Didi ki Rasoi' to the next phase with the support of Kudumbashree
'Didi ki Rasoi' Canteen Chain of Bihar state, started with the support of Kudumbashree National Resource Organisation is stepping on to the next phase of execution now. The State Rural Livelihood Mission of the Government of Bihar had requested the consultancy support of Kudumbashree to form a branded canteen chain in the state, just like the 'Cafe Kudumbashree' in Kerala. Based on this request, Kudumbashree had signed an agreement to help the Bihar State Rural Livelihood Mission to form a canteen chain named 'Didi ki Rasoi'. As of now, 4 'Didi ki Rasoi' canteens are functioning in Bihar.
In the first phase, the Government of Bihar had decided to give the charge of running the canteen at the District General Hospital at Vaishali of Bihar, Cafe, operating Coffee Vending Machine, Kiosk etc to the SHG members belonging to Jeevika (State Rural Livelihood Mission of Bihar). Kudumbashree was asked to identify the suitable women members (of Jeevika) who are capable of running this canteen chain. Kudumbashree's mandate was also to extend the needed training and to provide hand holding support for a specific duration, giving support for the day to day activities. To achieve this, 35 mentors who give training in running canteens were facilitated for Bihar SRLM under the leadership of Kudumbashree National Resource Organization (NRO). Also Kudumbashree had partnered with the Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology (IHMCT) at Kovalam, Thiruvananthapuram to extend them the needed academic training. Under their leadership, training and support for 'Didi ki Rasoi' was given, partnering with AIFRHM (Adebha-Adhithi Devo Bhava- Institute of Food Research and Hospitality Management), the Yuvashree enterprise of Kudumbashree.
The Kudumbashree team trained the entrepreneurs to run the canteens in the 4 locations where the 'Didi ki Rasoi' canteens are functioning. They provide handholding support to the canteens for 6 months. Further, with the confidence gained from training and from the handholding support, didis of Bihar took the project forward with great enthusiasm and energy. On the basis of the success of the first phase, Kudumbashree has signed a MoU with the SRLM of the Government of Bihar for the second phase training of 'Didi ki Rasoi'.
In the second phase, Kudumbashree was asked to support the first phase activities and give support to start the canteens at around 70 District Level General Hospitals in various districts. It is aimed to start the activities of the same by August 2021 and make these canteens functional by March 2022. In addition to the Canteen Chain, the Government of Bihar has also requested Kudumbashree to extend training in various models in the catering sector such as hotels, cafeterias, coffee shops, coffee vending machines etc as part of the second phase activities.
Kudumbashree is planning to enter into the activity of forming various models including cafeteria, once the canteen formation would be completed at around 70 District Hospitals of Bihar.It is a matter of pride that Kudumbashree could play a key role when the 'Didi ki Rasoi' Canteen chain is creating history in Bihar. Also it brings immense pride to Kudumbashree that Kudumbashree's NRO has grown to such a level to extend the services for empowering women, as per the need of every state, with the background of 23 years of experience in Kerala. NRO is conquering heights showcasing the best performance.