Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin’s Remarks at the Women’s Self-Help Group Food Festival

Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Thiru. Udhayanidhi Stalin inaugurated the Women’s Self-Help Group (SHG) Food Festival at the Marina Beach in Chennai. Speaking to the media, he elaborated on the objectives of the initiative and how it reflects the Chief Minister’s vision for Tamil Nadu.

Under the guidance of our Hon’ble Chief Minister, the Tamil Nadu Corporation for Women Development and the Tamil Nadu Urban Livelihood Mission have organized this event for the first time. This food festival, inaugurated at Marina Beach, symbolizes our commitment to empowering women entrepreneurs.

The festival will run for five days, from Wednesday, the 24th of this month. It will be open daily from 12:30 PM to 8:30 PM.

The event features 35 stalls run by over 150 entrepreneurs from 65 women’s self-help groups. Every town and village in Tamil Nadu has its unique and popular cuisine, and this festival showcases a wide variety of these regional delicacies.

Highlights of the Food Festival

• Approximately 100 varieties of regional cuisines will be available at the festival.
• The food is priced reasonably to cater to all attendees.
• Seven exclusive zones have been set up for the sale of “Ready-to-Eat” food products.
• Over 45 handcrafted and locally produced items, created by SHG members, will be available for purchase in three designated zones.

The festival prioritizes the sale of healthy, high-quality food that meets the taste preferences of the people. It is expected to generate a turnover of approximately ₹2 crore this year.

The event was organized with the goal of promoting women entrepreneurs and turning self-help group members into successful business owners.

Deputy Chief Minister’s Message

The Tamil Nadu Government has consistently supported women through various welfare schemes, empowering them in multiple ways. Similarly, I encourage the residents of Chennai to actively participate in this festival and savor the diverse dishes available here.

Based on the success of this event, we will explore the possibility of conducting similar festivals in the coming years. I extend my best wishes for the success of this food festival.

Issued by:
Director, Department of Information and Public Relations, Chennai – 9