Apparel biz thrives in insurgency zone

Women from the interior areas of Dantewada district, which was once infamous for deadly Maoist violence, have created a niche for themselves not only as skilled labourers but also as successful entrepreneurs.

Over 1,000 women are associated with “Dannex” or Dantewada Next, the unit engaged in manufacturing readymade garments.

They come from interior villages of the district that were cut off from the mainstream of the society because of Maoist violence.

A senior official associated with the project said the traditional practice of providing employment to women meant recruiting them by imparting knowledge of a specific technical skill.

But the Chhattisgarh government has come with an innovative approach and established industries not just to provide employment to women, but also to hand over the entire management to them.

With this vision, the brand Dantewada Next or “Dannex” was started.

On January 31, 2021, the first unit of Dannex was inaugurated by chief minister Bhupesh Baghel at Haaram village under Gidam development block in Dantewada district. After Haaram, now a total of five units of Dannex have been established in Katekalyan, Chhindnar, Barsur, and Kaarli in the same district.