FEATURES
July 2024
Amrita JSS Trains Thousands to Success
There are several thousands of success stories across India where village women and men have gotten themselves trained to learn a skill that provides income and a business. Read about the success stories under this link.
In the state of Meghalaya, M.A. Math was the first NGO to initiate Amrita JSS–East Khasi Hills training centers. They have trained 1,800 beneficiaries covering 46 villages during the financial year 2023-2024.
Smt. Broda Kurbah, a resident of Krang village in Mawkhar Marbaniang, is one of them. She decided to enroll in an Assistant Dress Maker course organized by Amrita JSS–East Khasi Hills. Farming had been her financial secure before, and now an extra ₹7,000 is added to her monthly earnings as she works as a tailor in a local shop.
A young man, Abandon Walter Sohtun, lives in the Pomlakrai Pdengshnong village in Meghalaya. He was interested in Two-Wheeler Mechanisms and upon hearing about the course enrolments, he joined a training program. The course completion brought him an opportunity to work as a helper in a two-wheeler workshop. With the experience gained, he soon started his own two-wheeler workshop in Mawnianglah. Currently, Abandon earns more than income of ₹10,000 per month.
Amrita JSS–Vizianagaram has trained more than 5,500 beneficiaries since its inception in 2021. In the latest financial year, they covered 62 villages training 1,920 beneficiaries to complete the courses and helping to start their work.
Along with training, many got assistance to start their own businesses. Smt. Konna Revathi lives in Vuda, Andhra Pradesh. She had studied up to the 12th standard. She visited many parlours in her area, but the cost of the training was very high. Hearing about Amrita JSS–Vizianagaram offering courses for free, she enrolled for the Beauty Care Assistant training. Almost immediately upon completing the training, she started her own beauty parlour business from home, and now she is earning an income of ₹25,000 per month.
Many gain confidence even to travel abroad. Smt. Manju Chacko is from Nedumkandam, Kerala. She joined Domestic Care Attendant Course organized by Amrita JSS–Idukki. Completing the course, she got a job opportunity in Bahrain as a home nurse. Her salary is ₹90,000 per month.
Amrita JSS–Idukki has been functioning since 2003 as the first JSS under Amma’s care. The institute has trained and empowered 37,133 individuals to this date.
Amrita JSS’s Priority
Like above, Amrita Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) priority groups are women in scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, minorities, and other marginalised sections of society. The objective is to empower these communities by identifying skills that have a relevant market in their regions, thus creating a foundation for them to lead independent and dignified lives, alongside enabling local trades to grow.
By arriving at their doorsteps, Amrita JSS staff take the initiative to connect with them, as they are communities with minimum infrastructure and resources.
Often, they also lack the self-confidence to access the assistance that is their birthright as citizens.
Amrita JSSs have trained 84,000+ people since 2003
These training centers are implemented in eight districts:
Idukki, Kerala (since 2003)
Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu (since 2003)
East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya (since 2021)
Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh (since 2021)
Kalahandi, Odisha (since 2021)
Angul, Odisha (since 2023)
Chennai, Tamil Nadu (since 2023)
Jodhpur, Rajasthan (since 2023)
Each year, more than 50 sub-centres operate with locations that vary depending upon the needs of the district.
*Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) scheme is implemented through NGOs with 100% grants from the Government of India. They work at the doorstep of the beneficiaries with minimum infrastructure and resources. At present, 312 JSSs are functioning in 26 states and seven (7) union territories. The annual coverage of the beneficiaries is around 400,000, out of which 85% are women.
