USHA-TATA Power Provide Clean Energy For Sewing Machines In UP's Lakhimpur

TATA Power Renewable Microgrid (TPRMG) has launched what is being called the world's largest sustainability programme of renewable energy for rural areas. And part of that is a partnership with USHA Silai schools through which USHA will provide sewing machines and deliver training through its NGO partners to women in the focus villages, while TPRMG will provide a clean, affordable, quality power supply to the electric sewing machines of the USHA centres through its solar microgrids. The partnership is targeting over 20 USHA centres across 200 villages in UP & Bihar.

This initiative will also create additional income generation opportunities for the local women using electric sewing machines that can be used for basic stitching as well as creative embroidery. The Company said, 

As with Dholi village in Muzaffarnagar district in Bihar, whose story we showed you earlier in the show, this village in Lakhimpur district in UP is a pilot for the project. Here too solar energy is allowing the women of the village to use their machines far more efficiently now that they have a constant & reliable source of power. 

Also Read: How USHA-TATA Power Silai Schools Are Utilising Solar Energy In Bihar's Muzaffarpur

USHA Silai school trainee, Juhi told NDTV that solar power has helped the women in completing orders on time. She said, 

Power cuts don't affect our work now. We keep on working. Earlier we were dependent on electricity. If there was power, we would work, if not then work would stop. The advantage of solar power is that our work doesn't stop. Whenever the ladies want to work, they can. It has a lot of benefits.

Another trainee said,

We would use electricity for our work. When there were power cuts, our work would stop. It would be dark, and we would feel hot. Now we continue working. We can work tension-free.

Women are now imparting sewing and stitching knowledge to their kids as well. USHA Silai school trainee, Suman Devi said, 

I have two children, a girl and a boy. We shifted to Rewana, which is when I thought about learning. If I learn, I can earn something. Earlier, I couldn't do anything. Now, sir has taught me, so I am learning slowly and gradually.

The initiative will also create additional income generation for the local women who use their electric sewing machines for basic stitching as well as creative embroidery.

State Programme Coordinator, USHA International, Ritesh Kumar Lohani said,

There were some poor women who did not have houses and used to live under thatched roofs. Some even didn't have a roof to cover their heads. They were very poor. Now they have this colony, and a roof over their heads. Everything is going well for them.

Also Read: In Odisha, USHA And NGO Gram Utthan Are Empowering Women By Providing Employment Opportunities

Block Development Officer of Mitauli, Chandan Dev Pandey said,

There are four groups in Rewana which have been empowered. We have slowly trained them. Amongst them, two groups had a strong desire to learn stitching. They asked TATA if they had any partners who might help promote them a little in sewing and embroidery. There was also a lot of support from USHA International. They supported us in the campaign and did their bit in ensuring that the villagers got an opportunity.

USHA International provided great support in the training and enhancing the skills of the women. Expressing her gratitude towards one of the trainers, USHA Silai School trainee, Ram Devi said, 

This man has taught me. Earlier, I could not thread a needle. I couldn't stitch in a straight line, but now I have made a bag. This man taught me a lot. I was taught how to operate a sewing machine. He has taught us like a mother who teaches her child.

Solar microgrids help rural communities and businesses in India by providing reliable & clean energy. By helping micro-entrepreneurs function more efficiently, solar energy is contributing to rural India's transformation in more ways than one. The USHA Silai school initiative is growing the kind of impact it has on rural communities with partnerships like this one, and empowering more and more women in remote rural areas to claim their rightful place in their communities, and in society. Speaking to NDTV, Ms. Devi said, 

This solar energy is the power that comes from god. It comes from the heavens. If we didn't get this power, you could hang up any number of bulbs, none of them would provide light. This is the energy that has come straight from god.

Also Read: USHA's First Residential Training Programme In Kargil Gave Birth To 25 Silai Schools In Ladakh