The Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), under the Accenture CSR initiative, conducted a one-month free training programme in Salem to enhance the livelihood opportunities of 50 rural women by equipping them with skills to manufacture innovative upcycled products. The training focused on making a range of value-added products, including laptop bags, innovative designer bags, sling bags and baby beds using woven and jute fabrics. The programme aimed to provide rural women with practical skills and encourage them to establish sustainable livelihood ventures. The valedictory function and certificate distribution ceremony was presided over by Senthil Kumar, Lead Bank Manager, SBI, Salem.
Dr. S. Jaisankar In his welcome address said that EDII would extend two years of handholding support to the trained women to help them develop their businesses and become successful entrepreneurs. The support will be provided in collaboration with WeAct, with the objective of helping the beneficiaries sustain and expand their enterprises. Mr. Senthil Kumar encouraged the beneficiaries to pursue entrepreneurship and advised them to approach the District Industries Centre (DIC) for financial assistance and subsidised bank loans. Certificates were jointly distributed by Senthil Kumar and Dr. Jaisankar.
As part of the “Local for Vocal” initiative to encourage women entrepreneurs in Salem district and provide them with opportunities to showcase and market their products through exhibition, An exhibition featuring more than 30 stalls of products from EDII-trained women entrepreneurs and Self-Help Groups , the event Jointly organized by Dr. Krishna Priya, Dean, Sakthi Kailash Women's College; Dr. Abdul Khader and Mr. Gowtham Shanmugam, Project Managers, Entrepreneurship Development and Innovation Institute-TN; and Dr. S. Jaisankar, Project Officer, EDII. Textile and millet value-added products were displayed and sold, providing the participants an opportunity to access new market. The best stalls were identified and appreciation certificates were presented to the entrepreneurs