S. P. MANDALI’S PRIN L. N.

WELINGKAR INSTITUTE OF
MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT & RESEARCH

SUMMER INTERNSHIP RESEARCH PROJECT REPORT

ON

SKILL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN IN

HIMALAYAN BLOOMS

BY

AAYUSHI SACHDEV

PGDM (2019-2021) TRIMESTER – IV

SPECIALISATION: FINANCE

NEW ROLL NO: 93

INTERNAL MENTOR: Prof. Dr PRIYANKA SHARMA

1
 LETTER OF AUTHORIZATION

TO WHOMSOEVER IT MAY CONCERN

1. This is to certify Ms Aayushi Sachdev, a student of S. P. Mandali’s Prin L. N.

Welingkar Institute of Management Development & Research and pursuing two years
full-time Post-Graduate Diploma in Management - (PGDM- Finance), underwent three
months of summer internship research project with me from 27th April 2020 to

2. During the summer internship research project, Ms Aayushi Sachdev has successfully
completed the project titled “Skill Development Opportunities for Women in
Himalayan Blooms” under my guidance, Prof. Dr Priyanka Sharma.

3. The Students performance during the summer internship research project and
comments on her project work are as under:

……………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………

_______________________________________

(Signature of the Internal Faculty Mentor)

Name:

Designation:

Date: ……………………………………………

2
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would first like to thank my Project Guide Prof. Dr Priyanka Sharma without whose
support, this report wouldn’t have been a reality. She was always there to clarify even my
smallest doubt and guided me towards the road to perfection with this research work. She
motivated and encouraged me to take that extra effort to make this report a success.

I would also like to thank the industry experts from Himalayan Blooms, who helped me with
the primary research of this project. Without their passionate participation and valuable input,
the research could not be successfully conducted.

Finally, I must express my profound gratitude to my parents and my peers for providing me
with unfailing support and continuous encouragement throughout my years of study and
through the process of researching and writing this project report. This accomplishment
would not have been possible without them.

3
 Table of Content

Sr. No. Topic Pg. No.

1. Executive Summary 5
● Objectives
● Methods
● Results
● Conclusion

2. Introduction 6

3. Objective 7

4. Literature Review 7

5. Research Methodology 9

6. Findings 9
● Local Culture & Status of Woman in Uttarakhand
● Women’s participation in the labour force
● Schemes for Women Empowerment in Uttarakhand
● Similar Organizations

7. Analysis and Interpretation 12

● Benefits of Investing in women’s advancement

8. Recommendations 13
● Why Himalayan Blooms needs to enforce learning
English among employees
● Ways through which they can enforce learning
English

9. Prototype 13

10. Conclusion 16

11. References 17

4
 Executive Summary

Objective- The objective of the research was to identify the hidden skills of rural women
and help them learn new skills to diversify the skill set that will broaden the horizon of
opportunities for them.

Methods- Interviewed the top managers and 10 employees of Himalayan Blooms to identify
the required skills.

Results- After interviewing them, we identified that they could diversify the product
portfolio from the given raw materials and to be more effective in the global market there is a
need to learn the language of global communication which will also help in shaping the
personality of the women workers.

Recommendations- The management is recommended to enforce workplace training,

encourage peer to peer learning, and internet learning among the women employees.

Prototype- Developed an English Speaking Basics Module for the management to follow
during the workplace training sessions.

Conclusion- Once the women are able to communicate their thoughts in an effective manner,
it would escalate the opportunities available for them in all spheres of life, be it social,
economic or political. Henceforth, establish a positive and respectable image of women in
remote rural areas of the country.

5
 Introduction

Himalayan Blooms, a social initiative of SBI Youth to uplift the community, empower local
women. It was officially launched in 2015 when Ms Pratibha Krishniah decided to leave her
corporate job and took a fellowship that involved a project to help local women. She
observed that women in Uttrakhand knew kitting and thought to market their skills.

To add to the success of Himalayan Blooms, a humanitarian from US Mr Jogindar Kundra

donated for the venture so it could be set off as a social enterprise to empower rural women.

With the help of Mr Kundra, Himalayan Blooms got an opportunity to sell the products in the
global market. Also, some of the products of HB were showcased in the NY Now event held
in New York in 2017.

HB has women workers who make various products like rakhis, baby blankets, baby caps,
scarfs and different kinds of toys. These knitters are provided with proper training. They have
a dedicated website from where one can buy these products. Apart from that, they have also
started selling their products on Amazon to expand their reach in the market.

6
 Objective of Research

To augment the interpersonal skills of women in the organization in order to broaden

the horizon of opportunities.

Himalayan Blooms has tried to establish itself as an NGO to uplift the community by
empowering the women, providing necessary tools and equipment to make marketable
locally produced goods. To create a long-standing impact in the lives of these women,
Himalayan Blooms wants to boost the morale of its employees by diversifying their skill set
and nourishing their interpersonal skills and technological skills.

