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.
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.
Since 2011, the Usha Silai School initiative has trained over 14 lakh rural women through 36,000 schools across India, with 108 partner NGOs nationwide
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