In the bustling streets of Bangalore, a quiet revolution is taking shape through needle and thread. The tailoring initiative, launched by Bangalore Mega City Lions Club of District 317A, in response to the pandemic’s economic toll, has emerged as a catalyst for women seeking financial independence.
Operating from two centres in Vijayanagar and SJR College, Rajajinagar, the program offers six-month courses to batches of 25 women. Upon completion of the course, each participant receives a certificate and a sewing machine—tools that open doors to economic opportunity. To date, over 400 women have been trained at both centres.
Take Jayamma, a 39-year-old single mother who lost her husband during the pandemic. After completing her course, Jayamma began with small tailoring jobs in her community to support her two school-going children. Today, her modest venture has blossomed into a thriving enterprise; with a team of 10-15 women, Jayamma is now supplying garments to factories and showrooms across the city. Her income has soared from ₹200 per day to over ₹1,00,000 monthly.
Kavya represents another success story. A student at the SJR College, Kavya’s newly acquired skills now fund her education. Going forward, she is confident of contributing to her family’s income.
Four years since its launch, this initiative’s impact extends beyond statistics. Behind each certification and sewing machine stands an empowered woman who has reclaimed her independence, dignity, and dreams for the future.