The event brought together 110+ women, including members of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), ASHA workers, and Self‑Help Groups (SHGs) representatives from seven project villages. Designed as a cross‑learning platform, the meet enabled women to exchange insights, experiences, and grassroots solutions focused on water conservation and sustainable water use.

Interactive sessions covered scientific information sharing on aquifer mapping, groundwater awareness, and community-led water management, supported by learning-based games and group discussions to reinforce key conservation practices. A symbolic hand‑imprint activity by the participants formed a large water‑drop motif, representing collective ownership and unity in water stewardship. The event concluded with a collective pledge to advance the water‑saving practices introduced through the Jalashay Jalsamruddhi Programme, followed by a community lunch and distribution of small tokens to acknowledge women as catalysts of change.

Commenting on the initiative, Amit Bhasin, Chief Legal Officer, Group General Counsel, and Secretary of the CSR Committee, Marico Limited, said,“Empowering women in water governance is essential to building resilient communities. The Jalashay Jalsamruddhi Programme is rooted in the belief that sustainable water management must be community-led, with women’s voices and leadership at its core. Through projects like the Women Water Meet under the Paanishala initiative, women from across villages came together to deepen their understanding of groundwater, exchange knowledge, and strengthen their role as custodians of this vital resource. By placing gender equity at the heart of water stewardship, we are catalysing scalable, community-driven impact, where informed participation today shapes healthier, more sustainable ecosystems for tomorrow.”

Marico’s Jalashay initiative is a comprehensive water stewardship programme designed to replenish more water than the company consumes annually. Active across Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, and Gujarat, the programme drives community-led interventions such as water assessments, participatory budgeting, and the promotion of sustainable farming practices including drip irrigation and rainwater harvesting. To date, Jalashay has created over 487 crore litres of water potential, positively impacting 4,000+ farmers and their families.

Through its dual approach, demand-side interventions (Paanishala) focusing on efficient water use, and supply-side interventions (Jal Samruddhi) aimed at groundwater recharge and water storage, the Jalashay initiative addresses environmental, social, and economic challenges in water-stressed regions while contributing to SDGs 6 and 12. Under Paanishala, demand‑side efforts include promoting efficient irrigation practices and agricultural reforms such as drip irrigation and climate‑appropriate crop selection; building water‑resilient communities through capacity‑building programs, training, and water budgeting; and creating behavioural and structural change by offering incentives for farmers to adopt water‑saving technologies while implementing penalties, infrastructure upgrades, and awareness initiatives to reduce wastage and encourage responsible water use. On the supply side, Jal Samruddhi focuses on identifying and developing new water sources through groundwater recharge and rainwater harvesting, increasing water‑storage capacities via tanks, ponds, and aquifer recharge, and strategically diverting water to priority assets to strengthen supply in critical areas. It also leverages technology to treat and make previously unusable water potable through methods such as desalination and filtration.

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Details of Recent Police Actions

During his remarks, Mohanty provided information about a specific case involving a boy who allegedly kidnapped a girl from Puri and transported her to Kerala. He confirmed that authorities have apprehended the suspect and that an FIR has been lodged by the Puri police. The BJP leader stated that the Odisha police are rigorously pursuing such cases. He cited an instance where a young man initially identified himself as Jairam but was later revealed to be Irfan, which he linked to broader issues of love jihad in the region. Mohanty asserted that both the police and the state government are undertaking strict measures against these occurrences.

National Perspectives on Love Jihad

Earlier this year, Senior Advocate Ashwini Upadhyay characterized love jihad as a significant national issue, suggesting that it affects over five lakh girls annually across India. According to Upadhyay, love jihad is not only a social concern but also influences the demographic shifts within the country. He alleged that these incidents are part of an organized effort involving immigrants and systematic religious conversions. He remarked that such activities are designed to alter the demographic landscape of India, which he believes also impacts the cultural fabric of society.

Calls for Urgent Action

Upadhyay emphasized the need for immediate action to combat the issue, stating that love jihad is conducted in a calculated manner. He argued that if demographic changes occur in a particular area, they inevitably lead to changes in its cultural identity. His comments have added weight to ongoing discussions regarding the security and integrity of societal structures in various parts of the nation.

Current Developments

The conversation around love jihad and related practices has gained traction in various states, with multiple political figures calling for enhanced measures to prevent such occurrences. The situation in Odisha reflects a broader narrative being discussed at a national level, where various political leaders emphasize the importance of protecting citizens from perceived threats associated with love jihad. As such conversations continue, officials and community leaders are encouraged to engage in dialogue aimed at addressing these social issues while ensuring public safety and welfare.

