Archive for category: Self Help Group (SHGs)

When we launched our Traditional Stone Hand Chakki unit for wheat, the response was overwhelming. People realized that the “convenience” of modern mills had cost them the “nutrition” of traditional food.

Encouraged by this success and the growing demand for absolute purity, GJKS is expanding the Hand Chakki operations.

We are proud to announce that our “Cold Pressed” grinding method is now being used for our premium range of Bhatti Sattu, Pure Besan (Gram Flour), and Millets.

Why Hand-Grinding Matters for Sattu and Besan

While wheat benefits from stone grinding, Sattu and Besan are transformed by it.

1. The Sattu Secret: Keeping it Cool
Sattu is known as a natural coolant for the body. However, when roasted gram is ground in high-speed electric machines, the friction generates intense heat. This heat kills the natural “cooling” property of the Sattu before it even reaches your glass.

• The GJKS Way: Our women grind the roasted gram slowly by hand. Since no heat is generated, the Sattu retains its natural cooling properties, distinct aroma, and earthy flavor. This is Sattu as it was meant to be tasted.

2. Besan: The Texture of Taste
Commercial Besan is often a fine, powdery dust that turns into a sticky paste.

• The GJKS Way: Our Hand-Ground Besan has a slightly coarse, “Danedar” texture. This texture allows for better aeration when cooking, resulting in fluffier Pakoras, lighter Dhoklas, and melt-in-the-mouth Ladoos.

3. Millets: Respecting the Grain
Millets are delicate superfoods. High-speed processing can denature their proteins.

• The GJKS Way: By cold-pressing Kodo, Ragi, and Jowar, we ensure that the complex carbohydrates and fiber content remain 100% intact, offering you the full health benefit of the grain.

The “Clean-Before-Grind” Promise

Just like our wheat, we uphold the strictest hygiene standards for these new products:

• Chana (Gram): Washed and sun-dried before roasting and grinding.

• Millets: Manually cleaned to remove any grit or husk.

This ensures that our Besan and Sattu are free from the dust and stones often found in loose market products.

Scaling Up Employment

Expanding the Hand Chakki line was a conscious decision to create more jobs.
Grinding hard Chana (Gram) and tough Millets requires strength, patience, and time. By expanding this difficult manual process, we have employed more women who would otherwise be displaced by machines.

When you hold a packet of our Hand-Ground Sattu, you are holding the result of hours of physical labor, done with pride.

Taste the Purity

Slow food is better food. It tastes better, it digests better, and it feels better. We invite you to experience the difference of Cold Pressed Sattu, Besan, and Millets.

Now stocking at the Hamaragaon Smart Store.

For decades, the world chased refined wheat and white rice, forgetting the golden grains that kept our ancestors strong. Today, the world is waking up to the power of Millets, now recognized globally as “Shree Anna” (Divine Grains).

GJKS is proud to announce that we are bringing these superfoods back to your dining table.

Our Self-Help Groups have officially started the processing and packaging of a comprehensive range of Millet Flours and Grains. We are not just selling flour; we are selling health, heritage, and resilience.

A Platter of Nutrition

Leveraging our advanced grinding machinery, our women entrepreneurs are now producing:

• Kodo Millet (Rice & Flour): Known as a miracle grain for diabetics, Kodo is high in fiber and low in sugar. We offer it in both rice form and flour form.

• Finger Millet / Madua Flour: A calcium powerhouse. Essential for growing children and elderly bone health.

• Sorghum (Jowar) Flour: A cooling grain, perfect for digestion and heart health.

• Corn Flour (Makka): Freshly ground, yellow maize flour, perfect for winter rotis.

• Mixed Millet Flour: A balanced blend for the perfect multigrain bread.

Why the Shift to Millets?

Lifestyle diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and obesity are on the rise, even in rural areas. The root cause is often our diet.
Our SHG women realized that to build a healthy community, we must change what is on the plate.

• Gluten-Free: Great for those with wheat intolerance.

• Low Glycemic Index: Helps manage blood sugar levels naturally.

• Chemical-Free: These hearty crops require fewer pesticides to grow, making them naturally cleaner than conventional wheat or rice.

Farm to Flour: The Processing Advantage

The market is full of packet flours that have been sitting on shelves for months.
At GJKS, we follow a “Just-in-Time” processing model.

1. Sourcing: We procure raw grains directly from local farmers who practice sustainable agriculture.

2. Cleaning: The grains are hand-cleaned and sun-dried by our SHG members.

3. Grinding: They are slow-ground in our community machines to ensure the nutrients are not lost due to excess heat.

Reviving the Local Economy

By creating a market for Kodo, Madua, and Jowar, we are encouraging local farmers to grow these drought-resistant crops again. This saves water (as millets need very little water) and boosts the farmer’s income.

Join the Millet Revolution.
Switching to these grains is a small change in your kitchen, but a giant leap for your health.

Fresh, pure Millet Flours and Kodo Rice are now available at the Hamaragaon Smart Store.

For a rural entrepreneur, the village boundary is often the hardest line to cross. Many initiatives succeed locally but fail to reach the wider market due to logistics, quality standards, or competition.

Today, GJKS is proud to declare that our women have crossed that line.

