Indus Valley Times

By Akshya Rout

Bhubaneswar, Oct. 12: In villages across Odisha, skills such as traditional painting, stitching, food processing and handicraft-making have long been part of everyday life. For many women, these skills were passed down through families and practised at home, often without becoming a regular source of income.

With support from Tata Steel Foundation (TSF), women in communities across Jajpur, Gopalpur, Angul and Dhenkanal are turning dying traditional skills into thriving livelihoods and small businesses. Through collectives such as Navjeevan, Srujanika and Gruhalaxmi, they are finding new markets, taking on institutional orders and making decisions about the businesses they help build.

In Jajpur, around 85 women from Trijanga, Sansailo and Gobarghati have come together through Navjeevan, producing traditional art, apparel, jute products, Tassar and more. Their products have found markets through Tata Motors, TRIFED, TSUISL, TERI and local businesses. Navjeevan’s turnover nearly doubled from ₹27.33 lakh in FY2024–25 to ₹52.95 lakh in FY2025–26.

For Birangi Jamuda of Gobarghati, the enterprise has brought both income and new opportunities. “Due to my association with Navjeevan, I have received more respect and the opportunity to meet people and travel to different places for learning. I am happy that I can sustain my livelihood close to home, support my daughter’s education and contribute financially to my family,” she said.

Navjeevan is also helping preserve Odisha’s heritage by promoting Soura art and encouraging younger generations to carry it forward. Two of its Master Craftspersons have been shortlisted for the State Award for Crafts.

In Gopalpur, Srujanika blends tribal and traditional motifs in apparel and handicrafts. Its turnover grew from ₹3.7 lakh to ₹14 lakh in a year, with a ₹75 lakh target for FY2026–27. Its products have reached the Odisha Police, Indian Navy and Indian Army, as well as national platforms including Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, Samvaad and Pallishree Mela. A collaboration with Berhampur University is helping connect Saura art with younger audiences and contemporary products. Srujanika has also presented handcrafted memento to Hon’ble President Smt. Droupadi Murmu.

In Angul and Dhenkanal, Gruhalaxmi has built a women-led cooperative with over 2,250 shareholders from 26 villages. More than 1,065 women have started enterprises in dairy, poultry, tailoring, mushroom farming, food and other businesses. The cooperative markets food and household products under the Gruhalaxmi brand, with turnover crossing ₹1 crore in FY2024–25.

For Padmini Senapati of Nuagaon, Dhenkanal, the cooperative has brought a greater ability to support her family. “Gruhalaxmi has played a vital role in uplifting my life and those associated with the initiative. I now proudly support my family and take care of their needs. From training opportunities to serving customers across the region, it is not just me but the entire Gruhalaxmi family that is moving forward,” she said.

The women are also exploring technology. Members of all three collectives were among more than 600 grassroots women facilitated by TSF to attend the India AI Impact Summit in February 2026, exploring tools such as Gemini and ChatGPT for product ideas, design and communication.

For these women, the real change is closer to home, the ability to earn, make decisions, contribute to their families and look ahead with greater possibility.

TSF continues to support women as entrepreneurs, decision-makers and leaders, helping build enterprises that strengthen livelihoods while preserving Odisha’s rich cultural heritage.