New Delhi: The USHA Swavalamban Silai School program, which is a joint partnership of Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) and USHA International Limited, began its second phase under which 700 Silai Schools will be set up in Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand including in hardship/aspirational districts, says a press release.
The main objective of the program will continue to enable setting up of sewing-based village level enterprise. In the second phase, design, credit, market (including e-commerce) and skill connect shall also be endeavored.
Mohammad Mustafa, IAS, Chairman and Managing Director, SIDBI said, “We are delighted to take the next step forward towards women empowerment under our USHA Swavalamban Silai School program. In the second phase, besides tailoring skills, we shall impart exposure on entrepreneurship and life skills. This aligns with our Mission Swavalamban which intends to spread entrepreneurship culture, family being the focal point. We shall continue to leverage partnership for including the excluded as also serving the un-served. We firmly believe that strengthening villages through enterprise enabler steps is important for national mission of AatmaNirbhar Bharat.”
Dinesh Chhabra, Chief Executive Officer, Usha International Limited said, “The second phase will see the setting up 700 Silai Schools in the Government of India shortlist listed aspirational districts/calamity affected areas in states of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh. These new schools will train thousands of women and impact not just their lives but the lives of their families too, as it paves the way for a better tomorrow by developing them as entrepreneurs in their own right, giving them financial empowerment that helps them meet their aspirations.”
The first phase of the USHA Swavalamban Silai School program began on September 2019 and ended on February 2020 under which SIDBI has provided support to marginalized and enterprising Silai School women. During the lockdown period i.e. March, April and May, all the Silai Schools were engaged in bulk mask production. They got orders from different vendors, agencies and government institutions. In fact some of the Silai schools enhanced their income generation capacity.
