Electrosteel Castings Limited (ECL), a pioneer in the production of Ductile Iron Pipes and Fittings in India, held a valedictory function at ECL - Srikalahasthi unit in the company premises for the batch of 30 women who had completed their 100-day skill development programme on “Tailoring and Fashion Designing” – An ECL CSR initiative conducted by professional trainers from Citizens Welfare Forum.
A test has been conducted at the end of the programme and eligible candidates have been awarded with sewing machines. 20 sewing machines were distributed as part of this. The company has also started its next batch of skill development training in the month of June ’23 comprising of around 30 women from nearby villages under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme.
This initiative is meant to empower women residing in villages around Srikalahasthi in Tirupati district, Andhra Pradesh with the vision of making them self-sufficient. The participants, who have gained tremendous self-confidence, can now earn approximately Rs.15,000/- to Rs. 18,000/- per month from stitching of garments, thus supplementing their family income.
The skill development center with required infrastructure and sewing machines has been set up in the company’s premises in Srikalahasthi. The women are being imparted training on stitching and designing of ladies garments like jackets, traditional women garments, stitching saree fall, etc.
While the pandemic had interrupted the programme, the centre was refurbished completely and the infrastructure was updated with new sewing machines to restart the initiative in full swing. There has been an overwhelming response to this CSR initiative. The women have also expressed their desire to learn stitching of men’s garments and kids uniforms to earn additional income.
This training has been planned as a continuous initiative round the year, churning out batches of skilled, empowered and confident women. Commenting on distribution of sewing machines, Mr. Suresh Khandelwal, Chief Operating Officer-Srikalahasthi works said: “Electrosteel’ s endeavor is to take up CSR initiatives that will empower the village communities.
The machines are being distributed with a vision that the women can start supporting their family income with the skill that they have acquired”. Expressing gratitude to the company for its initiative, a participant at the skill development centre, said: “We are grateful to the company for taking up a skill programme that will support our journey of self-empowerment immensely.”
Over the years, the company has focused on many initiatives with the objective of improving the livelihood of village communities through active CSR in the areas of Health, Education, Empowerment, Infrastructure Development and Sports.