Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade, Dharmadikari, Dharmasthala has taken a number of initiatives to address the problem of poverty & unemployment amongst the youth, which resulted in the establishment of RUDSET Institutes providing free training to unemployed youth, and Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project (SKDRDP), empowering rural youth, especially women, through the formation of self-help groups and providing financing for various income-generating activities. However, when these rural women from SHGs started producing various products, they faced difficulties in pricing, packaging, and marketing, leading to a decrease in their motivation to continue their activities.

To address this problem and provide a platform for rural entrepreneurs, especially women, to sell their products, Dr. Heggadeji promoted a ‘Not-for-Profit’ Company known as ‘Sri Dharamasthala SIRI Gramodyoga Samsthe’ (SIRI) in 2004 at Belthangady Taluk, Dakshina Kannada District. Over the last 17 years, SIRI has been engaged in promoting products produced by over 3,000 Women Self Help Groups in various districts of Karnataka State.

Currently, SIRI offers a wide range of product categories such as Garments, Agarbattis, Millets, Bakery products, Food products, Chemical products, and Rexin Bags. These manufacturing units are located in 50 interior locations across Dakshina Kannada, Haveri, and Dharwad Districts. SIRI achieves an annual turnover of approximately Rs. 25 Crore through its own 13 outlets, 13-line sales, and around 300 active franchise shops across Karnataka.

Please note that SIRI being a non-profit organization falls under section 80G of the Income Tax Act. “Instead of writing someone else’s account through wage employment, after three to five years of collegiate education, it is more meaningful to write one’s own account by embarking upon some self-employment” Dr. D. VEERENDRA HEGGADE PRESIDENT, RUDSET Institute.