Under the JKRLM and other Centrally-sponsored schemes, women in this central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district are being trained to become self-employed and self-sufficient.
The unemployed educated women are now becoming financially independent after being introduced and trained under various government schemes. They are being given full support, training and financial assistance to start their own business ventures.
The Jammu and Kashmir Rural Livelihood Mission (JKRLM) has opened a tilla centre under the Umeed scheme in the Safapora area of Ganderbal where dozens of educated unemployed girls are learning how to put tilla on clothes. Tilla work is used to decorate pherans and shawls but over a period of time, the embroidery is being done on sarees, shalwar kameez, and other garments as well. The experts at this centre officially impart such skills to dozens of girls so that they become self-sufficient.
Women engaged at the tilla centre hailed the Central government for initiating such a programme in their village.
Talking to Rising Kashmir, the girls said, “We are highly thankful to the officers associated with the JKRLM department, especially the Hope scheme, who provided us with a loan and imparted us various kinds of training.”
Aamna, who was learning handmade tilla, said that after completing her studies, she lost hope because of not getting a job; however, the JKRLM “sparked a ray of hope among me”.
“This is a respected profession and we can learn this tilla work and earn a livelihood by working at home. We can also employ others in this job,” she said.
An official from the JKRLM said thousands of girls and women have been empowered under the scheme.
Tilla is a traditional craft of Kashmir. Tilla work shawls and suits are famous for fine embroidery work. Tilla Dozi is woven with a gold and silver metallic thread on a needlepoint. It gives a sparkling look to the garments.