https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Duggardhani: Empowering Women, Preserving Culture, and Satisfying Taste Buds on the Way to Vaishno Devi

It is a village market in Jammu and Kashmir's Resai that emerges as a prominent tourist destination More than 1,500 women are working there and showcasing their skills in cutlery With its close proximity to the road, the place has a huge tourist influx, making it quite popular
Indian Masterminds Stories

Last month, Prime Minister Modi held a rally in Jammu. 10 thousand lunch tiffins were ordered for the people who came to the public meeting. Duggardhani, too, received an order. Since then, Duggardhani has attracted everyone’s attention.

Duggardhani, a village haat in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district, is now one of the biggest tourist attractions in Jammu, especially among travelers on their way to the holy Mata Vaishno Devi shrine. It was an attempt by the administration to empower women and introduce positive changes in women’s lives in Reasi.

Launched on May 16 last year by the administration, Duggardhani has employed over 1500 women from SHGs and has promoted Dogra cuisine most finely. The taste of Dogra food is now reaching every corner of the country through this. It not only fulfilled the longstanding demands of SHG members by providing a marketplace for traditional food and handicrafts but also revitalized age-old traditions.

Indian Masterminds interacted with the then-District Development Commissioner of Reasi, Ms. Babila Rakwal, 2008 batch KAS officer, to learn about this initiative. She is currently posted as the Administrative Secretary in the Co-Operative Department at J&K. 

DUGGARDHANI

A government-owned Tourism Reception Centre (TRC) building, located along a national highway in a tourist area, had been sitting idle for some time. The administration had been considering utilizing it for a while. 

Ms. Rakwal said, “Then, the idea emerged to allocate it to our SHGs, enabling them to put it to use. We involved some women from a self-help group, who were operating a small restaurant called Dogra Haat in the project.”

The administration then reached out to other clusters to discuss the initiative and promotion of Dogra cuisine in restaurants. This marked the beginning of Duggardhani. 

The cluster comprises 150 Self-Help groups (SHGs), with each SHG consisting of 10 women.

Subsequently, the entire project commenced in collaboration with the tourism department and NRLM (National Rural livelihoods mission). Furthermore, the tourism department agreed to allocate the building to the self-help groups (SHGs).

Ms Rakwal said, “This location holds significant tourism potential as it lies on the route from Katra to Vaishno Devi, a path frequently traveled by pilgrims and tourists alike.”

THE LOOK 

The administration then started working on the look of Duggardhani. They engaged with an artist to imbue the space with a rural aesthetic. 

Mr. Shiv Kumar, an artist associated with the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, lent his expertise by creating numerous murals. These depicted the captivating tourist and cultural attractions of Reasi, transforming the space into a mansion-like ambiance. 

The seating arrangement was designed in accordance with the ancient Vedic tradition; where individuals would sit down to eat. Meals are also prepared using traditional stoves. Thus, it was christened ‘Duggardhani’, with funds being sourced from corporate social responsibility (CSR) investments.

Ms. Rakwal said, “This program was designed to give women in self-help groups a career alternative using their culinary skills. I am happy to share that this is now happening.” 

The good thing is that women of all ages are roped in by this initiative. Each woman brings her area of specialization to the table.

TRAINING

The SHG members have also received training in various aspects, including pantry stocking, quick recipe preparation, packing techniques, social media skills, and order management. Additionally, they have been educated on promotional strategies tailored for the modern market, equipping them with the skills needed to independently manage their kitchens.

ORGANIC FOOD

Following this, emphasis was placed on cultivating organic vegetables. Ms. Rakwal encouraged the women to transition towards cultivating organic vegetables gradually. This involved engaging in farming either on their land or on provided space elsewhere. Consequently, women began cultivating vegetables, gradually expanding into farming activities within their community.

DOGRA PRODUCTS

Duggardhani has also addressed the longstanding requests of SHG members for a marketplace to sell traditional handicrafts and other items. Now, apart from traditional food, the women are also selling handicrafts like chabhari binna (grass craft) and other handloom products, as well as the region’s value-added agriculture and horticulture items such as tikki masala, pickles, chutneys, jams, and papads.

USP

Their unique selling point lies in the quality and affordability of their products. Every food item is freshly prepared, ensuring minimal waste. 

