In the quiet village of Raikheda, nestled in Chhattisgarh’s heartland, lives Preeti Dhivar, a determined and resilient young woman. Coming from a humble background, her journey had been marked by challenges: limited resources, societal expectations and scarce opportunities for growth and development. Preeti - who was fascinated with colours, designs and fabric since an early age - aspired to become a fashion designer and create an identity for herself through her creativity. But she didn’t know how and from where to begin - who to reach out to for direction and guidance.

“There was no college nearby for fashion design, and even a sewing machine was beyond our reach,” Preeti recalls. A ray of hope finally dawned when she came to know about the Adani Foundation and the slew of initiatives it was running in the region, including the garment stitching and training centre in her village to empower local women with sustainable livelihood opportunities.

Armed with commitment and discipline, Preeti enrolled in the centre and soon mastered the basics of stitching. Gradually, she expanded her skills and started crafting full garments, blending her creativity and vision. Her dedication bore fruit and her work – which was once a personal ambition – started empowering her both socially and financially. Today, she is proudly supporting her family and stands tall as an inspiration to other young girls in her community, who dream of pursuing fashion design as a profession. “The first time I earned something by sewing, it was unforgettable. It was not much, but it was mine,” she says.

Like Ms Dhiver, the lives of over 90 women in nearby villages of Chicholi, Gaitra and Tarashiv, have been transformed. The women are associated with the Adani Foundation-supported garment stitching centres being run in these villages. The initiative – which rolled out in 2022 – aims to empower women through skill building by honing their stitching skills. Equipped with sewing machines, the centres double as training hubs, where experienced trainers mentor women from basic sewing to advanced garment production. Upon completing their training, the Foundation guides women with market linkages and support them in joining the production workforce and earn earning per-piece wages, thus becoming financially empowered.

The outcomes have been remarkable. Collectively, the women have earned approximately INR 30 lakhs since the program rollout. Orders flow in from local vendors, who purchase more than 70,000 garment pieces every month. For women, the ripple effects extend beyond financial gain. As their skills and confidence grow, their socio-economic conditions within their families and communities also grow. Women like her now mentor others, creating a virtuous cycle of empowerment. “When other women ask me to teach them, that feels like my biggest achievement,” says Ms Dhiver , who aspires to open her own boutique.

These garment centers in Raipur are more than just workplaces — they are engines of social change. By empowering women through sustainable livelihood opportunities, the centers are enabling women to contribute meaningfully to their households and the local economy. With new centres coming up in villages like Bhatapara, Gaitra, Mura, Moharenga and Khamharia, more than 300 other women in the region are slated to positively benefit from the initiative and unlock fresh opportunities for their growth and empowerment.

The achievements of women like Preeti are beyond personal – they are reflection of the transformative power of targeted interventions. Their journeys reiterate that when hard work and perseverance meet guidance, possibilities become endless. In Raipur’s villages, every stitch is weaving a story — not just of garments, but of hope, dignity and empowerment - crafted by women themselves.

(With inputs from Sumit Kumar Sahu)