Team Goemkarponn
MORMUGAO: In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) has announced plans to launch a special Sunday Bazaar exclusively for women entrepreneurs, aimed at empowering them and promoting self-reliance. The bazaar will provide a free platform for women to showcase and sell homemade food, sweets, cakes, chocolates, candles, handicrafts and decorative products.
MMC Chairperson Girish Borker said the initiative would help talented women who are unable to afford shop rents or stalls. “Many women in Mormugao prepare excellent homemade products, but their creativity goes unnoticed. We felt it is our duty to give them an opportunity to earn and support their families,” said Borker.
He revealed that the idea stemmed from his own experience while recovering at Goa Medical College. “During my stay, I relied on women selling homemade food outside GMC. The taste and quality were far superior and authentic. That experience made me realize the potential of women in this space,” he said.
The bazaar will welcome women from all 25 wards under MMC jurisdiction, not just self-help groups. It is expected to begin after Ganesh Chaturthi, with space allotted free of cost. “This is not about revenue generation, but empowerment. The only requirement is discipline and cleanliness. Women must ensure that once they finish their business, they clean the stalls and leave the place tidy,” clarified Borker.
The council hopes the bazaar will grow into a vibrant part of Vasco’s Sunday culture, similar to Mapusa’s market. “We want this to become a model for other municipalities, giving women visibility, respect and income,” added Borker.
Residents have hailed the move as progressive. “Such platforms are long overdue. This could transform lives,” said a Vasco resident.
With anticipation already building, the Sunday Bazaar is poised to become more than a marketplace — a celebration of women’s creativity and strength in Mormugao.
