Guwahati: On International Women’s Day, themed “Give to Gain,” Cairn Oil & Gas, a part of Vedanta Limited, highlighted the inspiring journey of women weavers from Assam whose traditional skills are now driving economic independence, leadership and community transformation.
Across India, Cairn’s community development initiatives focus on empowering women and strengthening families. The company’s social programmes are currently supporting more than 20 million women and children through initiatives in education, nutrition, healthcare and welfare, while also promoting holistic community development.
In the villages of Borchapori in Golaghat and Agchamua in Jorhat, weaving has long been a deeply rooted cultural tradition practiced by women for generations. Through partnerships with the Assam State Rural Livelihoods Mission, Cairn has helped transform this traditional skill into a sustainable source of income and empowerment.
The Jacquard Handloom Centre in Golaghat, supported by Cairn in collaboration with ASRLM, has become a major hub for rural women artisans. What began with a small group of weavers has grown into a network of self-help groups involving more than 3,000 women. These artisans produce traditional gamusas and other handwoven products, which are supplied under the Swanirbhar Naari Scheme.
Building on the success of the Golaghat centre, Cairn expanded the initiative to the Sampriti Maku Handloom Centre in Agchamua village of Jorhat district. The centre provides infrastructure, skill development training and livelihood opportunities to women from surrounding communities.
Apart from providing looms and workspace, the centres also offer structured training programmes to improve weaving techniques, productivity and product quality.
Skill development has also been strengthened through the Government of India’s Scheme for Capacity Building in Textile Sector. Under this initiative, a training programme was conducted at the Borchapori Dhansiri Handloom Centre to provide demand-driven, placement-oriented training and promote skill upgradation in the traditional textile sector.
The journey of these women artisans reached a significant milestone earlier this year when they were invited to showcase their creations at India Energy Week 2026 in Goa.
At the global forum, the women displayed a wide range of traditional Assamese textiles including mekhela chadors, scarves, saris, jackets, handcrafted bags, pillow covers and gamusas made from indigenous silks such as muga and eri. Their handcrafted products received strong appreciation from international delegates, industry leaders and policymakers attending the conference.
For many of the artisans, it was their first opportunity to present their craft on an international platform—marking a remarkable transition from village-based weaving to global recognition.
Distinguished visitors to the Cairn pavilion were also honoured with traditional gamusas crafted by the women weavers, symbolising Assam’s rich textile heritage.
According to Cairn Oil & Gas, these initiatives reflect the company’s belief that sustainable development becomes more impactful when women are placed at the centre of progress.
As the world observes International Women’s Day under the theme “Give to Gain,” the journey of Assam’s women weavers highlights how investing in women’s skills and leadership can create stronger families, resilient communities and a more inclusive future.
