NIFT Patna and ABFRL Sign MoU to Support Rural Women of Jeevika Self Help Group
The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) Patna has forged a significant partnership with Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited (ABFRL) aimed at empowering rural women in Bihar. This collaboration, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the presence of Union Minister of Textiles Shri Giriraj Singh, focuses on providing industry-relevant skills and direct employment opportunities in the textile sector. The initiative is set to benefit approximately 350,000 women initially, with plans to expand its reach to neighboring districts in the future.
Empowering Women Through Skill Development
Under the new partnership, women from self-help groups, known as Jeevika Didis, will receive comprehensive training at NIFT Patna. The curriculum will cover essential skills such as garment manufacturing techniques, quality control, and machinery operation. This training is specifically designed to prepare participants for employment at ABFRL’s upcoming textile manufacturing unit in Begusarai district. By creating a structured pathway from skill development to secure livelihoods, the initiative aims to enhance the economic prospects of these women.
Union Minister of Textiles Shri Giriraj Singh emphasized the importance of this initiative, noting that previous training programs for Jeevika Didis have already led to significant improvements in their stitching skills and earning potential. The MoU will provide these women with direct access to formal industry jobs, marking a crucial step in their professional development and financial independence.
Linking Rural Women to the Formal Economy
The Jeevika Didis are a vital component of Bihar’s Jeevika programme, which has successfully mobilized over 14 million rural women into self-help groups. This initiative, supported by the Government of India and the World Bank, has enabled women to access microfinance, improve household incomes, and gain social empowerment. The new MoU adds a significant dimension by connecting these women directly to formal employment opportunities in the textile and fashion sector, thereby expanding their roles beyond local enterprises and integrating them into the mainstream industrial economy.
This partnership with ABFRL, a leading player in India’s fashion and retail industry, ensures that the skills imparted will align with the demands of modern textile production. By bridging academic expertise from NIFT with industry requirements from ABFRL, the initiative sets a precedent for future collaborations across India, particularly in regions where women’s collectives and rural livelihoods are pivotal to the local economy.
Broader Economic and Social Impact
The program is expected to yield significant social and economic benefits beyond immediate employment. By providing women with stable livelihoods, it aims to foster greater financial independence, enhance decision-making power within households, and improve the overall dignity of rural women. Additionally, the establishment of ABFRL’s manufacturing unit in Begusarai is anticipated to contribute to the industrial development of Bihar, creating job opportunities not only for women but also for the broader local workforce.
This MoU represents a landmark initiative that integrates government vision, academic expertise, and industry leadership to promote inclusive and sustainable growth. It illustrates how aligning skill development with employment assurance can transform lives and create scalable and replicable models of development across the nation. The collaboration stands as a testament to the potential of targeted initiatives in driving economic empowerment and social change in rural communities.
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