Ramban, Jammu and Kashmir, March 24, 2025 – In a significant step towards realizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of enhancing toy exports and promoting women’s empowerment, the Rural Self Employment Training Institute (RSETI) in Ramban, in collaboration with the UMEED initiative under the Jammu and Kashmir National Rural Livelihood Mission (JK NRLM), has launched a 13-day free soft toy making training program. The initiative, which commenced recently in Seri, Ramban, aims to equip local women with valuable skills to foster entrepreneurship and contribute to the growing toy industry.
The training program is designed to provide participants with hands-on experience in crafting soft toys, a skill that aligns with the national goal of boosting India’s toy export market while creating sustainable livelihood opportunities in rural areas. By empowering women through skill development, the initiative reflects the dual objectives of economic growth and gender equality championed by the central government.
The Ramban RSETI, supported by JK NRLM’s UMEED scheme, has been instrumental in offering free training programs to unemployed rural youth and women, enabling them to become self-reliant. This latest effort targets women in the region, providing them with the tools and knowledge to potentially start their own businesses or contribute to the local economy. The 13-day course is expected to conclude with participants receiving certificates, further enhancing their employability and entrepreneurial prospects.
Officials from RSETI and JK NRLM emphasised the importance of such programs in rural development. “This initiative not only aligns with the Prime Minister’s vision but also strengthens our commitment to empowering women and promoting self-employment in Ramban. The collaboration with UMEED, a centrally sponsored scheme focused on uplifting marginalized communities, underscores the program’s role in fostering financial independence among women.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has repeatedly highlighted the potential of India’s toy industry to compete globally, urging stakeholders to enhance production and export capabilities. Simultaneously, his administration has prioritized women’s empowerment through various schemes, making initiatives like the Ramban training program a vital part of this broader agenda.
The launch of the training has been met with enthusiasm from participants and local authorities alike. As the program progresses, it is expected to serve as a model for similar efforts across Jammu and Kashmir, contributing to both economic diversification and social upliftment.