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Tag: Livelihood

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CSR

CSR in Banking- Promoting Inclusive Financial Service for all

CSR in Banking can pave way for budding women entrepreneurs

Over the years, India’s financial ecosystem has been evolving to newer heights. With digital payments becoming a part of our day-to-day lives along with newer financial support schemes for women and underserved communities, India is striving to achieve an inclusive financial structure for all. In 2023, the Reserve Bank of India declared India’s Financial Inclusion Index standing at 60.1 whereas, in 2024, the Financial Inclusion Index stands increased at 64.2, hinting that the efforts towards having an equitable economic paradigm along with improvement in economic opportunities are possible in a country like India.

What is financial inclusion?

By definition, the Financial Inclusion programme aims to ensure that both individuals and businesses can access financial services that are useful and affordable, such as transactions, payments, savings, credit and insurance, responsibly and sustainably. 

Furthermore, the importance of financial inclusion has been identified in almost every Sustainable Development Goal. It is directly referenced as a target in eight of the seventeen goals. These include SDG 1, which focuses on eradicating poverty; SDG 2, aimed at ending hunger, ensuring food security, and fostering sustainable agriculture; SDG 3, which addresses health and well-being; SDG 5, dedicated to gender equality and the economic empowerment of women; SDG 8, which promotes economic growth and employment; SDG 9, which supports industry, innovation, and infrastructure; and SDG 10, which seeks to reduce inequality.

Furthermore, SDG 17, which concentrates on enhancing the means of implementation, implicitly highlights the importance of financial inclusion by encouraging increased savings mobilisation for investment and consumption, thereby potentially driving economic growth.

As India aims to become a $7 Trillion economy by 2030, it gets even more important for us to create financial inclusive programmes and institutions that offer equitable financial services to all. Government interventions like the Jan Dhan Yojana are among the most promising financial schemes. They have enabled over 50 crore people to open bank accounts and deposit over INR 2 Lakh crore, becoming part of the formal banking system.

Why are financial inclusive programmes important for India?

India’s robust economic growth has certainly become an example for many to follow globally. However, when it comes to achieving holistic economic growth for all and by all, we still have a long way to go. 

India’s underserved population still grapples with poor financial conditions due to lack of education, unemployment, skill training and poor health which eventually has kept them and their families in the loop of economic stagnation. 

Considering the importance of having an accessible and inclusive financial environment for all, the core focus now should be to develop low-income communities with opportunities that would enable them to develop themselves financially sustainable.

CSR initiatives in banks for empowering underserved communities 

Over the years, Banking CSR Strategies have opened up many opportunities for the underserved communities in India. With several financial inclusion programmes introduced by banks, children and their families are getting the chance to access e-literacy and financial literacy ,so that they can develop and be aligned to the demands of changing times.

Interventions by Axis Bank, SBI and RBL for empowering communities with sustainable livelihood training and opportunities have been very successful. Such initiatives have proven that CSR in banking can create a real impact at the grassroots level because, with their support and expertise, underserved communities can get knowledge on financial literacy and financial schemes that can help them navigate and build their finances better. 

CSR in banking- Going forward

By emphasising financial literacy, skill development and improved access to banking services, financial institutions play a crucial role in addressing the needs of underserved communities. Additionally, banks can provide microloans to small enterprises, support educational initiatives, and fund healthcare projects in rural areas, thereby facilitating the integration of these communities into the mainstream economy.

Moreover, banking CSR strategies should include investments in infrastructure to advance digital financial inclusion, ensuring that remote areas have access to essential banking services.

These initiatives are instrumental in transforming lives, stimulating economic growth and increasing social equity, significantly advancing the sustainable development of underserved populations in India.

Swabhiman- Financial Inclusion Programme for Women

With a focus on enabling women with financial stability, Smile Foundation’s Swabhiman programme has been tailored to provide them with entrepreneurship and skill development training.

This program supports underserved women from India’s urban poor and rural communities by providing them with the opportunity to achieve economic empowerment through starting their own businesses. They receive training in business basics such as financial management, marketing and communication, financial literacy, and digital literacy, enabling them to sustain and expand their small businesses to create a stable livelihood for themselves, their families and their communities.

Several financial institutions such as SBI and IndoStar Home Finance have partnered with the Swabhiman programme to support women from marginalised communities. By providing them with workshops on financial literacy and business management skills, these financial institutions have contributed positively towards empowering women while also laying down the foundations of inclusive financial culture in India.

