Mandi’s rural women are weaving path to prosperity

In the tranquil village of Thamlah in Mandi district, a group of women is transforming their lives and community by mastering the art of handloom weaving.

What began as a hobby for many has now become a source of livelihood, propelling them toward economic independence and success.

Thanks to the support of government schemes that promote handloom craftsmanship, these women are not only securing their financial future but also weaving a new story of empowerment and self-reliance.

From hobby to enterprise

Heeramani, a simple homemaker from Thamlah village, has been working with a handloom for over two decades. In her free time after completing her household chores, she skillfully weaves shawls and mufflers. What started as a personal interest gradually turned into a way of earning, and in 2021, after meeting officials of Himachal Pradesh Handicrafts and Handloom Corporation, she decided to take her handloom work to a professional level.

Heeramani rented a shop in Syanj market and began selling her products. The Handicrafts Corporation recognised her expertise and appointed her as a master trainer, responsible for training eight women from her village in handloom weaving. She received a monthly stipend of Rs 7,500 as a trainer, while the trainees were provided with handlooms and a monthly stipend of Rs 2,400. The training programme not only enhanced her skills but also enabled her to pass on her knowledge to others in her community.

Empowering women

Heeramani now produces Kinnauri and Kullu-style shawls and mufflers, earning between Rs 15,000 and Rs 20,000 approximately every month. This income has significantly contributed to her family’s financial well-being. The trained women, now skilled in weaving, work from their homes or assist Heeramani in her shop, further expanding their earning potential.

Heeramani is grateful to the state government and CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu for their efforts in empowering women through schemes that promote self-employment and home-based business opportunities. These initiatives are making a substantial difference, allowing women to become financially independent while maintaining their household responsibilities.

From student to artisan

Bhupendra Kumari, a resident of Syanj, hails from a poor farming family. After completing her schooling in 2023, she stayed at home, but soon after, inspired by Heeramani, she decided to try her hand at weaving. She enrolled in the one-year training programme launched by Himachal Pradesh Handicrafts and Handloom Corporation and received both training and a handloom. Throughout the programme, she earned a monthly stipend and gained valuable skills. She started weaving shawls and mufflers, which provided her a supplementary income. Today, Bhupendra earns up to Rs 10,000 each month, contributing to her family’s expenses and needs.

Similarly, Neelam, another young woman from Syanj, faced challenges in continuing her studies due to Covid. Initially, she took a two-month short training in handloom weaving as a hobby to earn pocket money. However, she later completed a one-year training programme in August 2023, which provided her with both a handloom and a monthly stipend of Rs 2,400. Now a skilled artisan, Neelam earns between Rs 8,000 and Rs 10,000 every month by weaving shawls and mufflers, which helps support both her personal and family expenses.

Support from handicraft bodies

The success stories of Heeramani, Bhupendra, Neelam and other women in the region are a testament to the impact of government initiatives aimed at promoting handloom businesses and self-employment. Akshay Singh Dhot, assistant manager and district in charge of the Himachal Pradesh Handicrafts and Handloom Corporation, stated that the state government had been providing various short-term training programmes to boost the handloom industry. Recently, over 90 individuals in the district received one-year handloom weaving training, with over Rs 30 lakh in financial assistance being provided to the participants as stipends during the programme.

Crafting path to self-reliance

These women from Syanj are proof that with the right training and support, anyone can turn their passion into a source of livelihood. The handloom sector not only preserves the region’’s rich cultural heritage but also plays a crucial role in the economic empowerment of rural women. As they continue to make beautiful creations, they are also weaving a future where they are not just survivors but contributing to the growth of their families and communities. The government’s role in providing resources and training has proven to be a game-changer, giving these women the tools to build a brighter and more self-sufficient future.