Har Ghar Tiranga campaign generates employment for Jeevika Didis in Samastipur
Samastipur, Aug 12
The nationwide 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign, being organised to mark the 150th anniversary of the song Vande Mataram, has created significant livelihood opportunities for Jeevika Didis in Bihar's Samastipur district. Women associated with the Jeevika self‑help groups have received orders for more than 80,000 Tricolours from government departments, industrial units, community organisations and the general public.
To meet the large volume of orders on time, over 1,600 Jeevika Didis are working day and night both at stitching centres across the district's blocks and from their homes. Keeping affordability in mind, each flag has been priced at Rs 25.
Every Jeevika group in the blocks has been assigned the task of producing around 4,000 flags so that the national flag reaches as many households as possible and the campaign gains wide momentum.
Dhananjay Kumar, Jeevika Project Manager in Samastipur, said the Government of India has issued clear directives for the campaign. Following instructions from the District Magistrate, every block has been made responsible for ensuring the availability of the Tricolour.
So far, more than 10,000 flags have been dispatched to the district office and various blocks, while several thousand more are ready for delivery. At one centre alone, about 4,000 flags are prepared for the Ujiyarpur block and will be sent to other blocks as required, he said.
He added that the core objective of Jeevika is to provide sustainable livelihood opportunities to rural women so that every Jeevika Didi can contribute to her family's income.
Neetu Kumari, in‑charge of the Jeevika Women's Cluster Federation, said around 50 women are currently engaged in flag‑making at their centre. Orders worth Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,000 have been received from the block level, of which work worth about Rs 10,000 has already been completed. Women who own sewing machines are also producing flags from home after receiving the necessary training.
Babita Kumari, a Jeevika Didi involved in the work, said their centre normally produces garments such as nighties, Anganwadi uniforms, masks, petticoats and salwar‑suits. At present, however, priority is being given to making the Tricolour. She added that just as the women produced masks during the COVID‑19 pandemic, they are now contributing to the national campaign with pride.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Great to see this kind of grassroots employment generation. But I hope the payment reaches these women on time and the middlemen don't eat into their earnings. The government should ensure fair wages for all this hard work. Still, good to see the campaign having a real economic impact beyond just symbolism.
This is exactly the kind of development we need. Women from self-help groups getting orders worth ₹20,000-25,000 is no small thing in rural Bihar. And they're doing it with so much pride – just like they made masks during COVID. Double वाह! 🙌
At ₹25 per flag, I really hope the quality is good. We shouldn't compromise on the dignity of our national flag just to meet demand. But otherwise, it's an excellent model – utilising local skills for a national cause. Every house in Samastipur getting a Tiranga is a beautiful sight.
The 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram – and our women are stitching the very flag that symbolises that spirit. This is what 'Make in India' looks like at the grassroots level. Kudos to the District Magistrate and Jeevika team for this coordinated effort. Jai Hind! 🧡🤍💚
It's heartening to see Babita Didi talk about making masks during COVID and now flags with equal pride. These women are the backbone of rural India. But I do hope that once the campaign ends, they get similar work opportunities – not just one-time orders. Sustainable livelihood, as they say.
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