Him Ira: Creating opportunities for women through self-help groups

In its ongoing commitment to inclusive development, the state government has been promoting initiatives to financially empower rural women. As part of this mission, the state has implemented the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) under the banner of Him Ira to create opportunities for women through self-help groups (SHGs), transforming lives in the district.

The NRLM initiative has established approximately 4,000 SHGs across the district, providing a platform for women to enhance their income through entrepreneurship. To further support these groups, the Him Ira brand, created under the Himachal Pradesh Rural Livelihoods Mission, operates retail centres that sell quality products crafted by women of SHGs at affordable prices.

Through this brand, women earn a fair price for their products, benefiting themselves and the local community. District Public Relations Officer Mamta Negi highlighted the positive impact of the Him Ira sales centres, which have ensured fair pricing for SHG products while offering quality items to local buyers. “Him Ira has become a trusted name for consumers, and is empowering women by providing a stable source of income and fostering local pride,” said Negi. Him Ira sales centres are strategically located in various development blocks of the district.

In the Nahan block, centres are operational at Trilokpur’s Bala Sundari Temple, Jamta, Delhi Gate and Renuka Ji.

Similarly, in the Pachhad block, Him Ira canteens are available at She-Haat, Bang Passing and Sarahan.

Other blocks have also adopted this model — in Rajgarh, a Him Ira sales centre operates at Baru Sahib, while in Shillai and Sangrah blocks, centres are conveniently located near block development offices.

In the Tilordhar block, the centre at Sataun provides additional access to local buyers, and Paonta Sahib block operates its Him Ira centre near a Gurudwara.

In addition to these sales centres, weekly Him Ira markets are organised to promote SHG-produced products to a broader audience. The reach of Him Ira doesn’t end with retail.

The district currently hosts 380 village-level organisations and 22 cluster-level federations, creating a robust network of women engaged in sustainable economic activities. Each SHG, whether independently or as part of larger federations, is encouraged to expand its activities and reach.

In addition, the district has established She-Haat centres to provide SHGs with dedicated spaces for their activities. These centres offer support for SHGs to conduct and grow their economic initiatives, contributing to the region’s grassroots development.

The success of Him Ira centres in Sirmaur is a testament to the potential of women-led economic initiatives, and a model for sustainable rural development in the state.