Siricilla, (Telangana): In a significant step toward empowering rural women and boosting the local textile industry, TDF India, in collaboration with Global Pragathi (Pragati Welfare Society) and supported by the Telangana Development Forum – USA, has launched the TDF Vanitha Cheyutha project. The initiative aims to equip women in Rajanna-Siricilla with tailoring skills and provide them with sewing machines to foster economic independence and address the labor demands of the Siricilla textile industry.
The program targets women who have traditionally relied on beedi (tobacco) rolling for their livelihood, an occupation linked to severe health issues such as cancer, thyroid disorders, obesity, and other ailments. Additionally, many of these women are migrants, facing socio-economic challenges. By offering an alternative through skill development, TDF India seeks to improve their quality of life while meeting the resource needs of the local textile sector.
Under the Ministry of Textiles’ Samarth Scheme, a skill development program designed to create a skilled workforce for India’s textile industry, TDF India has been conducting tailoring courses for rural women in Siricilla. The Samarth Scheme focuses on demand-driven, placement-oriented training, supporting traditional sectors like handloom, handicrafts, silk, and jute, while promoting job creation.
In a ceremony held in Siricilla, Sri Sandeep Jha, IAS, District Collector of Rajanna-Siricilla, handed over certificates to women who successfully completed the tailoring course. He also distributed sewing machines to the participants, enabling them to start their own tailoring ventures. The event was graced by KK Mahender Reddy, under the leadership of TDF India President Rajeshwar Reddy, along with Vani and Vinil. Representatives from the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA), Mandal Revenue Office (MRO), and women’s self-help groups also attended, highlighting the community’s support for the initiative.
The TDF Vanitha Cheyutha project not only empowers women by providing sustainable livelihood opportunities but also bridges the gap between the demand and supply of skilled labor in Siricilla’s thriving textile industry. By transitioning women from hazardous beedi-making to skilled tailoring, the program promotes both economic growth and healthier lives for the women of Siricilla.