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Bihar Finance Minister Vijayendra Yadav presented the state budget for the financial year 2026-27 in the Bihar Legislative Assembly on Tuesday. The total budget outlay stands at ₹3.47 lakh crore, marking an increase from last year’s ₹3.17 lakh crore.

The budget highlights enhanced allocations for key sectors including women’s welfare, agriculture, education, and employment, indicating the state government’s continued focus on social and economic development.

Increase in Budget Allocation Over Previous Year

The ₹3.47 lakh crore budget marks a significant expansion in financial planning compared to the previous fiscal year. The Finance Minister noted that the increase reflects the state’s ongoing efforts to accelerate infrastructure development and improve citizen welfare across multiple sectors.

Focus on Women-Centric Programmes

A substantial portion of the 2026-27 budget is directed towards initiatives aimed at empowering women. The state plans to strengthen existing welfare schemes and introduce new measures to promote gender equality, improve healthcare and education access for women, and enhance self-employment opportunities.

Emphasis on Agriculture and Rural Development

Agriculture continues to be a major priority for Bihar, with enhanced budgetary provisions to support farmers. Key initiatives include increased funding for irrigation facilities, farm mechanisation, and access to agricultural credit. Efforts will also be made to improve rural infrastructure and expand farmer training programmes.

Strengthening the Education Sector

The education sector receives a significant boost in the new budget, with increased allocations for school infrastructure, teacher training, and digital learning. The state aims to reduce dropout rates and improve quality of education, particularly in rural and backward areas.

New schemes are expected to promote technical and higher education, including scholarships for underprivileged students and upgraded facilities in government colleges and universities.

Employment Generation and Skill Development

In a bid to tackle unemployment, the Bihar government has proposed major investments in skill development and vocational training. Job-oriented programmes are planned to support youth employment, including partnerships with private industries, start-up support, and expansion of existing training centres.

Government departments will also be encouraged to create new positions and streamline recruitment processes, especially in health, education, and public works.

Infrastructure and Social Welfare Commitments

The 2026-27 budget continues to prioritise the development of roads, housing, drinking water, and electricity, particularly in rural and semi-urban regions. Funds have also been allocated to strengthen welfare schemes for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups.

With the introduction of the new budget, the Bihar government reiterates its commitment to inclusive growth and administrative reforms aimed at transparent governance.

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So what exactly is SHE-Mart? And why is it being seen as a meaningful step in women’s economic empowerment?

From Home-Based Work to Market Ownership

Across India, especially in rural and semi-urban areas, women have always worked. They make pickles, weave baskets, stitch clothes, process food, and run small livelihood activities through Self-Help Groups (SHGs). Yet, despite their hard work, most of these women remain invisible in the marketplace. Their products often reach buyers through middlemen, local traders, or occasional fairs — limiting income, growth, and recognition.

SHE-Mart aims to change that story. At its heart, SHE-Mart is about giving women a place in the market — literally.

What Is SHE-Mart, in Simple Terms?

A SHE-Mart is a community-owned retail outlet run by women entrepreneurs, particularly those associated with Self-Help Groups. These marts will act as dedicated spaces where women can sell products they produce — directly to consumers.

Instead of selling from doorsteps, temporary stalls, or informal channels, women will now have permanent, visible, organised retail spaces. Think of it as moving from “made at home, sold quietly” to “made by women, sold with pride.”

Why the Name “SHE”?

“SHE” stands for Self-Help Entrepreneur — a subtle but powerful shift in language.

For years, women in SHGs have been seen mainly as beneficiaries of welfare or credit schemes. By calling them entrepreneurs, the government is reframing their role — from recipients to owners, from helpers to leaders. Language matters. And this shift signals intent.

Beyond Loans: A Shift in Thinking

India has no shortage of credit-linked schemes for women. What’s often missing is market access.

SHE-Mart recognises a simple truth:
Income doesn’t grow just because loans are available — it grows when products reach buyers.

That’s why this initiative focuses not just on financing, but on:
• Retail space
• Branding
• Visibility
• Business continuity

In short, it moves women from producing goods to running enterprises.

How It Builds on the ‘Lakhpati Didi’ Vision

SHE-Mart doesn’t come out of nowhere. It builds on the Lakhpati Didi programme, which aimed to help women earn sustainable incomes and lift their families financially.

While Lakhpati Didi focused on earning capacity, SHE-Mart focuses on business ownership. It’s the next step — from income generation to enterprise creation.

Why SHE-Mart Could Be a Game-Changer

1. Visibility Creates Value 
When products are displayed in proper retail outlets, their perceived value increases. Packaging improves, pricing becomes fairer, and trust builds with consumers.

2. Fewer Middlemen, Better Earnings
Direct selling means women keep a larger share of the profits instead of losing margins to intermediaries.

