
From the vibrant landscapes of Tamil Nadu to the quiet village near Rajgarh in Bhopal, the USHA Silai School is changing lives, one stitch at a time. This is the inspiring story of Prabha, a woman whose path from hardship to empowerment exemplifies the profound impact of vocational training.
Prabha shares,
"Two years ago, my life was over. But since I became a sewing teacher, I feel like I have a reason to live.”
A New Dawn For Women: The Impact Of USHA Silai School In Ariyalur
Now earning between Rs. 8,000 and Rs. 10,000 a month, she finally has financial independence, allowing her to support herself and her daughter without relying on anyone else.
Prabha's journey has not been easy. Married off at the tender age of 18, she endured domestic abuse and struggled against the constraints of her community. Looking for a way out, her life took a turn when she discovered the USHA Silai School Program.
She said,
"In the village, I did some farm work, but it wasn't enough to make ends meet. One day, a woman from an organization visited our village and told me about a 9-day training program to learn sewing. I went to Rajgarh, where I met several women, like me, who were seeking a better life. Their courage inspired me to persevere."
A Successful Partnership Between USHA International And Rourkela Steel Plant
With her newfound skills, Prabha opened her Silai School on December 10th, 2023. Starting with determination and an eagerness to teach, she began empowering other women in her community.
Prabha states,
"I teach girls and explain how learning to sew can change their lives. It gives them the ability to earn money and makes them independent. People sometimes challenge me, but they listen because they know I've learned and can help them."
Prabha's impact extends beyond sewing; she has become a guiding light for women in her village.
Alok Shukla, Assistant Vice President of USHA Social Services said,
"Through mentoring and support, we help them navigate the complex dynamics of their society.”
The USHA Silai School Program: Turning Dreams Into Reality
Prabha is not just a sewing teacher; she is an agent of change, fostering resilience and hope among the women she teaches. Her Silai School represents her unwavering belief in the power of women to uplift one another.
Each woman who enters the USHA Silai School gains not only valuable skills but also the courage to dream big. Prabha embodies this spirit, aiming to become a renowned master trainer with the vision of opening a shop equipped with multiple sewing machines.
Prabha's journey reminds us of the strength of the human spirit. Through her story, we see the transformative power of empowerment, proving that, even in the face of adversity, change is possible, one stitch at a time.
Odisha's Suchismita Sahu, Rajasthan's Preeti Prajapat, Manipur's Akhirun—Usha Silai School's Kushalta Ke Kadam celebrates these awardees, from homemakers to master trainers earning accolades
From Ladakh peaks to Assam fringes, Usha Silai School trains tribal women in Turtuk, Kargil & Dakhinkuchi—crafting livelihoods with armed forces, NHPC & NGOs. Stitching national resilience
From West Bengal's transgender tailors to Telangana's tribal seamstresses and Meghalaya's embroidery revivalists, Usha Silai School's Kushalta Ke Kadam partners with NIRDPR and state governments
In Odisha's mining heartlands, Mahanadi Coalfields Limited teams with Usha Silai School's Kushalta Ke Kadam and Gram Utthan, empowering tribal women turning them into entrepreneurs

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.