self-help: Self-help groups’ role in backward regions lauded

Statesman News Service BARIPADA, May 9: Self-help groups have helped to solve the unemployment problem to a great extent, minister for animal husbandry, Mr Gulak Nayak, said, while inaugurating a 10-day workshop on Dokra art and craft, organised by an NGO here. Mr Nayak said people in backward regions of the state lag behind mainly due to the ignorance of government programmes and schemes. Tribals find it difficult to access the benefits that are meant for them, he said. Schemes like the PMRY and other capacity-building efforts remain unknown to many tribals in remote pockets of the state, he said. He assured artisans of greater attention from the government and said he would talk to the chief minister to find out ways to support Dokra art and artistes. At least 200 artistes, both women and men from various parts of the district, participated in the workshop. Director of art and handcraft, secretary and senior members of many NGOs and Krushnananda Mohanty, chairperson of the Baripada Municipality, took part in the discussions about how to revive Dokra art.