3. Confidence Through Ownership
Running a shop — handling inventory, customers, and finances — builds skills that go far beyond income. It builds confidence, decision-making power, and independence.

4. Stronger Local Economies
When women earn more, families spend more on health, education, and nutrition. The benefits ripple through entire communities.

What Happens Next?

The budget announcement lays out the vision. The real test will be in implementation — how these marts are funded, where they are set up, and how easily women can access them.

Clear guidelines, training support, and strong local partnerships will decide whether SHE-Mart becomes a symbol — or a success.

Why This Matters

SHE-Mart is not just about shops.
It’s about changing how women’s work is seen.

From unpaid and underpaid labour to visible entrepreneurship.
From survival income to sustainable business.
From the margins to the marketplace.

If done right, SHE-Mart could quietly rewrite the economic story of countless Indian women — one storefront at a time.

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According to UNESCO, less than 30 per cent of researchers across the world are women. Only around 30 per cent of all female students select STEM-related fields in higher education. Globally, female students’ enrolment is particularly low in ICT (3 per cent), natural science, mathematics and statistics (5 per cent) and in engineering, manufacturing and construction (8 per cent).

The CSR Journal takes a look at the contribution of CSR for inducting more women and girls in STEM fields in India.

Akanksha Scholarship for Women in STEM

Launched in 2019, the Akanksha Scholarship offers a renewable four-year scholarship of up to INR 1,50,000 per year, intended for tuition, fees and other educational costs. It is available to women who are residing in India and are enrolled in the first year of an undergraduate program in the fields of Computer Science Engineering (CSE), Computer Science Information Technology (CSIT) or related courses. Alongside academic excellence, candidates should also embody virtues of integrity, perseverance and leadership.

The scholarship is funded by infrastructure software provider company Progress. As part of Progress’ Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, Progress for Tomorrow, the Women in STEM Scholarship series aims to increase the global presence of women in the fields of computer science, software engineering, information technology and/or computer information systems. The global series includes three separate scholarship programs for women in STEM in the US, Bulgaria and India.

This year, three Indian women have been selected for this honour: Prarthana R, Nikita S Raj Kapini, and Garnepudi Bhavika. Prarthana R is a first-year student at RV College of Engineering, Bengaluru, majoring in information science and engineering. Nikita S Raj Kapini is also a first-year student at the RV College of Engineering, majoring in engineering. Garnepudi Bhavika is an engineering student at the Siddhartha Institute of Technology, Kanuru.

P&G Shiksha Betiyan Scholarship

P&G Shiksha Betiyan Scholarship provides financial support and mentorship to girls pursuing STEM education. The unique scholarship program was launched in 2021-22 in collaboration with Centre for Civil Society to encourage female students to pursue careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields. The Scholarship provides financial and mentoring support to promote women’s access to and participation in STEM related jobs in the manufacturing and production industries. Since its inception, the scholarship has been awarded at select institutions offering STEM courses across Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Goa.

In the academic year 2022-23, the P&G Shiksha Betiyan Scholarship program marked a significant milestone by awarding 363 scholarships to deserving female students pursuing engineering courses. This initiative spanned 29 prestigious institutes in 5 states, underlining our commitment to fostering gender diversity in STEM fields.

Female students pursuing STEM-related courses in ITIs, Polytechnic and Engineering colleges are eligible for this scholarship. They should be nominated by their institution and should have good academic performance and attendance in their course. In the case of first-year students, details of the latest academic qualification will be considered. Proof of need and merit should be established. Institutions should be located in any of the following states – Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Goa.

vivo’s Women in STEM initiative

Under the Women in STEM initiative, vivo India offers scholarships to deserving women, facilitating their access to education and opportunities for successful careers. The initiative, in collaboration with the Shooting Stars Foundation, provides financial support, skill development, and job opportunities. ‘Women in STEM’ initiative aims to bridge the gender gap in STEM education and workforce participation.

Recently, vivo India, along with their implementation partner, the Shooting Stars Foundation, marked a significant milestone for its Women in STEM program by felicitating young beneficiaries from Delhi and NCR with scholarships. The ceremony, held at the vivo India Corporate Office in Gurugram, honoured these young women who have overcome significant challenges to carve out a niche for themselves and build successful careers in STEM fields. These beneficiaries were also able to experience the real-life functionality of a corporate workspace, interact with vivo’s leadership and assimilate into the values that one requires to excel in the field of technology.

Infosys Foundation’s STEM Scholarship Programme for girl students

Infosys Foundation, the philanthropic and CSR arm of Infosys, announced in August this year that that it has launched a scholarship programme called ‘STEM Stars’ to support education in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) fields for underprivileged girl students.

