Bettiah: Rural development minister Shravan Kumar distributed clothes stitched by Jeevika women among anganwadi children at Valmiki Auditorium in Valmikinagar under Bagaha-2 block of West Champaran on Sunday to mark CM Nitish Kumar’s birthday.Addressing the gathering, Kumar said the initiative brought joy to children while strengthening the skills and self-reliance of women associated with self-help groups. After receiving tailoring training, Jeevika didis are now producing quality garments and earning a sustainable livelihood, he said.The minister described the programme as a reflection of the CM’s commitment to rural development and women’s empowerment. Over the past two decades, several initiatives have been launched to uplift women and move Bihar towards becoming a developed state, he added.Kumar said 2,034 Jeevika didis in West Champaran and around 60,000 across the state are engaged in stitching clothes for Anganwadi children. On Sunday, about 6,000 children in the district and nearly 50,000 statewide received garments.A cutting centre is operational in Yogapatti block, from where fabric is supplied to all 18 blocks of the district. Similar centres may be opened as women gain greater proficiency, he said.A Jeevika didi stitches four to five sets daily, earning up to Rs 300 a day. Under the Chief Minister’s Women Employment Scheme, 6,82,697 women in West Champaran have received Rs 10,000 each, totalling over Rs 682 crore. “Today, the Centre and the state are jointly committed to Bihar’s all-round development. This scheme is a strong step towards a self-reliant Bihar,” he added.
