Uttar Pradesh, September 18, 2025: Usha International signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with The Directorate of Industries & Enterprises Promotion (DIEP), Government of Uttar Pradesh under the Vishwakarma Shram Samman Yojana (VSSY) which will give further impetus to the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative in the state. This partnership was announced in the august presence of Hon. CM Yogi Adityanath at Indira Gandhi Pratishthan, Lucknow, on the occasion of Vishwakarma Diwas. The partnership is aimed at strengthening livelihoods starting at the grassroots level, with Usha onboard as a training partner, for Vishwakarmis falling under the Darzi trade. Certifications on successful completing will earn participants will be issued under RPL (Recognition under Prior Learning.)
Through this collaboration, Usha International will implement this program through its flagship Usha Silai School (USS) program – community-based rural initiative that trains women in sewing and stitching, enabling them to set up and run self-sustaining micro-enterprises. Since its inception in 2011, the program has established 37,771 Silai Schools across India, covering 75% of districts and over 23,937 villages, and has expanded to Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bhutan, supported by 127 NGO partners and 72 institutional partners.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Madhav Mani, CEO, Usha International, said, “At Usha, we believe that enabling women with skills – supporting them to join the skilled workforce and establish their own micro-enterprises – is fundamental to India’s growth story. Our partnership with the Government of Uttar Pradesh is a reflection of this commitment with the state emerging as a frontrunner in creating opportunities for artisans to step into new roles as earners, leaders, and changemakers through initiatives such as Vishwakarma Shram Samman Yojana and One District One Product.
The Government of Uttar Pradesh under ODOP and VSSY will work closely with the ecosystem by identifying beneficiaries, providing financial assistance, and facilitating Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) certification to ensure formal validation of skills. The state has onboarded over 20 training partners for larger impact and aligned to the nationwide Viksit Bharat vision moving towards enabling people with various skills leading to a transformation in their socio-economic status.
Adding further, Mr Mani noted, “On the 75th birthday of our Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi ji, we are proud to reaffirm his vision of women-led development – a vision that continues to inspire Usha Silai Schools in their mission to equip women with the skills, confidence, and opportunities to transform not just their own lives, but also their communities. With a robust nationwide network of master trainers, Usha remains deeply committed to skilling women in sewing and enterprise development across India.”