AIDA holds USHA Silai School handing over programme

DIMAPUR: The USHA Silai School handing over ceremony, organised by ANMA Integrated Development Association (AIDA), was held at St. Mary’s School, Lozaphuhu village, Phek on May 20.
The programme marked the successful completion of the USHA Silai School Training Programme conducted under the AIDA–USHA Silai School initiative. The event also included the formal handing over of sewing machines to the trainees as a gesture of encouragement and support towards their livelihood journey. The initiative aimed to empower rural women through vocational education and livelihood opportunities. According to a press release issued by AIDA, the nine-day training programme was conducted from May 13 to 21 with ten hours of intensive training each day. A total of 15 women from 15 different villages participated in the programme.
The training curriculum included practical lessons on mechanical operations, stitching, repairing, and embroidery, equipping participants with hands-on skills for self-employment and livelihood generation.
The programme was graced by superintendent of police, Phek, Dr. Pritpal Kaur Batra, as the special guest, while executive director and chief functionary of AIDA, Rev. Fr. Dr. Roy George, and HR manager and director of training and programmes at AIDA, Dr. Anna Lungbila Bibiana, attended as guests of honour.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Batra spoke on the dignity and empowerment of women through skill development. She said that women should be clothed not only with beautiful garments but also with integrity, dignity, confidence, discipline, and strength.
She encouraged the trainees to see tailoring not merely as a source of income but also as a means to empower lives and transform communities. She urged them to remain disciplined, sincere, and committed to continuous learning.
On entrepreneurship, Dr. Batra advised the trainees to give their tailoring units brand names, build a presence on social media platforms, take photographs of their work, understand customer preferences, and stay updated with modern designs. She also encouraged them to form Self-Help Groups, open savings accounts, start recurring deposits, and make use of government livelihood schemes.
In his address, Rev. Fr. Dr. Roy George congratulated the trainees on successfully completing the programme and highlighted the importance of the skills they had acquired. He encouraged them to utilise the training to improve their economic condition by developing sustainable livelihood opportunities. He emphasised that the skills gained through the programme would contribute not only to their economic empowerment but also to the well-being and development of their families and society. He further stressed the importance of regular practice, stating that skills without continued effort fade quickly.