FIFTEEN women took part in a Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) workshop on making Indian sweets.

The programme was held at the Bandar Teknologi Kajang Multipurpose Hall.

MPKj councillor Sangeetha Chandran Mohan said few Indian women were familiar with the proper techniques of making Indian sweets, with many choosing to buy instead of making them at home.

“As a result, the knowledge on sweet-making hasn’t been passed down through generations.”

At the workshop, participants were taught the process of making four types of traditional Indian sweets – laddu, mysore pak, palkova and coconut candy.

She said the initiative also aimed to empower women by giving them business skills and attractive packaging which they could use to set up home-based businesses.

“Indian sweets are a staple at cultural functions and celebrations. These sweets can also be packaged and marketed as door gifts,” she said.

“Participants can set themselves apart by customising the recipes, offering unique packaging or customer preference.”

Running a home-based catering business, S. Parameswary, 59, wants to add Indian sweets to her menu.

“I had wanted to diversify my menu offerings and thus signed up for the workshop.”

Another participant, T. Loshenee Sri, 28, said she had always wanted to sell food for additional income.

“Once I have perfected my products, I will start taking orders,” she said.