Date : 11th January, 2026

1. Introduction
This report presents the successful implementation and completion of the Training Programme on Bamboo Utility Handicraft Assembler for Senior Citizens, conducted at Positron Institute, Deythang, Rinchenpong Constituency, Soreng District, Sikkim. The programme was organized under the Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY) of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, and sponsored by the Women, Child, Senior Citizen and Divyangjan Welfare Department, Government of Sikkim. The training was implemented through the State Institute of Capacity Building (SICB) under the Skill Development Department, Government of Sikkim.
The training programme was conducted from 11th January 2026 to 16th March 2026 with the objective of strengthening traditional bamboo craftsmanship among senior citizens and providing them with meaningful skill-based engagement opportunities. The curriculum focused on hands-on practical training in bamboo cutting, splitting, weaving, assembling, shaping, and finishing of bamboo utility products. Through this structured approach, participants developed both basic and advanced skills required for producing functional bamboo handicraft items.
The primary aim of the programme was to empower senior citizens, a group often excluded from mainstream skill development initiatives, by equipping them with practical vocational skills that encourage self-reliance, creativity, and opportunities for supplemental income generation. Participants were trained in producing various bamboo utility items such as baskets, trays, holders, mats, and household products, while also learning about safe tool handling, product finishing, and basic entrepreneurial concepts.
Bamboo, being a traditional and locally available resource in Sikkim, offers significant potential for sustainable livelihood promotion and preservation of indigenous craftsmanship. Recognizing this potential, the programme sought to revive traditional bamboo craft practices while engaging senior citizens in productive and community-oriented activities. Conducting the training at Positron Institute within the local area ensured accessibility for the elderly participants and minimized mobility challenges, thereby encouraging active participation.
The initiative also aligns with the Government of India's vision of inclusive development, active ageing, and empowerment of senior citizens, as reflected in national welfare frameworks such as the National Action Plan for Senior Citizens (NAPSRC). Through effective collaboration between central and state departments, along with the grassroots-level implementation by Positron Institute, the programme successfully provided an enriching and impactful learning experience to the beneficiaries.
In conclusion, the training programme contributed not only to skill development but also to the social, psychological, and economic well-being of senior citizens in the Rinchenpong region. The positive outcomes of the programme highlight the importance of targeted skill initiatives for elderly populations and demonstrate the potential for replicating similar bamboo-based livelihood programmes across other parts of Sikkim.

2. Objectives
The Training Programme on Bamboo Utility Handicraft Assembler for Senior Citizens was conceptualized with a focused vision to empower elderly beneficiaries from Soreng District by equipping them with practical, culturally rooted, and income-generating skills in bamboo handicraft production. Conducted at the Positron Institute, Deythang, from 11 January 2026 to 16 March 2026, the programme was organised under the Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY) of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, and sponsored by the Women, Child, Senior Citizen and Divyangjan Welfare Department, Government of Sikkim. The programme was implemented through the State Institute of Capacity Building (SICB), functioning under the Skill Development Department, Government of Sikkim, with Positron Institute serving as the training delivery center responsible for curriculum execution, facilitation, and learner support.
The specific objectives of the programme were as follows:
1. To impart practical skills in bamboo utility handicraft making;
The primary objective of the programme was to provide structured, hands-on training to senior citizens in bamboo craft techniques such as cutting, splitting, shaping, weaving, and assembling utility products. The curriculum was carefully designed to help participants develop the ability to produce high-quality, durable bamboo items suitable for household usage, gifting, and local market sale.
2. To promote self-reliance, creativity, and meaningful engagement among senior citizens;
Recognising the importance of active ageing, the programme aimed to engage elderly individuals in productive skill-building activities that enhance their creativity, confidence, and sense of purpose. By learning a culturally relevant craft, participants gained an avenue for continued social participation and personal fulfilment.

3. To create livelihood opportunities through traditional craft-based skills;
The training focused on enabling senior citizens to generate supplementary income through the production and sale of bamboo utility items. Participants were introduced to basic entrepreneurship concepts, including pricing, product finishing, quality control, and local market linkage, thereby encouraging them to explore small-scale home-based enterprises.
4. To preserve and revive traditional bamboo craftsmanship in local communities;
Bamboo craft holds cultural significance in Sikkim. The programme sought to revitalise this traditional skill among the older generation, ensuring its continuity and transfer to younger community members. By strengthening local craftsmanship, the initiative supports sustainable development using eco-friendly and locally available resources.
5. To support inclusive development and active ageing through government-led welfare interventions;
Aligned with the broader goals of AVYAY and national frameworks for senior citizen welfare, the programme aimed to ensure that elderly populations-often overlooked in conventional skill development initiatives-receive access to structured training opportunities. The initiative promotes inclusion, reduces social isolation, and enhances the overall well-being of senior citizens.
In essence, the objectives of the Bamboo Utility Handicraft Assembler training extended beyond the acquisition of craft skills. They were directed toward enhancing dignity, fostering self-dependence, sustaining cultural heritage, and contributing to community-level socio-economic development. Through this intervention, the programme created a meaningful and lasting impact on the lives of senior citizens in the Rinchenpong region.

3. Month-wise Training Activity Details
The Training Programme on Bamboo Utility Handicraft Assembler for Senior Citizens was conducted over a period of two months, from 11th January 2026 to 16th March 2026. The month-wise progress of the training is detailed below, outlining the systematic delivery of practical skills, demonstrations, and hands-on exercises.
3.1. January 2026 - Foundation & Orientation Phase
Duration Covered: 11 January 2026 - 31 January 2026
During the initial phase, trainees were introduced to the basics of bamboo craft, safety practices, and familiarisation with tools. This period focused on building the foundational understanding required for advanced practical work.
Key Activities:
• Inaugural ceremony and orientation session.
•Introduction to bamboo as a raw material (types, qualities, sustainability).
•Demonstration on bamboo selection, softening, and primary preparation
•Safety instructions for tool handling.
•.Hands-on practice:

Bamboo cutting and trimming.
Splitting and shaping techniques.
Basic weaving patterns.
Introduction to simple product-making (coasters, small mats, and basic
strips).
Learning Outcomes:
Trainees developed confidence in handling bamboo and basic tools.
Understood safety protocols.

Acquired basic shaping and weaving skills