Odisha Signs Four MoUs to Boost Women-Led SHGs under Mission Shakti
New partnerships to enhance skills, entrepreneurship, and safety of women across the state
Bhubaneswar : In a significant step toward strengthening women-led self-help groups (SHGs), the Odisha government has signed four key Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) under its flagship Mission Shakti initiative. The move aims to empower rural women through financial support, skill development, and market access, while also promoting safety and self-reliance.
Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, announcing the measures, said that Rs 110.97 crore will be credited to the accounts of 1.63 lakh SHGs as a grant to help them repay outstanding bank loans. She emphasized that under the guidance of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Mission Shakti is working to transform SHGs into sustainable grassroots enterprises while promoting Odisha’s cultural heritage and tribal crafts.
Four MoUs for Skill and Confidence Building
The MoUs were signed with the Food Industry Capacity and Skill Initiative (FICSI), the Telecom Sector Skill Council (TSSC), the Gem and Jewellery Skill Council of India (GJSCI), and the National Commission for Women (NCW). Together, these partnerships cover skill training, entrepreneurship, traditional craftsmanship, and self-defense programs.
Under the FICSI agreement, 10,000 SHG members will undergo residential training in areas such as fruit pulp processing, spice preparation, oil extraction, dehydration of fruits and vegetables, and multi-skill techniques. This program is expected to help women establish small food-processing businesses within their communities.
The TSSC initiative will begin with a pilot project in Cuttack district, where 60 women from 30 gram panchayats will be trained in mobile handset repair. Once successful, the model will be expanded to other districts, opening up new employment opportunities for women in the telecom sector.
Preserving Heritage through Silver Filigree
Odisha’s traditional art of silver filigree is set to receive a major boost through the GJSCI collaboration. A total of 1,440 women will be trained in this centuries-old craft. Beyond skill training, the partnership will also connect artisans to e-commerce platforms, ensuring their products reach wider markets and providing a sustainable income source for rural families.
Safety and Empowerment through Self-Defense
The MoU with the National Commission for Women is designed to enhance confidence and safety among SHG members. Women aged 18 to 40 from five districts will be trained in self-defense techniques. The program also focuses on awareness of personal safety, confidence-building, and group solidarity, ensuring that women feel more secure in their daily lives.
CSR Support for Women’s Enterprises
In addition to the MoUs, private sector support was highlighted during the event. Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt. Ltd., under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, donated a transparent-door refrigerator to the Subhadra Shakti Café. Such contributions reflect growing industry participation in strengthening SHG-led businesses.
High-Level Participation
The signing ceremony was attended by several senior officials, including Mission Shakti Commissioner Shalini Pandit, Director Monica Priyadarshini, and representatives from the partnering organizations. Their presence underscored the importance of these collaborations in shaping the future of women’s empowerment in Odisha.
The Odisha government’s decision to link SHGs with diverse sectors—from food processing and mobile repair to traditional crafts and personal safety—signals a shift toward a more holistic model of empowerment. Instead of limiting SHGs to micro-credit or small-scale activities, Mission Shakti is opening pathways for women to become entrepreneurs, skilled workers, and artisans with global reach.
If these initiatives are implemented effectively, Odisha’s SHGs could emerge as role models for other states, proving that rural women, with the right training and support, can drive both social and economic transformation.
