Officials from the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship conducted a significant visit to two pivotal initiatives of the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) on Wednesday, focusing on skill development and women's empowerment in the region. The delegation, led by Devashree Mukherjee, Secretary of the Ministry, inspected the Kaushalyam (Lighthouse) project in Nigdi and the Sakhi Angan project near Akurdi railway station, highlighting the collaborative efforts between local authorities and community groups.
High-Level Delegation Engages with Local Projects
The visit included prominent figures such as Additional Chief Secretary Manisha Verma, PCMC Commissioner Amit Saini, and other key officials from Maharashtra's vocational education and social development departments. Women from self-help groups, social workers, and local citizens were also present, underscoring the community-centric approach of these initiatives. This engagement aimed to assess the impact and progress of projects designed to uplift youth and women through targeted skill training and entrepreneurial support.
Kaushalyam Project: Bridging Skills and Employment
At the Kaushalyam project in Nigdi, implemented jointly by the PCMC Social Development Department and the Lighthouse Foundation, officials reviewed comprehensive skill training programmes tailored for youth and women. They interacted with trainees to gain insights into their experiences, particularly regarding employment opportunities, skill enhancement, and boosted self-confidence. According to a civic press release, trainees reported that the project offers industry-aligned training, leading to tangible job prospects. Women participants emphasized how the initiative has motivated them to overcome post-marriage career challenges and re-enter the workforce, with officials commending the project's effectiveness in generating skill-based employment.
Sakhi Angan Project: Empowering Women Entrepreneurs
The delegation later visited the Sakhi Angan project, run by women's self-help groups near Akurdi railway station. This complex features 49 stalls where women engage in manufacturing, processing, packaging, and direct selling of various products. Items available include breakfast and lunch foods, papads, pickles, spices, ready-to-eat products, bakery items, handicrafts, decorative articles, cloth bags, incense sticks, and cosmetics. Implemented by the PCMC Social Development Department, Sakhi Angan enables women to bypass intermediaries, directly access consumers, and increase financial returns. The project also provides hands-on training in financial transactions, marketing, customer interaction, and business management, fostering many participants into job-creating entrepreneurs. Officials noted that this model is proving highly effective for women's empowerment.
Sustainable Models for Job Creation and Entrepreneurship
Both the Kaushalyam and Sakhi Angan initiatives extend beyond mere training and sales, functioning as sustainable models for job creation and women's entrepreneurship. By focusing on industry-linked skill development, direct market access, and financial self-reliance, these projects aim to build long-term economic resilience. PCMC Municipal Commissioner Shravan Hardikar stated that the Municipal Corporation is actively working to expand such initiatives in coordination with central and state governments, aiming to empower more youth and women across the region. This strategic expansion underscores a commitment to scaling successful models that address unemployment and gender disparities through innovative, community-driven approaches.
