Aspire

Through its myriad CSR projects, TCL reaches out to the needy to bring about a sea change in the lives of the deprived by presenting opportunities for learning and education, impacting livelihoods

The craft of living

Premalatha crafts her way to a better future by making good use of the opportunities presented by Tata Chemicals’ CRS projects

Premalatha’s story illustrates that nothing is impossible when women set their mind on something. She began learning crafts by watching television, as well as with the guidance from the CSR project manager. Through our CSR project, she was also provided with opportunities to train school children in making crafts and gifts out of used plastic Pet bottles. Today, Premalatha is a craft teacher in the making with well-defined skills and competencies.

Premalatha has exhibited her products at the Sriperumbudur exhibition organised by NGOs, and to Tata Chemicals’ CSR central team members. She is now looking forward to learning and developing her crafting skills in a professional way with the support of TCL. “Balancing family and work is possible if one can plan and organise their work,” she says with a smile.

A lesson in learning

The story of Thoriyali is an inspirational one that illustrates the transformative potential of a locally-driven educational initiative fuelled by AKRSP(I)’s bottom-up relationship-driven approach to education

Among all of AKRSP(I)’s partner schools, the transformative potential of its education programme is perhaps best illustrated in the village of Thoriyali. There, school and community leaders have created an ecosystem in partnership with AKRSP(I) that supports student growth, learning, and achievement in exemplary ways.  The school principal has nurtured a culture of professionalism among his teachers, encouraging experimentation and positive teacher-student relationships.  Teachers employ child-centred and project-based learning methods that engage their students and give them a voice in their learning process.  Members of the local assembly are deeply involved in school governance and have taken concrete steps to improve the school’s learning environment.   This year, the Thoriyali Primary School was named the ‘Most Outstanding School’ in Sayla block by district education department officials.  

AKRSP(I)’s support, both through the LEP and RTE projects, has been critical to Thoriyali’s success.  Mr Rameshbhai Makwana, the community member selected to serve as the LEP facilitator, has embraced his role not only as a teacher but also as an advocate for educational access and quality.  Rameshbhai’s consistent presence and devotion to children has helped many of Thoriyali’s most at-risk students gain confidence in their ability to learn.  He has also developed close relationships with school teachers, SMC members, and parents, mobilising community support for school initiatives such as water infrastructure improvement and the adoption of new teaching-learning materials through LEP. Rameshbhai’s enthusiasm has effectively maximised the impact of AKRSP(I)’s interventions, creating a foundation of community and institutional support upon which further improvements in educational quality can be built.  The future of Thoriyali’s children is brighter AKRSP(I)’s bottom-up, relationship-driven approach to educational development, and these locally led efforts.

Breaking free

TCSRD’s ‘Desh ko Arpan’ scholarship programme helps Hasmi Biklani break free of his economic constraints and educate his daughter further

Mr Hasmi Bhiklani, a resident of Poshitra village of Okhamandal district earns his living as a rickshaw driver. He can barely meet the day-to-day expenses of his family from his monthly income of Rs6000. He was finding it difficult to provide higher education to his three children due to financial constraints. He came to know about TCSRD’s Desh Ko Arpan scholarship programme from his village Sarpanch; the scholarship provides Rs6000 to poor, meritorious students studying in the 11th and 12th standards. He immediately applied for the scholarship for his daughter, Rehana, as her academic track record had always been good.  She was shortlisted for the scholarship which would not only cover one year of her school fees, but also the fees for Maths and Science tuitions. Mr Bhiklani is very sure of his daughter as she is very dedicated and hard working. Rehana aspires to do a course in nursing after school, and to support her father financially.

On the wings of a dream

Her long-cherished dream of studying Botany is fulfilled after a transformational journey that sees Amrutha develop her personality skills and become a teacher herself

Amrutha, who has just completed her 12th standard, is from an economically weak family. Her desire was to complete B.Sc Botany. However, she didn’t have the courage to convince her parents to let her join the course. Meanwhile, she underwent various training programmes on soft skills and youth development, conducted by TCL. She also volunteered for the English training classes for youth and children, and made her mother Mrs Nalini join in the HHG in the Ulundai village along with other women. She also volunteered to identify native herbal plants, and to help in the formation of HHG groups. She underwent training in Personality Development, Level 1 & 2. The CSR team has supported her in helping her develop her confidence. During the course, she evolved as a trainer, and has begun training other HHG members, ICE students, and also helped us mobilise youth for the YES project. With the support and cooperation of her father, Amrutha has recently joined B.Sc., Botany first year at Annamalai University. This is an inspiring outcome of some of our works in the field.

Upwardly mobile

Unable to study further due to financial constraints, Basudeb finds his niche through TCSRD’s vocational skills programme.

Basudeb Jana lives with his mother and two brothers in the Haldia Municipal area.  His father died when Basudeb was just 6 years old. His mother had to work as a maid servant to feed the whole family. Due to the family’s poor financial status, Basudeb and his two brothers could not continue their studies after higher secondary level. Basudeb’s siblings are now working as industrial labour in Haldia.

Basudeb came to know about TCSRD’s vocational skill development programme, and applied for the mobile training programme at Jan Shikshan Sansthan. After successfully completing his training, Basudeb started working as a helper in a mobile repairing shop. He continued as a learner and kept himself updated on the latest versions of mobile phones.  

Six months back, Basudeb joined Gionee Service centre which has very recently started its office in Haldia at a salary of Rs5000 per month. His family and he are very happy with this job as he is able to add to the family income. Basudeb has plans to set up his own mobile repairing shop in the future.