GOVARDHAN KAUSHAL
VIKAS KENDRA
WOMEN EMPOWERMENT CELL
Empowering Rural Women’s indigenous craftsmanship
in and around Palghar
GOVARDHAN KAUSHAL
VIKAS KENDRA
Govardhan Kaushal Vikas Kendra (GKVK), a full-fledged skill development
center under the umbrella of Govardhan Eco Village in Palghar.
The skill development initiatives have been active since 2016, and now the
full fledged center is here to multiply the impact.
We have IIT-Bombay Alumni, MIT Alumni, Industrialists, Researchers, PhD holders in various technical
and non-technical fields, Spiritual Leaders, Award winning Entrepreneurs, Project Managers, Trainers,
Support staff, etc helping in building entrepreneurship and skill development.
Palghar District
Palghar District is situated at foothills of
Sahyadri Mountains located at around 100 kms
north of Mumbai, the Economic Capital of
India. Palghar district was apportioned from
Thane district on 1st August 2014 and is 36th
District of Maharashtra State.
Topographically district covers 4,69,699
hectares of land. It has a total of 1008 villages
and 3818 sub-villages governed by 477 gram
panchayats, the local governing body in India.
Palghar District Palghar has 84%
rural population
Scheduled tribes from India are
and just 16% is
considered most economically
urban population.
challenged as compared to other
counterpart citizens of India.
Where women are
still the vulnerable
gender. Their ST
Palghar is home to majority of Scheduled status makes their
tribes. Our research shows that half of the livelihood even
population (50%) is below poverty line harder.
meaning they earn less than Rs. 27,000 or
approximately $390 per annum.
Palghar - Demographics
Addressing the above issues at hand through Centre for
Entrepreneurship and Skill Development at Palghar:
• Selecting target groups for skill development and enhancement, which includes women,
youths, and teachers (Aanganwadi workers).
• Setting up a centre of excellence for youths, women, and teachers.
• Embracing and incubating entrepreneurial spirits amongst the participants.
• Collaboration is key, hence the proposed CoE (Centre of Excellence) for Skill
Development and Enhancement will have multiple stakeholders to facilitate the teaching,
training, internship, placement, and startup incubation process.
• Beneficiaries include school dropouts, students exploring alternative multi-skilling work
avenues, aspiring entrepreneurs, women and Aanganwadi workers.
GOVARDHAN KAUSHAL
VIKAS KENDRA’S ROLE
The center will serve hundreds of tribal youth and
tribal women by skilling them in various trades.
This will empower them to become micro
entrepreneurs or to attain employment at other
workspaces.
GOVARDHAN KAUSHAL
VIKAS KENDRA’S ROLE
According to NSDC (National Skill Development Corporation), Maharashtra is
likely to have an incremental demand for 1.55 crore persons in 2021-22 where the
shortage for skilled labor is 14% (33.6 lakh local skilled labor force). Thus, driving
more migrant labors into the state.
DESIRED OUTCOME
According to our study, equipping the local youths and women SHGs with
skills and entrepreneurial mindset and traits will ensure that the demand
for skilled labor force is met and an ecosystem of self-employment is
created.
IMPACT
Success Probability - The programs for skill development and entrepreneurship at
Govardhan Kaushal Vikas Kendra has been successfully running with proven model
suitable for the tribal population specifically. With a placement and self-employment
record of 98% in the last 3 years.
Sustainability – This area is mildly ensured through the generous sponsors for the
Entrepreneurship and Skill Development Program over the past. Also, our high quality of
skilled trainees is preferred as the ideal candidate in the partnering companies for
placement. Hence, the demand to supply more skilled labor is always present.
WOMEN
EMPOWERMENT VIA
INDIGENOUS ART
GOVARDHAN KALA UTSAV ‘21
HAMRAPUR
• No. of groups: 18
• No. of women: 140+
• Education: 90% educated, 10% uneducated
• Demography of the group: Muslims, and
migrants from other states
• Highlighted groups: Pragati Bachathgat, Om
Gurudev, Bhagyalakshmi, Sai Leela, Ekvira etc.,
• Products made by the women: Handmade cotton
blankets, cotton handbags, agarbhati stands,
jewellery, puja thalis, rangoli plates.
