More than 30 women from Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in Tripura's Sipahijala district are undergoing a 20-day jute bag making training programme at the Charilam RD Block office, in a push to build sustainable livelihoods for rural women under the Gramin Jivika Mission. The programme, which began on 9 July and runs through 31 July, covers tailoring techniques for producing jute file covers, keybags, doormats, and home décor items.

Programme Details and Setting

The training is being conducted at the two-storey building of the Charilam Rural Development (RD) Block office in Sipahijala district. Participants — all drawn from the Charilam block — are learning to craft a range of jute products intended for both household use and commercial sale. The initiative falls under the broader umbrella of the Lakhpati Didi Yojana, a central government scheme that aims to help rural SHG women earn a sustained annual household income of at least ₹1 lakh.

A Unit in the Making

The Gramin Jivika Mission, Charilam RD Block plans to establish a dedicated jute bag production unit approximately one month after the training concludes. The unit will enable participants to manufacture keybags, jute doormats, decorative wall mats, and assorted home décor products for open-market sale. Officials also intend to promote these goods across government departments as eco-friendly alternatives for file covers and official bags.

Charilam Block Panchayat Samiti Chairperson Khela Bhowmik Debnath visited the training camp to review progress, signalling administrative backing for the initiative.

What the Women Are Saying

Sampa Datta, a participant who has already achieved 'Lakhpati Didi' status, highlighted the breadth of skill-building underway in the block. 'Around 30 women here are working on jute bag making. Our Prime Minister wants every woman to become self-reliant and independent. That is why training programmes are being provided for various crafts. In our Charilam, many training sessions take place, such as bamboo craft and toy making,' she said, adding that jute bag training has drawn particular enthusiasm among participants.

Fellow SHG member Pintu Bhowmik said the group is already producing market-ready goods and has its sights set on broader distribution. 'We want to promote these products in the coming days across various government departments for file covers, bags, etc., so that the sisters can become self-reliant. Our next plan is to create a full unit so they can earn an income and gain employment. Our mission is for all SHG sisters to become 'Lakhpati Didis',' she said.

The Environmental Angle

Participants also framed the initiative as an environmental intervention. Bhowmik noted that public awareness around plastic pollution has created a ready market for jute alternatives. 'Using jute bags will help the environment, and right now, the demand for these bags is very high; they are used in almost every event,' she said. Jute's natural durability and biodegradability make it a viable substitute for single-use plastic bags, which continue to dominate retail channels.

Broader Context

This programme is one of several skill-building drives running in Charilam block, which has previously hosted training in bamboo craft and toy making. The convergence of the Lakhpati Didi Yojana with local missions like the Gramin Jivika Mission reflects a wider policy push to translate SHG membership into measurable income gains for rural women across India's northeastern states. With the production unit expected to come online within weeks, the Sipahijala initiative will be an early test of whether short-duration training can translate into durable employment at the grassroots level.