Over 150 women trained in 8 day specialized training under “Sakhi” campaign. Axis Bank opens their Zero Balance bank account with ATM facility.

Looking at the growing market of school uniforms and in line to provide sustainable source of income to the rural and tribal women, Hindustan Zinc organised two 4-day workshops for “Sakhi” women at Udaipur.

A total of 150 rural and tribal Women got together to participate in the specialised workshop of Hindustan Zinc’s women empowerment campaign “Sakhi”.  The workshop was held for the “Sakhi” women self-help-groups from the villages of Maton and Debari in Udaipur district of Rajasthan.

For the first 4–day workshop, organised between 14^th to 17^th July, the women were given training to stitch school uniform for boy students i.e. shirt and shorts and in the second  phase, scheduled for 20th to 23rd July, which ended today, the women were given training to stitch school uniform for girl students i.e. shirt and tunic.

The interactive workshop was driven by Niyati Kothari from M/s Niya’s Kreations, Udaipur, with a special focus on quality checks and finishing of the garments. “These women are very talented and learning very fast. They also have strong focus towards innovation,” Niyati said.

Recently, Hindustan Zinc signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Government of Rajasthan under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) to adopt 3055 Anganwadi centers in five districts of Rajasthan – Udaipur, Chittorgarh, Bhilwara, Rajsamand and Ajmer for 5 years as part of its global “Khushi” campaign.

As part of further strengthening of these Anganwadi Centers, Hindustan Zinc would convert 1000 Anganwadi Centers into model Anganwadis and provide school uniforms and mats for the children. These material would be made by these trained “Sakhi” women now.

Pavan Kaushik, Head Corporate Communication of Hindustan Zinc informed “The Company is working to streamline the “Sakhi” campaign by developing clusters based on products like Spices, Mats, Paper Craft, Home Décor, School Uniforms etc. Initiatives like these are stepping stones to provide sustainable source of income for these talented rural and tribal women. The workshop would also be replicated in Bhilwara, Chittorgarh, Rajsamand, Ajmer and Ringus in Rajasthan.”

Hindustan Zinc’s “Sakhi” campaign aims to strengthen social and economic empowerment for women in the rural and tribal areas so that they not only empower their families but also the nation. “Sakhi” is a symbol of friendship, commitments, teamwork, associations, and progress with dignity and self-respect.