Merlin Group Assists TDH Suisse Homes and DRCSC in Holding a Capacity-building Workshop for Dhapa Slum Women

News Desk, News Nation 360: In order to empower 25 chosen women from the urban slum settlements of Dhapa, Kolkata, through the creation of sustainable livelihoods, the Development Research Communication and Services Centre (DRCSC) and the Merlin Group arranged a capacity-building workshop on jute-based handicrafts. The program, which was officially introduced by Ekata Bepari (Assistant Director, Eastern Region, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India), tackles the urgent need for other revenue streams in the face of evolving regional waste management systems. Under the direction of the master artisans of Kadambagachi Banglar Karushilpa Unnayan Sanstha, the program provides practical instruction in block printing, clothing manufacture, and cloth bag making. The trainees are organised into a collective self-managed business under the name Maa Unnayan Samiti. The Merlin Group's CSR division, Merlin I Am Kolkata, gave the Samiti Rs. 15,000 as seed money to launch their entrepreneurship and financial inclusion, expanding on their current regional welfare footprint that includes a digital skill centre, a tailoring school that was previously established alongside TDH Suisse Homes, and support for the education of 490 local children. The Ministry of Textiles issues official Artisan Identity Cards, offers travel assistance for national textile exhibitions, oversees pension benefits for artisans over 60, and recognises exceptional craftsmanship through awards like the prestigious Shilp Guru Award, of which six of the 16 recipients this year are from West Bengal. Bepari highlighted a number of federal support mechanisms during the session. Saket Mohta, Managing Director of Merlin Group, expressed complete confidence in the project's market integration, which will ensure long-term economic self-reliance. The finished high-quality jute products will be directly packaged, commercialised, and exhibited at various state-backed exhibitions as well as established retail outlets in Dhakuria, Barasat, and Mandarmani.

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