The programme aims to encourage and provide financial assistance, thereby helping them pursue an undergraduate degree in STEM. As part of the first phase of this programme, over 2,000 girl students across the country, who intend to pursue higher education in any of the STEM fields from reputed colleges, will be given financial assistance for four years.

In India, the primary factors preventing students from choosing STEM courses are lack of access, mentorship, and monetary constraints. The STEM Stars scholarship will help cover tuition fees, living expenses, and study materials of up to INR 1 lac annually for the duration of the STEM course. In its inaugural year, this scholarship will cover NIRF (National Institutional Ranking Framework) accredited institutes that include, the IITs, BITS-Pilani, NITs, and renowned medical colleges, the company announced.

Rolls-Royce’s Unnati Scholarship Programme for Women Engineering Students

In June 2023, on the occasion of International Women in Engineering Day, Rolls-Royce announced the launch of the fourth edition of its Unnati Scholarship Programme for Women Engineering Students, in association with Buddy4Study and Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) India.

With a focus on bridging the gender gap and raising female representation in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), this programme aims to provide financial support to meritorious students from economically underprivileged backgrounds. The scholarship is open to all women students enrolled in undergraduate engineering degree programmes at any AICTE-recognised institution in India and fulfilling the criteria of the scholarship.

Rolls-Royce’s Unnati initiatives include a range of programmes that reach out to thousands of female students in middle and high school, as well as scholarships for STEM undergraduate studies that benefit hundreds of young women.

Sabre supports installation of STEM labs in six schools of rural Karnataka

Together with not-for-profit organization United Way Bengaluru (UWBe), Sabre Corporation, a leading software and technology provider have supported STEM labs in six Government-run schools in Chikkaballapur, rural Karnataka, close to Bengaluru. Many of the schools are based in underprivileged areas, and Sabre’s contribution is expected to improve the education of around 1,600 students from 26 villages every year. Around 1,000 of these are from a girls-only school, supporting the drive to encourage more women to enter technology fields. The labs are aimed at making complex subjects and concepts easier to understand while opening up new learning and career paths.

The new STEM labs will take learning beyond textbooks and into first-hand, practical experiences; fostering critical thinking, problem solving, and analytical mindsets, while encouraging students to improve communication skills through teamwork. This is expected to help to build confidence among students, while reducing the number of those dropping out from school.

All six new STEM labs were inaugurated at a special opening ceremony in October this year, where students from the schools presented models, they had created through learning activities in their new labs to teachers along with special guests from Sabre, UWBe, the Deputy Director Public Instruction, and Block Education Officers.

Iopex technologies supports STEM education of girl students in Chennai

In an effort to enhance the skills of students from rural communities, iOPEX Technologies announced partnership with Bhumi, independent youth volunteer non-profit organization, to provide STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education to more than 1,500 students from Grade VII to IX of Perunthalaiva Kamarajar Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Ambattur, Chennai in December, 2022.

The programme is designed to provide relevant education to the underprivileged children and engage them in subjects wherein they discover their true potential with the help of new learning methodologies such as fun-filled, interactive, and do-it-yourself activities.

IBM’s STEM for Girls in India CSR programme

In order to empower high school girl students to thrive in the digital economy, IBM has launched an initiative called STEM for Girls India. It is a three-year CSR programme (starting from the eighth standard) for imparting digital literacy and coding skills alongside career development and empowerment. The goal is to inculcate STEM skills and improve career prospects of over 2,00,000 girls and 1,00,000 boys too by making them employment-ready. The project began in 2019 and now spans 10 states, 600 secondary schools 78,000 girls and 45,000 boys.

The program is significant, as the new-collar jobs today demand technical skills in AI, data science, cybersecurity etc. These subjects require a knowledge base to be built in STEM during secondary and higher education.

IBM is also working closely with various state governments to help develop STEM skills among students. For instance, the company signed an agreement with Andhra Pradesh State Skills Development Corporation, Government of Andhra Pradesh to establish a Centre of Excellence (CoE). The CoE will provide high-end training in coding, cloud computing, AI, blockchain, Big Data and data analytics, cybersecurity and full-stack development.

IBM has also joined hands with Telangana Academy for Skill and Knowledge, Government of Telangana to offer ‘Open P-TECH’, a digital education platform. Under the partnership, IBM is providing P-Tech for learning emerging technologies and building professional development skills like design thinking to 30,000 students from polytechnic and engineering streams.

Mastercard’s Girls4Tech Programme

Mastercard launched Girls4Tech programme in 2014 to create future problem solvers by incorporating the payments technology company’s deep expertise in technology and innovation. The program’s aim is to enable kids to discover a range of STEM careers, such as fraud detective, data scientist and software engineer. In 2020, the company announced a new goal for the program to reach five million girls globally by 2025.

