J&K: Centre's women empowerment drive reaches border villages
Jammu, July 16
The Central government's women empowerment drive, via a skill training programme, is yielding remarkable results in the border districts of Jammu and Kashmir. In the Rajouri district, many women have benefited from free skill training and are becoming self-reliant.
Under the Centrally sponsored scheme, the Rural Self-Employment Training Institute (RSETI), in convergence with the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM), is providing free cutting and tailoring training to women and girls in Androla village, Rajouri district, thereby enabling them to acquire vocational skills and become financially independent.
The initiative is being effectively implemented on the ground, with the NRLM department working tirelessly to ensure that such women-centric schemes reach the grassroots and benefit deserving women in rural and border villages.
Trainees receive free professional instruction in cutting, stitching, and garment design, along with study material, sewing machines, tailoring equipment, and refreshments during the training period.
Upon successful completion, the participants are awarded a recognised certificate and also guided to access financial assistance to establish their own tailoring units or small enterprises.
The initiative is empowering women with sustainable livelihood opportunities, promoting entrepreneurship, and strengthening economic self-reliance across Rajouri's border villages.
A beneficiary, having received training in tailoring and stitching, said, "This is a one-month course being conducted through RSETI. It is a great opportunity for us. After completing the course, we will receive a diploma, based on which we can avail loans at a lower interest rate."
"We are educated, but we do not have employment at present. With this diploma, we can start our own boutique or another business and also create employment opportunities for others," she added.
Other beneficiaries also commended the Centre's continued emphasis on women's empowerment and skill development, stating that new opportunities, including self-employment, were being created for women because of these initiatives.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Good initiative but I hope they also teach digital marketing. Today, stitching alone is not enough—these women need to know how to sell online, use WhatsApp Business, and reach customers beyond their village. Otherwise, they'll remain dependent on local middlemen. Still, a positive step. 👌
This is the kind of development we need—not just talk, but actual training and certificates. And the fact that they help with loan access at lower interest is brilliant. One month is short, but if they focus on basics and quality, women can start a boutique quickly. My sister did something similar in Punjab and now earns ₹15k/month.
I'm from Jammu and I've seen how hard life is in border villages. Many women can't go far for work due to security concerns. This centre-based training is perfect—they learn locally and then can set up a small unit at home. I just hope the government also provides raw materials at subsidised rates for the first few months. 😊
It's heartening to see schemes actually reaching the last mile. These women are educated but unemployed—this diploma bridges that gap. The state government should replicate this model in all border districts. One criticism: the article doesn't mention if there's any follow-up support or mentorship after the course. Long-term handholding is key. Still, well done!
Very proud to see women in Rajouri taking charge of their lives! My grandmother never learnt to read, but now these girls are getting certified and starting businesses. The refreshments during training might seem small, but for poor families
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