Kudumbashree entrepreneurs pin hopes on Onam fairs

Three-day events planned in the lead-up to Onam in compliance with COVID-19 protocol

Over 4,000 micro-entrepreneurs under the District Kudumbashree Mission devastated by the pandemic are pinning their hopes on the annual Onam markets to recoup what little they could amid the continuing cloud of uncertainty. The district mission is planning three-day fairs in the lead-up to Onam at the level of all Community Development Societies (CDS) in strict compliance with the COVID-19 protocol. “We have given 42 CDSs the infrastructure to set up fairs in addition to ₹12,000 to all rural CDSs and ₹15,000 to all urban CDSs. These fairs remain the sole lifeline for the 4,000-odd micro-entrepreneurs and 2,000-odd activity groups, which get activated during festivals seasons and such other occasions with potential for doing business,” said S. Ranjini, district coordinator, District Kudumbashree Mission.