Livelihood projects

Addressing the economic crisis owing to the reverse migration, Helping Hands Charitable Trust (HHCT) has launched an initiative - "Shramik Sammaan" with an objective to generate employment in the post lockdown period for the migrant workers, who have gone back to their villages and hometowns. It aims to start up infant and small scale businesses within local villages and towns of Indian states. As public figures who have been the voices of dealing with the crisis, actors Manoj Bajpayee and Shabana Raza Bajpayee lead this cause of generating livelihood locally.

The initiative promotes local, traditional and sustainable livelihood practices to create a greener nation and a better world. The first project under Shramik Sammaan is the establishment of a Kacchi Ghani (cold-pressed oil extraction unit) - which will commence in Bhagalpur, Bihar on August 9, 2020. The other projects underway include mask making in Faridabad and Mumbai, production of bamboo articles in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, the establishment of a women's tailoring unit in Uttarakhand, liquid soap and sanitiser manufacture unit in Uttarakhand, Khadi gamcha manufacturing unit in Bihar, dairy and dairy products in Raigad, Maharashtra, basket making with recycled materials in Bhiwandi and also establishment of units for the production of vacuum-dried vegetables and fruits and vacuum fried snacks and seed banks and nurseries.

HHCT aims at reinforcing local solidarity through 74 projects in the affected states by contributing to at least 30% of the original capital investment for these businesses and also facilitating 'Mudra' and bank loans for new projects, arranging for skill development, project mentoring and monitoring and providing a platform to promote the products with the consumers and other local businesses with the aim to make the rural economy robust.

Says Manoj Bajpayee, "I have pledged my support to Shramik Sammaan. The work Helping Hands Charitable Trust has done towards livelihood welfare of the migrants is commendable and it makes me very happy to associate with them. This initiative is the need of the hour and it's a holistic approach to managing the rural economy and helping our migrant friends."

Shabana Raza Bajpayee says, "Kudos to Helping Hand Charitable Trust for launching Shramik Sammaan. Unfortunately, the problems of our migrant brothers and sisters have not ended with returning home. It is a huge relief to know that this initiative aims to address these issues at the grass-root level. I'm honoured to be part of such a novel initiative."

Bilal Khan (Humanitarian), Lara Jessani ( Advocate) and Anil Hebbar (Chief Functionary Helping Hands Charity Trust) say, "We (at Helping Hands Charitable Trust) are honoured to have the support of Manoj and Shabana for Shramik Sammaan. We have begun on a promising note and we hope to bring a positive impact locally first, then nationally and finally worldwide. Our operations begin in the same week as Independence Day and we are thrilled to be able to offer the rural belt of this country the stability it deserves."

HHCT also appeals for people to come forward and join hands in this noble endeavour with their valuable contributions which will go a long way in uplifting the lives of millions of distraught workers.