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Hans India
2 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
‘Bhadradri's Millet Magic' team overjoyed over PM's praise
Kothagudem Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's monthly 'Mann Ki Baat' address on Sunday in which he gave a boost to the spirits of the women of Bhadrachalam's Srirama Joint Liability Group, the group's leader, T Lalitha, told media on Monday that they were proud and overjoyed to hear the PM's praise. She credited the group's success to their commitment to quality and the trust they earned from customers across domestic and overseas markets. She thanked the ITDA PO Bhadrachalam B Rahul for his support in providing training and helping set up the production unit. 'It was through this institutional support that we could take the first steps,' she said. PO Rahul also conveyed his joy at the acknowledgement. He remembered that the company had previously put up a booth in Rashtrapati Bhavan, where President Droupadi Murmu had praised the millet biscuits' flavour and quality. Rahul claimed that following that visit, the group's inclusion in the 'Mann Ki Baat' programme was decided. 'There are currently plans to build up marketing with the assistance of private companies' CSR support and to arrange further branding and packaging training,' he shared. Notably, officials state that 'Bhadradri Millet Magic's' visibility and brand value have increased dramatically as a result of the Prime Minister's endorsement. It may be mentioned here that in his 'Mann Ki Baat' programme, Modi had said, 'You will also feel good when you come to know about the success of the women of Bhadrachalam in Telangana. In the past, these ladies were field labourers. To make a living, they used to put in a lot of effort during the day. These days, the same women—Shreeanna—make biscuits out of millets. From Hyderabad to London, these biscuits, known as 'Bhadradri Millet Magic,' are available. After receiving training, these women joined a self-help group.'
Hans India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
DYFI demands solution for language volunteers' issues
Vijayawada: The Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) urged the state government to address the long-standing issues faced by language volunteers, who have been providing crucial services for the past 18 years. G Ramanna, DYFI state secretary, highlighted the plight of 1,327 language volunteers across 7 ITDA (Integrated Tribal Development Agency) areas, who are struggling to support their families on a meager honorarium of just Rs. 5,000 per month. DYFI representatives submitted a memorandum to M M Naik, principal secretary of tribal welfare department and the additional director of tribal welfare on Monday at the Secretariat, pressing for immediate action. Ramanna stressed the urgent need for the state government to provide minimum wages of Rs 26,000 to these volunteers and ensure their job security. He also demanded the annual issuance of a Government Order (GO) for their renewal each academic year. Language volunteers are instrumental in implementing the Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) programme across Andhra Pradesh since 2007. They teach in tribal mother tongues such as Savara, Kuravi, Konda, Adivasi Oriya, Koya, and Sugali, in addition to Telugu, English, and Hindi, in schools ranging from MPPS, UPS, GES, and GUPS. This approach has significantly reduced student dropout rates and encouraged children to stay in school. Currently, 1,122 schools across the state conduct education in tribal mother tongues for grades 1 to 5, benefiting approximately 52,000 children. The DYFI highlighted the inconsistent renewal of these volunteers' services, noting that after a period of non-renewal post-state bifurcation in 2014, they were renewed briefly in 2019 but stopped again in the 2022 academic year. While the previous government renewed them from August to February in 2023 following protests, their services were discontinued in March and April. The volunteers have confirmed that their renewals have resumed from July this academic year under the new coalition government. Ramanna stressed that many language volunteers possess and qualifications, along with Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) certification. He demanded that they be recognised as CRT contract employees and called for the reinstatement of G.O. No. 3 and the release of a Special DSC notification for their regularisation. Kunj Naveen, State Secretary of the Language Volunteers Association, along with Lalitha, Nagamani, Kiran, Sagar, Bhavani, Roja, Uma Maheswari, Sai Vennela, and others were present.
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Bhadrachalam women lauded by PM Modi in ‘Mann ki Baat'
HYDERABAD: Eight tribal women from Bhadrachalam, Telangana, who transitioned from daily wage labourers to successful entrepreneurs, were praised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 123rd episode of his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat on Sunday. The women, members of a Self Help Group, received training through the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) and began producing millet-based biscuits under the brand Bhadradri Millet Magic. These biscuits, made from foxtail, little millet, kodo millet, finger millet, and jowar, are now being supplied from Hyderabad to London. PM Modi hailed their journey as an inspiring example of 'Women-Led Development,' highlighting how these women, once labourers working in fields, are now transforming lives through their entrepreneurial spirit. 'The mantra of 'Women Led Development' is ready to create a new future for India. You will also feel good when you come to know about the success of the women of Bhadrachalam in Telangana. These women once used to work as labourers in the fields. They used to work hard all day for their livelihoods,' the Prime Minister said.
