Saksham Bharat - Women Empowerment Project
The Saksham Bharat initiative under Sahara Sevabhavi Sanstha played a pivotal role in empowering women during the challenging times of the COVID-19 lockdown. Recognizing the need to create avenues for women to earn a sustainable income from home, the project organized a specialized cake-making workshop that provided a much-needed economic boost to 30 women participants.
The workshop was a carefully planned initiative designed to ensure that the women received the best training in cake making while adhering to strict COVID-19 safety protocols. Sahara Sevabhavi Sanstha took a proactive approach by collaborating with the Health Department and the Police Department to ensure that social distancing measures were maintained throughout the project. The organization not only provided high-quality teaching staff but also made sure that all the necessary materials and equipment were supplied to the participants, relieving them of any financial burden to start the training.
The participants were trained in a range of cake-making techniques, from basic to more advanced levels, and were given expert guidance on how to develop their skills into a small-scale business. The workshop aimed to equip these women with a valuable skill set that could be practiced from the comfort of their homes, enabling them to generate income in a time when many traditional sources of employment were unavailable due to the lockdown.
For many women, this project was a lifeline, offering not just economic relief but also a sense of independence and empowerment. It demonstrated the power of community-driven initiatives in uplifting the underprivileged during a crisis, showing how innovation, collaboration, and compassion can result in real, meaningful change.
The success of Saksham Bharat is a testament to the commitment of Sahara Sevabhavi Sanstha to its mission of empowering women in the Sangli District. The Sanstha, founded by Mrs. Rajama Harun Magdum, has always placed a special focus on creating sustainable opportunities for women to thrive. The cake-making workshop during the COVID-19 lockdown is just one example of how the organization adapts to the needs of its community and ensures that no one is left behind during times of hardship.
By providing women with the tools and training to create a source of income from home, Saksham Bharat not only helped them sustain their households but also gave them a renewed sense of purpose and confidence. These kinds of projects underline the essential role that women play in society and the importance of offering them opportunities for growth and self-sufficiency.
The project’s impact extended beyond just the financial benefits. It fostered a sense of solidarity and resilience among the women who participated. It created a platform for them to support each other, share experiences, and develop the confidence to explore further entrepreneurial ventures. The women learned not just how to make cakes but also how to market and sell their products, giving them the tools to continue generating income long after the workshop ended.
Saksham Bharat is more than just a cake-making workshop—it is a beacon of hope, a model of how grassroots initiatives can create lasting change, especially for women in rural and semi-urban areas. The success of this project reflects the core values of Sahara Sevabhavi Sanstha in fostering empowerment, self-reliance, and community development.
