Dalmia Bharat Foundation (DBF), the corporate social responsibility arm of Dalmia Bharat Ltd, in partnership with Usha International has initiated ‘Silai School’ – a sewing-based income generation programme empowering over 100 marginalised women in Assam and Meghalaya.
The programme, which was implemented in Jagiroad (Morigaon), Lanka (Nagaon) and Lumshnong (East Jaintia Hills), witnessed many trainees going on to build individual enterprises and earn a secure livelihood.
Binda Lama, from Hawaipur, West Karbi Anglong, Assam, is one such exemplary trainee who became a successful entrepreneur and owns her own tailoring shop-cum-training centre today, a press release stated today. Her average monthly income is between Rs 8000 to Rs 15,000 from sewing work and she has also gone on to train 13 women in her community.
She was recently awarded a certificate of appreciation by the management of the Dalmia Cement Lanka plant for her excellent performance and achievements.
DBF started the programme to empower marginalised women in surrounding villages and mitigate poverty through sewing-based skill development and enterprise promotion.
The seven-day training programme taught sewing and stitching techniques to the women, along with training on installation, repair and servicing of sewing machines. They also received financial assistance from DBF to purchase sewing machines.
Collaborating on this, Usha International provided technical knowledge for skill training and for planning, coordination and implementation of the programme. Currently, 10 women in Meghalaya are undergoing training in this trade and DBF plans to scale up this programme further in its locations in the North East.
“The intent of the programme was to guide underprivileged women in creating a sewing-based village-level enterprise, assist them in becoming economically independent and improve the well-being of their family,” a DBF spokesperson said. “We are elated to witness the successful ventures of our trainees and feel proud of their achievements. We hope their inspiring stories will motivate more women in their community to participate in Silai school programmes in the future. We are grateful to Usha International for their support to carry out the training successfully.”
Other DBF activities have included different skill development and sustainable livelihood programmes for farmers, women and youth, like goat rearing, agri-nutri gardens and orchard development in the region.
