Bihar Union Minister Unveils Apparel Training Cum Production Centre

In a first-of-its-kind initiative, Union Minister of Textiles, Giriraj Singh, today inaugurated a Jeevika Didi Training Cum Production Centre for Skill Training and Production in Begusarai, Bihar. This facility empowers village women to transform raw fabric into globally marketable products, bridging traditional craftsmanship with modern design and marketing techniques. The Center, developed in partnership with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), and its five Sector Skill Councils (SSCs), and NIFT Patna, aims to uplift women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs) by providing them with key skills, tools, and resources to thrive as successful entrepreneurs in the apparel, and textile sectors.

The centre is designed to be both a training hub and a production facility, covering an area of 10,000 square feet, with an additional 1,000 sq. ft. of open space. The centre’s primary objective is to equip women, particularly those in SHGs, with advanced skills in production, branding, digital literacy, financial literacy, and e-commerce. By offering specialized training, the centre in Begusarai, which is over 12o km from Bihar’s capital Patna, seeks to empower women to produce goods and establish sustainable businesses that will improve their livelihoods.

Gracing the occasion as a chief guest, Shri Giriraj Singh said, "The transformative role of women in shaping India’s progress is remarkable, and I deeply value the contribution of Jeevika Didis in it. Today, over nine crore Didis are part of this movement, & their journey from being beneficiaries to becoming key contributors reflects the immense potential of this initiative. In agriculture alone, over one lakh Didis are driving change, particularly in banana cultivation, where they are supported by high-quality crops, advanced juice extraction machinery, and resources across horticulture and fertilizers. Skill development and marketing training are at the heart of this initiative, equipping women with expertise for employment and entrepreneurship. Under NSDC's guidance, and with commitments from prominent companies to hire trained Didis, we ensure they have the tools to thrive. Our vision is to build a robust system in Begusarai, empowering women across sectors and leaving no Didi behind. Together, we are creating a future led by women’s innovation, leadership, and self-reliance.”

Ved Mani Tiwari, COO (Officiating CEO), NSDC & MD, NSDC International said, “The Jeevika Didi Training Centre marks a significant milestone in empowering rural women and advancing India’s vision of inclusive growth. Under the visionary leadership of the Honorable Prime Minister, India became the first nation to establish a dedicated Ministry of Skill Development, reflecting a forward-thinking approach to ground-level transformation. This centre embodies that vision, integrating the efforts of multiple stakeholders, including the Ministry of Textiles, NSDC, and institutions like NIFT, to create a holistic ecosystem for skill development. This initiative goes beyond training—it builds a pathway for women to become leaders in their communities. By combining traditional skills with modern tools such as digital marketing and design innovation, women will not only create but market their products globally, realizing the ‘Farm to Fashion to Foreign’ dream envisioned by our Prime Minister. This centre also introduces digital commerce, enabling women to leverage technology for entrepreneurship, fostering a culture where they transition from job seekers to job creators.  I am deeply inspired by the energy and ambition of the Jeevika Didis, who embody the essence of Digital India and Skill India. Together, we are setting a benchmark in rural development that aligns with India’s aspirations for a self-reliant and globally competitive economy."

The centre’s training programmes will cover five key sectors: apparel, textiles, gems and jewelry, handicrafts, and management. By partnering with five Sector Skill Councils (SSCs), the Centre will offer domain-specific training that addresses the growing demands of these industries.

The councils involved include the Textile Sector Skill Council, Apparel Sector Skill Council, Gems & Jewellery Sector Skill Council, Handicraft Sector Skill Council, and Management Sector Skill Council. These partnerships will ensure that the training is both specialized and aligned with market requirements. Additionally, NIFT Patna will provide trainer support to ensure the quality of instruction in design and branding techniques, allowing SHGs to create high-quality, attractive products.

One of the unique features of the Centre is its hub-and-spoke model, which will expand the reach of the initiative by setting up nano-sized production units at block and gram panchayat levels. These spoke units will allow for decentralized production, empowering even more women in rural areas to participate in the economic growth of their communities. The Centre also focuses on enhancing the marketability of the products produced by SHGs. The center will also work to establish logistics channels to ensure smooth movement of finished goods to the market, thus improving the reach and accessibility of these products.

The Centre in Begusarai is set to become a leading example of how women-led entrepreneurship can transform rural economies. By providing women with the right skills, resources, and support, the center will play a pivotal role in their economic empowerment, creating a path to self-sufficiency, sustainable businesses, and an improved standard of living.