Baripada, Oct 29: Known in Odisha’s history for its first iron ore mine, Gorumahisani is witnessing another transformation- one driven by education, skill development and women’s empowerment.

As President Droupadi Murmu prepares for her scheduled visit to the region on November 4, the focus is also on initiatives that are creating new opportunities for rural women. With her roots in Mayurbhanj, Murmu’s journey has often highlighted the importance of education and overcoming social and economic barriers.

In the Rairangpur region, a skill development initiative is helping young women turn their aspirations of financial independence into reality. The programme has reportedly trained 240 candidates in fashion design and sewing machine operation, equipping them with practical skills to pursue employment.

Skills that open doors

The training centre operates on the premises of Iron College under the SLS Memorial Degree Trust, with support from Tata Steel’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative. Shahi Exports Pvt Ltd, Bhubaneswar, provides training and facilitates employment opportunities for candidates.

The programme offers two courses. Fashion design training lasts four months and requires candidates to have passed Plus Two, while the sewing machine operator course runs for 52 days and is open to candidates who have completed Class VIII.

The training is provided free of cost, with the company reportedly covering expenses, including accommodation and food. Candidates are also offered employment opportunities, including outside their home districts.

For women from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, such support can remove financial barriers to professional training and help them build independent livelihoods.

From trainees to earning professionals

The impact of the initiative is reflected in the experiences of its beneficiaries.

Pushpa Mahakud, who works as a sewing machine operator, said the training had helped her become financially independent and support her family in her village.

Another beneficiary, Renuka Deo, said the programme had helped her become self-reliant while providing a safe working environment away from home.

Fashion design trainer Jayaram Bhumika Rana emphasised that vocational education could help young women explore career options beyond government jobs. Industry-oriented skills, he said, can enable them to secure employment, earn regular incomes and contribute to their families.

A new chapter in Gorumahisani’s story

The initiative highlights how collaboration between educational institutions, industry and social organisations can bridge the gap between education and employment.

For rural women with limited access to professional opportunities, skill-based training can offer more than a job. It can build confidence, strengthen financial security and open pathways to a better future.

As Gorumahisani prepares to welcome President Murmu, its story extends beyond its historic mining legacy. The progress of these 240 trainees reflects a broader aspiration- to create a future where young women can shape their lives through education, skills and economic independence.