Visitors take a look at the exhibits at the fair-cum-sale organised by Basera. Picture by Bhola Prasad

Jamshedpur, Sept. 10: To empower the state’s entre- preneurs, Basera, an NGO working in the employment sector, organised a two-day exhibition-cum-sale with six self-help groups (SHGs) on its office premises in Bistupur today.

The small-time entrepreneurs — all women — put up kiosks selling junk jewellery, food, herbal soaps, candles and clothes at the sale.

“Basera tries to help women be more self-sufficient and independent. Through this sale we, with the six self-help groups, are trying to promote cottage industries that are run exclusively by women. The SHGs involved have just started their businesses and are not established as yet. Through this exhibition we are trying to give their products more market exposure,” said Prabha Thakur, the officiating secretary of Basera.

Jewel Palace, an association of Marwari women, offered their exclusive hand crafted jewellery in the sale. Their wares included jewellery made from wooden beads, semi-precious stones set in metal, wood and oxidised silver and also plastic trinkets.

Poonamdeep Kaur and her group’s kiosk dealt with candles, both colourful and plain. Kaur, who was trained in the art of candle making in a vocational programme held in Basera, now teaches other women candle making. “What I am doing now gives me an artistic and financial freedom that my previous job did not offer. I hope that our sales increase with time,” said Kaur.

The biggest draw at the sale was the aromatic and colourful herbal soaps made by a city NGO, Neev. Neev employs women from the poor section of the society and has its base in Hurlung, Telco. The soaps saw a steady sale, as consumers, mostly women, were eager to avoid ordinary soaps with its harsh chemical content.

“Our soaps are made from natural herbs and oils. We have neem, tulsi, almond rose, khas and rose petal soaps that are both refreshing and great for the skin. Our work makes us self-sufficient and financially independent,” said Meenu Rakshit, a worker with Neev, with confidence.