VAML expands women’s livelihood initiatives in Kalahandi

New tailoring training centre inaugurated under Project Sakhi; 30 SHG women enrolled in three-month programme

By A.K.Sahoo

Muniguda/ Bhubaneswar, Nov. 7: Reinforcing its commitment to women’s empowerment and rural development, VAML Lanjigada has inaugurated a tailoring training centre at Bhataguda village in Chatarapur, Kalahandi district, under its flagship women’s empowerment initiative, Project Sakhi.

Thirty women from Self-Help Groups (SHGs) have enrolled in a three-month vocational training programme at the newly inaugurated centre. The initiative aims to equip rural women with practical skills, promote financial independence and create sustainable livelihood opportunities.

Through hands-on tailoring training, participants are learning skills that can help them pursue income-generating activities alongside their household responsibilities. The programme is expected to strengthen their economic well-being, encourage self-employment and enable them to contribute more effectively to their families and communities.

Since its inception, Project Sakhi has helped 226 SHG women from more than 12 villages successfully complete tailoring training. The programme has covered Niyamgiri Vedanta Nagar Colony, Rengopali Bandhaguda Kothaduar Colony (RBK), Pediguda, Gopinathpur, Batelima and Nangalbeda villages.

The training has equipped participants with marketable skills, opening avenues for self-employment and supplementary income generation. The new dedicated centre will expand the programme’s reach, enabling more women to access vocational training and livelihood opportunities.

Speaking on the initiative, Pranab Kumar Bhattacharyya, CEO, VAML Lanjigada, said women were catalysts of social and economic transformation and that equipping them with livelihood skills could create a lasting impact across communities.

“Through Project Sakhi, we are enabling women to become financially independent, confident and entrepreneurial. This tailoring training initiative is another step towards fostering inclusive growth and Odisha’s rural development while creating sustainable livelihood opportunities,” he said.

Indranee Sahu, a participant from Bhataguda village, said the training had provided her with an opportunity to acquire a valuable skill and earn an independent income.

“It has boosted my confidence and inspired me to become self-reliant. I am grateful to VAML for supporting women’s empowerment and helping us build a better future for our families,” she said.

Launched in 2015, Project Sakhi promotes women’s economic independence, entrepreneurship, social inclusion, financial literacy and agriculture-based livelihoods.

The initiative currently engages more than 5,400 women across over 500 SHGs and supports more than 3,000 livelihood enterprises in farm and non-farm sectors.

Through its community development initiatives, VAML continues to focus on expanding livelihood opportunities and promoting inclusive growth across its operational regions.