NABARD celebrated International Women’s Day 2025 on 14 March 2025, with the theme “March Forward: From Promises to Progress”. The event, held at Annai Teresa Women’s Complex, Valluvarkottam, Chennai, was chaired by Thirumathi K Kanimozhi, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, in the presence of Thirumathi R. Priya, Hon’ble Mayor of Greater Chennai Corporation and Shri. R. Anand, Chief General Manager of NABARD Tamil Nadu Regional Office. Various Self-Help Groups, Women entrepreneurs, Weavers society, Farmer Producer Company Limited and Farmer Producer Organizations participated and an exhibition of around 30 stalls were part of the event.
Shri R. Anand, Chief General Manager of NABARD Tamil Nadu Regional Office, in his inaugural address, emphasized NABARD's dedication to empowering rural women through initiatives like the SHG-Bank Linkage and highlighted the impact of the Livelihood and Enterprise Development Programme (LEDP) and Micro-Enterprise Development Programme (MEDP), noting that 32 skill development programs in 2023-24 benefited 925 rural youth, including women, with a financial outlay of ₹160.55 lakh.
In her inaugural address, the Member of Parliament commended NABARD's efforts in promoting various women entrepreneurs and ensuring them not only a source of livelihood but also economic empowerment and social mobility. She highlighted NABARD's pivotal role in promoting Joint Liability Groups (JLGs) and Farmers Producer Organizations (FPOs), which have significantly empowered farmers and micro-entrepreneurs in Tamil Nadu.
Thirumathi R Priya, Hon’ble Mayor of Greater Chennai Corporation mentioned in her address, how SHGs and FPOs played major role in bringing women to economic forefront.
Earlier, the Member of Parliament inaugurated exhibition and visited the stalls set up by various women FPOs, FPCLs, Weavers Societies and Off Farm producer Organizations. Various products like Handloom sarees, Coconut neera, Traditional rice varieties, Millet snacks, Wood pressed oil, Ornamental plants, Handicrafts made from Terracotta, Seashell, Plaster of Paris, Jute, Cosmetics and Aromatic products from Kanyakumari, Salem, Thoothukudi, Krishnagiri, Tirupathur, Thanjavur, Tiruppur, Erode, Pudukkottai, Tenkasi, Ramnathapuram, Coimabtore, Virudhunagar, Dindigul, Kallakurichi, Tiruvannamalai and Puduchery were showcased during the celebration.
During the event, the chief guest felicitated the participants of the skill training Programme on manufacturing of mastectomy bras and breast prostheses to cancer patients for their successful establishment of manufacturing units in Arugani and Toladi villages in Kanyakumari district. The Aruppukottai Vastra Weavers Producer Company Limited was also recognized for its impressive turnover of Rs. 1.3 crore during 2023-24, supporting 360 weavers in the Aruppukottai cluster. Additionally, the Valluvanahalli KfW Soil Project, which benefited 1,372 individuals, was acknowledged for its successful completion with the support of 13 Village Watershed Committee members.