Udaipur based organization, Mahila Mandal Griha Udyog – a cottage industry producing eatables (spices, sauces, pickles etc) made by women members of the group have been certified with ISO- 9001-2008 standard by The International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

The certification was given after number of audits and analysis of products made by Mahila Mandal as per the strict norms and standards given by The International Certification Services Pvt. Ltd.

Surprisingly, it is the first cottage industry in Rajasthan to honor with the ISO certification.

Today, in a press conference held at Mahila Mandal Senior Secondary School, the ISO certificate was given to the managing body of the organization by members of International Certification Services. The women members of the organization were also present in the event.

Ganesh Chandra Shotriya – Managing Director if the organization said while expressing his gratitude towards the women members, “this award is dedicated to these women members of our organization who worked hard in every condition, Mahila Mandal is promoting Women Empowerment since 1935, today we also have 3 different hostels which has strength of over 250 female students, mostly from rural areas”.

Mahila Mandal has completed its 77 years since it was founded in 1935 by Late Dayashankar Shotriya. Over the years, this organization has witnessed number of ups-n-downs. It was chosen by UNESCO in 1990 for employing women by generating career for them. Mahila Mandal was the one among two such organizations chosen by UNESCO from India.

Hansraj Choudhry – managing head of the industry addressed the press conference by narrating the success story of Mahila Mandal with numbers of innovative steps they have taken to reach this height. He said, “the organization has become the supportive pillars to those women who have been facing financial problems in their families, however, the group has started producing small number of products which eventually turned into a big house of 60 women employees who prepare more than 20 different food products including cereals, pickles, sauces and spices.”

In 2003, it was awarded with Dr. Deshmukh Award by Social Welfare Board by then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpaye. In 2005 again, the organization was honored by National Award by ex- president APJ Abdul Kalam Azad for their impressive work in promoting khadi udyog and women empowerment.

Himanshu Sharma -Joint Director of Mahila Mandal said, “this reward is for our dedicated members, this will encourage them to move further, we are affiliated with Khadi Gram Udyog, however, we have had never received any help from government or organizations, but our team has done it and I wish they will continue the success saga.”

The managing director of International Certification Services Sundar Kataria and station in charge Rajesh Kataria was present in the press conference. They explained the procedure of certification process Mahila Mandal has gone through and wished the organization continues with this standard in future.

“The organization had sold products of Rs. 25 Lakh in the year 2010, this year the target is Rs. 50 Lakh”, said Hansraj Chaoudhray.

He also underlined the fact of growing mall culture in Udaipur which is badly effecting such non-profit organization as the market has its own tendencies of ‘commission’ which these organization can’t give.