In the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh, women are transforming into community pillars through skills and self-employment. The Yog Manav Vikas Trust (YMVT), in partnership with the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), trains women in beauty culture and runs beauty parlors. Over 3,000 women have been empowered through skill development initiatives like handicrafts and tailoring, education, financial independence, and other vocational activities enhancing economic opportunities and empowering them to become self-reliant.
Women in Talgut village earn between 20,000 and 25,000 monthly, with many running boutiques after completing a one-year course in cutting, tailoring, and dressmaking. Others, like Anjana Devi, Anita Kumari, Riya, and Kajal, have turned their skills into sustainable livelihoods, supporting families and achieving financial independence.
The Yog Manav Vikas Trust has trained nearly 3,000 women since 2002, enhancing their livelihoods and empowering them to self-sufficiency. With centers in Banikhet, Khairi, and Surangani, the Trust provides free training in beauty culture, cutting, tailoring, dressmaking, and computer applications, addressing challenges like lack of capital. At present, 102 girls are enrolled in courses, receiving free training and study material. The trust also provides free self-employment kits, including beauty therapy supplies and sewing machines, to help women start their business journeys.
Chairperson of YMVT, Kiran Dodeja mentions that the Trust's training programmes have positively impacted the community, with hundreds of girls earning good incomes and becoming self-reliant. The success has attracted attention beyond the local community, with the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation signing an MoU to train 129 girls annually for the next three years.
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