A CORRESPONDENT
DIBRUGARH: Oil India Rural Development Society (OIRDS), under the aegis of Oil India Limited (OIL), successfully organized the ‘Certificate Distribution Ceremony’ for the women weavers and artisans of the 2023-24 batch at OIL’s Swanirbhar Building (CSR Activity Complex of OIL), Tipling, Duliajan in Dibrugarh.
The event, which was graced by Rupjyoti Phukan, RCE, OIL & Advisor, OIRDS, Debashis Bora, CGM-FA & Vice-President, OIRDS, Jyotirmoy Bhattacharya, CGM (F&A), and other senior officials of OIL and OIRDS, marked a significant milestone in OIL’s commitment to social and economic empowerment of women through skill development and entrepreneurship.
As a part of OIL’s CSR initiatives implemented by OIRDS, the Centre of Excellence for Handicraft Handloom & Entrepreneurship (CoE) has been playing a pivotal role in uplifting women artisans in OIL’s operational areas. Established in 1984 as the Handicraft Training and Production Centre (HTPC) during OIL’s Silver Jubilee Year, the centre was restructured in FY 2021-22 to align with evolving skill-building needs, encouraging women entrepreneurship, and promoting sustainable lifestyle choices.
Operating under a Hub & Spoke Model (Centre & Community-based), the centre extends support in skill training through government-certified long-term and short-term courses in Handloom & Handicrafts, formation of cooperative societies, and facilitating backward and forward linkages for value-added production and marketing of sustainable products. To date, more than 2,000 women have been trained and empowered through this initiative.
During the ceremony, certificates were awarded to 75 women artisans who successfully completed long-term courses in Handloom (Sustainable Apparel) and Handicraft (Eco-Friendly Water Hyacinth & Bamboo). These certificates were conferred by the ‘Apparel Made-Ups & Home Furnishing Sector Skill Council’ under the Government of India’s Skill India (Kaushal Bharat-Kushal Bharat) and National Skill Development Council, signifying their accredited skill proficiency.
In addition to the certificate distribution, a mini exhibition was also organized at the venue, showcasing various handloom and handicraft products crafted by two cooperative societies, Prerona and Shrishti, formed under CoE. The exhibition provided a platform for the artisans to display their creativity and entrepreneurial potential, reinforcing OIL’s mission to promote sustainable livelihoods through skill development. This event underscores OIL’s unwavering commitment to empowering women artisans and fostering sustainable entrepreneurship in its operational areas, ensuring long-term socio-economic benefits for the community.
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