Begusarai: Union textiles minister Giriraj Singh inaugurated a Jeevika Didi apparel training-cum-production centre in Begusarai on Saturday. The state-of-the-art facility has been opened to empower rural women by equipping them with skills to transform raw fabric into globally marketable products, linking traditional craftsmanship with modern design and marketing techniques.
Speaking at the event, Giriraj said, “The transformative role of women in shaping India’s progress is remarkable and deeply valued. Over nine crore Jeevika Didis associated with SHGs have transitioned from beneficiaries to key contributors. This centre will play a vital role in equipping women with the skills needed for employment and entrepreneurship under NSDC guidance.”
The initiative, in collaboration with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and NIFT-Patna, will focus on skill development, branding, financial literacy and e-commerce to help SHG women establish sustainable businesses.
NSDC COO Ved Mani Tiwari highlighted the centre’s dual role as a training hub and production facility. “This centre will provide advanced skills in production, digital literacy and branding, creating opportunities for women to improve their livelihoods,” he said.
The training programme will cover five key sectors – apparel, textiles, gems and jewellery, handicrafts and management. Dedicated sector skill councils will offer domain-specific training to meet industry demands. NIFT will provide trainer support to ensure high quality instruction in design and branding.