Year 2002-2003 Annual Report

As you know that a Vocational Training Centre was started in the year 2002 on an experimental basis as Training cum Production Centre for underprivileged women to generate employment. The Centre is called CHHAYA – “The Shelter”. We hope to become a protective shelter for underprivileged women by providing them a respectable source of livelihood.  We had decided to initially impart training in Tailoring and allied activities and subsequently add other vocational skills. The Centre has been successfully functioning and the activity has been greatly welcomed by the target group and appreciated by the community members. The number of trainees has been constantly increasing. At present these trainees earn their additional income/livelihood from small orders that the Vocational Centre is able to procure for stitching suits for ladies who are members and friends of SCOPE. Besides this some other tailoring activities are also being undertaken. The Tailor Masters who have been sent by our Consultant from Delhi are training these ladies, which also means quality of stitching is much better than what is locally available. As the orders for suits are not very large, we are not in a position to support a large number of such women. With substantial orders, we hope to be able to train and employ a greater number of women to become self-reliant.

In order to be able to train larger number of women and make the activity more worthwhile, we contacted Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB), which is perhaps the largest consuming organization in Jammu region, to provide us with job work for the women trainees. During our survey for potential organizations for large orders, we found out that Printed Jute Bags are being provided in the Bhaint (Holy Offering) Shops to carry Bhaint by SMVDSB. The consumption of these Jute Bags is fairly substantial considering the huge number of pilgrims visiting the Shrine everyday. A supplier from Calcutta is presently supplying these bags. There is no additional benefit to SMVDSB except this commercial transaction. Whereas by giving a part of the order to the Centre, the SMVDSB would not only help in employment generation but also would directly affect the economy of the state. This would also take some burden off the Government to provide with employment in the state of J&K especially women from among the economically disadvantaged section of the society who unfortunately are left with no skills to support themselves to earn a respectable livelihood. With that in mind we have worked out the cost and we are now confident that we will be able to supply these bags to the Shrine Board on a regular basis at the same cost which SMVDSB is paying at present. We also believe that we are in a position to manufacture the Jute Bags after successfully working with the trainees for a few months. With our homework done we have contacted SMVDSB to initially place a small order with us and if the Board finds us to be in a position to deliver quality bags to match their quantities, the orders could be gradually increased. As the skill and number of our trainees' increases, a larger quantity of these bags would be manufactured locally thus not only boosting the local economy but also making women self-reliant by providing employment. SMVDSB has agreed to our proposal and has placed a substantial order.

I am happy to report that your organization has been successfully manufacturing and supplying jute bags to SMVDSB with recurring orders as our trainees have been able to match the quality standards required by the Shrine Board. Chhaya is now one of the prime suppliers of jute bags to SMVDSB. Considering our diligence and to help the Cause, we have also been assured by the SMVDSB, the orders for Red Chunni (Holy Scarves) being sold as a part of the Bhaint and uniforms for employees of the Shrine Board.