“Among the renowned Dogra delicacies are makki ki roti, saag, quer, khurmure, special Dogra dal, and mixed rice, complemented by beverages like lassi and kheer. What distinguishes Duggardhani cuisine from commercial offerings is the Duggardhani menu’s emphasis on homemade dishes tailored to individual preferences,” remarked Ms. Rakwal.

BENEFITS

This empowering endeavor helps SHGs embrace traditional crafts and cuisines for sustainable livelihoods, preserving the essence of Dogra culture. Their earnings range from Rs 90 to Rs 1 lakh per month. Here, Self-Help groups (SHGs) operate on a rotational basis, ensuring that all women in the clusters have employment opportunities.

Ms. Rakwal said, “Soon, NABARD will also help them develop it on a large scale.”


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
Indian Police Services IPS Officer
Bihar: 12 IPS Officers Transferred in Major Reshuffle, Vaibhav Sharma Made SP, Research Control, CID, Patna
Mohan Yadav
CM Mohan Yadav Inaugurates “Building Cities of Tomorrow” Exhibition at MP Growth Conclave 2025
Mohan-Yadav-resized-1
MP CM Mohan Yadav: Under PM Modi’s Vision, MP Working to Secure a Golden Future for Children
MP Growth Conclave 2025
MP Growth Conclave 2025: Rs30,000 Cr Investment Proposals & Urban Push in Indore, CM Yadav Vows Real Estate & Infra Boom
TAX
India’s Direct Tax Collection for FY 2025-26 Reaches ₹6.64 Lakh Crore
hindustan aeronautics limited - HAL
HAL Declares Rs15 Final Dividend for FY25, Total Payout Reaches Record Rs40/Share; Shareholders Must Submit Tax Declarations by Aug 21
REC extends CSR support of ₹20 Crore for the Welfare of Children of Ex-Servicemen, Martyrs’ Families, and War Widows
REC Pledges Rs 20 Crore CSR Support for Education of Children of Ex-Servicemen & Martyrs’ Families - Details Inside
Numaligarh Refinery
Numaligarh Refinery Ltd (NRL) Wins ‘Efficient Refinery of the Year’ at GRPC 2025
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Ravi Kapoor
Why Ex-IRS Officer Ravi Kapoor Walked Away from Power
WhatsApp Image 2025-07-07 at 3.15
The Martial Artist IRS Officer Who Conquered North East India on a Cycle
WhatsApp Image 2025-07-03 at 13.33
IRS Sanjay Bahadur: The Officer With a Pen That Bites | Video Interview
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
Sushmitha and Ishwarya Ramanathan
Their Home Was Washed Away — Sushmitha & Ishwarya Built a Legacy Instead
Sushmitha and Ishwarya lost their home to the 2004 tsunami. But with books, belief, and each other, they...
IAS SHWETA BHARTI Bihar
From Wipro to Civil Services: How Bihar's IAS Shweta Bharti Juggled a BPSC Job While Preparing for UPSC
IAS Shweta Bharti, from rural Bihar, balanced a full-time job and UPSC prep with discipline, cracked...
IPS Deepak Meghani
Deepak Meghani, IPS: A Journey of Focus, Failure, and Quiet Discipline
A passionate writer, he has authored several books in Gujarati, ranging from exam strategy guides to...
Social Media
G S Roshni
Kerala’s Fearless Forest Officer G.S. Roshni Rescues 16-Foot King Cobra with Bare Hands, Garners Praise & Critique
Beat Forest Officer G.S. Roshni’s first-ever king cobra rescue goes viral, earning her the title of ‘Green...
Kaziranga Baby Elephant
Chotu the Baby Elephant Reunited with Mother in Kaziranga: Retired IFS Officer’s Post Goes Viral
A baby elephant's emotional reunion with its mother in Kaziranga, shared by retired IFS officer Susanta...
PV Sindhu
PV Sindhu’s Visit to NADT Turns into a Wholesome Tribute to Legacy—and ‘Moolchandj
The Olympic champion shared nostalgic memories, met aspiring IRS officers, and sparked viral laughter...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
Indian Police Services IPS Officer
Bihar: 12 IPS Officers Transferred in Major Reshuffle, Vaibhav Sharma Made SP, Research Control, CID, Patna
Mohan Yadav
CM Mohan Yadav Inaugurates “Building Cities of Tomorrow” Exhibition at MP Growth Conclave 2025
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Ravi Kapoor
WhatsApp Image 2025-07-07 at 3.15
WhatsApp Image 2025-07-03 at 13.33
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT