USHA Silai School Empowers The Women Affected By The Lockdown During COVID-19 Crisis
With 23,265 USHA Silai Schools present in 12,858 villages across all states and Union Territories in the country, more than 6.7 lakh women have been able to enhance their skills. They have become empowered and financially independent. Here is how the initiative is helping those in need, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Meet Sunita Devi Kumawat, 37-year-old Silai Hero, USHA Silai School. She and her husband Nathu Lal Kumavat used to work as daily wage labourers and shifted to Bagru a few years ago, a small town close to Jaipur, penniless in search of jobs. She took up stitching and got trained at USHA Silai School. In 2016, Sunita became an entrepreneur and also started training other women. Sewing machine paved way for a better future for Sunita and even opened doors to Lakme Fashion Week 2018 as she worked on a fashion label with 31 other USHA Silai School women.
Cut to 2020, when the pandemic hit India and a strict nationwide lockdown had to be imposed in order to contain the spread of the virus. Because of the lockdown, many people lost their livelihood. But for Sunita, the work didn't stop as she continued working and teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic. During these unprecedented times, she took up stitching masks. With courage and determination, Sunita was able to earn about Rs. 1.3 lakh during the pandemic.
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.
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.
Team NDTV | Saturday March 22, 2025The USHA Silai School Program empowers women across India with sewing skills, transforming them into trainers and fostering community growth and independence
- Team NDTV | Thursday March 13, 2025
Celebrating women entrepreneurs and their handmade crafts, empowering communities through creativity at the 5th Meghalaya Aajivika Saras Mela
- Team NDTV | Tuesday March 11, 2025
USHA Silai School in Ramanathapuram empowers local women through tailoring education, enabling them to build businesses and achieve financial independence
- Team NDTV | Monday March 10, 2025
Mamata Devi's inspiring journey from hardship to empowerment through sewing training, uplifting her community and transforming lives
- Team NDTV | Thursday March 06, 2025
Women in rural India, like Geetaben and Leelaben, are transforming lives through Silai Schools and Training Cum Production Centres, fostering empowerment, skill development, and community resilience
- Team NDTV | Wednesday March 05, 2025
Anwara Begum's journey with USHA Silai School in Odisha showcases her transformation into a successful entrepreneur, empowering her community and inspiring young girls toward financial independence
