In pursuit of sustainable livelihood, a group of 25 women from villages around the Palvancha-Kothagudem industrial belt have started learning the art of making handicrafts using palm leaves at the Nava Bharat Vocational Institute (NBVI) in Palvancha.
The NBVI initiated a three week-long training programme for women in weaving artefacts from palm leaves, in association with the Bengaluru-based Industree Crafts Foundation, a few days ago.
The programme was launched by the NBVI of Palvancha-based Nava Bharat Ventures Limited as part of its multifarious vocational training and skill development programmes under its corporate social responsibility aimed at promoting economic empowerment of women and youth.
The training programme featuring live demonstration of making a diverse range of palm leaf products of both utility and decorative value, including baskets, bottle carriers and trays, and has become an instant hit among the participants.
“We have roped in the services of master trainers from Industree Crafts Foundation to equip the women trainees of NBVI with palm leaf craft skills to enable the latter tread the path of financial self reliance,” said Mohammad Ali, chief administrator (social development), Nava Bharat Ventures, Palvancha.
Another training programme in palm leaf craft is being conducted simultaneously at Machinenipeta village for the benefit of tribal women, he noted.
The three-week long training programme provides a comprehensive hands-on experience to the participants in making a wide variety of handicrafts using dried palm leaves, said S. Devarajan, senior manager, (operations and training), Industree Crafts Foundation.
“We are getting practical training in making eco-friendly products from palm leaves,” said Lakshmi, a trainee from Kothagudem.
“After the training, we would like to form into small groups to start self-employment units by tapping financial help from government agencies to harness the enormous market potential for palm leaf products, particularly baskets in temple towns like Bhadrachalam,” said another trainee from a tribal hamlet in Palvancha mandal.
