tourists from the country and abroad are participating enthusiastically. In the first phase of the exhibition, this platform has been provided to the self-help groups of Shimla district. In future, this opportunity will also be given to women of other districts, so that tourists from the country and abroad can get acquainted with the cultural diversity and local products of all the regions of the state.
In the first phase of the exhibition, 12 stalls have been set up by self-help groups of Shimla district, where traditional dishes are being presented and handicraft products are being sold. Local people and tourists are very excited about these stalls.
This women-centric exhibition and sales platform set up in ‘Pahari Angan’ is not only empowering women economically but is also giving them a new identity towards self-reliance. Here women are not only product manufacturers but have also become successful businesswomen, decision makers and examples of entrepreneurship. While on one hand this initiative is preserving the cultural identity of Himachal, on the other hand it is also leading women towards a strong future.
Strong network of self help groups
With the aim of promoting women empowerment in the state, 42,502 self-help groups have been formed in 88 development blocks under the Rural Livelihood Mission so far, in which about 3,48,428 women are associated as members. Out of these, 29,035 groups have been distributed the Parakram Nidhi of Rs 58 crore 22 lakh 26 thousand.
Apart from this, 3,374 village organizations have been formed in the state, out of which 1,120 organizations have been provided community investment funds worth Rs 41 crore 5 lakh. At the same time, 117 cluster level associations have also been formed, which are becoming the basis of economic and social support for rural women.
Tourism will get a boost with women empowerment: Additional Deputy Commissioner
Additional Deputy Commissioner, Abhishek Verma said that a beautiful exhibition of traditional food and handicraft products has been put up by the women of Shimla district in the ‘Pahari Aangan’ exhibitions organized at Bantony Castle. This initiative is not only a symbol of women empowerment, but it will also give a new dimension to tourism.
He said that the aim of self-help groups is to promote livelihood-based activities through mutual cooperation, so that women can be made self-reliant. This is a meaningful effort towards advancing the women of Shimla and making them economically strong through ‘Pahari Angan’ .
He urged local citizens and tourists to come to ‘Pahadi Angan’ and be a part of this initiative.
Women of every district will get a chance: Hitendra Sharma
Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Himachal Pradesh State Rural Livelihood Mission, Hitendra Sharma informed that the department has started the ‘Pahari Aangan’ initiative at the historic Bentney Castle in Shimla. Under this initiative, stalls of traditional Pahari cuisine and local products have been set up by women of self-help groups of Shimla district. This place is now becoming a center of attraction for local citizens as well as tourists.
He said that this is a small effort to provide a platform to women coming from rural background to ensure their social and economic empowerment.
Hitendra Sharma said that in the first phase, the platform of ‘Pahari Aangan’ has been made available to the women of Shimla district. After this, this opportunity will be given to the women of self-help groups of Kinnaur district. After this, this platform will be provided to the women of other districts of the state, so that they can display their traditional products and cuisine on a wide scale and reach out to tourists.
“The hilly courtyard becomes a strong platform for women to become self-reliant”
Kanta Devi from Paldenlam Self Help Group of Rampur Vikas Khand says that she has set up her stall in ‘Pahadi Angan’ from May 30. She praised this initiative by the government and said that this platform is an excellent medium of employment and self-reliance for women. Kanta Devi expressed her gratitude to the Rural Development Department and the State Government.
Suman is associated with the self-help group of Khalini area. She said that the platform provided by the government has given her a new confidence in life. Earlier she was only a housewife, but now she has become self-reliant by earning on her own. She also urged other women to come forward and get their skills recognized. Suman specially thanked the state government for this opportunity.
Poonam is the president of ‘Nari Shakti Self Help Group’. She said that many women of Shimla district are getting empowered through this initiative. Expressing gratitude to the government and the department, she said that she got an opportunity to work outside the home, which is giving her pride and self-satisfaction.
“Fresh food and great clothing — the specialty of ‘Pahadi Aangan'”
65-year-old customer Sheela, a resident of Solan district, said that as soon as she entered ‘Pahadi Aangan’, she was very happy to see how women are running their stalls self-reliantly. She shopped from here and tasted the traditional dishes, which gave her a homely feel. Sheela said that there is also a provision for music and entertainment here, which makes the experience of tourists even richer. She appealed to everyone to come to ‘Pahadi Aangan’ and encourage these enterprising women.
