Women acquire skills for self-reliance at the Sewing and Embroidery Center
‘Shishu Niketan’ Creche facility proves to be a boon for working mothers
Hoshiarpur/Daljeet Ajnoha/May 7 : The Red Cross Society of Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), Talwara, is playing a pivotal role in women’s empowerment. Through its dedicated Sewing and Embroidery Center, the institution is helping women master the craft of self-reliance, while its specialized childcare facilities are providing essential support to working mothers in the region.
Under the guidance of Chief Engineer Rakesh Gupta, the Society frequently undertakes various social welfare initiatives, including the organization of the annual Red Cross Mela, to serve the community.
Chairperson of the Society, Seema Gupta, stated that BBMB Red Cross remains committed to its social responsibilities. “Currently, 17 women are undergoing training at our Sewing and Embroidery Center under the supervision of expert instructors. Upon completion of the one-year course, the institution awards certificates that enable these women to start their own ventures,” she said. The center offers highly subsidized education with an admission fee of only ₹50 and a nominal monthly fee of ₹100.
Highlighting further facilities, Secretary Dimple mentioned the operation of ‘Shishu Niketan,’ a day-care creche for children aged 2 to 3 years. This facility is specifically designed to assist working women who can safely leave their children at the center during office hours. The admission fee is ₹50, with monthly charges scaled according to income (₹250 for those with an income up to ₹30,000, and ₹300 for those above).
Red Cross Manager Nardev Singh added that these initiatives are yielding positive results for society. He emphasized that managing kids during the day is a major challenge for working mothers, which Shishu Niketan effectively addresses. The children at the center are provided with mid-day meals, and medical check-ups are conducted twice a month by doctors from the BBMB Hospital.
[Box Item] Why is World Red Cross Day Celebrated?
World Red Cross Day is observed globally every year on May 8 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Henry Dunant, the founder of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the recipient of the first Nobel Peace Prize. Established in 1863, the organization was born out of Dunant’s vision to provide non-partisan aid to wounded soldiers. The day honors the spirit of volunteers and celebrates their contribution to humanitarian service, blood donation, and life-saving efforts during natural disasters or conflicts.
