In a landmark celebration of a quarter-century of empowering women professionals, diversity, equity, and inclusion consultancy AVTAR commemorated its 25th anniversary with a memorable event. The gathering, held recently, served a dual purpose: marking the firm's silver jubilee and paying tribute to the remarkable achievements of the alumnae from its flagship initiative, Project PUTHRI. This project is specifically designed to enable women on career breaks to successfully restart their professional journeys.
A Silver Jubilee Dedicated to Women's Workforce Participation
The celebratory event was not just a retrospective but a powerful testament to the impact of focused intervention. Founded by Dr. Saundarya Rajesh in 1999, AVTAR has been a pioneer in advocating for and facilitating the return of skilled women to the Indian workforce. The 25th-anniversary milestone was strategically used to shine a spotlight on the real heroes of this movement—the women who bravely embarked on a second career after a break.
The heart of the celebration was the honoring of alumni from Project PUTHRI (which stands for Pioneering Unconventional Trails through Holistic Role Infusion). These women, from various professional backgrounds, have navigated career interruptions and successfully reintegrated into the corporate world, often in flexible or hybrid roles championed by AVTAR. Their stories formed the core narrative of the evening, highlighting resilience, skill, and the transformative power of inclusive corporate policies.
The Impact and Vision of Project PUTHRI
Project PUTHRI is more than a retraining program; it is a comprehensive ecosystem. It connects women on career breaks with organizations that are committed to building inclusive cultures. AVTAR acts as the crucial bridge, offering skill-building, confidence-restoration workshops, and mentorship to prepare these women for their comeback. Simultaneously, the consultancy works with corporates to create flexible work opportunities and roles that can tap into this vast, often overlooked talent pool.
The success stories shared at the event underscored a significant shift. Companies are increasingly recognizing the value of experienced, skilled women returning to work. They bring maturity, stability, and a diverse perspective that enriches the workplace. The celebration highlighted how initiatives like PUTHRI are not just social good projects but strategic imperatives for businesses seeking sustainable talent in a competitive market.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Women's Careers in India
The 25-year journey of AVTAR mirrors the evolving conversation around women's employment in India. From a focus on mere recruitment, the discourse has matured to encompass retention, advancement, and now, successful re-entry. The anniversary event served as a platform to reinforce the company's ongoing mission: to make workforce diversity a non-negotiable standard in the Indian corporate sector.
By honoring its PUTHRI alumnae, AVTAR sent a powerful message about the viability and importance of the second-career path. The event concluded on a forward-looking note, emphasizing the need for more organizations to adopt similar frameworks. As India aims for greater economic growth, integrating its highly educated female talent force, including those who took breaks for caregiving, is no longer an option but an economic necessity. The trail blazed by AVTAR over 25 years and the women of Project PUTHRI provides a proven blueprint for the future.
