The Women Self Help Groups (SHGs) registered under Mai Bhago Istri Sashaktikarn Scheme of Department of Cooperation, Punjab is contributing extraordinarily during these days of pandemic by stitching masks for protection against Coronavirus (Covid-19).

Mai Bhago Istri Sashaktikarn Scheme is being run by the Department of Cooperation, Punjab since 2007. Under the able guidance of Hon’ble Cooperation & Jails Minister, Punjab, and the directions of Registrar Cooperative  Societies Punjab, various type of products such as Pickles, Papad-Wadian, Detergent, Hand Sanitizer, Phulkari and variety of other embroidery/decorative items etc. are being produced by these Women SHGs.

For marketing of these products, the Department of Cooperation has extended these SHGs a helping hand and this is only due to this help that these SHGs have been able to participate in various exhibitions organized in various districts of Punjab, Chandigarh and in the other States of India.

This is only due to firm efforts of the Department of Cooperation that these SHGs had succeeded in selling their products to the tune of around Rs. 50 lakh during the last five years. This has not only encouraged the women SHGs to work more but has also improved the socio-economic levels of these women, especially from the rural areas. 

As the scheme has been named after the name of a courageous woman, “Mai Bhago“, the ladies who are members of our SHGs are also contributing the most during this tough period of the pandemic. These women SHGs have set an example by making cotton masks to protect the masses from Coronavirus.

During this period of the pandemic, our SHGs have stitched and supplied 76818 masks worth Rupees 15.20 lakh, to different departments/Institutions of the State and are still continuously performing this task. By this act, our SHGs have contributed a lot to the society, and women members of these SHGs have proved themselves as the Covid-19 warriors.