Kendrapara District, ODISHA :

Kendrapara:

In a workspace near the Budhi Jagulai temple in Odisha’s Kendrapara district, 26 women divide tasks with quiet efficiency. One stitches the body of a shopping bag, another attaches the handles and a third applies the finishing touches. Bringing them all together is Israt Jahan, a 50-year-old woman whose path into earning a livelihood began with loss.

After the death of her husband Zakir Hussain Khan, a well-known local sportsman and journalist, Israt stepped outside her home to support her family. She drew on sewing skills that dated back to 1985, took up wool craft, embroidery and stitching, and eventually built something larger than she had imagined.

In 2019, she formed the Swadhin Producer Group. The COVID-19 pandemic halted work for two years, but when the women decided to resume, they pooled their personal savings and collected Rs 18,000 to restart without any initial government assistance. They shifted to jute work in 2022, drawn to the material’s biodegradable nature and the growing demand for plastic-free alternatives in a district already known for jute cultivation.

“We chose jute because it is environment-friendly,” said group secretary Rajida Khanam.

The group’s product range now includes handbags, shopping bags, bottle carriers, office and laptop bags, lunch bags, files, folders, sitting mats and letter holders. Fabric is sourced from Cuttack and, when demand rises, from Kolkata. Priced from Rs 150 per bag, each piece takes a skilled member around 10 to 15 minutes to complete.

Members earn between Rs 3,000 and Rs 5,000 a month. The group’s annual income stands at Rs 5 lakh to Rs 7 lakh. A one-time government startup grant of Rs 2.04 lakh helped them purchase eight machines, including an embroidery machine and electronic sewing units. No further financial grant has followed.

The group also receives bulk orders for files and folders used in agriculture, horticulture and block-level training programmes, sometimes running into thousands of pieces. Most retail sales take place at fairs.

For member Subhasini Swain, the venture offers something beyond income. “Besides learning and earning happening together, the Hindu-Muslim companionship here is the best part,” she said.

Kendrapara Collector Raghuram R. Iyer said the administration would ask Mission Shakti’s district programme manager to examine the group’s marketing needs and arrange additional credit support if required.

Israt’s own hope is straightforward. “The women want to contribute to their children’s education and support their families. If our message reaches the government, we would like some additional help,” she said.

source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Latest News> Markers of Excellence> Social Service> Personality / by Radiance News Bureau / October 06th, 2026