Mission Shakti & THSC Sign MoU to Support Women's Skills in Odisha

By: WE Staff | Friday, 30 January 2026

• Mission Shakti Department entered into MoU with the Tourism and Hospitality Skill Council (THSC)
• The MoU has been made to improve skill development and entrepreneurship among women Self-Help Group (SHG) members in Odisha

The Mission Shakti Department has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Tourism and Hospitality Skill Council (THSC), which will enhance skill development and entrepreneurship for women in Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in Odisha by providing opportunities to women to gain skills related to the tourism and hospitality sectors.

The MoU was signed in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, at the Mission Shakti Bhawan, by Dr. Monika Priyadarshini, Director of Mission Shakti and Rajan Bahadur, CEO of THSC.

Deputy Chief Minister Pravati stated this is an important milestone towards women's economic empowerment in Odisha. She remarked that the initiative will enable women to enter into tourism and hospitality with appropriate training and entrepreneurship.

Pravati further noted that providing women with empowerment through developing professional skills and livelihood will provide women with financial independence while contributing towards including all women in a growing economy.

Mission Shakti Commissioner-cum-Secretary Girish S. N. welcomed the gathering and explained the objectives of the partnership, underlining the long-term value of women-led businesses in the tourism and hospitality industry of the state.

Jyoti Mayal, Chairperson of the THSC, has been a force to reckon with in promoting women empowerment through skill development and entrepreneurship. Her efforts have remained centered on encouraging women to become job creators, especially in the high growth industry of tourism and hospitality.

The project in Odisha is a part of her larger vision of building an inclusive and skilled workforce with women at the lead of India’s development journey.

The project will provide vocational training to twelve thousand women from one thousand self-help groups over three years, with four thousand women being trained per annum at a total cost of ₹9.3 crore.

According to officials in charge of the project, the aim is to improve the productivity of both the female workforce and female-owned businesses that can subsequently help develop the tourism industry in Odisha.

As part of the MoU, women members of SHGs will be provided training in areas such as tent services, catering, food supply, and event management. The project will also focus on training in the areas of business sustainability, improvement of professional skills, FSSAI certification, preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR), purchase of equipment, and expansion of business.