In India, supported by the Mastercard Impact Fund and in partnership with the American India Foundation (AIF), the program will train 1,200 teachers in 350 villages and five cities including Gurugram, Pune, Vadodara, Mumbai, and Chennai on the Girls4Tech curriculum by 2021. Through the partnership, the program will reach 100,000 girls ages 8-14 across 475 schools over the next 12 months.

Through the website Girls4Tech Connect, teachers and parents can download lessons to help students learn about STEM topics including encryption, fraud detection, data analysis and digital convergence, from the comfort of their homes or anywhere around the world. Lessons are currently available in English, Chinese, Hindi, Malay, Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese, French and Polish.

Mastercard aims to stimulate meaningful partnerships focused on empowering women to succeed in the digital economy. This initiative is a part of Mastercard’s recent commitment of Rs 250 crores (US$33 million) to help reboot Indian SMEs to unlock their economic potential.

Cisco’s Girls Power Tech Initiative

Cisco’s global initiative, Girls Power Tech (GPT), is a special learning opportunity for girls and young women to connect with Cisco mentors at offices around the world. GPT aims to inspire them to consider educational and career paths in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM).

Every April and May, the company hosts Girls Power Tech in alignment with the UN Girls in ICT Day, a global event organized by the UN International Telecommunication Union. The initiative connects girls and young women ages 13 to 18 with Cisco mentors for a day. Through this program, it has shared opportunities in the tech sector with thousands of young women worldwide. Cisco offices in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and the Americas hold events including office visits, tours, and presentations by female leaders. These employees discuss career opportunities and life in the technology field.

Students also get to use Cisco collaboration technologies to interact with other leading women at Cisco, as well as other girls participating in-office visits around the globe. More than 115 Cisco sites participated in Girls Power Tech in FY19. Each site determines what programs to offer.

Covestro India’s Efforts to Inspire Girl Students to take up STEM Education

Covestro, the global manufacturer of high-performance polymer materials, is taking steps beyond manufacturing to promote STEM learning among girls. The company has collaborated with g4g (greenlight for girls), an NGO based in Belgium to conduct a series of STEM workshops across the country. Over 100 girls in the age group of 10 to 15 years participated from different schools wherein they conducted simple science experiments that stimulated their curiosity and interest in science.

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Thankfully, the picture has started changing for the better and women are learning to be vocal about their rights too! And not just women, men nowadays are also being vocal about the same.

Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives can play a significant role in empowering women in India. CSR can make a positive impact by providing vocational training, scholarships, and education programs to enhance employability and entrepreneurship skills. CSR initiatives support women-led businesses, promote self-help groups, and facilitate access to finance and markets. CSR is working to improve healthcare services, raise awareness about women’s health issues, and provide access to sanitation and hygiene facilities. CSR also supports initiatives that prevent violence against women, provide shelter and counseling services for survivors, and promote awareness about women’s rights. CSR also encourages women’s participation in governance and decision-making processes, and provide leadership training and mentorship programs.

Several companies and top corporates operating in India in collaboration with CSR foundations and non-profit organisations have focused a major chunk of their CSR initiatives for women and girl children.

They are working towards girl child education, menstrual hygiene awareness, maternal health, malnutrition, skilling, gender equality, bridging the gaps and financially empowering underprivileged and marginalised women.

The CSR Journal takes a look into some of the latest and recent Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives aimed at empowering women in India.

Top CSR Projects for Women

Xiaomi India and YouWeCan host Early Breast Cancer Screening for women

Xiaomi India, in partnership with the Yuvraj Singh Foundation (YouWeCan), in December 2025 announced the successful conclusion of Phase 1 of the Swasth Mahila Swasth Bharat (SMSB) campaign, a pioneering breast cancer screening initiative across 15 aspirational districts in 15 states of India. Over the past year, the programme screened 1.5 lakh women and educated more than 4 lakh women about breast health, early detection, and self-breast examination. Building on this transformative impact, Phase 2 of the Swasth Mahila Swasth Bharat initiative will further scale to reach an additional 60,000 women within the same districts over the next six months, reaffirming Xiaomi India’s enduring commitment to early detection and improved health access for women in underserved communities.

“With Swasth Mahila Swasth Bharat, our aim has been simple – to enable more women to access early screening, information, and timely support. The stories and outcomes emerging from the ground show the real difference this initiative is making. We appreciate Yuvraj Singh-led YouWeCan Foundation for being a steadfast partner in helping us bring this change to more communities,” said Sudhin Mathur, Chief Operating Officer, Xiaomi India.

