Hardoi Block, Uttar Pradesh – June 28–30, 2025 : In a powerful step toward economic empowerment and sustainable livelihoods, ten women from the Amrita Self-Help Group (SHG) in Sarai Nooruddinpur participated in a three-day handicrafts training workshop held in Hardoi Block from June 28 to 30, 2025. The workshop was a collaborative initiative organized by AMMACHI Labs, Skill India, the HCL Foundation, and Aajeevika – National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM).

The workshop aimed to equip the women with practical skills to initiate income-generating activities and gain financial independence. Over the course of the three days, participants learned to craft a range of market-ready products using eco-friendly and sustainable materials such as mung grass, wheat stalks, and jute.

Skills in Focus:

The training focused on developing artisanal craftsmanship, including:

• 🧺 Baskets and trays from wheat stalks and natural fibers

• 👜 Stylish and durable jute bags

• 🪡 Hand-embroidered fabrics showcasing local designs

• 👩🏽‍🎨 Decorative items blending tradition with innovation

This hands-on workshop not only enhanced their skills but also prepared them to engage with wider markets. In a significant show of support, the HCL Foundation and Skill India have committed to purchasing all the products these women produce going forward, ensuring them a steady stream of income and access to a broader marketplace.

Building Toward Self-Reliance

This initiative reflects a growing movement to support women’s economic empowerment at the grassroots level. By fostering self-employment and entrepreneurship among rural women, programs like these are paving the way for inclusive, community-driven development.

The women of Sarai Nooruddinpur now stand better equipped to chart their own economic futures—an inspiring example of skill development transforming lives and livelihoods in rural India.