New Delhi, October 31, 2026: The Delhi Skill and Entrepreneurship University (DSEU), in collaboration with the Office of the District Magistrate, Central North, hosted the inauguration of Arpan Kendra at Kasturba Campus, Pitampura by Shrimati Rekha Gupta, Hon’ble CM, Delhi. The initiative aims to promote environmental sustainability, women’s empowerment and livelihood generation by transforming discarded clothes into reusable and marketable products.
The event started with the formal welcome address by the Prof. Ashok K Nagavat, Vice Chancellor DSEU.
The initiative seeks to create sustainable livelihood opportunities through the collection, sorting, cleaning, repair and upcycling of discarded clothes into useful products such as handbags, tote bags, home décor items and accessories for sale in the market.
Addressing the gathering, the Hon’ble Chief Minister highlighted that approximately 2.5 lakh kilograms of clothes had been donated under the initiative. She also announced plans to establish 10 additional Arpan Kendras and a Women Skill and Enterprise Centre in Shalimar Bagh to strengthen women’s skill development, entrepreneurship and market linkages.
The initiative brings together government departments, partner organisations, Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and DSEU to promote sustainable livelihoods and economic self-reliance. Women from SHGs will contribute to processing discarded clothes and producing and marketing value-added products, enabling them to develop practical skills and entrepreneurial capabilities.
DSEU will contribute its academic and technical expertise by engaging students, faculty members and design specialists in developing innovative, functional and market-oriented products from discarded textiles. The collaboration will provide students with hands-on learning opportunities while promoting creativity, responsible resource utilisation and entrepreneurial thinking.
The initiative is supported by its partner organisations, including PARAS India, PAHAL, the Department of Women and Child Development, State Urban Livelihood Mission, Respun, Ruby Pixels and Summentor Pro. These partners will contribute to community mobilisation, skill development, technology-enabled training and livelihood generation, strengthening the collaborative effort towards women’s empowerment and sustainable development.
Coinciding with the observance of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Jayanti, the programme highlighted the values of national unity and collective responsibility. The Hon’ble Chief Minister encouraged citizens to donate old clothes and toys, emphasising the importance of public participation in building a cleaner and more sustainable Delhi.
The ceremony featured the unveiling of the inauguration plaque, the lighting of the ceremonial lamp, a welcome address and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The vote of thanks was delivered by Shri Shailendra Singh Parihar, IAS, District Magistrate, Central North and Registrar, DSEU;, who expressed gratitude to the Hon’ble Chief Minister, dignitaries, partner organisations and all those who contributed to the initiative.
Arpan Kendra represents a collaborative effort to connect environmental protection with skill development and women’s empowerment. Guided by the principles of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Upcycle, the initiative aims to transform textile waste into economic opportunities, promote sustainable livelihoods and contribute to a cleaner, more inclusive society.
The event was attended by several dignitaries including Shri Amit Nagpal, MCD Councillor, Dr. Pankaj Lathar, COF & Director PR, DSEU , (Dr.) Sushma Yadav, Dr. Suman Dhawan, Campus Director, Kasturba Campus; and other officers, faculty members, staff and students of DSEU, along with representatives of partner organisations.
