She did not stop at that, lest she was accused of indulging in rhetoric, and backed her promise with an agenda to transform the department. Promising that there won't be any more ``tailoring classes,'' she said: ``For all these years Indian women have been taught tailoring which is hardly of any use in the modern era. We are looking for new vocations that will really help women to be self-reliant.'' She said the ministry was planning to start several new vocational training centres for women across the country.

Admitting the ministry was not working to its potential,she promised this would soon change. ``Last year, the ministry sanctioned only seven projects. I am planning to propose and sanction as many as 4,000 new initiatives this year and get them implemented,'' she added.

The minister said a comprehensive Rehabilitation Bill to tackle various problems in rehabilitating people affected by development projects. ``We have drafted the rehabilitation policy and will introduce the bill in the Winter Session of Parliament. I hope the government lasts till then,'' she said sending wave of laughter in the hall.

She announced that the ministry will make 50 new documentary films to educate its target audience about the functioning of the ministry and its various schemes. The films ranging between 5 and 30 minutes in duration will focus on motivating people to approach the ministry.

The minister said the government was planning to amend rules for adopting a child and shorten as well as simplify the process of adoption.

She said her ministry would ask different companiesto adopt orphanages to improve their standards and appoint an NGO to monitor the work.

At the end of the workshop, the TISS presented her with a small plant considering her love for nature and environment. Maneka, sans any high-profile security cover usually given to union ministers, later met children at TISS.