Usha's Partnerships With Government Bodies Help Unleash The Potential Of Rural Women
From North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO) to Rourkela Steel Plant, the Usha Silai School Programme has collaborated with many government institutions and entities which has proven to be immensely significant in impacting the lives of rural women positively in many parts of India. Take a look.
"When I got married, I was given a sewing machine. My husband taught me some sewing and it became a source of income for us," says Kalpana Debbarma, who lives in Desharampara village of West Tripura. At the age of 22, Kalpana married a tailor, and it was then that she expressed a desire to learn the art of sewing.
USHA's collaboration with various government entities has helped set up Silai Schools in rural areas. This partnership underscores a shared commitment to fostering grassroots development and promoting inclusive growth. By facilitating access to vocational training in remote regions, this collaboration not only equips individuals with sewing and entrepreneurial skills but also contributes to the larger goal of women's empowerment and community development.
Moving to Purunapani village of Rourkela in Odisha, USHA has collaborated with Rourkela Steel Plant to impart essential skills to women as well as promote financial independence, gender parity, and community development. It serves as an inspiring example of how collective efforts can foster a more inclusive and empowered society.
The Rourkela Steel Plant, one of India's largest steel plants, exemplifies unwavering commitment to the advancement of the community and is involved in various welfare initiatives. Going beyond traditional acts of philanthropy, the Rourkela Steel Plant has adopted a strategic approach for sustainable development in nearby villages.
The Usha Swavalamban Silai School, a programme that empowers rural women, defying geographical barriers, has partnered with the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) and NGO ELFA International. The goal of this collaboration is to organise a 10-day Non-residential Swavalamban Silai School Teacher's Training in Shopian, Jammu and Kashmir, with an objective to provide sewing skills to the women in the region for a sustainable livelihood.
In the secluded corners of the Shopian district, remoteness casts a shadow over the landscape, presenting women with limited opportunities and a challenging path towards empowerment. The USHA Swavalamban Silai School, established here at the Industrial Training Institute (ITI) in Shopian, reflects USHA's steadfast commitment to bridge this gap by providing skills, opportunities, and hope to regions where the echoes of progress are often faint.
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.
Written by Team NDTV | Friday December 12, 2025USHAs Silai School Programme empowers women across India by turning sewing into independence. Women become trainers and leaders, transforming their lives and communities through skills, confidence, and income
- Written by Team NDTV | Thursday December 11, 2025
USHA Silai School is empowering women across India by turning sewing skills into leadership and income. Women like Lalita, Yashira, and Pushpakala have become mentors, reviving traditions and building stronger communities. Their stories show how one skill can weave a brighter future.
- Written by Team NDTV | Wednesday December 10, 2025
From homemaker to celebrated teacher, Lakhi Debnath transformed her life via Usha Silai School, funding her daughters' education and buying land through tailoring
- Written by Team NDTV | Tuesday December 09, 2025
In Takkar Birpur village, Jammu and Kashmir, Kanta Devi escaped domestic violence and poverty through the Usha Silai School's tailoring training. Earning ₹10,00020,000 monthly, she now teaches women in border areas while inspiring her daughter Tanya to dream of a bourtique
- Written by Team NDTV | Thursday December 11, 2025
The USHA Silai School Program empowers women across India by teaching sewing skills, enabling them to earn an income, achieve financial independence, and build better futures for themselves and their families.
- Team NDTV | Saturday March 22, 2025
The USHA Silai School Program empowers women across India with sewing skills, transforming them into trainers and fostering community growth and independence
