Jamshedpur, Feb. 23: In unity, strands gain strength.

Around 130 women jute item makers from 10 self-help groups in Parsudih panchayat have formed a single cluster to produce in bulk and variety for a wider market.

The cluster was inaugurated today by block development officer (Jamshedpur) Namita Kumari. The administrative office at Karandih will also house the cluster workshop.

“We’ve come together for the first time. Initially, we used to work individually which did not yield much result,” said cluster member Tabassum.

Women SHG members were also excited about the loans from State Bank of India (Parsudih branch) and Bank of India (Sundernagar branch) of Rs 25 each.

The Rs 50-lakh corpus has already come in handy, as with the administration help, the cluster has bought 76 sewing machines.

Right now, the members of National Jute Board, Bengal, are training the women to make popular jute items such as bags, handbags, purses, files, mats, mobile covers, wall hangings and others. This will last for three months.

“The SHGs used to work individually, but were unable to come up with products in bulk that would have made their efforts more market-friendly. Now, all that will change, as the they are coming together to pool their resources. They are writing a new chapter of empowerment,” said Reena Singh, secretary of East Singhbhum SHG Federation and cluster co-ordinator.

Bonds between the cluster and Bengal will continue to strengthen even after the training is over. The cluster will get its raw materials — processed jute — from the neighbouring state. East Singhbhum SHG Federation will market products across the country.

With prospects looking good, hope ran high today among the women at the block office premises. “Now I know we’ll can carve a niche for ourselves,” summed up Tabassum.