What comes to mind when we imagine a Koli woman? Usually, a woman who uses a Sari sells fish in local trains or in the fish market. This has changed at least in the Mahim Koliwada in Mumbai, where more than 150 women from the local self -help groups (SHG) now have a street food center under the name of Mahim Seafood Plaza in Mahim Chowpatty. These women have completed the Food Security Training and Certification Program (FOSTAC) in collaboration with the Food and Medicines Administration (FDA), Maharashtra, to become the first street food center led by women in India to receive this certification and the first street food center based on seafood in the country to be certified in the FDA certification.
The certificate will be administered in the presence of the city’s main vice minister, Eknath Shinde and the Minister of Food and Drug Cabinet, Narhari Zirwal, on April 23 in Mahim, Mahim is Food Plaza.
Sharmila Naik (46) is one of the women to receive the certificate. Mrs. Naik says that this certificate is not only for the homonym, but that she has the maximum importance that the hygienic practices that should be guaranteed to administer a restaurant business did. “Since establishing the approval of our positions it was not an easy job. We carry out checks and inspections. Mumbai’s civic body officials have been visited our position and cooking, where we cook. It was a Tedythy Le’S’be Bone It”, now that what we have is so, now that it is a bone that is a bone. Naik said.
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The HUB is administered by 14 SHG, each group consists of 10 to 13 women under the Mahila Bal Kalyan Yojana program under the Municipal Corporation of Brihanmumbai (BMC). Mrs. Naik is one of the women who placed her position in October 2023.
Koli Women accredited Ajinkya Paccharkar, a community development officer (planning), and Dakshta Pawar, a community organizer (planning) for giving life to the initiative.
“The Certification Brigs Credibility and Reures Hygiene, Making The Plaza for Model For Safe, Sustainable, Women-Powered Food Culture. FSSAI Certification Mandates Strict Adherence To Food Safety Standards, Covering Cleanliness, and Foody, and Foody, and Foody, and Foody, and Foody Foody, and Foody, and Foods, and Food Ling, and Foods, and Foods, and Food Life, and Food Life, and Food Life, and Food Life, and the Food Conference.
“New source of income”
Women who wore disposable buffantes caps were busy frying fish for customers in their respective centers built by the BMC; The municipal agency had started and initiated for the first time the idea of starting a street seafood center administered by women in 2021. In October 2023, the women of the Koli community began the seafood post in Mahim Chowpatty, a community space for Mahim and Mahim and Mahim and Mahim and Mahim and Mahim who live lives living in Mahim. The street food center is in operation from October to May, however, this year begins in January and will end in May, due to the monsoon.
“Eight months of executing the position give a good income, in the leases we can manage in a general way and take care of the needs of our children,” says Kavita Tandel (41), part of Mastsagandha Mahila Bachat Gat (SHG). Mrs. Tandel says they can assume the focus on the ₹ 8,000 per month approach, but sometimes it is also low. “However, we have a new source of income, which works as a help from the house in the low season,” he adds. Mrs. Naik has feelings similar to echo. She says: “I don’t have to ask my husband for money, we are buying what we want.”
Mrs. Naik used to execute seafood delivery services from home. She continues her services in the months from June to September. Mrs. Naik began seafood services to keep her husband and father, who fish. “Fishing is not so affordable since we advance in the sea compared to a few years. Additional fuel and labor is needed. Coastal Road has also affected our livelihood,” he added.
This initiative has provided economic opportunities to women who are also unemployed and for some, has acted as another source of income.
Why is this significant?
Mahim Koli’s women feel that SHGs are not as effective in urban areas as in rural regions. BMC The implementation of this project that becomes a success makes it significant, it is also generating jobs for other people in the area. “We were away from the idea that SHG loans can help us and other people associated with our business. In general, we outsource the Bhakris (bread) that goes with fish delights, creating an opportunity for other women in the area to the Hadlers,” HEO “” HEO “” HEO “, worked as an accountant for 15 years and now runs a position, says a position.
She left her accounting profile to take care of her son. She says, this perfect opportunity to sit at home.
The initiative has provided works to women who wanted to sell cold drinks, disposable cutlery suppliers of the Mahim Koliwada and sanitation workers.
Marketing need
Preeti Clan (35) and Mrs. Akre amplified the need for marketing. The women did their marketing using social networks. Mrs. Clan said: “We would like to be able to do some marketing. In the first year, we had a good answer, but it is decreasing.”
The women also complained that this year, when the square opened since January, unlike last year, the profits also have a low leg. One of the reasons for late opening was political interference. Kavita says we need BMC marketing support, as well as limited political interference.
A “eating properly” label for these women means showing their place as a destination for food tourism, attracting the locists and tourists looking for authentic Mumbai seafood. At the same time, it is integrated with the Eat Right RSSAI movement: promotion, hygiene and heritage health.
Published – April 18, 2025 09:29 PM IST
