USHA Swavalamban Silai Schools begins second phase of promoting entrepreneurship among women
Posted on: 09/Aug/2020 10:19:09 AM
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 today under which 700 Silai Schools will be set up in Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand including in hardship/aspirational districts.
The main objective of the program will continue to enable the setting up of sewing-based village-level enterprises. In the second phase, design, credit, market (including e-commerce) and skill connect shall also endeavor.
Shri 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 is the focal point. We shall continue to leverage partnerships for including the excluded as also serving the unserved. We firmly believe that strengthening villages through enterprise enabler steps is important for the national mission of Aatma Nirbhar Bharat.”
Shri Dinesh Chhabra, Chief Executive Officer, Usha International Limited said, “We are proud to continue our partnership with SIDBI on Phase 2 of our journey to set up Usha Swavalamban Silai Schools. This 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. It underscores our commitment to skill people in order to create a more equitable world.”
The first phase of the USHA Swavalamban Silai School program began in September 2019 and ended in 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.
