Mangaluru: In a significant step towards promoting self-employment and women empowerment, 20 sewing machines were distributed to identified women beneficiaries at Ganeshpura on January 18, 2026, through the MRPL CSR Fund, with the initiative facilitated by JCI Ganeshpura.
In a significant step towards promoting self-employment and women empowerment, 20 sewing machines were distributed to identified women beneficiaries at Ganeshpura on January 18, 2026, through the MRPL CSR Fund, with the initiative facilitated by JCI Ganeshpura.
The programme was held with the objective of supporting economically disadvantaged women by equipping them with practical skills and tools to generate sustainable livelihoods. By enabling home-based tailoring and stitching activities, the initiative aims to encourage financial independence, skill development, and long-term economic stability among women.
The distribution programme was coordinated under the guidance of Dr Rudolph Joyer Noronha, who emphasised that empowering women through self-employment is one of the most effective ways to strengthen families and communities. He noted that access to simple income-generating tools such as sewing machines can significantly improve household income while also boosting confidence and self-reliance among women.
Representing Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL), Shri Keshav Patali, Manager – CSR, was present on the occasion. He highlighted MRPL’s continued commitment to inclusive development through its Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, particularly those focused on women empowerment, skill development, and community welfare. He stated that MRPL’s CSR programmes aim to create lasting social impact rather than short-term assistance.
Members and office-bearers of JCI Ganeshpura were also present and actively involved in the programme. They reiterated JCI’s dedication to community development initiatives that focus on capacity building, entrepreneurship, and social upliftment. The organisation has been consistently working towards identifying genuine beneficiaries and implementing need-based interventions at the grassroots level.
The beneficiaries expressed gratitude for the support, stating that the sewing machines would help them start or expand tailoring work from their homes, enabling them to contribute to their family income while managing household responsibilities. For many, the initiative marks an important opportunity to move towards economic independence.
The programme stood as a collaborative effort between MRPL’s CSR wing and JCI Ganeshpura, reflecting a shared vision of empowering women through sustainable livelihood opportunities. The organisers expressed hope that similar programmes would be extended to more communities in the coming months, ensuring that women are provided with the resources and encouragement needed to become self-reliant and confident contributors to society.
