The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) Patna under the Ministry of Textiles has signed an MoU with Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited (ABFRL) to provide specialized training for women from Bihar’s Jeevika self-help groups (SHGs). The initiative, launched in the presence of Union Minister of Textiles Shri Giriraj Singh, will train SHG members, popularly known as Jeevika Didis, in garment manufacturing, quality control, and machinery operation. By directly linking these women to jobs at ABFRL’s upcoming textile unit in Begusarai, the programme creates a structured pathway from skills to formal employment. Initially, 3.5 lakh women stand to benefit, with future expansion to adjoining districts. The collaboration builds on earlier training initiatives at NIFT Patna that significantly improved SHG women’s stitching skills and earning potential.
This MoU integrates government vision, academic expertise, and private sector leadership to create a replicable model of women’s economic empowerment. By connecting SHG-based livelihoods with formal industry jobs, it advances financial independence for rural women and aligns with Bihar’s industrial development agenda.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders: How can similar academia–industry–government partnerships be scaled nationally to enable women’s SHGs to transition from local enterprises to formal sector employment?
Follow the full news here: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2166041
