Paramita Das Gupta, 48, an assistant professor of commerce, is providing handicraft lessons to women as a tool for financial independence and empowerment in north Bengal.

The teacher at Vidyasagar College of Education in Phansidewa, on the outskirts of Siliguri, said she had always wanted to see women empowered, self-reliant and financially independent.

"Despite the dream of being self-reliant, many women are unable to fulfill them because of pressures from their family and sometimes society,’ said Paramita.

She said she decided to use jute, an environment friendly and inexpensive product, to make handicraft items and teach other women.

"We like-minded friends formed an outfit, Uubacho (Voice), and started conducting various courses from our Rabindra Nagar centre in Siliguri,” said Paramita.

The organisation’s idea is being well received.

While 30 women are training to make jute products in Siliguri, around 120-odd women have enrolled themselves in the organisation’s training course in Alipurduar.

"We have just started our sessions in Cooch Behar, too,” said Paramita.

The organisation buys back products that the women make during the training sessions.

"Our products, which are mostly decorative items, are sold between Rs 20 and Rs 400,” she added.

The organisation is also providing women training in making cakes, chocolates and artificial jewellery.

"We are encouraging women to start their own business from their homes. The state government is also providing help to such initiatives by providing platforms to sell those products,” said Paramita.

“The government is also helping us in organising workshops," she added.

Pinky Ghosh, a homemaker from Siliguri, who attended chocolate and cake workshops, recently has now started her own business from home.

"I participated in the training just a fortnight back but I have started selling chocolates and cakes. Within two weeks I have done business of Rs 5,000,” said a beaming Pinky.