From Side-Stitching to City Supply: Pimpri Chinchwad Women’s Groups Stitch New Dreams with PCMC’s Help

Pimpri | Until recently, Pushpa Souda and the SHG members of Jagruti Mahila Bachat Gat stitched bags from a modest shop, while Shilpa Kanse and her colleagues at Gurukrupa Mahila Bachat Gat worked from home — each bag a small act of self-reliance and dignity.

Now, both Self-Help Groups (SHGs) are celebrating a major milestone — the successful completion of their first large-scale contract: stitching and delivering 3,145 school bags for the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) Education Department. For the nine women who came together for this Rs 12.58 lakh order, the project was not just about work — it was about worth.

“We only sold bags in our area before. This order has given us the confidence to dream bigger,” said Prachi Kadam of Jagruti Mahila Bachat Gat, her voice steady with pride. “It’s the first time groups like ours received a government order. Working with PCMC has changed our lives.”

Shravani Kanse from Gurukrupa Mahila Bachat Gat added, “We were nervous at first, but we supported each other like a family. Now we know that we’re capable of handling much bigger orders.”

The opportunity came through the Sakshama Project under social development department, PCMC’s initiative to empower SHGs and link them with mainstream civic and economic activities. On April 2, the SHGs met with officials from PCMC’s Education Department. Mentored under Sakshama, the women came prepared — showcasing handmade samples and boundless enthusiasm.

When the official work order was placed on May 29, the women began working in full swing. From sourcing materials to stitching, quality checks to final delivery, the entire process was completed in just a month — all 3,145 bags accounted for.

“We divided responsibilities. Some looked after stitching, some ensured finishing and packaging, and together we managed every detail,” shared Pushpa Souda, leader of Jagruti Mahila Bachat Gat.

Meanwhile, over at Gurukrupa Mahila Bachat Gat, Sangita Ghule, Anuradha Bedare, and Shilpa Kanse handled operations from a member’s home, making each working day a shared mission of empowerment.

“The skill, discipline, and determination these women have shown is remarkable,” said PCMC Commissioner Shekhar Singh. “This isn’t just about stitching bags — it’s about building livelihoods, giving visibility to women in public supply chains, and creating a scalable model for the entire city.”

He also made an appeal to the city’s industrial and institutional ecosystem. “Whether you need stitched uniforms, office bags, or other supplies — give our SHGs a chance. Your support can help transform grassroots women’s enterprises.”

Through Sakshama, PCMC has created real, scalable opportunities for women-led SHGs — helping them move from invisible contributors to active entrepreneurs in a growing urban economy.

“This government order opened a new horizon for women’s employment,” said the SHG members collectively. “We feel proud. We feel seen. And most importantly, we now know we can do more.”

Their vision is clear: involve more women, take on larger orders, and lead Pimpri Chinchwad’s local supply ecosystem — not just with hard work, but with heart.