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Fear And Pain Of Nithari Case Is Still Present In The Minds Of The People Here: Rubina Begum

Fear And Pain Of Nithari Case Is Still Present In The Minds Of The People Here: Rubina Begum
Nithari: The infamous serial murder case of 2006 where 19 women and children were killed still haunts the residents of the small village Nithari, located in Uttar Pradesh. Out of those facing the consequences of that fateful incident are women and children who are forced to remain indoors, forbidden to step out or stay out of home for too long, especially after sun down. This sheltered life means that they are not encouraged to pursue education or seek jobs both of which require venturing out into the big bad world.

Rubina Begum, recounts how life has come to a standstill since the gruesome murders shocked the world 11 years ago.

The fear and pain of Nithari case is still present in the minds of the people here. Our families didn't allow us to go out because they are afraid that this might get repeated.

Living in confinement was not the way to put the horrible incident behind or get over one's fears, life had to move on, felt Rubina. That opportunity came her way when Usha Silai School, opened in Nithari in collaboration with the Joint Women Programme after the 2006 murder cases.

The Usha initiative teaches stitching and Dari (carpet) making to women of multiple villages across the country. It has helped women, who had very little opportunities in life, become independent and self-sufficient. Through the silai school, Rubina learnt stitching and developed an interest in it.

We (women) were unemployed before coming to Usha Silai School but now we are standing on our own feet. I am content from within knowing that I am doing something worthy.

After her 7-day training session, Rubina received a signage, a course booklet and a sewing machine. This helped her to open her own Silai School. Apart from training others, she began stitching salwar suits for her neighbours at Rs 150 - Rs 200. Now, she has expanded her business and people from nearby village specially come to Nithari to have their clothes stitched by her.

Slowly slowly people started recognising me at the School and also in nearby places. Now I am able to earn more money which is also helping my family.

It's been a year since Rubina joined the Silai School and today, she feels proud to be the first earning woman in her family.

My husband does repairing work but his salary is too meagre to fulfil all the needs of our house. That's when I decided to contribute a bit by stitching. Even without going out, I can easily earn approximately Rs 200 by stitching one salwar suit.

One of the major hurdles Rubina crossed was overcoming her fear of living in Nithari and opening up to communicate with other villagers. Once she got to know her neighbours, she was able to encourage women to learn sewing. This opening up to the world helped restore normalcy in Rubina's life.

Their life had changed a lot (post the murder case). Now they are able to move out of their houses, learn sewing and earn money. This has helped them to improve their financial conditions

Also Read: Proud That I Can Teach A Skill To Poor Village Women And Help Them Become Self-Reliant: Rintu Gogoi

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Adopt a Silai School

Adopt a Silai School

Do you want to be a part of the huge change that Usha Silai School is bringing about in the lives of millions of rural women? With just a simple click of a button, you can now contribute towards the opening of an Usha Silai School or support various other aspects of the school.

About the Initiative

About the Initiative

Kushalta Ke Kadam, an initiative by USHA Silai School and NDTV has entered its eighth season. The aim is to empower more women across rural India by teaching them sewing skills and helping them open new doors of opportunities for themselves. The initiative encourages rural women to become financially independent and entrepreneurs by taking up sewing and training others in their respective communities.

 

Since 2011, the USHA Silai School initiative has trained more than 12 lakh rural women through over 33,000 Silai schools, spanning over 20,751 villages across India.

 

The women earn Rs. 4,000 – 5,000 per month on an average, with the highest recorded monthly earning being Rs. 84,000 in a month. This earning works as a catalyst towards building their self-confidence, reducing gender inequities, and raising their stature within their families and in society at large.

 

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In Pics

Kushalta ke Kadam: Aiming for Independence Through Stitching
Kushalta ke Kadam: Aiming for Independence Through Stitching

Rebari girls grow up learning traditional embroidery, which along with their new found sewing skills developed at Usha Silai Schools, is helping them earn a living.

Kushalta ke Kadam: Aiming for Independence Through Stitching

Usha Silai School has empowered many rural women to support their family and send their children to school.

Kushalta ke Kadam: Aiming for Independence Through Stitching

The Usha Silai School, established in a small nondescript village that goes by the name of Kottai, is helping empower people from varied communities.

Kushalta ke Kadam: Aiming for Independence Through Stitching

The all-inclusive Usha Silai School Programme covers the entire nation from hamlets tucked between hills to villages cast by the sea.

Kushalta ke Kadam: Aiming for Independence Through Stitching

Vegetables farmers from the Mizoram hills earn very little given the topography of the area. Usha Silai Schools have played an important part in this region by skilling women to financially contribute towards their households.

Kushalta ke Kadam: Aiming for Independence Through Stitching

Usha Silai School learner Lucy has trained seven other women in her community, helping them to become financially independent.

Kushalta ke Kadam: Aiming for Independence Through Stitching

Women like Kaviben from the nomadic Rebari community are finally laying down their roots as they begin to gain financial independence and thereby stability through Usha Silai School.

Kushalta ke Kadam: Aiming for Independence Through Stitching

Usha Silai School, located in the Gujarat's Bhuj village, is enabling rural women to earn as much as Rs. 2,500-4,000 each month.

Kushalta ke Kadam: Aiming for Independence Through Stitching

Usha Silai School, in association with a Gujarat based NGO called Kala Raksha, is trying to bring about a Silai revolution in Bhuj.

Kushalta ke Kadam: Aiming for Independence Through Stitching

Besides training other women from their community, many Usha Silai School learners have become entrepreneurs in their own right.

Kushalta ke Kadam: Aiming for Independence Through Stitching

With sewing becoming easily accessible and lucrative, the silai schools are also helping revive traditional motifs and designs.