Kathmandu, 12 Dec: A group of visually impaired individuals have received skill-based training in pickle production at Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) Ward No. 16, Balaju, as part of an initiative aimed at empowering blind and low-vision communities through entrepreneurship.
The four-day training was organized by Blind Service Nepal, an organization working to uplift and support visually impaired persons across the country. The program was financially supported by the ward office, with Ward Chairperson Rojina Shrestha allocating Rs. 50,000 from the KMC budget to ensure the successful conduct of the training.
According to Blind Service Nepal, the objective of the training was to help visually impaired individuals gain practical skills that would enable them to start small-scale businesses and become economically self-reliant. Participants were trained in preparing a wide variety of pickles, including chicken pickle, tama (young bamboo shoot), karela (bitter gourd), lapsi, radish (mula), and several other traditional Nepali flavors.
Trainers demonstrated each step of the pickle-making process—from ingredient preparation and hygiene maintenance to mixing, cooking, bottling, and packaging. The program emphasized safety techniques and adapted methods suitable for those with visual disabilities, ensuring that every participant could confidently perform the tasks independently.
Ward Chairperson Shrestha expressed her commitment to supporting skill development programs for marginalized communities. She said that the ward office would continue to collaborate with organizations working for persons with disabilities, adding that such trainings help build confidence and open pathways to income-generating opportunities.
Participants shared that the training had boosted their confidence and equipped them with essential skills that could help them launch home-based pickle businesses. Blind Service Nepal stated that it plans to provide follow-up support and market linkage opportunities so that trainees can commercialize their products after completing the training.
The organization also urged government bodies and donors to invest more in livelihood programs for persons with disabilities, noting that skill-based training is one of the most effective ways to promote independence and improve quality of life.
The four-day pickle-making program concluded with distribution of certificates to the visually impaired trainees, marking a meaningful step toward economic empowerment and inclusive community development.
