Patna: A women’s sewing centre aimed at boosting rural employment and supporting childcare services has been inaugurated in Patna district, with around 50 women expected to gain direct work through the initiative.
The “Adhikar Jeevika Mahila Didi Sewing Center” was opened on Friday under the aegis of the Bihar Rural Livelihoods Promotion Society, widely known as Jeevika. Officials said the centre would provide employment to trained members of local self-help groups, popularly referred to as “Jeevika Didis”.
The inauguration was led by district project manager Mukesh Kumar Shasmal and CLF president Sharmila Devi, who jointly cut the ribbon in the presence of local residents and members of women’s groups.
Under the scheme, the women will stitch garments for children enrolled in anganwadi centres operating under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS). Two sets of clothes will be prepared for approximately 9,000 children in the block, amounting to nearly 18,000 garments in total.
Officials said the initiative is part of an existing agreement between ICDS and Jeevika, designed to link government welfare schemes with self-help groups at the grassroots level. The aim is to generate sustainable livelihoods for rural women while improving the delivery of child welfare services.
Shasmal inspected the sewing work during the launch and emphasised the importance of maintaining quality standards. He urged the women to follow proper techniques and ensure that garments meet prescribed specifications to avoid complaints. Timely completion of the order has also been prioritised.
Employment manager Arun Kumar, block project manager Digvijay Narayan Samadarshi, regional coordinator in-charge Daisy Kumari and community coordinator Asha Kumari were among the officials present.
Local representatives described the centre as a milestone in efforts to strengthen women’s economic independence in the area, expressing hope that the initiative would enhance household incomes and encourage further participation of women in community-led enterprises.
