Odisha Partners With THSC To Upskill Women SHG Members In Tourism And Hospitality

Odisha Launches Women-Led Tourism And Hospitality Initiative

Odisha state government department for sports and youth services, Mission Shakti Department, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Tourism and Hospitality Skill Council (THSC) to enhance skill development and entrepreneurship opportunities for women Self-Help Group (SHG) members across Odisha.

The MoU was signed at Mission Shakti Bhawan in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida. The agreement was formally exchanged between Dr Monika Priyadarshini, Director, Mission Shakti, and Rajan Bahadur, Chief Executive Officer, THSC.

Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida described the initiative as a significant milestone in Odisha’s journey towards women-led economic empowerment. She stated that the programme would play a pivotal role in creating more “Lakhpati Didis” by enabling women to enter the tourism and hospitality ecosystem through structured skill development and entrepreneurship support. She further emphasised that empowering women with professional skills and sustainable livelihood opportunities would strengthen financial independence and contribute meaningfully to inclusive growth.

Mission Shakti Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Girish S. N. delivered the welcome address and outlined the objectives and scope of the collaboration, highlighting the long-term impact of women-led enterprises in the state’s tourism and hospitality sector.

The Odisha initiative is a reflection of Mayal’s broader vision of building an inclusive, skilled, and future-ready workforce, with women at the centre of India’s economic progress.

Jyoti Mayal, Chairperson, THSC “Empowering women through skill development and entrepreneurship is not just about livelihoods; it is about enabling confidence, leadership, and long-term economic independence. Through this collaboration with Mission Shakti, we aim to equip women SHG members with industry-relevant skills and entrepreneurial capabilities, enabling them to become active contributors to India’s growing tourism and hospitality ecosystem. At THSC, we remain committed to creating meaningful opportunities for women and supporting their journey towards sustainable success.”

Under the MoU, women SHG members will receive structured training to establish and manage enterprises in tent services, catering, food supply, and event management. The programme will include training on business sustainability, professional skill enhancement, FSSAI certification, preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), procurement of equipment, and business expansion strategies.

Under this initiative, a total of 12,000 women members from 1,000 SHGs will be trained over three years, including 4,000 women annually, with a total budget allocation of Rs 9.3 crore.

Officials noted that the programme would not only enhance employability but also enable women-led enterprises to actively participate in Odisha’s rapidly expanding tourism and hospitality sector, thereby strengthening the state’s socio-economic fabric.