AAI empowering SHGs with its ‘AVSAR’ initiative

May 12, 2022

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh), May 12, 2022, (ANI): In line with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to provide a platform for women, artisans, and craftsmen to promote their products, the Airports Authority of India has taken an initiative to allocate space at its airports to Self Help Groups or SHGs to sell their locally developed products. The opportunity is being provided under AAI’s initiative, AVSAR meaning Airport as Venue for skilled artisans in the region. Under this scheme, an area of 100-200 square feet has been earmarked at each AAI operated airport. Glimpses of it can be seen at the Raja Bhoj Airport in Bhopal where two outlets have been opened under AVSAR. Women SHGs are promoting and marketing their products at these outlets. Every group will be allotted space for a duration of 15 days. These outlets are emerging as a major attraction among air travellers. The members of SHGs have also welcomed this initiative of AAI, which aims to empower them by way of extending their reach. While around a dozen AAI airports including Chennai, Agartala and Amritsar have already started allotting space to SHGs, several others are in the process. This initiative will provide tremendous visibility to small groups and will prepare them to promote and market their products to the wider spectrum, reaching out to the larger population.