“At Tata Power, we believe that empowerment goes beyond livelihood creation. Through Anokha Dhaaga, we are building an ecosystem where women gain confidence, strengthen their skills and support one another through collective growth. Their journeys demonstrate how the right opportunities, partnerships and continuous learning can create lasting social and economic transformation.” Tata Power spokesperson
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Tata Power celebrates the inspiring journeys of women whose lives have been transformed through Anokha Dhaaga, the company’s livelihood initiative focused on empowering women from underserved communities. What began as a small stitching centre in Maval, Maharashtra, has grown into a vibrant network of women collectives that support one another in building sustainable incomes and stronger community leadership.
In Mumbai, Anokha Dhaaga connects a network of home-based makers and artisans who contribute to production while managing their household responsibilities. The initiative provides skill development and materials for production, enabling women to work flexibly from their homes while remaining connected to a supportive ecosystem for learning and income generation.
Beyond traditional stitching, the initiative has expanded into diverse skill areas including embroidery, craft making, culinary products such as chocolates and cookies, home décor items and other handcrafted goods. Women are trained across the value chain from design and sampling to production, packaging, pricing and market engagement enabling them to participate more confidently in livelihood opportunities. The initiative also extends financial support in areas such as education, health needs and small enterprise development, helping women strengthen their long-term economic resilience.
Industrial exposure and strong market linkages have played an important role in strengthening the initiative. Through partnerships with organizations within and beyond the Tata ecosystem including Trent, TajSATS, Tata Sons, Amazon, HDFC and ICICI Lombard, women from Anokha Dhaaga contribute to large-scale corporate orders and gifting requirements. Members of the initiative have also supported major events such as the Tata Mumbai Marathon, producing haversack bags made from recycled plastic for runners, and the Westside Wellness Run, where women created customized upcycled tiaras and merchandise celebrating women’s empowerment.
To support these opportunities, continuous training and upskilling remain central to the initiative’s approach. Through exposure masterclasses and an online Learning Management System, women upgrade their skills from their homes while exploring tools that support design thinking, product development and innovation. In another step towards future-ready learning, women from Anokha Dhaaga centres also participated in the Tata AI Sakhi Immersion Program at the India AI Impact Summit in Delhi, where they received hands-on exposure to emerging AI tools and digital applications for design and product ideation.
Speaking on the initiative, a Tata Power spokesperson said: “At Tata Power, we believe that empowerment goes beyond livelihood creation. Through Anokha Dhaaga, we are building an ecosystem where women gain confidence, strengthen their skills and support one another through collective growth. Their journeys demonstrate how the right opportunities, partnerships and continuous learning can create lasting social and economic transformation.”
Shabnam Shaikh joined Anokha Dhaaga in search of stable work and gradually developed skills in embroidery, stitching and painting. Today, she contributes not only as an artisan but also as a trainer, travelling to locations such as Nagpur and Gujarat to help other women learn skills that can support their livelihoods.
Anjali Bai has been associated with the Chembur centre since its early days and began her journey during the pandemic when women came together to produce masks and support their families. Today, she travels to Bhivpuri and Dharampur in Gujarat to train women in bag and garment making, while supporting her daughter’s education through her work.
Since its inception in Maval, Maharashtra in 2016 with just ten women, Anokha Dhaaga has grown into a nationwide network connecting more than 30,000 women across 25 centres in nine states, while also supporting women-led MSMEs and several women collectives that contribute to the initiative’s expanding ecosystem.
Today, Anokha Dhaaga stands as an example of collective strength, where women support one another while building pathways towards financial independence and social empowerment.
