Puran polis, made in Mauritius with tips from Pune

Do not be surprised if you suddenly encounter a Mauritian teacher preparing puran polis or motichoor laddoos.

21 women from city SHGs to travel abroad and train teachers how to prepare various Indian delicacies

Do not be surprised if you suddenly encounter a Mauritian teacher preparing puran polis or motichoor laddoos. Twenty-one women from different self help groups SHGs of Pune are visiting Mauritius to teach school and college teachers of that country how to prepare various Indian delicacies.

8220;We have shortlisted about 35 types of products, including items like besan laddoos, artificial jewellery, wedding bags, jewellery bags, salwar-kameez and sari blouses,8221; said Deepti Chaudhari, former mayor and president of the Manasi Mahila Unnati Kendra women8217;s development centre which is coordinating the visit. 8220;A group of 30 to 35 Mauritian teachers will be trained in each product,8221; she added.

Rupali Jadhav of Jagruti SHG, Dhankawdi, which specialises in preparing murals, just can8217;t wait for the tour to start. 8220;I will be carrying moulds of Ganapati idols of various sizes to teach the Mauritian teachers idol-making,8221; she informed excitedly. There was a similar sense of eager anticipation in Rupali Jadhav of Tanishka SHG, who will teach jewellery-bag making, and Vasudha Kale of Siddhivinayak SHG, Talegaon Dabhade, who will teach preparation of food items.

Asked whether the language barrier would prove a problem for the Pune women during their Mauritius trip, Chaudhari replied that they would be taking a couple of English to Marathi translators with them but there would not be much of a problem.

8220;One of the reasons we agreed to go was because we found a large Indian population there. Also, the Mauritius Marathi Federation has extended its help to us,8221; Chaudhari said.

In May a group from Manasi had organised an exhibition of such products in Mauritius, which had received an overwhelming response. Now the Mauritius government has extended a second invitation 8212; not just for the exhibition and sale of the products but also for training of Mauritian women in preparing them, Chaudhari added.

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This will be the first foreign trip for these women, who have never ventured even out of their city or state.

8220;I feel that the women should learn about the attractive and sustainable packaging methods needed for the international market, as well as marketing skills,8221; Chaudhari said. Of the 21 women, 16 have got their passports and tickets. They will leave on Monday and return on October 5.