A guest session on Digital Marketing for Rural Women Associated with the Water Hyacinth Project was organised by SVARNIM Puducherry on 4 November 2026 at Kalanjiyam Community Centre, Bahour, Puducherry. The two-hour session was conducted by Professor Dr. S. Janakiraman from the Department of Banking Technology, Pondicherry University.

The programme was co-organised with the support of student interns from the Department of Social Work, Pondicherry University. The interns played an important role in coordinating the programme and facilitating the participation of the faculty member as the resource person.

The session aimed to familiarise the women artisans of Bahour with digital marketing and the opportunities available for promoting and selling their products through online platforms. Participants were introduced to various e-commerce and digital platforms, including Amazon and Flipkart, and received basic guidance on using these platforms to reach a wider audience, including potential customers beyond India.

The session also covered the process of registering as sellers on online platforms, creating product listings and presenting products effectively to prospective customers. The women artisans were encouraged to explore these digital avenues to expand the market reach of their water hyacinth handicraft products, increase their visibility and develop more sustainable livelihood opportunities.

The interactive session helped create awareness among the participants about the potential of digital marketing and e-commerce. It marked an important step towards enabling rural women artisans to explore new markets, strengthen their entrepreneurial capabilities and promote their products beyond the local market.