Bhojpur Mahila Kala Kendra's Transformative Journey

Bihar, a state steeped in heritage, best known for the world-renowned Madhubani paintings and vibrant handicrafts. At the heart of preserving this cultural legacy are the craftswomen of the region. Just 60 kilometres from Bihar's capital, Patna, in the bustling Ara District, stands the headquarters of the Bhojpur Mahila Kala Kendra (BMKK). Established in 1993, Bhojpur Mahila Kala Kendra has been dedicated to empowering women, reaching even the most marginalised communities and the remotest parts of Bihar.

For the last three decades, Bhojpur Mahila Kala Kendra has focused on transforming women's lives through Self-Help Groups, rural entrepreneurship, skill development, farmer and artisan support, adult literacy, employment generation and community mobilisation, driving all-around socio-economic growth in the area.

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In 2014, Bhojpur Mahila Kala Kendra partnered with Usha for the Usha Silai School programme. The partnership has allowed Bhojpur Mahila Kala Kendra to attract support from other corporates and government bodies, expanding their reach and impact. Inspired by the programme's success, larger NGOs have also mobilised resources independently to further enhance the Silai School initiative. This enduring partnership has empowered Bhojpur Mahila Kala Kendra to secure broader community-driven support, amplifying their positive impact over time. Anita Gupta Secretay, Bhojpur Mahila Kala Kendra said,

Our Silai Center is thriving, and the production center is benefiting many women. Many women have opened their own boutiques at home or are teaching sewing, earning between Rs 8,000 and Rs 30,000 per month. Usha provides comprehensive support to partner NGOs, ensuring they are well aware of its training programmes. Usha has a strong reputation in villages because people know when Usha conducts training, even the poorest women, who cannot afford a sewing machine, will receive one, which has made Usha quite well-known in villages.

Through its training initiatives, participants not only gain skills but also receive sewing machines, making Usha widely recognised and respected in rural communities. Among the lives transformed is that of Rinku Devi, a resident of Musahar Toli, in the village of Alipur on the outskirts of Ara District. Through Bhojpur Mahila Kala Kendra and Usha Silai School, Rinku learned tailoring, a skill that has enabled her to open her own sewing school where she now teaches other women in her community. Rinku Devi, Usha Silai school beneficiary said,

After joining the Usha Silai School Programme, our lives have changed a lot. I received a sewing machine from the Bhojpur Mahila Kala Kendra. Then I learned sewing for six months and then started stitching clothes for my family and even the neighbours. Sometimes, my husband gets daily wage work, but sometimes he doesn't. So, we manage our household expenses through sewing as well.

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Coming from the Musahar community, amongst the poorest and most marginalised in the country, Rinku has endured poverty and hardship. With her tailoring skills, she not only supports her family but also earns for herself. Rinku Devi, Usha Silai school beneficiary said,

Since the Silai School has started, I earn up to Rs 500 a day, and I'm also able to educate both my daughters. Things have improved significantly.

Rinku's story exemplifies the transformative power of Usha Silai Schools. She now envisions an even brighter future for herself and her community. Rinku Devi, Usha Silai school beneficiary said,

Earlier, our identity was tied to our caste. Now, my work has become my identity. I am able to earn money and save money. So, I can manage my life. It was very different earlier, but I've seen significant change.

Rinku's success is just one example. Across Bihar, these women are creating a powerful network of empowerment by sharing their skills within their communities. In Chandi Village, Noor Saba followed a similar path, learning tailoring through Usha Silai School. She started her own center and in fact went a step ahead by founding an NGO, Jigyasa Nari Shakti Kendra, which has trained 500-600 women, empowering women to achieve self-sufficiency and employment. Noor Saba, Usha Silai school beneficiary said,

I joined Bhojpur Mahila Kala Kendra in 2008. After completing Usha's training, we opened a center and began teaching other women. Over time, our efforts flourished. I kept working, and eventually started my own NGO, which allowed me to expand and continue this work. Today, we remain committed to empowering others.

Noor Saba began her journey as a Satellite Silai School teacher and has completed a decade with the Silai School programme. BMKK assisted her in registering her own NGO, Jigyasa Nari Shakti Kendra, and Usha helped in its empanelment under the Handicraft Department, Ministry of Textiles. With Usha's support, we have trained at least 500–600 women, enabling them to become independent and self-sufficient.

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Initially, BMKK started with limited presence and partners. Post association with Usha, BMKK's own activites and initiatives have grown overtime. With presence across Bihar and Jharkhand now, they have also been associated with the likes of NABARD, Ministry of Labour & Employment, Azim Premji Foundation and many more. Having transformed countless lives, Bhojpur Mahila Kala Kendra has also received the prestigious Presidential Award and is a respected institution in the region. Anita Gupta Secretary, Bhojpur Mahila Kala Kendra said,

The Usha programme has brough about significant change. Wherever I work in Bihar and Jharkhand, I see this huge transformation. It's only because of Usha that women like Rinku are stepping out of their homes, simply because they received a sewing machine.

Since 2011, the Usha Silai School initiative has trained over 14 lakh rural women through more than 36,000 Silai schools across villages in India. Bhojpur Mahila Kala Kendra's collaboration with Usha International has established 210 Classical Silai Schools and close to 1,500 Satellite Silai Schools across Bihar and Jharkhand, empowering women in over 2,000 villages. Together, they have trained nearly 42,000 women, helping them achieve financial independence and contribute to their communities. Ritesh Lohani, state manager, Usha social services, Usha International Ltd said,

Our aim is to focus on women empowerment, provide training, and develop enterprise in women. For this, we select NGOs whose primary focus is making women self-reliant. Our Silai School program has been running since 2011, and we have 108 partner NGOs across India. Together with them, Usha International works to achieve the goal of empowering women.

The Usha Silai School initiative, in collaboration with Bhojpur Mahila Kala Kendra, is creating a ripple effect of empowerment among women across Bihar, transforming lives one stitch at a time. For a successful implementation of any initiative at a pan-India scale like the Usha Silai School initiative, it is extremely important for like-minded partners with aligned visions to come together. The repute and credibility that Usha enjoys in the industry as a pioneer of sewing and stitching, is trickled down to its association with implementing partners. It enables the implementing NGO partners to garner support from other corporate and government institutions, mobilised funds and resources and expanding their impact.