Aarogya Santhai initiative launched at Gandhi Memorial Museum

Gandhi Memorial Museum here on Tuesday launched ‘Aarogya Santhai,’ (healthy market) initiative.

The market which would be held on first Saturday of every month will showcase health-focused and eco-friendly products of women entrepreneurs and self-help groups.

Organised by Green Fem, a women’s collective, in collaboration with the Voluntary Association for People’s Service (VAPS) with the support of NABARD, the initiative aims to encourage families to adopt healthier lifestyles and support local women entrepreneurs.

R. Elamathi, Director, Green Fem, said, “Green Fem was founded in 2020 and has grown into a collective of more than 400 women members. Many are single women who turned their struggles into success. Over the last five years, these women have become highly competitive and positioned themselves strongly in the local markets.”

She added that through the initiative, they wanted to create a behavioural change by promoting local, natural products and supporting community-based production.

The first edition featured 40 stalls offering a wide range of products such as millets, honey, organic soaps, herbal health products, ghee, cakes, jute bags, etc.

Beyond traditional products, the market would also host workshops for children, storytelling competitions, and awareness sessions on healthy food habits, lifestyle practices and women’s mental and physical health.

A.S. Sakthi Balan, district development manager, NABARD, Madurai, and K.R. Nanda Rao, secretary, Gandhi Memorial Museum, were also present during the event.