Smile Foundation firmly believes that creating lasting and meaningful change requires the collective efforts of all social stakeholders working toward a common goal. By consolidating our resources to promote an inclusive financial environment in India, banks and Smile Foundation can collaborate to enhance the impact of governmental financial initiatives. This potential partnership can achieve substantial and far-reaching results, offering women and their families the opportunity for financial stability.

Additionally, it aims to create a comprehensive and inclusive financial ecosystem that empowers these communities to overcome economic challenges and secure lasting financial well-being.

Categories
Skill Development

World Youth Skills Day: Vocational Skills leads to Employability

Livelihood Skill Development Training

Young and full of spirit, the youth of a nation holds the power to take the country to newer heights of development and therefore, celebrating the potential of the youth along with the commitment to invest in their development, this World Youth Skills Day 2024 marks a special moment for the developing country like India.

As the world’s fifth-largest youth population, India has made significant strides in advancing youth development initiatives to achieve holistic empowerment. These efforts are designed to unlock the potential of our youth, ensuring their pivotal role in both personal growth and the comprehensive development of the nation.

Loop of Challenges

According to the ASER report, Indian youth in numerous rural regions continue to encounter significant challenges in accessing employment opportunities. These obstacles stem from various factors that hinder their holistic development –

1. Low Proficiency in Basic Skills

The report indicates that a significant percentage of Indian youth lack proficiency in basic reading and mathematical skills appropriate for their age level. This gap in foundational skills hinders their ability to grasp higher-level concepts and impacts overall educational attainment.

2. Regional Disparities

ASER 2023 underscores regional disparities in learning outcomes, with rural areas typically exhibiting lower levels of learning achievement compared to urban counterparts. This disparity highlights unequal access to quality education and resources across different regions of India.

3. Unemployment and Underemployment issues

One of the longest and overly concerning issues is unemployment and underemployment in India. Recent studies show that in rural areas, unemployment rates have increased. In June 2024, the rate climbed to 9.3% from 6.3% in May 2024 and 8.8% in June 2023. For men in rural areas, the rate rose to 8.2% in June 2024 from 5.4% in May. For women, it increased to 17.1% from 12.0% during the same period.

Furthermore, underemployment is also rising with each passing day, as it has been observed that India’s overall underemployment rate was 62.28, indicating a moderate level of underemployment in the economy. In urban areas, the underemployment rate was 63.95, and in rural areas, it was 61.73. For females, the underemployment rate was 59.81, while for males, it was 62.50.

4. Skills mismatch between education and industry requirements

Over the years, India’s educational system has evolved, yet it has struggled to align with the rapidly evolving job market. Today, emerging unconventional roles require specific skill sets that our educational institutions largely overlook. This gap between education and employability leaves many youth, particularly in underserved communities in India, feeling unprepared for modern job opportunities. They often lack the technical skills demanded by the current Indian market, posing a significant barrier to their employment prospects and overall socio-economic advancement.

5. Social and economic exclusion of marginalised youth

If one thinks that casteism isn’t any more part of the Indian fabric, then they haven’t looked closely enough. Be it in urban or rural areas, many young people still have to face social and economic discrimination. Exclusion from educational opportunities, job markets and essential services like healthcare and social support networks perpetuates economic exclusion leading them to live a vicious cycle of generational poverty.

Skill development programme for youth – India’s Approach

As India strives to become a $5 Trillion economy, we must include youth empowerment as one of our focus areas, so that with strategic planning modern-day youth development programs can be aligned with the demand of the current ecosystem that shall enhance their skills, personality and financial future. 

The World Youth Skills Day highlights the critical role of vocational skills in empowering youth, particularly underserved populations in India. The Indian Government’s National Youth Policy emphasises holistic development and sustainability. Aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it focuses on key areas such as quality education, reducing inequalities, promoting decent work and fostering economic growth.

The policy aims to enhance participation in sports and update school curriculum to be more modern and comprehensive. It also encourages teaching financial, legal and digital skills.

Mental health support and involving youth in policy-making are integral components, making NYP 2021 more inclusive than previous policies.

Additionally, it focuses on societal development, recognising the youth’s role in Indian workforce for overall progress and advancement. The NYP 2023 advocates for access to quality vocational training because it not only enhances employability, but also promotes sustainable development by aligning youth capabilities with evolving market demands. It bridges the skills gap, enabling young people to contribute effectively to their communities and the economy.

