From Traditional Tribes To Thriving Entrepreneurs, How The Lives Of Women In Assam Changed

Located just an hour and a half's drive from Assam's Guwahati lies the special tailoring school at Chamata Pathar, near Sonapur, to attain self-dependence. This school is a unique venture of USHA International with Star Cement, a reputed cement manufacturing company from Northeast India that has pioneered and revolutionised the cement manufacturing sector in the region. Private organisations that share Usha's vision for women's empowerment, have demonstrated a commitment to fostering socio-economic change by partnering with Usha. 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. The initiative has witnessed remarkable success stories, one such tale being that of Sabita Phangcho.

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Hailing from the indigenous Karbi tribe of Assam, the 25-year-old Sabita Phangcho resides in Chamata Pathar village, where the Star Cement factory is located. The tribe carries a rich cultural heritage, and their language is Mikir. Sabita's father is a small-time farmer honed with various cultivation methods, her mother is a homemaker and her brother just opened a small shop in front of their house. Her family's modest background and her father's occupation painted a picture of limited opportunities. However, Sabita's enrollment in the Usha Silai School marked a turning point in her life. After she learned stitching and tailoring at Usha Star Silai School, she not only became the main breadwinner for her family but also a beacon of hope within her community.

Reflecting on her journey, Sabita Phangcho, a Trainee, Usha Silai School, said,

Once I had learnt sewing, the first thing I did was make my clothes. When people saw me wearing the dress I had stitched, they liked it very much and gradually, I startd getting orders.

It all began after Sabita visited Star Usha Silai School and came to know that comprehensive training is being provided at the centre, with Star Cement covering the entire cost of training and raw material, along with providing Usha sewing machines free of cost to the students. Therefore, she joined the course. With her passion for stitching, Sabita expanded her repertoire of sewing techniques and started turning simple material into exquisite garments that soon became the talk of the town. She also found a meaningful way to assist her parents financially by making clothes and selling them, thus contributing to her family income. On average, she earns Rs. 10, 000 per month and it goes up to about Rs. 15,000 during festival seasons.

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Sadhana Sharma, Assistant Regional Manager, Usha International Limited, elaborated on the collaborative efforts, saying,

We have been working with Star Cement for the last few years, focusing on a ‘training of the trainer' model. Star Cement and Usha have opened three centres including Assam, Meghalaya and West Bengal. We aim to confer 800 certificates in one financial year and the top-performing students will receive complimentary sewing machines from Star Cement.

The objective of Star Cement to start Silai School is to empower women and girls. In three centres, women and girls can learn stitching, and tailoring embroidery free of cost. The further support provided in the form of tailoring machines encourages women and girls to start their businesses. Emphasising on the initiative's success, Sukanya Goswami, Assistant General Manager, Star Cement said,

We did our collaboration in a very successful mode with more than 1,300 women getting an opportunity through this platform. They can learn tailoring, embroidery, cutting, and stitching free of cost. While Usha oversees course curriculum, certification, etc, Star Cement provides all logistical support like place and materials.

The lives of many women have changed after taking training at the Star Cement Silai School, honing their creativity and also helping them generate income and reduce financial stress. For Star Cement, this initiative has been a key area of work in terms of CSR activities, representing a profound commitment to fostering women's empowerment. Pradip Purohit, Chief Operating Officer, Star Cement said,

Coming together with Usha was a big step for us and the women. In our CSR activity, the women are the focus.

Speaking of skill development for women, he said,

Silai School is one thing that goes well with women, and Usha is the best brand for any sewing-related training. They provided us with the technical know-how and the certification. Their expertise and skillsets, combined with our resources help make a big difference in society.

By equipping women like Sabita Phangcho with essential skills and fostering entrepreneurial spirit, this collaboration is not only changing individual lives but also shaping a brighter, more inclusive future for the community at large.

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