Hans India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Centre reviews implementation of tribal welfare schemes in Paderu
Paderu (ASR District): Section Officer from the Central Tribal Affairs (New Delhi) Aditya Ghosain visited tribal areas in Paderu mandal on Sunday to review the implementation of various Central government schemes aimed at the welfare and development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). As part of his visit, he inspected coffee plantations in Modapalli village and interacted with local farmers to understand the income generated from coffee and pepper cultivation. The farmers informed him that they earn nearly Rs 1 lakh per acre annually from these crops. At Munthamamidi village under Vanugupalli Panchayat, Aditya inspected a multi-purpose building constructed at a cost of Rs 60 lakh and discussed its usage with local officials. He also visited the PVTG villages of Sappiputtu and Modapalli under Vantadapalli and Modapalli panchayats respetively. There, he reviewed the houses built under the Pradhan Mantri Janman scheme and expressed satisfaction with their quality and progress. He assured that the Centre is releasing funds under the PM Janman housing scheme and advised beneficiaries to complete construction quickly and move into their new homes. He also enquired about the bills and expenditures related to completed houses. Anganwadi buildings in Sappiputtu and Modapalli villages were also inspected. Aditya emphasised the need to raise awareness about the PM Janman schemes and DAI Juga programmes among the tribal population. ITDA assistant project officer M Venkateswara Rao, Tribal Welfare Department AE Durgaprasad, TRICOR assistants N Sitaramaiah, PMU officer Rajesh, and other officials accompanied him during the visit.
India Gazette
3 days ago
- Business
- India Gazette
Tribal women empowerment: PM Modi praises Bhadradri Kothagudem's
Bhadradri Kothagudem (Telangana) [India], June 30 (ANI): In a significant recognition of grassroots entrepreneurship and women's empowerment, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday praised the efforts of tribal women from Bhadradri Kothagudem district in Telangana for their successful transition from sanitary napkin production to manufacturing millet-based biscuits under the brand Bhadradri Millet Magic. The initiative, supported by the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) Bhadrachalam, has empowered a self-help group named the Sri Bhadradri Sri Rama Joint Liability Group--registered as a Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME)--to create sustainable livelihood opportunities while promoting healthy eating habits. Speaking to ANI, B. Rahul, IAS, Project Officer of ITDA Bhadrachalam, explained how the journey began. 'Earlier, the group used to make sanitary napkins to supply to all our tribal institutions and students. They used to supply 50,000 napkins in three months and earn a turnover of Rs 20 lakhs per annum,' he said. 'But they were only active for three months and remained idle the rest of the time. They wanted to utilise this idle period and approached us for training opportunities.' Acting on their request, the ITDA sent the group to Hyderabad for a two-day training programme on making millet-based cookies. 'They learnt to make jowar, foxtail millet, and ragi cookies,' Rahul said. 'Initially, they marketed the products on ITDA premises. Later, with our help, they set up stalls near the Srirama Temple and the tribal museum.'The initiative quickly gained momentum. 'With support from Tribefed, we helped them showcase their products at Rashtrapati Bhavan,' he added. 'The President visited their stall and appreciated the quality of the biscuits. Since then, they've been receiving a large number of orders, which they are fulfilling within a day or two.'Highlighting the health benefits of the millet-based snacks, Rahul said, 'In today's time, when people are prioritising their health, giving millet cookies to children is also very beneficial. The group uses ragi and raw ingredients sourced directly from farmers, ensuring no adulteration. That is one of the major reasons for their success.'The products are now sold under the brand name Bhadradri Millet Magic, and customers can find them at local stalls and other events promoted by the ITDA. Lalitha, one of the women from the group, also shared her experience. 'We have been making millet biscuits for the past one year with the help of ITDA,' she said. 'We received two days of training at Hyderabad's Rajendranagar. Now, we make ragi, foxtail, and jowar biscuits.' She emphasised the organic nature of the ingredients. 'We buy the millets directly from farmers, so there is no adulteration. The ingredients in our biscuits are butter, ghee, and jaggery. We don't use any chemicals--they're completely organic. Our goal is to make biscuits suitable for everyone, from children to the elderly.' According to Lalitha, the public response has been overwhelmingly positive. 'Everyone who has eaten the biscuits said they are good,' she said. 'We get a lot of orders after people taste them. ITDA also informs us about events where we can set up our stalls--at temples, in Shilparamam, and even in Delhi. We are also fulfilling online orders through courier.' Reflecting on the Prime Minister's acknowledgement in Mann Ki Baat, she said, 'PM Modi spoke about us, and we feel really proud. The officials here helped us in every way. That's how we could reach all the way up to PM Modi. Especially the ITDA Project Officer helped us at every step. If more people support us like this, we will reach even greater heights.' (ANI)