NANE
• No. of groups: 1 (visited)
• No. of women: 10
• Demography of the group:
• 80% - OBC
• 20% - Scheduled Tribe Ladies
• Group name: Mahalakshmi Swayamsahayta
Samuh
• Trained by: Govardhan Ecovillage
• Products made by the women: Cotton bags, flower
hair pieces, hair borough, doormat, Haldi set
GHORE
• No. of groups: 14
• No. of women: 140+
• Demography of the group: 80% - Tribal Women 20% - OBC (locals)
• Highlighted groups:
• Mahalakshmi (for cotton bags)
• Surya (for pouches)
• Ramabhai (Pottery, Lamps)
• Samatha ( Plastic and woolen products)
• Sir Samartha krpa (Cotton bags)
• Utkarsh (Pottery)
They buy raw materials from tailors in Bhiwandi market in bulk & recycle
those fabrics to make beautiful products
Received support for tailoring machines from Adivasi Prakalpa Jawhar
DUKTAN
• No. of groups: 1 visited
• No. of women: 10
• Demography of the group: Mostly
local women
• Highlighted groups: Vaibhavl lakshmi
maheela bhachatgat
• Products made by the women: wall
piece, agarbhati stand, bangles, earrings,
puja thalis, mangal sutras, thoran (wall
decors)
SONALE BUDRUK
Adi Shakti Maheeka Gram Sangh
• No. of groups: 14
• No. of women: 140+
• Highlighted groups:
• Rukmini - Dairy Products
• Jaimallar - Event decors, rent sound system
• Sai Krpa - Polyhouse for Agriculture
• Products made by the women: local food
products, eco-friendly plates, pickles, pappad,
harvest grains, jewellery, grocery stores.
KHAIRE
• No. of groups: 8 (visited the utsav)
• No. of women: 60+
• Highlighted group: Khulswamini
Bachatgat
• Products made by the women:
hygienic and good quality food
products like Karanji, Dahi Vada,
Puran Poli, Khaja, Thel Poli, varieties
of pickles - all made in bulk for events
or special occasions.
VAJRESWARI
• Individual craftsman : Mr.
Deepak Atmaram
Choudhary
• Speciality: Worli & Gaund
Paintings (Indigenous art)
• Education: 10th grade
• Working since last 20
years.
• Other Products made by
him: coasters, Natural
Painting, Modern
Paintings, cartoons,
Paintings for schools.
JAMGHAR
• No. of groups: 1 (visited)
• No. of women: 10
• Demography of the group:
Muslims, and migrants from other
states
• Highlighted group: Jay Malhar
• Products made by the women:
Ropes recycled from old sarees to
hang clothes. Toordal, Anarse
flour, doormats, karwadi.
• Trained by Umed - Panchayat
samiti
PIMPROLI
• No. of groups: 14
• No. of women: 140+
• Demography of the group:
90% Scheduled Tribe
• Highlighted groups:
Sitaladevi
• Products made by the
women: mobile pouch,
mirror embroidery, mirror
decorations, hangings, etc.,
GOVARDHAN
AROGYA ASHRAY
• No. of women: 10 in house; 20 from outside villages
• Products: quilts, bags, book covers, mats,
pillowcover sets, passport covers, plant holders,
masks, reusablysanitary pads.
• Part of Govardhan EcoVillage in house women
empowerment cell.
GOVARDHAN KALA UTSAV ‘21
An exhibition held at Govardhan Eco
Village for the women from different
village to showcase their handmade
products.
Stalls saw over 200 vistors admiring
creativity and hard work put in by
these women.
The State’s Tribal Ministry
visited the exhibition and
assured support from the
government to help tribal
women of palghar district
in their business.
Maharashtra Map
WARLI PAINTING
Some products included finely made
hair brooch and colourful bangles.
Finely crafted house decorations
Finest quality Terracotta lamps
crafted by GKVK Women
Empowerment team
Exclusive Banana Fibre products
WHY ARE THEY PURSUING THEIR
CREATIVE BUSINESS?
* This is the only way of income for the family
* To sustain themselves and their children
* Being simple homemakers deprive them and their families from
acquiring enough money to feed the children, provide good education,
etc.,
* Running their own business, gives a sense of Independence and
confidence for these women in a rural family setting.
WHAT DO THEY LACK? AND HOW CAN WE
HELP THEM?
* Proper Business Model
* Funds to acquire raw materials
* Proper channel to bring the products to the retail
market
* Enough marketing and outreach
* Encouragement from government to continue
pursuing
* Counter their vulnerability to loss.
THANK YOU!