“Partnerships like this are what turn awareness into action. Seeing Xiaomi India and the YouWeCan team lead the Swasth Mahila Swasth Bharat programme means more women in underserved communities can access early detection and timely care. We’re humbled to work with Xiaomi India and sincerely appreciate their efforts in driving such a meaningful impact. It’s inspiring to collaborate with partners who share our belief that real change happens when brands and foundations come together for a common purpose,” said Yuvraj Singh, Founder, YouWeCan Foundation.

Pearl Academy and SETU Foundation Empower Women with Industry-Ready Skills

Pearl Academy in partnership with SETU Foundation, a Noida-based NGO has announced that it has empowered 260+ students with technical, creative, and professional skills that strengthen their employability and economic independence, since the beginning of their partnership. Till date, more than 100 women have been employed in job roles across Fashion Designing and Beauty & Wellness. The collaboration was inspired by a shared vision, to close the widening skill gap faced by underprivileged youth. especially women, who are often unable to access quality, industry-ready education in fashion and beauty due to financial or social constraints.

Through the CSR initiative, specialised training programmes in Fashion Design, Garment Construction, Makeup, Hair, and Grooming were designed and delivered for SETU students and trainers.  With a focus on long-term learning, academic teams created tailored curricula aligned with modern industry needs, supported by hands-on learning models and state-of-the-art training methods. This ensured students received contemporary, market-aligned training that helps them pursue employment or launch entrepreneurial ventures within their communities.

CSR of Malabar Group for elderly women

Malabar Group opened ‘Grandma Home,’ a destitute home in Bengaluru, Karnataka, for women in October 2023. Supported by Malabar Charitable Trust, the CSR arm of Malabar Group, and operationally managed by NGOs such as Thanal, Grandma Home offers free shelter, food, medical assistance, and mental and physical healthcare facilities to its inhabitants. Spread across a 14,780 sq. ft. area with a 3-story building, the home boasts a comfortable, safe, and hygienic living environment with a capacity to accommodate 104 women, as per an announcement.

The home is equipped to cater to the needs of elderly women, offering a range of amenities and services to enhance their quality of life. A dedicated medical team, coupled with trained social workers specialising in elderly care, has been deployed around the clock at the home. The ground floor of the home is dedicated to a dialysis centre, clinic, and pharmacy. A well-equipped kitchen to prepare clean and healthy food is also facilitated at the home.
Malabar Charitable Trust aims to open similar destitute homes in Hyderabad, Telangana, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, and other parts of India shortly, as per an announcement from the company.

Digital Skills: CSR of American Express

Laying a strong foundation to bridge the digital skill gap amongst women, NASSCOM Foundation and American Express announced partnership in September 2022 to train and upskill 700 women graduates through an employment-linked training project, ‘Women Empowerment Through Technology’. Under this project, American Express and NASSCOM Foundation are working with two training partners – FUEL (Friends Union for Energizing Lives) and RCED (Regional Centre for Entrepreneurship) to impart women with technology-based skill development and entrepreneurship training.

‘Women Empowerment Through Technology’ project focuses on training 700 women on various technical courses including Cloud and Data Analytics, Blockchain, Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence. The enrolled beneficiaries will also be groomed through non-technical courses including communication skills, holistic personality development and interview skills. On successful completion of the programme, the women beneficiaries will receive a validated professional certificate and job placements, as per the announcement.

CSR of BNP Paribas

In a move to bridge the digital skill gap among women, BNP Paribas has partnered with Nasscom Foundation to train over 300 engineering women graduates through an employment-linked training project called Skill Development for marginalised Young Women towards Employment.

This hybrid programme marked its first year in Febryary 2024. As per an announcement, the programme is designed for technical skilling of the next generation of women engineers in India from marginalised sections of society. The programme is currently working with women engineering graduates from tier two and tier three colleges in Bengaluru, Tumkur, Mumbai and Pune.
The programme trains students from select colleges on a range of technical skills. These include Python Developer and data analytics and soft skills including (verbal / non-verbal reasoning, numerical aptitude, logical reasoning, business etiquette, problem solving, time management, customer orientation and interview skills.

The women students are provided opportunities to secure job offers through placement drives and job fairs conducted by Nasscom foundation. Lot of these students, who are in the age group of 18-25 years, have already been placed with companies like IBM, CGI and Unisoft, as per a press statement.

CSR of Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages

Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages announced in August 2023 that it will provide financial and digital literacy training to 25,000 women across the country. The company has partnered with the Y4D foundation for this initiative, which will equip women from diverse backgrounds in different locations and bridge the skills gap in financial and technological knowledge.

The financial literacy training will cover fundamental concepts like Banking Basics, Account Opening procedures, Unified Payments Interface (UPI) training, Investment Guidance, Net Banking, and information on various Government Schemes for women such as Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Sukanya Sam Riddhi Yojana Nari Shakti. On the other hand, the digital literacy component will encompass topics such as Mobile Banking, Digital Market Linkage, and Cyber Safety and Security to equip these women with the necessary tools to succeed in the digital era, as per an announcement by the company.

