Port Blair, Sep 06: Valedictory function of MEDP on Tailoring, Fashion Designing and Sewing Machine Repairing organized by Unnati on 05th September 2022 with the support of NABARD and in the association of PRI and Perveen Charitable Trust.
On this occasion Mrs. Swati Ranadive, Assistant General Manager, NABARD was Chief Guest. The tailoring products prepared by trainees during the training i.e., Salwar, one piece Kurti, Parda, Straight Pant/ frock, Shirt and Pant, Dhoti Salwaar, Choli cut Blouse, Petty Coat and Saree Petty Coat, Maxi and Blouse, Umbrella Frock, Patiala Salwaar, Chudidaar, Suit, Kurti and Sherwaani/ Nehru Kurta, Gown, etc. displayed were highly appreciated.
Mr. Laxmi Narayan, Samiti Member and Chairman Fisheries Federation welcomed the gathering and praised the efforts of Unnati and NABARD for promoting self-employment. He suggested considering the abundance of fish, we need to promote marine/fish-based food processing products. He requested a fish-based food processing training programme may be organized at Hopetown.
Mr. K. Moosa and Mrs. Monica Bilung, executive member of Unnati mentioned that their organization trained more than 2000 women in Tailoring, Fashion Designing and Sewing Machine repair and due to quality training, most of them adopted tailoring self-employment for their livelihood. More women would take up tailoring as a self-employment venture if marketing support ensured.
During the interaction session, the trainees highly appreciated the efforts of NABARD and Unnati for arranging such high-quality training and mentioned that they gained so much skill in stitching in a short duration of training cannot even acquire in 06-month training period. They also pointed out that marketing their products and procurement of raw materials at a reasonable price are their main constraints.
Mrs. Mariyam Bibi, Zilla Parishad Member also spoke on the occasion and appreciated the efforts of Unnati and NABARD for empowering women economically through quality training for undertaking self-employment. Mr. Rajinder Pal Block Development officer in his speech mentioned that during the training programme he visited the ongoing training programme a few times and also interacted with trainees and they expressed very highly about the quality of training. He suggested similar training may be arranged in all places and a similar training may be arranged at Shoal Bay where a weaker section of women is demanding a tailoring centre for a long. He assured his full support if the centre started at Shoal Bay.
As regards marketing support he said that from Rural Development Department can provide a common place for marketing their products and also support under NRLM. He also mentioned that he had an opportunity to work with President, Unnati and was happy to note he is working as actively while he was in service and asked the participants to take full advantage of his services for promoting self-employment and try to be an employer than an employee.
Mr. C. Mohammed, President, Unnati appreciated the interest and efforts shown by the trainees in learning the tailoring skills during the training period. Unnati and PRI members took special care in the selection process of trainees. While interacting during the selection of trainees the trainees were not ready to attend classes from 9 AM to 3 PM instead they agreed to from 9 AM to 1 PM. Unnati members asked them to attend classes as per the prescribed schedule of the training programme first two days and thereafter they would attend classes as prescribed after seeing the quality of training. After 2 days the trainees not only attended classes as per the time schedule approved by us but on the other hand requested us to extend the time and attended classes from 9 AM to 4 PM which they expressed in their interaction session on the concluding day of the training.
As regards marketing support the problem can be resolved if funds of the Rural Development Department and NABARD are dovetailed by the construction of the market by the Rural Development Department fund and payment of a sale girl by NABARD for selling the products of women groups. The marketing support created by the Social Welfare Department for selling the products of women groups now closed may be restarted to engage more and more women in self-employment activities. Andaman Chamber of Commerce may also issue work orders to women groups to supply readymade clothes after collecting requirements from cloth merchants. Regarding the procurement of raw materials clothes etc. ANIIDCO may procure materials in bulk and issue them to SHGs.
The administration may also consider allowing to display women made products in Sagarika Emporium at a concessional rate. He also suggested that the trainees may form a producer group under NRLM with the help of a Block Development officer to get financial assistance of Rs. 50000 to start production activities. He thanked PRI and Former Zilla Parishad Member Mr. Sunder Rao for their active support for the selection of trainees and the successful conduct of the training programme.
Mrs. Swati Ranadive Chief Guest went round the products prepared and displayed by the trainees and also saw the work done by each trainee prepared and arranged in a folder for display was also highly appreciated about quality of their work and training and she also explained about NABARD schemes and assured to consider various points raised by trainees, PRI members, Block Development officer and President Unnati.
She also highlighted the necessity of women’s empowerment and women’s education and also distributed certificates to trainees and dresses for weaker sections of children donated by Perveen Charitable Trust.
A vote of thanks was given by Mr. K. Balakrishna, Pradhan, GPShore point. He thanked Unnati and NABARD for arranging such excellent training for empowering women and also requested to organize food processing training for the benefit of unemployed youths and SHG members of Shore point Panchayat.