THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

ROURKELA, APRIL 27, 2026

For Elani Kandulna, the hum of a sewing machine is the sound of freedom. Living in a village on the outskirts of Bondamunda near Rourkela, her life was once marked by financial dependence and limited opportunities. Today, that story has changed dramatically.

 “The sewing training has made me self-reliant and empowered,” says Elani, her voice brimming with confidence. “I no longer have to depend on my family for my personal expenses. I now feel proud to earn on my own.”

Elani is among the many women whose lives have been transformed through the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives of the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP). What began as a skill-development programme has evolved into a powerful movement of empowerment, dignity and economic independence.

For women like Debati Mahato from the same village, the initiative offered far more than vocational training—it opened the door to entrepreneurship. Conducted at the Institute of Peripheral Development with support from UHA Silai, the intensive 15-day programme covered every aspect of garment making. Participants received hands-on training in precise measurement, cutting, machine operation, repair and maintenance.

In addition, they were introduced to market trends, finishing techniques, packaging, quality control and product marketing, equipping them with the skills needed to succeed in a competitive marketplace.

 “We learnt every aspect of garment making,” Debati says. “With the sewing machines provided, we are now stitching a variety of garments and selling them in the market. We are no longer just trainees; we are entrepreneurs.”

To ensure sustained livelihood opportunities beyond the training period, RSP has established Training-cum-Production Centres across four peripheral blocks. These centres are equipped with modern machinery and supported by on-site Usha Silai trainers, who provide continued mentorship and technical assistance.

The centres also serve as collaborative spaces where Self-Help Groups (SHGs) can undertake collective production, strengthen their enterprises and access local markets more effectively.

By empowering women from underprivileged communities, Rourkela Steel Plant is helping weave a stronger and more resilient social fabric. For the women of Rourkela's periphery, the future is no longer something to wait for—it is something they are crafting with their own hands.