Literature Review

Communication Skill- A Tool for Rural Women’s Empowerment, Hundekar, PS and

Badami

According to the research conducted by Hundekar, PS and Badami to assess the

communication skills of adolescent young women in nine rural areas of India- Dharwad,
Hisar, Hyderabad, Ludhiana, Palampur, Panthnagar, Parbhani, Udaipur and Jorhat. The
researchers highlighted that a large part of rural women in India lacks basic communication
skills which is a major drawback for the growth of India during the era of globalisation. India
stands at a major disadvantage of the unutilised rural workforce. The main reason is
unskilled labour. He mentioned the fact that out of the 360 million rural women in India only
31% are employed. The rural women lack basic skills that are hindering them towards the
path of becoming self-reliant. One such skill is communication.

Communication is a key to greater participation in decision making, power, in all aspects, be

it social, economic, legal or political. Women are empowered when they know how to
communicate their thoughts well.

To confirm, an experimental study was conducted using the Communication skill tool
developed by the Hyderabad centre. That concluded that imparting communication skills
among rural women will help them express their views in a better way, which will further
open doors to grab various socio-economic opportunities for them as well as upcoming
generations, will make them self-reliant, say in decision making be it household decisions,
decisions related to employment, politics etc. Hence, there is a need for communication skill
development training programmes to empower rural women in India.

7
Women Empowerment through English Language Learning in India, Rajib Saha and
Jayanta Mete

During this era of globalization, linguistically diversified nations are being united through a
common medium of communication; English. English has gained importance in this world of
global communication and relations. At the same time, the researchers have underlined the
burning issue of women empowerment in society. They highlighted; since the time of
civilization, women have been oppressed in the patriarchal society. To give voice to the
oppressed, the government and international organizations have launched several programs
and created laws. To voice the opinion, the English language plays an important role to
empower women.

The author states that English empowers with multi-facilitating traits, it could help in earning
a livelihood, social status, basic human rights and not just these benefits but larger benefits
like the ability to think differently due to change in the electrical activity of the brain which
helps increase the mental flexibility of the brain, build connections throughout the world, and
ability to acquire digital literacy.

It’s not mandatory for women to know English to feel empowered but learning English will
definitely increase the pace of empowerment. It will make a woman financially independent,
socially respectful and politically fit for what she deserves in the contemporary world.

Role of Education in the Empowerment of Women in India, Rouf Ahmad Bhat

As the research conducted by Rouf Ahmad Bhat, highlights the need for independent decision
making, the self-identification of what is right and wrong comes by imparting knowledge in
the society, which is a way to empower the weakest or suppressed section of the society; the
women. The report highlights the problems faced by uneducated women that involve a lack
of awareness of basic rights.

The old adage, “if you educate a man you educate an individual, but if you educate a woman
you educate a whole family.” Education not only imparts knowledge but revolutionaries the
mentality, outlook, and attitude of an individual. It is a way to empower women that helps in
recognizing self-worth, ability to achieve something along with bringing a change in the
socio-economic environment in society. They become more independent thinkers, realise the
importance of being financially independent and work toward achieving the goal of financial
independence. To achieve these goals the author suggests adult literacy programmes, which
in turn will help in promoting the education of their girl child thus leading to a bright future
for the country.

8
 Research Methodology-

The study was undertaken to know the areas where rural women need to augment skills to
become globally competent.

The research methodology includes both primary and secondary research to complete the
report. Under primary research, we interviewed the top managers and a few employees of
Himalayan Blooms. The interviews were conducted virtually over voice calls given the
current situation of COVID19.

Under secondary research, the data was compiled from the data available on the internet,
published journals, research papers and articles. We also identified similar organizations
working for similar causes in the northern parts of India. We also understood the initiatives
taken by the government to empower women in Uttarakhand.

Findings

➤ Local Culture & Status of Woman in Uttarakhand-

● Gender-based discrimination and a violation of women’s rights to health and life.

● Economic empowerment: More women than men live in poverty. Economic

disparities persist partly because much of the unpaid work within families and
communities falls on the shoulders of women and because they face discrimination in
the economic sphere.

● Political empowerment: Social and legal institutions still do not guarantee women
equality in basic legal and human rights, in access to or control of the land or other
resources, in employment and earning, and social and political participation.

● Rural women usually are always keen to work in order to support their families and
are always looking for opportunities.

9
➤ Women’s participation in the labour force

The Labour Force Survey Data 2017-18 suggests that India has a labour force of 395.2
million, out of which only 91.6 million are women. This highlights the challenge of low
female participation in the labour force.

The culture and status of women are the reasons for low female participation in the labour
force. This is the reason why India is amongst the top countries facing a shortage of skilled
workforce.

To conquer the issue, skilling initiatives along with push towards women empowerment
through gender sensitization, economic and social support, implementing coaching and
mentoring programmes, providing job opportunities are desired.

Since 229.2 million women out of the 301.5 million who are not in the labour force report
their status as “attending domestic duties”. Encouraging a gig economy that promotes flexible
work models will also encourage women to participate in the workforce, keeping a balance
between financial stability and domestic duties.

10
➤ Schemes for Women Empowerment in Uttarakhand-

Women’s empowerment schemes are being run by the Department of Women’s

Empowerment and Child Development in the state of Uttarakhand.

