Mountain Gems: a Self Help Group (SHG) of seven members from Meluri town specialises in pickles and candies for sale inorder to support themselves and their families, and most importantly to tackle unemployment.
This SHG was formed in the year 2023, December initiated by SP Pritpal Kaur, Tizü Club and Ladies club with assistance from the Nagaland Tool Room & Training Centre under Ministry of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises. The members of Mountain Gems comprises of Ngulosa, Rhotsiatho, Akuovi, Rutsietsii, Zangothsii, Posavi and Tsieshutshii.
‘Mountain Gem’, a name given to denote the topography- the hilly area where the Pochury tribals in Meluri settles. The ingredients for all the Mountain Gems products are produced from every organic foods found in the area which is then processed to making pickles and candies by the Mountain Gem SHG.
Meluri being a far flung area and many people being unemployed, the team expressed that they wanted to form a SHG where it could become a platform to empower women. They continue as a testimony of independent and an inspiration to young girls and women.
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While making efforts to little changes in life, greater challenges lies along the way. These women have to spend the entire day to package their products where in some instances requiring two hours to finish a single packet. Without any help of machines, they only involve their bare hands investing strength and energy. Gas cylinder and firewoods are the only resources they rely on.
Under the banner of Mountain Gem, the women makes pickles made of carrot, squash, radish, soyabean, brinjal, bitter gourd , and candies made from gooseberry, Naga apple and ginger etc. Mountain Gem products has also been an environmentally sustainable initiative where the workers try their best to leave zero waste.
No edibles are left behind to waste or rot away, rather it is turn it into something to savour it now or later gradually. The Mountain Gem team also takes the opportunities such as festivals and other special occasions to sell or supply their products.
The Mountain Gem SHG hopes that the initiative will not only limit within their circle but expand in other villages where it can empower women to stand on their feet to support one’s livelihood.
