Tourism Minister S. Rajesh Kumar on Saturday inaugurated “Mathi Experience Store” at Swaminathapuram in Kanniyakumari under the Tamil Nadu State Rural and Urban Livelihood Mission.Speaking at the event, Mr. Rajesh Kumar said the State government was providing loans to women self-help groups (SHGs) to enable them to establish various businesses and improve their livelihoods. A total of 11,735 women SHGs with a combined membership of 1,49,552 had been formed and were functioning in the district.Also, through Tamil Nadu Corporation for Development of Women, various livelihood development initiatives were being implemented in the district. These included the formation and strengthening of women SHGs, facilitating credit linkages, providing skill development training and coordinating with other government departments through women-centric development projects.He added that 48 ‘Mathi’ stores were functioning across the district and the new outlet at Swaminathapuram had been established to create a permanent market for products manufactured by women SHGs.Kanniyakumari Collector M. Prathap and other officials were present at the event. Published - July 11, 2026 09:20 pm IST