12,679 women trained in tailoring in Dharwad LS Constituency, says Joshi

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi symbolically distributing sewing machines to women at a programme organised as part of Raksha Bandhan celebrations in Hubballi on Friday.

| Photo Credit: KIRAN BAKALE

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Friday said that 12,679 women in Dharwad Lok Sabha Constituency have so far received free training in tailoring, while 1,089 eligible beneficiaries have been provided sewing machines to support self-employment.Speaking at a programme organised in association with Gram Vikas Society at his office on the Chitaguppi Hospital campus in Hubballi on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, Mr. Joshi said that empowering women through skill development and creating opportunities for economic independence is a priority for the Union government.“Women should not merely aspire for employment but, they should become a force that creates employment,” he said and highlighted various women-centric schemes of the Union government.Mr. Joshi said that 55.17 crore bank accounts have been opened under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana across the country, with women accounting for more than half of them.In the Dharwad constituency, 10.35 lakh accounts have been opened, of which 5.74 lakh, or 55%, belong to women, he said.Under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, 1,06,057 LPG connections have been provided in the constituency, besides cooking stoves to 2,000 beneficiaries, he said.Referring to the Lakhpati Didi initiative, Mr. Joshi said that the Central government is working to help women from self-help groups achieve a sustainable annual income of at least ₹1 lakh.He also highlighted the Namo Drone Didi scheme, under which 15,000 women’s self-help groups are being supported with drones for agricultural activities such as spraying fertilisers and pesticides.Eligible groups can receive assistance of up to 80% of the drone cost, subject to a maximum of ₹8 lakh, besides training in drone operations, he said.Mr. Joshi also spoke about initiatives in government schools in the constituency, including provision of desks and painting of school buildings.President of Gram Vikas Society Jagadish Nayak said that the organisation is working to create self-employment opportunities for rural women and youth and improve education, healthcare and drinking water facilities in villages.On the occasion, woman beneficiaries tied rakhis to Mr. Joshi and offered him sweets. Published - August 28, 2026 08:58 pm IST