Anokha Dhaaga Weaves New Hopes For Western Odisha Artisans
TPWODL opens first centre in Sambalpur to turn traditional craftsmanship into sustainable livelihoods
Burla (Odisha): For generations, the people of Western Odisha have preserved their rich cultural heritage through handwoven textiles, bamboo products, terracotta and intricate embroidery. However, traditional craftsmanship has not always translated into dependable livelihoods, with limited access to modern skills, organised production facilities and wider markets restricting artisans' economic opportunities.
Seeking to bridge this gap, TP Western Odisha Distribution Limited (TPWODL) has established its first ‘Anokha Dhaaga’ Centre in Sambalpur, offering free skill development, production support and market linkages to local artisans, particularly women. The centre aims to help them improve product quality, develop new designs and transform their inherited skills into sustainable income-generating enterprises.
The initiative assumes significance as approximately 5,275 artisans across Western Odisha are already associated with traditional crafts under the Anokha Dhaaga programme. The new centre will focus on promoting the region's distinctive craftsmanship, including Sambalpuri textiles, bamboo crafts, terracotta and embroidery.
The programme follows a comprehensive approach encompassing community mobilisation, skill enhancement, product development, production support and marketing. Its objective is to help artisans create market-ready products that meet changing consumer preferences while preserving their cultural identity.
Anokha Dhaaga is a flagship livelihood and micro-enterprise initiative of the Tata Power Community Development Trust (TPCDT), the community-development arm of Tata Power. It works with women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs), farmers' collectives, persons with disabilities and local artisan groups to strengthen their skills and entrepreneurial capabilities.
The initiative has established a national footprint, engaging more than 15,000 active SHG members through 25 centres. It has generated over Rs 5 crore in revenue through more than 50 business-to-business (B2B) collaborations. Its network also includes over 2,700 SHGs with more than 5,500 producer members.
Speaking on the initiative, TPWODL CEO Parveen Verma said traditional crafts could become sustainable sources of livelihood when artisans were equipped with the right skills and access to markets.
“Through Anokha Dhaaga, we aim to preserve the rich craft heritage of Western Odisha while enabling local artisans, particularly women, to build independent and sustainable enterprises. The Sambalpur centre is a step in that direction,” he said.
