Palampur Municipal Corporation looks to Mandi’s rural livelihood scheme for inspiration

MANDI: To invigorate its rural economy, the Palampur Municipal Corporation is looking to replicate the success of Mandi’s acclaimed Rural Livelihood Upliftment Scheme.

Known for its picturesque landscapes and vibrant community, Palampur now seeks to support its villagers and small businesses by introducing similar strategies aimed at sustainable development and economic self-reliance.

Mandi’s Rural Livelihood Upliftment Scheme has emerged as a transformative model for rural empowerment.

By providing skill training, financial support and marketing avenues, the scheme has bolstered employment, improved living standards and empowered small-scale industries across agricultural and non-agricultural sectors.

The initiative’s emphasis on sustainable growth has attracted interest from neighboring regions, with Palampur officials visiting Mandi to observe the program in action.

Inspired by the impact of the scheme, Palampur’s leadership is keen to implement comparable practices tailored to the needs of local communities.

“We’ve seen firsthand how Mandi’s efforts have elevated rural livelihoods, and we’re excited to bring this vision to Palampur,” shared an official from Palampur Municipal Corporation.

Plans for implementation

Adopting Mandi’s approach, the Palampur Municipal Corporation aims to introduce vocational training, micro-financing options for small businesses, and a digital marketplace to support local artisans and farmers.

A pilot programme in selected villages is planned for the coming months, allowing officials to refine the initiative before expanding it regionally.

The goal is to tackle rural unemployment and drive sustainable economic development across Palampur’s villages.

The inspiration drawn from Mandi extends beyond just economic growth — it’s about community empowerment, especially among women.

The bustling rural market at Mandi’s historic Seri Manch, held every Friday and Saturday under the National Livelihood Mission, serves as a thriving example.

By fostering women’s self-help groups and promoting local goods, the market has set a new benchmark for rural development. The success of Mandi’s model has propelled Palampur to consider launching its own rural market, giving women’s self-help groups a platform to connect with consumers and earn a sustainable income.

Collaboration by women entrepreneurs 

To deepen their understanding, Palampur’s Municipal Corporation organized a visit for local women entrepreneurs.

During the visit, members from Palampur’s 72 self-help groups, which engage thousands of women, were able to observe Mandi’s operations firsthand. “Witnessing the vibrancy of Mandi’s market was inspiring.

We believe this model can bring similar opportunities to Palampur,” said Kavita Minhas, a member of a Palampur self-help group.

The collaborative atmosphere was further strengthened by Mandi’s women entrepreneurs, who warmly welcomed the Palampur visitors.

Anju Sharma, a vendor at Mandi’s rural market, expressed excitement about Palampur’s interest. “This initiative has given us financial independence and a voice.

We are thrilled that other communities can benefit from our experience,” she shared.

Mandi’s Mayor Virendra Bhatt highlighted the expansion of their rural market from five to 30 self-help groups and encouraged neighboring towns to adopt similar initiatives to promote women’s self-reliance.

Mayor Bhatt also announced a forthcoming workshop to help interested municipalities learn the skills necessary to establish successful rural markets.

Supporting local culture and economy

More than just an economic endeavour, Mandi’s rural market preserves local culture by offering regional cuisine, crafts and handmade products.

Inspired by this, Palampur hopes to cultivate its own unique platform that showcases the region’s identity while supporting local producers.

With this progressive initiative, the Palampur Municipal Corporation is paving the way for a brighter, self-sufficient future, centered on community-driven development and women’s empowerment.As Palampur readies itself to launch a rural market inspired by Mandi’s model, it moves closer to realizing its vision of a sustainable, inclusive economy.