Our range of SHG products—including our famous Bhatti Sattu, Pickles, Ghee, and Spices—has officially reached the District Level. What started as a small initiative in a remote village is now a recognized brand making its presence felt in the district headquarters and major town centers of Ballia.

Competing with the Giants

Reaching the district market is not just about transportation; it is a testament to quality.
In the village, sales are often driven by community relationships. In the district markets, our products sit on shelves alongside established commercial brands.

The fact that customers in the district are choosing our Handmade Pickles and Pure Ghee over factory-made alternatives proves one thing: Purity sells. The urban and semi-urban customers are realizing that the authentic taste provided by our SHG women is unmatched by industrial competitors.

Strengthening the Supply Chain

This expansion represents a massive leap in our logistical capabilities.

• Better Packaging: To compete at the district level, we have upgraded our packaging to be durable, attractive, and hygienic.

• Reliable Logistics: We have established a supply chain that ensures fresh produce moves from the village manufacturing units to district retail points efficiently.

More Sales = More Livelihoods

Why does this milestone matter?
A village market has a limited number of customers. By unlocking the district market, we have opened the floodgates of demand.

• Increased Production: To meet district demand, our grinding machines and pickle units are now running at full capacity.

• Job Security: Higher sales volume guarantees a steady, year-round income for our women, rather than just seasonal earnings.

The “Hamaragaon” Brand

Our brand is no longer just a village secret; it is becoming a district identity. We are proving that “Made in Rural India” stands for quality, trust, and health.

As we see our delivery vehicles heading towards the district headquarters, we carry with them not just cartons of goods, but the aspirations of every woman who worked to produce them.

From the village to the district—today. Tomorrow, the state.

In India, a meal is considered incomplete without the tangy, spicy kick of Achar (pickle). It is more than just a condiment; it is a tradition passed down through generations of mothers and grandmothers.

GJKS is proud to announce that our Self-Help Group (SHG) women are turning this age-old domestic skill into a thriving commercial enterprise. We have officially launched our Handmade Pickle Production Unit.

A Jar for Every Taste

We wanted to ensure that there is a flavor for every palate. Using fresh, locally sourced ingredients, our women are now producing a diverse range of pickles:

• The Classics: Traditional Mango and Lemon pickles, sun-dried and spiced to perfection.

• The Spicy: Fiery Green Chilli and robust Mixed Vegetable pickles to add heat to your plate.

• The Healthy: Vitamin C-rich Amla (Gooseberry) pickle, blending health with taste.

• The Special: The unique and tangy Indian Hog Plum (Amra) pickle—a regional delicacy that brings a nostalgic burst of flavor.

“Dadima’s Recipe,” Market Standards

What sets these pickles apart from mass-produced factory brands? The Human Touch.

Our production process strictly follows traditional methods combined with modern hygiene standards:

1. Selection: Only the freshest, unblemished fruits and vegetables are handpicked.

2. Spicing: We use hand-ground spices and pure mustard oil to ensure the authentic “homemade” aroma.

3. Preservation: No artificial colors or harmful chemical preservatives are used. We rely on the traditional science of sun-drying, salt, and oil to preserve the freshness naturally.

Turning Seasons into Sustenance

In rural areas, seasonal fruits like mangoes, amla, and hog plums often go to waste if they aren’t sold immediately. By converting them into pickles, our SHG women are practicing Value Addition.

They are extending the shelf life of these perishable items from a few days to over a year. This ensures that the income from the summer mango harvest or the winter amla harvest sustains their families all year round.

Taste the Purity

These jars of happiness are now ready for your dining table. By purchasing these pickles, you are not just buying a side dish; you are keeping a culinary tradition alive and supporting the financial independence of a rural woman.

Available now at the Hamaragaon Smart Store.

Change is often slow at first, but once it takes hold, it becomes an unstoppable force. Today, GJKS witnessed the power of that force.

We are overjoyed to announce the formation of our 15th Self-Help Group (SHG).

Reaching the milestone of 15 groups is a significant achievement in numbers, but the real story lies in the spirit of the women joining us. What started as a small initiative has turned into a widespread movement across the villages of Ballia.

From Hesitation to Eagerness

In the early days of our mission, our volunteers spent hours counseling families, explaining the benefits of unity and financial independence.
Today, the dynamic has completely shifted.

We no longer have to convince women to join; they are coming to us.
The women of our 15th SHG didn’t just sign up to save money—they signed up because they are “eager to work.” They have seen their neighbors in existing SHGs earning through Sattu making, incense rolling, and dairy farming, and they are saying, “We want to change our lives too.”

The Power of 15

With 15 active groups, we have now created a formidable network of hundreds of women. This isn’t just a social gathering; it is an economic engine.

• More Hands: More women means increased production capacity for our Smart Store.

• More Voices: A larger collective voice to advocate for village improvements.

• More Resilience: A stronger financial safety net for hundreds of families.

A Cultural Shift

The most beautiful aspect of this milestone is seeing women step out of their domestic thresholds with confidence. They are no longer defined solely by their household chores; they are defining themselves as entrepreneurs, decision-makers, and community leaders.

As we welcome this 15th group into the GJKS family, we are reminded that our role is simply to provide the platform. The courage, the hard work, and the burning desire to succeed belong entirely to them.

Here’s to the 15th SHG, and to the many more that will follow.