Udaipur .In the historic town of Dungarpur, located in southern Rajasthan, a remarkable initiative for women's self-employment, launched during the tenure of former Municipal Council Chairman KK Gupta, has become a blessing for countless women. These efforts not only promote self-reliance and dignity among women but also align with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of fostering self-employment and empowerment.
A Visionary Initiative
Under KK Gupta's leadership, the Dungarpur Municipal Council undertook exceptional projects that went beyond basic civic duties. Initiatives in cleanliness, environmental conservation, water harvesting, bio-energy, education, yoga, gyms, bird sanctuaries, food banks, and other social sectors paved the way for holistic development. These efforts became a model for other municipalities to emulate.
Gupta also introduced innovative programs such as employing individuals involved in begging for waste segregation and nighttime garbage collection, helping reduce petty crimes and ensuring community safety.
Empowering Women through Self-Employment
KK Gupta's tenure as chairman focused on uplifting underprivileged, widowed, and job-seeking women by providing them with sustainable means of livelihood. Thousands of women became self-reliant, supporting their families with dignity.
One such example is Neelam Shrimali, who founded the organization "Unnati" with Gupta's support. Unnati has since connected over 3,000 women to self-employment opportunities and social service activities. Shrimali recalls Gupta's personal involvement, even spending a month with their group making papads to encourage other women. Gupta's wife, Sushil Gupta, also extended moral support to the initiative.
Success Stories and Community Impact
During the COVID-19 lockdown, women associated with Unnati produced thousands of masks daily, distributed them across the city and district, and prepared meals for 300 families in need. They also contributed to feeding cows at Bhandariya Gaushala by sending 500 rotis and other supplies daily. Additionally, the organization provided employment to 150 women for crafting 50,000 earthen lamps for a temple event.
Unnati's initiatives include sewing training programs, production of cloth bags to reduce plastic use, and specialized opportunities for differently-abled women, such as manufacturing prayer trays, chair cushions, and spices. Gupta's tenure also saw the introduction of sanitary pad manufacturing units employing widowed and divorced women.
A Transformative Vision
KK Gupta's forward-thinking approach helped address unemployment and provided new hope to marginalized women, enabling them to lead secure and independent lives. His efforts have empowered women to master traditional crafts and income-generating skills, significantly transforming their lives.
A Representative's Responsibility
Gupta believes that a public representative's primary duty is to connect people with self-employment opportunities and government programs. He credits PM Narendra Modi's vision for fostering self-reliance, stating, "Relying solely on government jobs is not the solution. One must become capable enough to create jobs for others and support their families." According to Gupta, Modi's ideology is the ultimate key to success in every field.