Steering the Indian youth development on the lines of the National Youth Policy 2023 is a silver lining for the future of underserved youth. By empowering them with vocational skills, they get a chance to achieve sustainable development. It enables them to secure meaningful employment, break the cycle of poverty and uplift their families and communities. Not only this, through the right implementation of the policy, India can achieve national welfare as it shall create an ecosystem that promotes innovation, productivity and inclusive growth. 

Taking Indian Youth Forward with Skill India Mission

To implement the vision of the National Youth Policy effectively, the Skill India Mission promotes the empirical training of an array of vocational skills so that the youth are equipped with the necessary skills as required by the new industry demands. 

With curriculum-based skill training courses, the Skill India Mission enables trainees to acquire certifications and endorsements from industry-recognized learning centres. The mission also included integrating skill-based learning into school curricula, thereby creating opportunities for both long-term and short-term skill training and employment.

STeP & World Youth Skills Day 2024

Inspired by the vision of the Indian Government for Youth Development, Smile Foundation’s STeP (Smile Twin e-Learning Programme), has been working on fostering youth development across India, particularly in underserved communities, to achieve our dream of a developed India.

The STeP aims to empower youth by imparting them with market-relevant vocational skills and enhancing their employability. Through structured training modules in sectors like Retail, BFSI, Digital Marketing, Hospitality, and Healthcare, STeP equips participants with both technical expertise and essential soft skills crucial for professional success.

The programme’s impact extends beyond skill development, facilitating job placements that uplift youth economically and contribute positively to their families’ livelihoods. By bridging the gap between education and employment, STeP not only addresses youth unemployment but also nurtures a generation of self-reliant individuals capable of integrating into the mainstream workforce.

This World Youth Skills Day, Smile Foundation emphasises to meticulously push forward sustainability and inclusive growth for the youth through the STeP programme so that a skilled workforce can be cultivated that drives socio-economic progress across diverse regions of India. Through its holistic approach, STeP annually empowers thousands of youth, catalysing positive change within communities and paving the way for a brighter future.

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Partnerships

FMCG’s Corporate Social Responsibility In India for Rural Growth

A shopkeeper with his girl child in India

As the monsoons arrive in India, rural India sees a wave of change with a sigh of relief for a better harvest. Along with them, the FMCG companies in India also see the scaling up of their sales in rural India, as the opportunity of increased continuous rural wages are on the horizon.

But the question is, should rural India’s development only depend on how the monsoons treat them? Should FMCG companies in India prioritise solely on sales, or can they leverage their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes to effect substantial improvements in the lives of over 9 million individuals residing in rural areas?

India’s FMCG Industry – A pillar of support 

India houses some of the most renowned FMCG brands of the globe. It is the fourth-largest industry in India and one of the highest contributors to the nation’s GDP. Through this industry, over 3 million individuals and their families are getting their bread and butter. And with steady growth each year, the FMCG industry is expected to become an industry worth 615 billion dollars by 2027. 

Thus, looking at the promising future of the FMCG industry and the opportunities it holds for the development of rural India, let’s understand how the FMCG industry can channel its Corporate Social Responsibility programmes, to boost the underserved communities living in the rural and remote corners of India.

Before delving into how FMCG companies can utilise CSR initiatives to empower and drive rural development in India, it is important to grasp the landscape and the specific challenges confronting underserved communities especially the needs of underserved children, aspiring women entrepreneurs and youth in rural India.

Loop of wage stagnation in rural India

Many rural areas face stagnant wages, where the growth in wages has not kept pace with inflation or the rising cost of living. This situation often leads to economic hardship for rural households, impacting their ability to improve their standard of living, access essential services and invest in education and healthcare. 

It has been observed that rural inflation has been higher than urban inflation for the past 11 months until May 2024, according to the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).

In May, it reached 5.3%, which was 110 basis points more than urban inflation. Since rural households spend more on food, food and beverages make up more than half (54.18%) of their expenses, whereas in urban areas, it is 36.29%. Experts believe that if the wage disparities continue then invariably it shall affect FMCG sales, however, the dependent variable this year is the monsoon and its positive result in the rural areas of India.

Challenges faced by underserved children

With the advancement of technology, the education sector has evolved and advanced itself to newer heights. However, the benefits of such advancement in the education sector have still not reached many underserved children. 

The most recent Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) reveals a concerning statistic: a significant majority of 14- to 18-year-old children in rural India face challenges with fundamental academic skills.

Specifically, more than half of these adolescents still struggle to perform basic tasks such as solving three-digit division problems, determining time, and executing elementary calculations—skills that are typically acquired by students in Classes 3-4.