The training will be conducted in a classroom-based format in identified locations nationwide. The beneficiaries will be identified and trained in groups based on their interests, needs, and current digital and financial literacy levels.

On the occasion of International Women’s Day 2024, Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages announced the successful completion of its multi-state women’s empowerment initiative to provide financial and digital literacy training to 25,000 women.

The curriculum was designed to cover a broad spectrum of vital skills crucial for thriving in the new economy. From the fundamentals of banking and account setup to navigating the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), from savvy investment strategies to leveraging online banking, the program also spotlighted government initiatives aimed at supporting women such as Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Sukanya Sam Riddhi Yojana, and Nari Shakti. The digital literacy component included Mobile Banking, Digital Market Linkage, and Cyber Security. Thus, paving the way for participants to secure a robust livelihood and contribute significantly to household economics.

The interactive sessions, conducted in local languages ensured an engaging learning experience, bolstered by the provision of summary booklets, pre-recorded lectures, and the awarding of completion certificates, as per an announcement by the company.

Financial Empowerment: CSR of VISA

American multinational payment card services corporation Visa announced in October 2022 that it has pledged US$ 1 million to United Way Mumbai, to empower women-owned and women-focused businesses over the next three years. The project is being implemented in a total of 170 villages/towns across four states – Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Maharashtra, and Karnataka will focus on creating sustainable, long-term skills for entrepreneurship among participants. The project aims to train over 8500 women and connect them with financial services relevant to their enterprises and communities. The CSR project will target three core impact areas: Access to knowledge and services for financial inclusion, Entrepreneurship development and formation of sustainable Self-Help Groups.

CSR of Standard Chartered Bank

Housing non-profit organisation Habitat for Humanity India announced in early 2023 that it has partnered with Standard Chartered Bank to provide 969 women with upskilling, alternative livelihood opportunities, and assistance in establishing micro-enterprises to generate additional income. The project is known as Empowering Women and Improving Life through Livelihood Interventions.

These women are from the states of Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Odisha. The aim of this project is to equip the women with leadership and technical skills, engage them in income generation activities and empower them to achieve strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build a better life for themselves and their families.

This initiative was accomplished by forming and strengthening 85 self-help groups (SHG) across the three states, through which women were brought together, trained in business development, marketing, and government scheme comprehension. The SHGs were assisted in establishing their own businesses through seed funding, hand-holding, and multi-level technical training from Habitat’s subject matter experts. In addition, SHGs members were encouraged to open bank accounts for their new businesses and keep financial records, as per the announcement.

CSR of AU Small Finance Bank

AU Small Finance Bank announced in January 2024 that it has empowered 787 women to become self-reliant entrepreneurs through its ‘AU Udyogini’ programme in Jaipur, Karauli, and Baran districts of Rajasthan. In January, 133 businesses owned by women entrepreneurs were inaugurated across the Jaipur, Karauli, and Baran districts.

The programme was launched in October 2022 as a pilot project by AU Small Finance Bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) wing, with 25 rural women. Now, AU Udyogini empowers women from distressed backgrounds in rural Rajasthan and enables them to improve their respective family incomes. AU Small Finance Bank trains them in establishing 24 kinds of businesses including spices business, craft, beauty parlour etc. The bank also helps them with market linkages to set up their individual businesses.

CSR of Hyundai

In March 2024, Hyundai Motor India Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Hyundai Motor India Ltd., announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ‘Navjyoti Transforming Lives & Careers Society’ NGO and BluSmart, EV ride hailing service for providing employment to 250 trained women drivers who are the beneficiaries of the Foundation’s ‘Drive4Progress’ initiative.

‘Drive4Progress’ is a driver skill development initiative aimed at providing professional driver training and employment opportunities for youth. The project, launched in October 2023, aims to cover over 1500 youth including a minimum of 30% women, from Haryana, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and West Bengal, over the next 3 years. HMIF, in collaboration with Navjyoti NGO, the implementation agency for the programme, plan to a talent pool of trained drivers from Below Poverty Line (BPL) communities and equip them with the necessary skills to gain employment in the transportation sector.

HMIF and Navjyoti will support the participants to obtain a permanent driving license and the graduating students will be certified by National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) post successful completion of training and assessments. This initiative also focuses on facilitating wage employment for a minimum of 70% of the beneficiaries and self-employment opportunities for the rest.

