Utkal Alumina’s Project Kaushalya Helping Empower Women In Odisha’s Rayagada

Bhubaneswar: Project Kaushalya is playing a big role in empowering women of Odisha’s Rayagada.

An initiative of Aditya Birla Group’s Utkal Alumina International Limited (UAIL), Project Kaushalya has been reaching out to unemployed rural women and helping them become self-reliant through income generation.

Since commencement of the project in September 2015, more than 175 women have been trained in tailoring and applique making, leading to sustainable livelihood opportunities in peripheral villages of Baphlimali mines.

A group of 25 girls from Andirakanch, Nuagaon and Kanchguma villages are being currently trained in applique work at Nuagaon.

Eight women who have completed training have shown interest in setting up their own tailoring units, and have been linked with RIC Rayagada for availing loan under SilpiUnnati Yojana Scheme.

Ten more trainees have been provided loan support from Tikiri Agro Craft Producer Company Ltd to start individual enterprises.

“Women from peripheral villages of Utkal Alumina like Andirakanch, Maikanch, Nuagaon, Kanchguma, Jogiparitunda and Ratachuan – of Rayagada district were imparted trainings on latest techniques to cater to the current market demand in tailoring and applique making. After completion of the training, the trainees are being encouraged to take up Tailoring as their individual enterprises with the loan support from RIC (Regional Industries Centre), SBRESETI (State Bank Rural Self Employment Training Institute) and Tirkiri Agro Craft Producer Company Ltd,” said Unit Head of UAIL M Beig.

With working capital support from Utkal Alumina, many women are earning Rs 3000-3500 per month.

“During the last wave of COVID-19 pandemic,18 girls from Jogiparitunda, Hatikhaman and Dandamunda villages, stitched 64,715 face masks, generating a collective income flow of Rs 2,58,860. To many of them we supplied sewing machines to enable them set up their own enterprises,” added Beig.

Through its CSR programmes, Aditya Birla Group reaches out to more than 5 lakh people in Odisha, touching the lives of over 2 lakh people across 128 villages in five districts.