Empowering Rural Women: ICICI Bank’s support boosts stitching business in Madhya Pradesh

Indore:  Financial support from ICICI Bank has helped a women-led self- help group (SHG) near Omkareshwar turn their small stitching activity into a sustainable business, bringing both income and confidence to the community. Life in the village once revolved around household chores and daily-wage work, with limited resources and little hope of becoming financially stable. Things began to change in August 2021 when a few women came together to form the Omkareshwar SHG. Using old sewing machines, the SHG started making salwar suits and managed to get small orders from nearby areas. Instead of stopping there, the members approached garment shops in Indore and gradually built connections to secure bulk orders. To improve their skills, the women reached out to NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development), which provided training on stitching techniques and basic business practices.
Progress was slow due to outdated equipment. That’s when ICICI Bank extended a loan to the group, enabling them to purchase branded sewing machines. With better tools in hand, productivity increased, quality improved, and their earnings nearly doubled.
Encouraged by this success, a second loan was availed from ICICI Bank to support their plans of shifting to a larger workplace and offering garment alteration services alongside bulk stitching orders.
This success story reflects how timely support can uplift rural communities. ICICI Bank’s assistance has not only helped improve livelihoods but has also empowered women to build a stronger, self-sustained future.