Latest news with #IntegratedTribalDevelopmentAgency
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.
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)
The Hindu
25-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Polavaram R&R: Kalleru residents seek submergence status
Integrated Tribal Development Agency Project Officer Apoorva Bharat on Wednesday inspected Kalleru village in Chintoor, Alluri Sitarama Raju district to include the village in the first phase of the Resettlement and Rehabilitation (R&R) package of the Polavaram irrigation project. Mr. Bharat held talks with the residents in response to their appeal to include their village in the list of villages to be rehabilitated in the first phase within the 41.15 contour. In a written appeal, the residents claimed that the village with 268 families has been experiencing submergence during the Godavari floods, as it is located near the confluence point of rivers Sabari and Sileru. Mr. Bharat assured the Kalleru residents that a LIDAR survey would be conducted, which is a prerequisite for officially declaring a village as submerged.
New Indian Express
25-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Orissa High Court issues notice over ban on tribal ritual in Similipal Tiger Reserve
CUTTACK: The Orissa High Court has issued notice to the project administrator of Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA), Baripada, regarding the order prohibiting the Munda tribal community inhabitants of village Jamunagarh from performing their rituals at the sacred place named Jayara which comes within the territorial jurisdiction of Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR). Deputy director of STR had issued the prohibition order on January 22, 2025. A division bench comprising Chief Justice Harish Tandon and Justice MS Raman issued the notice on a writ appeal and fixed July 21 for hearing on the matter along with reply to the notice. The appeal was filed by Nandu Ho and two other residents of Jamunagarh against a single judge's order on March 3, 2025 declining to entertain a petition on the same issue. During the hearing on Monday, advocate Afraaz Suhail appearing on behalf of the petitioners submitted that the Munda tribal community have been performing their sacred rituals in Jamunagarh area for generations. During the hearing of the petition before the single judge Justice SK Panigrahi, the counsel for the government of India and state government advocate had submitted that since 'Tiger Supplementation Programme' is going on in STR, the authorities, in order to save the life of the humans, have not given permission to the petitioners to perform their rituals at Jayara. While disposing of the petition, Justice Panigrahi had observed that the concern raised by the authorities was genuine. 'However, considering the request of counsel for the petitioners, this court makes it clear that after the tiger supplementation programme in and around the Similipal Tiger Reserve gets over, the petitioners may be permitted to perform their rituals at the sacred place,' Justice Panigrahi had ordered.
New Indian Express
15-06-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
From daily wagers to entrepreneurs: tribal women of Bhadrachalam lead millet and sanitary revolution
KHAMMAM: What started with eight women and a bag of millets in Bhadrachalam is rippling through the tribal community. Trained by the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA), these former daily wagers now run a dual enterprise: crafting nutrient-packed biscuits sold near the temple and manufacturing vital sanitary napkins supplied to schools. Their success isn't just income; it's a beacon inspiring countless others. Eight tribal women received training at Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, and began producing a range of biscuits made of millets, including foxtail, little millet, kodo millet, finger millet and jowar. They have also ventured into sanitary napkin production, manufacturing around 40,000 napkins in three months. These are being supplied to Gurukul schools in the region, with each pack priced affordably at Rs 28.
