Odisha's Mission Shakti Partners with Weavers' Service Centre for Women Empowerment

Bhubaneswar, Jul 30 (PTI): The Odisha government's Mission Shakti department has forged a significant partnership with the Weavers' Service Centre to enhance skill development among women weavers. The collaboration, solidified through an MoU signed this past Tuesday, aims to provide design mentorship, training, and market connectivity for women-led Self Help Groups (SHGs) involved in weaving. This initiative will enable these groups to align with changing fashion and décor trends. Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida expressed that the collaboration will support the creation of a sustainable, women-driven textile ecosystem, reinforcing Odisha's textile value chain. The MoU involves the Department of Mission Shakti collaborating with the Weavers' Service Centre, an office under the central government's development commissioner for handlooms. The initiative is geared towards empowering women weavers by offering them skill development, modern design insights, and access to both national and international markets, Parida stated. Shalini Pandit, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of Mission Shakti, underscored the significance of this venture, highlighting its support for thousands of women who earn their livelihood through weaving, tailoring, embroidery, and home-based production. "This partnership will provide an enabling ecosystem for design, training, and market-ready innovations for SHG members," she added. Bikash Kumar, Commissioner Handlooms, noted that the weaving skills of Odisha have gained national acclaim. This partnership is set to introduce new dimensions to Odisha's creative landscape while enhancing the country's handloom sector. The collaboration endeavors to develop original multi-colour paper designs in line with the latest trends in apparel and home décor. The Weavers' Service Centre is tasked with assisting in prototype development and offering expert advice on aesthetics, finishing, and enterprise readiness. Additionally, SHG products will gain from professional photography and digital cataloging support to boost their visibility both online and offline.