Success through Stitching
We grew up listening, reading or watching fairy tales. Tales of glass shoes or glowing fabrics. This is also a tale of fabric and weaving. However, over the last year an institution churned out artists with skills to achieve their dreams. Gyankunj has many initiatives but we are very proud of our Sui Dhaaga initiative, which as the name suggests has everything to do with thread and needles. At Sui Dhaaga, we train women of all age groups towards attaining employable skills for the industry or create employment within the industry through their own enterprise. Sui Dhaaga is skill development initiative for women who have an interest in the clothing industry.
In early 2020, Sui Dhaaga launched its first centre in J.J. Colony, Bawana. Raising funds through crowdfunding on Milaap. We began with 5 sewing machines, one tutor and 10 students. Today, Sui Dhaaga has three centres with over 60 students and 32 machines. We have expanded our footprint in regions where we expect the warmest reception from the community, in terms of excitement for the program. In September 2022, Sui Dhaaga launched its third centre in Kanjhawala, North west Delhi, after Dharam Colony, Gurugram, and Bawana.
Sui Dhaaga has celebrated the fact that from its inception it has received support of the larger community. Deo Kumar raised funds for our initial set up, his target of 1.2 lakhs was surpassed within the required time. Such drive inspires confidence in Gyankunj for creative initiatives. Moving forward we tied up with Viscadia Private Limited. Viscadia’s recognition of Sui Dhaaga’s impact and potential is a testament of the private sector’s vision for social/economic improvement through education and training. Viscadia’s support was comprehensive and facilitated the improvement of Sui Dhaaga’s centre and involving more talented trainers.
Sui Dhaaga has now gained a momentum of its own, organising market place drives and competitions. Sui Dhaaga today also has the support and guidance of KMG Foundation. KMG supports existing efforts within the Sui Dhaaga program and further facilitates fresh initiatives. Our students are strengthened with the display of community and industry confidence in the program. We are inspired by our student’s creativity and aspirations. Our students are the protagonists of this fairy tale and this is their story.
