The 8th edition of Project Puthri’s Udyog Utsav was held in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu recently.
The unique annual career visioning conference, conducted by Avtar Human Capital Trust, aims to pave the career paths for more than 450 girl students in and around the city.
The non-profit arm of Avtar Group, Avtar Human Capital Trust, conducted Udyog Utsav 2023 at Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women. M Prathap, IAS, Commissioner, Corporation of Coimbatore, the Chief Guest at the event presented and honored the schools that participated in Udyog Utsav.
Project Puthri is India’s first-ever developmental project, which seeks to create Career Intentionality among underprivileged girl students. Since its launch six years ago, Avtar Human Capital Trust’s Project Puthri has changed the destinies of over 11,000 girls studying in Government and Corporation Schools in Puducherry and 10 districts of Tamil Nadu. Udyog Utsav, a one-of-its-kind initiative by Project Puthri, turns the spotlight on India’s underprivileged daughters to enable them to choose educational courses and career paths from different options.
Dr. Saundarya Rajesh, Social Entrepreneur, Founder – President, Avtar Group, and the Managing Trustee of AHCT said, “According to statistics available, women’s workforce participation in India hovers around 24 percent, one of the lowest in the world percent. In the vast landscape of India’s workforce, employment opportunities for women have grown brighter, yet challenges persist. Despite recessionary trends, hiring activity in India is seeing an uptick with job opportunities emerging. With a decade where women’s workforce participation declined, behind us, it’s clear that we must work harder to level the playing field.”
She added, “Udyog Utsav stands as a testament to our commitment to bridge the gap between education and employment. Over the years, we have been able to formulate a comprehensive training intervention for the girls on Career Intentionality to enable them to script their destinies.”
The 8th edition of Udyog Utsav, sponsored by Harman Inspired Charitable Trust, Messers-Cutting, Rotary Club of Coimbatore Central, and Rotary Club of Madras Vadapalani, saw the participation of more than 450 girls from nine Government and Corporation Schools in the city and from surrounding towns. These young girls are being trained in over 40 skills that will enable them to build intentional careers post their tertiary education at their schools.
Several corporates and other government institutions, including Emerald Jewelry, Sakthi Finance, CA Enterprises, Cognizant Technology Solutions, Project Management Institute, Landmark Group, Indian Navy, Indian Army, RVS College of Ayurveda, Vanavarayar Institute of Agriculture, Seven departments of Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women – School of Allied Sciences, Department of BioScience, School of Home Science, School of Commerce and Management, School of Engineering, Department of Education and School of Physical Science and Computational Sciences participated in the conference and rendered their knowledge and expertise. The career visioning conference gave the girl students a chance to envisage the possibilities of careers, scholarships, internships, and future careers for them to make discretionary choices toward their career paths.
Pointing to the importance of bridging the gender gap in every realm, M Prathap, IAS, Commissioner, Corporation of Coimbatore, said, “Where girls are not represented, there is stagnation. Hence, girls’ education is for the welfare of the whole nation. Project Puthri which instills career intentionality in girl students gives us immense gratification for the change it envisions. As demonstrated by over 50 women scientists who worked on Chandrayaan 3, they hold the key to progress and success.”
