Recognising the potential that the development of cottage industries holds for self-employment, the Tata Chemicals Society for Rural Development has conducted several training projects in and around Babrala. These have increased job opportunities and enhanced household incomes

Income-generation training: In collaboration with the District Rural Development Agency, training in income-generating activities was conducted between 1997 and 1999.

Villagers were taught motor rewinding and how to make furniture, rope and wire houses. Each training programme spread over three months was conducted in the Gunnaur, Rajpura, Dehgawa and Junawai blocks.

More than 150 women from nine villages and 30 men from six villages attended these programmes and now successfully run their own businesses.

Training in tailoring: In collaboration with the Usha Mahila Shilp Kala Kendra in Agra, the Tata Chemicals Society for Rural Development has been regularly conducting six-month sewing and stitching classes for rural women.

Every year, two batches of 25 students are trained. Students are taught all aspects of tailoring, from cutting, designing and stitching to finishing. Till 1999, 12 batches had been trained, benefitting 150 women.