Kalahandi, Yadu News Nation (Lingaraj Mishra): Taking a significant step towards rural women’s empowerment, a “Women’s Empowerment and Sewing Training Centre” was formally inaugurated in Raksi GP under Bhawanipatna region. The programme commenced with floral tributes to Maa Sharada and Bharat Mata, lighting of the ceremonial lamp, and chanting of Omkar and Gayatri Mantra, which imbued the atmosphere with a sense of sanctity.
The centre was jointly inaugurated by Raksi Sarpanch Jemanta Podh, Sarian Sarpanch Omprakash Chhatria, Block Committee Chairperson Rajkumar Khetan, and other members of the village committee. This was followed by an introduction to the officials of the Ekal Gramotthan Foundation (Delhi), office-bearers of the Gramotthan scheme, and donors who joined the event online.
In his keynote address, Sarpanch Jemanta Podh remarked, “Through this sewing training centre, the mothers and sisters of Raksi will gain essential skills for self-employment, thereby enhancing not only their economic independence but also their social identity.”
Guest speaker Ashok Gandhi, who joined virtually, encouraged the young women to run the centre successfully and mentioned that this is Gramotthan’s first such initiative, which is intended to expand into multiple dimensions in the future.
Co-Project Head Arjun Sharma shared that the foundation of the Ekal Gramotthan Foundation was laid in Odisha, and the scheme is now marking its presence across the country.
Present on the occasion were Central Co-Project Head Lalmohan Mahto, Chhattisgarh State Coordinator Pankaj Das, Odisha State Coordinator Ranjit Kumar, Bhawanipatna region Ekal Abhiyan Secretary Rajkumar Khetan, Executive Committee members Sarathi Bhoi, Bishnu Charan, Romanchal Dhangadamajhi, Nirmal Rana, sewing instructor Ambika Dhangadamajhi, as well as sewing trainees and full-time Ekal Abhiyan workers.
Towards the end of the programme, it was announced that the first phase will offer sewing training to enable women to begin small-scale industries or home-based production units. In the future, the centre is planned to evolve into a comprehensive women’s entrepreneurship hub by organising workshops on embroidery, weaving, designing, and marketing.
