UMEED scheme enables over 2,000 women to start business in Jammu
Jammu, July 31
The UMEED scheme is helping women in Jammu become self-reliant, with over 2,000 women starting small businesses, including restaurants, dairy units, beauty parlours, boutiques and shops, after receiving training and financial support under the scheme.
According to officials associated with the programme, 262 Self-Help Groups (SHGs) comprising 2,263 women have taken up various livelihood activities under the scheme.
Speaking to ANI, Cluster Coordinator Suchana Sharma said there were 262 SHGs with 2,263 women, all of whom had started some form of small-scale livelihood activity.
"Previously--specifically between 2017 and 2018--there was nothing here. Then, in December 2018, the 'UMEED' initiative started. Following that, the women launched various ventures," Sharma said.
She said women had established a wide range of businesses, including restaurants, dairy units, beauty parlours, boutiques and shops. However, she noted that marketing remained a challenge due to the hilly terrain.
"There is a bit of an issue regarding the marketplace here. Since this is a hilly region, sales are quite low. We would like it if sales could pick up from here," she said.
A beneficiary of the scheme told ANI that she had little knowledge about UMEED before becoming associated with it but now understood the opportunities and support it offered to women.
"Before connecting with 'UMEED', we didn't really know what the scheme was all about. Now that we are associated with it, we understand the scheme and the many benefits it offers to women," she said.
The beneficiary said many women had opened their own shops and were successfully running their businesses under the scheme.
"Now, many have opened their own shops and are successfully running their ventures; they are reaping the benefits here. Earlier, we had to depend on others, but now we don't; we can spend our own money as we please," she added.
— ANI
Reader Comments
UMEED is doing wonders across India, and Jammu is no exception. When a woman earns, she doesn't just support her family—she builds the whole community. The mention of beauty parlours, boutiques, and dairy units shows the diversity of skills being developed. Well done!
Good initiative, but the marketing challenge is real. In hilly regions, selling locally is limited. The administration should tie up with e-commerce platforms like Amazon or Flipkart to help these women sell beyond Jammu. Just training isn't enough—market access is key.
"Earlier we had to depend on others, but now we don't"—this line hits home. True empowerment! The scheme has given these women dignity and financial independence. More such initiatives should be replicated in other hilly states like Himachal and Uttarakhand.
While the news is uplifting, I wish the article had mentioned the exact amount of financial support each woman received. Transparency in such schemes builds trust. Also, the government should ensure that this support isn't one-time—sustained hand-holding is important for these new entrepreneurs.
It's heartening to see grassroots empowerment in action. From 0 in 2017 to 262 SHGs in just a few years—that's real progress. The women's resilience is inspiring. Hope the marketing challenge gets addressed soon, maybe through local haats or periodic fairs.
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