1. Uttarakhand Mahila Samekit Yojana (an integrated scheme for the women of
Uttarakhand):

Objectives of the scheme relate to-

 Providing training for women’s self-employment.

 Bringing awareness regarding legal provisions.
 Providing help to women to end gender discrimination.
 Developing entrepreneurial skills among women.

2. Swayam Siddha Pariyojana:

The intention of this scheme is to make the credit accessible to the SHGs so that small
enterprises can be set up. Leadership training is provided so that women can maintain
daily accounts for the SHG and can ensure the smooth functioning of the group.

➤ Similar Organizations-

● Mitti Ke Rang

Mitti Ke Rang, a social venture committed to empowering women, widows, and

single women to make them independent and self-reliant by acquiring skills through
education and training programs, also assists them to lead a dignified life. This
organization started in 2014 as a social venture, and currently working in 11 countries
across the world. It’s rebuilding the lives of underprivileged women and their children
by providing a portal to empower, educate, and rehabilitate them. They organize
various skill-based workshops and projects to make women informed of their rights.

● Sanjeevani NGO

Sanjeevani Vikas Evam Jan Kalyan Samiti, founded in 2000, is a nonprofit rural
development organisation in India. The mission of the NGO is to eliminate poverty,
unemployment, poor health and illiteracy. It’s an NGO based in Almora District in
Northern India(Himalayan Region). It provides voluntary services for women

11
 empowerment by creating awareness, creating job opportunities in rural areas,
educating them, developing science & technology awareness in common people. It
also promotes sustainable agriculture in rural areas.

Analysis & Interpretation

➤ Investing in women’s advancement presents many benefits to business:

Innovation

● Attract and retain new talent

● Generate new product ideas and process improvements

Cost Savings and Productivity

● Increase productivity through access to essential resources

● Reduce turnover and increase retention

Market Growth

● Access and grow new markets

● Drive consumer loyalty

● Enhances brand reputation

After interacting with the topline managers and the employees of Himalayan Blooms, we got
to know the areas they want to improve and diversify. Particular to diversification, there is a
lot of scope to produce a variety of products from the same raw materials. They can produce
dream catchers, jewellery, handbags etc. These products can be made using the same tools
and equipment. Also, the women employees are skilled in knitting, so they can just be shown
a prototype and further, they can experiment with the designs.

Simultaneously, it was observed that women employees crave to upskill their interpersonal
skills but are not sure from where to begin with. The top managers support the idea of
interpersonal skill enhancement. Since they also export in the global market where the
medium of communication is English. And only a few people in the organization can
communicate fluently in English. Hence, there’s a need to inculcate English as a medium of
communication among women employees. This will help to dilute or delegate important roles
of communicating with global clients to other members of the organization.

12
 Recommendations

➤ Why Himalayan Blooms needs to enforce learning English among employees-

● As per the researchers, learning a new language stimulates electric activity in the
brain that helps to think differently.

● This will help empower women employees to gain confidence and assertively put
their thoughts forward.

● Himalayan Blooms exports its goods in the global market so there’s a need to teach
English to its staff as a medium of communication.

● English will also give an edge to the employees to easily operate the technology (like
computers) as the language interface tends to be in English.

➤ Ways through which they can enforce learning English-

● Workplace Training- conduct workshops

● Support women to learn on their own (internet tutorials)
● Provide learning incentives like say in decision making, gift cards or vouchers etc.
● Leverage women's social circles as a learning channel

Prototype

I created an Enlgish Speaking Basics Module for Himalayan Blooms. The following is an
outline of how they can make the women employees learn English. It consists of three
modules from very basic. Under the workplace training sessions, management can follow the
pattern suggested in the module.

13
14
15
 Conclusion

Himalayan Blooms has diverse areas of opportunities to augment, whether it be skills related
to product diversification or interpersonal skills of the women employees. The organization
leverages the power of the women workforce, the innate knitting skills possessed by them.
For further success, HB should nurture the interpersonal skills of its employees, which will
open doors for innovation and advancement. It will further supplement the goal of HB that is
to empower women in rural areas, make them financially independent. Once the women are
able to communicate their thoughts in an effective manner it would escalate the opportunities
available for them. Henceforth, establish a positive and respectable image of women in
remote rural areas of the country too.

16
 References

 Communication Skill- A Tool for Rural Women’s Empowerment, Hundekar, PS and

Badami
http://www.researchinventy.com/papers/v4i12/B041208011.pdf

 Women Empowerment through English Language Learning in India, Rajib Saha and
Jayanta Mete
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/327972116_Women_Empowerment_throug
h_English_Language_Learning_in_India

 Role of Education in the Empowerment of Women in India, Rouf Ahmad Bhat

https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1081705.pdf

 https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/covid-may-leave-100-million-women-in-
extreme-poverty-by-2021-un/articleshow/78116697.cms#:~:text=In%20India%2C
%20the%20poverty%20rate,total%20count%20to%2015.2%20million.

 https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/10/india-skill-development-programme/

 https://www.ijert.org/learning-english-in-rural-india-difficulties-and-remedies

17