Under the terms of the MoU, HMIF’s ‘Drive4Progress’ initiative will provide training to women interested in pursuing careers as professional drivers through Navjyoti. The comprehensive training program covers essential skills such as safe driving practices, soft skills, customer service, vehicle maintenance, and road safety in their respective regional languages. Upon successful completion of the 45-day training, 250 skilled women drivers will be eligible for employment opportunities within BluSmart’s dynamic workforce, as per an announcement.

Skill Training: CSR of Tata Motors

Tata Motors Samaj Vikas Kendra is helping women in rural Uttar Pradesh to master the craft of ‘Chikankari’ and organise themselves into groups to run business ventures. The project has witnessed engagement of more than 150 women to form SHGs and actively engage in credit and thrift activities over the past 16 years.

Samaj Vikas Kendra began work on this project in 2007 to revive the handicraft also linking it to social economic development of women. The centre established a dedicated training centre for women from 15 villages in and around, to equip them with the required skillset and apprise them of the market trends. In 2011, the scope of the SHG Federation programme was enhanced to include newer skillsets like production of jute bags, candles, herbal Gulal (colour), cloth bags, artificial jewellery, etc.

Tata Motors also helped these women leverage various women welfare schemes run by the Government of Uttar Pradesh to enhance their skills and tap into opportunities to generate income.

CSR of Diageo for women farmers in Nashik, Maharashtra

Beverage alcohol company Diageo India announced in February 2024 that it has launched a micro enterprise initiative to empower smallholder women farmers in Maharashtra’s Nashik. The initiative will initially enable 100 smallholder women farmers with the skills and resources to tackle crop loss, food waste and ensure sustainable livelihood.

In collaboration with Savitribai Phule Ekatma Samaj Mandal as the implementing partner and S4S Technologies as the technical partner, Diageo India will provide training, financial support and equipment to small holder women farmers to sun dry surplus produce and enable last mile connectivity to the consumers through the food supply chain.

This initiative is aligned to Diageo’s Society 2030: Spirit of Progress plan which provides support to local sourcing communities to build economic and environmental resilience. In addition, it will contribute towards United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal 12.3 which aims to halve per capita global food waste and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses.

The program focuses on skilling women with the right methodology to cut, air-dry, and solar-dry vegetables like tomatoes, onions and ginger. This produce will then be supplied to hotels, restaurants and ingredient manufacturers to enable consistent supply for the food industry and stable income for these women micro entrepreneurs by creating a complete value chain, as per an announcement.

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 बच्चों की नार्मल डिलीवरी का क्या है सायन मॉडल?

डॉ. निरंजन चव्हाण के अनुसार, इस मॉडल का मूल मंत्र है स्वस्थ मां और स्वस्थ नवजात। इसमें प्रसव से पहले सर्विक्स को सुरक्षित तरीके से तैयार करने के लिए 24 फ्रेंच फोलिज कैथेटर और डाइनोप्रोस्टोन जेल का संयोजन उपयोग किया जाता है। यह प्रक्रिया सरकारी अस्पतालों में आसानी से उपलब्ध संसाधनों से की जा सकती है और इससे नॉर्मल डिलीवरी की संभावना बढ़ती है। सायन हॉस्पिटल के ObGyn विभाग में कुल 6 यूनिट्स हैं, जिनमें से एक यूनिट डॉ. चव्हाण के नेतृत्व में काम कर रही है। यहां हर साल करीब 1500 से 1700 प्रसव होते हैं, जिनमें बड़ी संख्या हाई-रिस्क मामलों की भी होती है।

VBAC को भी मिल रहा बढ़ावा

इस मॉडल के तहत VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) को भी सुरक्षित मामलों में प्रोत्साहित किया गया। इससे दोबारा सी-सेक्शन की जरूरत कम हुई है। हालांकि डॉक्टरों का कहना है कि VBAC हर महिला के लिए नहीं होता और इसमें पहले के सी-सेक्शन, चीरे के प्रकार और मां की सेहत जैसे फैक्टर्स अहम होते हैं। सायन मॉडल के लागू होने के बाद यूनिट में सी-सेक्शन दर में 5 से 6 प्रतिशत तक की कमी दर्ज की गई है। यह मॉडल अंतरराष्ट्रीय स्तर पर मान्य CMQCC (California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative) की गाइडलाइंस के अनुरूप है, जिसे FIGO और ACOG जैसे प्रतिष्ठित संस्थानों का समर्थन प्राप्त है। डॉ. निरंजन चव्हाण का मानना है कि अगर समय रहते अनावश्यक सी-सेक्शन को नहीं रोका गया, तो आने वाले वर्षों में नॉर्मल डिलीवरी इतिहास की किताबों तक सीमित हो सकती है। ऐसे में सायन मॉडल न सिर्फ मुंबई बल्कि पूरे देश के सरकारी अस्पतालों के लिए एक रोल मॉडल बन सकता है।

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