With An Expanding Network Of Partners, Usha Silai Programme Goes From Strength To Strength

The erstwhile royal family of Karauli in Rajasthan has played a pivotal role in safeguarding the exceptionally rich tradition of handcrafts, especially for women. Usha, with the establishment of Training-cum-Production Centre in association with Maharaja Ganesh Pal Charitable Trust (MGPCT) Foundation, is transforming women into entrepreneurs, fostering their self-reliance and paving the way for a brighter future through skill development.

Generations of women in Karauli have distinguished themselves as traditional artisans, skillfully crafting Rajasthani garments such as Lugdi and Odhani. They also excel in intricate crafts like zardozi work, Gota Patti sarees, handblock printing, jewelry making, and various other artisanal items.

By training women in sewing skills, in a group of 10, over 25 days, the Usha Silai School initiative provides them with a sewing-based income-generating platform. The intention is to extend professional sewing training to poor women while incorporating the artisanal legacy of Karauli.

Under a similar goal of marking a stride toward women's empowerment, another partnership between Usha International Ltd and the Yenepoya Group gave rise to the establishment of the Usha-Fathima School Training-cum-Production Centre in Kerala's Kasaragod. This transformative center now operates in what was once a hostel for blind children.

Trainees from the Usha-Fathima School Training-cum-Production Centre often become trainers themselves, sharing their acquired skills with newcomers in each training batch. This multiplier effect extends the influence of the Usha Silai School beyond its initial participants. This not only enhances lab coats production but also makes more women financially independent.

Located just an hour and a half's drive from Assam's Guwahati lies the special tailoring school at Chamata Pathar, near Sonapur, fostering self-dependence. This school is a singular initiative by USHA International in partnership with Star Cement, a renowned cement manufacturing company in Northeast India. Usha's alliances with similar organisations have significantly contributed to positively transforming the lives of numerous women across diverse communities.

In 2017, the Star Usha Tailoring School in collaboration with Usha International Limited was established with a noble vision: to empower rural women by enhancing their traditional skill sets. Under the umbrella of corporate social responsibility (CSR), Star Cement has acted as a pioneer in generating alternative source of livelihood in its operational areas.

Star Cement's initiative in establishing silai schools aims to empower women and girls by providing free learning opportunities in stitching, tailoring, and embroidery. The complimentary provision of tailoring machines serves as encouragement for women and girls to venture into their own businesses, ensuring the sustainability of their skill sets and creating a potential source of stable income for the future.

Collaborations facilitate the consolidation of resources, knowledge, and networks, a principle evident in both the USHA Silai Program and Lions Club Sui Dhaga Programme. USHA has demonstrated the transformative impact of a single sewing machine in empowering women to achieve financial independence and substantially contribute to household income. With the addition of new partners, the USHA Silai Program is extending its influence into previously unexplored regions.