Sewing The Sustainable Future Of India By Empowering Rural People

Eight years ago USHA Silai School set on a journey to make women from marginalised communities self-sufficient. Over the years, the program has received support in various forms from people across the country. With the increasing public and private partnership, USHA has only grown and reached to different parts of the country. The partnerships have taken USHA to villages of Uttar Pradesh and Assam.

To enhance the skills of women, USHA has been working with thousands of women across the country. But unlike in other places, the training in the north and northeastern states go beyond stitching. As part of the USHA Silai School Program, the women in these states get mechanical training wherein they learn to repair sewing machines which is usually considered as a man's job. As the women of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Manipur get mechanical training, an additional skill set that is helping then earn additional income by putting their knowledge to use, we bring to you some of the success stories.

In 2012, USHA launched first Silai School in West Bengal, India's fourth-most populous state and by 2017 the program's success caught the attention of the West Bengal Scheduled Caste And Tribe Development Finance Corporation, which led to the life-changing initiative for thousands of women.

With 17,000 Silai Schools, Usha Silai School program has upskilled and empowered over 3 lakh women across 9,000 villages of India. Now, the program has reached remotest islands and villages of India. Here is a story of four empowered women from Sundarbans, Lakshadweep, and Andaman, driven by the ambition to change their lives and find their purpose enriched.

Since 2012, USHA has established 206 Silai Schools in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, each of which is helping change the lives of women. Considering the immense talent in Kashmir, in 2018, USHA Silai Label set up a garment design and production cluster in Srinagar. The Kashmir cluster has been a game changer for the women of the valley. Today, the women have reached the city of dreams, Mumbai, to showcase their work and walk the ramp of Lakme Fashion Week 2019.

It's the verdict time! Fighting all odds, women from Kashmir cluster have prepared samples for ace designer Rohit Bal. With the samples now in the designer's studio, it is the judgment time. Rohit Bal will be giving feedback on samples. Will the creators of the garment clear Rohit Bal's test to take centre stage at the Lakme Fashion week 2019?

The charm of Kashmir's picturesque lakes, snow-capped mountains, and lush forests is matched by the richness of its cultural heritage. From handicrafts to the exquisite pashminas, the valley boasts a rich history of arts and crafts passed on through generations and yet the state and its craftsmen are yet to realise their full potential. In an attempt to tap into this immense pool of talent, in the year 2018, the USHA Silai Label set up a garment design and production cluster in Kashmir.

Within 7 years, with 17,000 schools, spanning over 9000 Indian villages, the USHA Silai School has trained over 3.5 lakh rural women. In 2018, the garments made by the women from these schools, under the guidance of four designers were showcased at the Lakme Fashion Week. Since then their life has been transformed with the clothes now selling under the Silai Label at multi-brand outlet in Delhi.

2006 Noida serial murders shook the entire country, especially the men and women of Nithatri, who fear stepping out of their houses putting their lives on a perpetual pause. But USHA Silai School came as a ray of hope and provided them with a safe source of living.

West Bengal, India's fourth most populous state, is home to 91 million people, a fifth of which are poor. While people there were trying to make ends meet, USHA Silai School came in as a ray of hope for the underprivileged men and women in the eastern state of India.