Made in Ballia: Women Entrepreneurs Begin Production of Affordable Footwear
They say that to empower a woman, you must help her stand on her own feet. At GJKS, we have taken this literally.
We are proud to announce the latest addition to our rural industrial hub: A semi-automatic Footwear (Chappal) Making Unit.
We have successfully installed the machinery and completed the first batch of intensive training for our Self-Help Group (SHG) members. Today, the women who once walked miles in worn-out slippers are now manufacturing high-quality footwear for their entire village.
Why Footwear? A Daily Necessity
When choosing a new business avenue for our SHGs, we look for products with high local demand. In rural India, the “Hawaii Chappal” (rubber slipper) is a household staple. Everyone, from a school-going child to an elderly farmer, needs them.
By producing them locally, we are achieving two goals:
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Guaranteed Market: There is a customer in every home.
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Affordability: By cutting out transport and middleman costs, we can provide high-quality slippers to villagers at a lower price than big city brands.
Mastering the Machine
A machine is only as good as the hands that operate it. Before starting production, GJKS organized a comprehensive technical training workshop.
The women were trained in every step of the manufacturing process:
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Sheet Cutting: Precision cutting of rubber sheets for different foot sizes.
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Drilling & Grinding: Smoothing the edges for comfort and safety.
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Strap Fitting: Assembling the final product using the strapping machine.
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Finishing: Ensuring the final product looks professional and is durable.
“At first, the machine looked complicated,” says one of our new trainees. “But after the training, I can cut and assemble a pair in minutes. It feels good to make something so useful.”
A Step in the Right Direction
This unit is more than just a factory; it is a source of steady income. Unlike seasonal farming, footwear production can happen year-round, rain or shine.
The slippers produced here will soon be available at our Hamaragaon Smart Store and other local outlets.
With this initiative, GJKS continues to diversify the skills of rural women, proving that whether it is making food, rolling incense, or manufacturing footwear, there is nothing a determined woman cannot do.
Support our women. Buy local.
