In Rajasthan's Karauli, the Usha Silai programme, in collaboration with Maharaja Ganesh Pal Charitable Trust, is empowering women artisans. Through skillful craftsmanship and traditional techniques, women like Shobha Jatav are weaving a brighter future, one stitch at a time
"Usha is my fortune and my future. My identity has changed with the help of Usha," says Suchismita Sahoo, Swavalamban Silai School teacher from Odisha
Anita Bal, a resident of Churka Tola village in Madhya Pradesh, underwent a nine-day training programme where she learned not only different techniques of sewing and embroidery, but also acquired technical expertise in machine operation
In the remote corners of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Usha Silai School's Training-cum-Production Centre is pioneering change, uplifting local women through skill development
Nestled in Ladakh, the Usha Silai School empowers local women with sewing skills. One such beneficiary is Mansoora Banoo in Kargil
In Belonia, Tripura, with the Usha Silai School training program, women like Shilpi Das are not just learning the art of sewing but are also weaving tales of resilience and transformation
A modern-day miracle is happening in Uttar Pradesh's Shravasti, where Usha, SIDBI and Tata Power have joined hands to empower hundreds of women through solar innovation
The Usha Silai School initiative in Dholka, Gujarat, stands as a shining example of how environmental consciousness and women empowerment can go hand in hand
In Meghalaya's Mairang village, the USHA Training Cum Production Centre is making significant strides in empowering women through training while also promoting sustainability
Meghalaya's Mawlynnong village is a hub for women's empowerment. The Usha Training Cum Production Center is equipping local women with skills to create marketable products, fostering economic growth. With a unique blend of tradition, cleanliness, and empowered women, Mawlynnong is more than just a picturesque village it's a community on the rise.
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.
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.