Ekta Nagar: Rakhis crafted by local youth undergoing skill development training will be available for purchase at three locations in the Statue of Unity area, offering the trainees an opportunity to showcase their creativity while gaining practical experience in selling their products.
The initiative has been organised ahead of Raksha Bandhan, which will be celebrated on August 28 this year. Trainees at the Ekta Skill Development Centre have created Rakhis in a variety of designs as part of a special workshop aimed at encouraging creativity and helping them put their newly acquired skills into practice.
The first sales stall will be set up at the Statue of Unity (SoU) Bus Bay Area and will remain open from August 22 to 28. A second stall will operate at the Shrestha Bharat Bhavan Parking Area from August 25 to 28, while the third will be set up at the Administrative Complex in Ekta Nagar from August 25 to 26.
The initiative goes beyond festival sales, as it seeks to connect skill development directly with livelihood opportunities for young people in the region. By allowing trainees to sell products they have made themselves, the programme gives them an opportunity to gain exposure to customers, understand market demand and explore self-employment.
The Ekta Skill Development Centre conducts short-term training programmes in various sectors for local youth, with support and guidance from the Statue of Unity Area Development and Tourism Governance Authority (SoUADTGA).
The centre also conducts workshops around festivals and other occasions, enabling trainees to apply their skills in creative ways while encouraging confidence and overall personal development.
The Raksha Bandhan workshop provided participants with an opportunity to experiment with different designs and turn their training into products that can be directly offered to visitors.
The stalls are expected to benefit both the trainees and tourists visiting the Statue of Unity area. Visitors will get an opportunity to purchase locally made Rakhis, while the young creators will gain first-hand experience in displaying, marketing and selling their products.
The initiative is part of a broader effort to ensure that local communities benefit from the economic opportunities generated by tourism in Ekta Nagar. The Statue of Unity, the world’s tallest statue, has transformed the area into a major tourist destination, attracting visitors from across India and abroad.
By combining tourism with skill development and local entrepreneurship, such initiatives aim to help young people become more economically self-reliant and participate directly in the region’s growing tourism economy.With inputs from
With inputs from IANS