The aim is to provide a larger stage to these talented rural women. A stage where these women under expert guidance will step into the bigger world of business. The genesis of the idea was sown in July 2017. The country was first divided into four regions - Rajasthan, Bengal, Gujarat and Puducherry and an assessment process was carried out to select USHA Silai School women, from these locations, who matched a pre-decided criteria. In order to assist women to produce high-quality garments that echoed the ethos of the four regions, one fashion designer was assigned to each region.This year, we have fashion designers and experts with whom we are trying to identify the latent potential of the women who have already received training in sewing, said Dr. Priya Somaya, the Executive Director of USHA Social Services.
Assigned to Gujarat, Mr Dave took inspiration from the black sewing machine to conceptualise his clothing line. Working simply on human energy and not electricity, the black foot sewing machine stands as the most sustainable way to make garments in his opinion. Thus, his region would most likely highlight inspiration from the basic black color to minute details of the equipment.What excited me the most was the opportunity to work at the grass root level and assisting in refining the raw skills of these women, said Soham Dave, designer and owner of a fashion brand.
Hesitant at first about the skill levels of these women, the duo were surprised to see the enthusiasm and desire to learnWe were amazed to know that the USHA Silai School programme has been going on for so many years and has helped many women earn their livelihood from it, said Mr Vijaya.
Their final collection has drawn inspiration from the traditional poshak of Jaipur and deconstruct the look to present a collection of chic secedes.For us, it was really exciting to hear about the underground culture of training women in tailoring. So, we said 'yes' to the opportunity of working with them, he added.
Being assigned to West Bengal, Mr Sarkar's final collection might be an amalgamation of Indian and western silhouettes. As his collection primarily uses a lot of fabric base like khadi, jamdani, and motif weave while incorporating floral motif prints, embroidery and texture to the attires, it would be a nice surprise to see what his group brings to the runway.We divided our group in three sections. First of those who are skilled in stitching and can do intricate work, second of those who are fast in stitching and can do lengthy work and finally third is the hand embroidery group, said Sayantan Sarkar, designer and owner of the Sayantan Sarkar Design Studio in Kolkata.
USHA hopes they will be able to capitalise on this advantage and that their continued intervention will turn Puducherry into a strong contender in the silambam circuit of India
USHA has been persistently promoting local traditions and culture around the country, whether through traditional forms of art and craft or indigenous forms of spor
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USHA has been joining hands with like minded partners as well as individuals to bring the benefits to as many women beneficiaries as possible
Kushalta Ke Kadam, an initiative by NDTV and USHA, aims at empowering women from rural India and encourages them to become entrepreneurs by taking up sewing and training others in their respective communities. Since 2011 Usha Silai Campaign has trained more than 3.95 lakh rural women within five years, with 17,000 Silai schools, spanning over 9272 Indian villages in India.
Kushalta Ke Kadam in Season 4 has returned with new goals and vision. The new season will witness the establishment of the new cluster in Kashmir, apart from the existing four clusters setup last year. The women from volatile Kashmir will work with well-known fashion designer Rohit Bal and get an unique opportunity to learn from him and make clothes for him. The work done by the Silai School women will be presented at Lakme Fashion week 2019.
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.
Usha Silai School has empowered many rural women to support their family and send their children to school.
The Usha Silai School, established in a small nondescript village that goes by the name of Kottai, is helping empower people from varied communities.
The all-inclusive Usha Silai School Programme covers the entire nation from hamlets tucked between hills to villages cast by the sea.
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.
Usha Silai School learner Lucy has trained seven other women in her community, helping them to become financially independent.
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.
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.
Usha Silai School, in association with a Gujarat based NGO called Kala Raksha, is trying to bring about a Silai revolution in Bhuj.
Besides training other women from their community, many Usha Silai School learners have become entrepreneurs in their own right.
With sewing becoming easily accessible and lucrative, the silai schools are also helping revive traditional motifs and designs.