The rhythmic sound of needle and thread at the Vocational Skill Development Training programme being organized by the CSR department of SAIL, Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) carries a new promise of dignity, independence, and a brighter future. For 10 women from Rourkela’s peripheral communities, life took a transformative turn on 6th May, 2025, when they stepped into the Institute for Peripheral Development in Sector-20 to begin their journey into the world of appliqué sewing. Notably, the scheme was launched to empower women living in villages and industrial slums around the steel city. For many of these women from Jhirpani Resettlement Colony, Purnaani, Baniguni peripheral village and nearby industrial slums, the course represents more than just a new skill. It symbolizes freedom- Freedom from economic dependence, freedom to support their families, and freedom to dream beyond their traditional roles.
One of the trainees, Rashmirani Badaik from Purnapani, shared with a quiet smile, “I had never imagined I could create something beautiful with my own hands and earn from it. Now, I feel confident that I can contribute to our household needs.”
The 60-day training, conducted by award-winning master trainer Mr. Krushna Chandra Mohanty and assisted by Ms. Shraddhanjali Mohanty, focuses on much more than sewing techniques. It is a holistic curriculum covering everything from basic hand stitching and design tracing to traditional and contemporary appliqué methods, fabric coordination, patch work, embroidery and product creation. The women learn to craft items like handkerchiefs, cushion covers, bedspreads, wall hangings, saree borders, and trendy tote bags.
But the vision doesn’t stop at stitching. The programme designed with a total project cost of Rs 2,04,500/- also trains participants in quality control, costing, branding, and market linkage. By nurturing entrepreneurial skills, the initiative prepares these women not only to earn a supplementary income but also to potentially become independent business owners or even future trainers, creating a ripple effect of empowerment across their communities. Moreover, the programme guides them to access government schemes for loans, subsidies, and insurance, and equips them to receive artisan certification, thereby enhancing their long-term income opportunities and social standing.
With every completed piece of appliqué work, these women are stitching together not just fabric, but a future filled with hope and possibilities.
