Hundreds of enterprising housewives in Siliguri in West Bengal are now using their creative instincts to achieve self-reliance.
In an attempt to prove women are no less capable than men, Kanika Ghosh, the brain behind the initiative, established 'Amrita',a handicraft centre, with the help of just two students.
Since its inception over ten years ago this centre has provided training to hundreds of women to gain monetary independence. Today it imparts training to about 250 women in embroidery, doll-making, painting, and other crafts. Amrita has turned the creativity of the women into a tool for their economic empowerment.
"Every woman has a desire to become self-dependent. I wanted to help every woman in this mission and that's why I opened this centre. I have a number of dreams. I want all my students to open more such centres wherever they go and teach other women various arts and handicrafts. Women can earn while they successfully run the household," says Kanika Ghosh.
The old students of the centre are earning enough money through the sale of their handicrafts, says Ghosh.
The innovative housewives make a variety of decorative and general utility items, which are displayed in various exhibitions held in and around the town.
{{/usCountry}}The innovative housewives make a variety of decorative and general utility items, which are displayed in various exhibitions held in and around the town.
{{/usCountry}}Many of these women use waste material such as broken glass, bangles, buttons, and broken beads to make a number of items.
"I am totally satisfied after learning things at the centre. Today I enjoy my work and people are appreciating it. We are successful in whatever we are doing. I am a graduate but never thought of working. But now with this art in my hand, I have become self-dependent. I get orders that I complete at home," says Bandita Das, a housewife learning at the handicrafts centre. (ANI)