India: Xavier’s University Kolkata holds workshops for rural women

A Jesuit-run university in Calcutta, in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal, has organized workshops for rural women to improve their economic conditions.

In a humble effort to empower rural women, the Center for Social Outreach (CSE), a unit of St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata (SXUK), in association with Seva Kendra, Kolkata, started a 10-day workshop on tailoring on June 12 on the university campus.

Seva Kendra (service center) is the social development wing of the Archdiocese of Calcutta.

This workshop aims to promote the economic condition of rural women from neighboring villages by imparting hands-on training in tailoring. It would continue up to June 23.

While inaugurating the program, Jesuit Father John Felix Raj, vice chancellor of SXUK, said, "This is one of the many programs we plan to conduct. A university, as a temple of knowledge, must always be in touch with neighboring villages.

As many as 15 sewing machines will be handed over to the participating women after they complete the training program.

"Such workshops will continue for the women of the nearby villages," Raj added.

Experienced trainers from Seva Kendra would conduct the workshop. All the participants will receive a training completion certificate.

SXUK has a plan to set up a vocational training center for rural women in the second phase.

The West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (WBSEDCL) sponsored the project as a part of its corporate social responsibility initiative.

Father Anthony Rodrigues, director, Seva Kendra, and Subhasish De, regional manager of WBSEDCL, were present at the inaugural program.

Thanks to Sukhendu Bank, the coordinator, CSE, SXUK, and student volunteers for their active and efficient organization of the program. -Somak Sen