Challenges faced by underserved youth in India

Did you know that India has the 5th largest population of youth in the world? This magnanimous ocean of young people is a reservoir of talent, that is still untapped to the fullest extent in our country. 

Issues like dropping out of school due to their family’s financial constraints or being pushed into labour work to provide for their families are often the pre-decided fates of the rural youth in India. Furthermore, poor educational infrastructure also hampers their interest towards garnering education or learning vocational skills, which invariably results in their holistic development and future opportunities to carve a stable financial life. 

Challenges faced by women entrepreneurs

As “Vocal for Local” echoes in the air, the number of entrepreneurs in India has grown significantly. With over 1 lac startups in India, the country has certainly become a global powerhouse as it stands being the third largest startup ecosystem after the US and China.

However, as much as the urban entrepreneurs have grown in a short period, the rural businesses- Grampreneurs, especially women entrepreneurs are still finding it difficult to sustain themselves.

With less capital, resources and training coupled with the complex problems of managing and filing business taxes, lack of knowledge regarding associated costs and knowledge of GST, these willed rural women entrepreneurs are facing the biggest test of their time- to become part of India’s mainstream entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Even with the increased usage of digital platforms and transactions across India, many rural entrepreneurs are yet to leverage the benefits of it. Only 60% of Gramprenerus use digital payment methods and 26% use e-Commerce sites for their sales. Furthermore, women entrepreneurs in rural India face significant challenges in setting up their businesses as compared to men. It has been observed that only 52% of women can access financial credit. 

Personal obstructions like their family’s disapproval and banks refusing them loans to kickstart their businesses are often the first hurdle that deviates many rural women entrepreneurs from kickstarting their entrepreneurial journey. 

FMCG Corporate Social Responsibility in India- A new way?

The Ben & Jerry’s Foundation, the charitable branch of the ice cream company, provides financial support to grassroots organisations focusing on social justice, environmental conservation, and community development. Established in 1985, the foundation has contributed more than $30 million to date.

Taking inspiration from such key players of the global FMCG industry, the Indian FMCG industry can also mould their CSR partnerships towards the rural development of India, while aligning them to the UN SDGs and the government schemes for rural development in India.

With the commitment towards holistic development, the FMCG industry can steer their CSR partnerships towards developing the rural education sector, employability, health infrastructure and empowerment of local businesses so that many underprivileged communities can get the opportunity to develop holistically.

FMCG Corporate Social Responsibility in India for underserved students

As the Indian education sector heads towards a bigger and brighter future with STEM education, we need to ensure that children of underserved communities in India also get the opportunity to learn and thrive with the benefits of STEM education. 

For this, the FMCG industry can invest their CSR fund for school buildings in rural and remote corners of the country, and support the school infrastructure with solar power, while also investing in developing equipped STEM labs for the underprivileged children. 

It should be understood that underserved children of India require a little more hand-holding than the children of the urban and developed communities when it comes to learning, therefore, support by providing technical books, digitised classrooms and computers can help these children learn and understand quality education, that enhances their cognitive development, as well as helps them to build a mindset that pushes them to come out of the cycles of economic stagnation. 

By partnering with Smile Foundation’s Mission Education programme , the FMCG industry can reach over 1 Lac children in 27 states every year. With a key focus on-

  • FLN & Grade-Specific Learning Outcomes
  • STEM Education
  • Digital Learning Environment 
  • Holistic Development of Students
  • Need-based Teacher’s training 
  • Parent & Community Engagement
  • Scholarships for Girl Child Education 

The Mission Education programme aligned with the NEP 2020 policy and UN SDG 4, aims at ensuring quality education is accessible to every underserved child in India. The aim is to ensure that no child stays away from school and can build a life for themselves and their families that is sustainable for years to come.

FMCG CSR activities in India for skill development in rural areas

Focused on imparting vocational training to underserved youth in sectors like retail, hospitality, and healthcare, STeP equips young girls and boys with market-relevant skills and enhances their employability. The holistic approach of the initiative integrates soft skills training, personality development, and financial literacy, ensuring comprehensive growth.

By partnering with Smile Foundation, FMCG companies can strategically align their Corporate Social Responsibility efforts with STeP’s curriculum, directly impacting communities, this collaboration not only shall address immediate skill gaps but also fosters long-term sustainability by creating pathways to economic independence for youth.

Through structured partnerships, FMCG firms can leverage our expertise and network to measure and amplify the social impact of their investments, contributing significantly to underserved youth development in India’s rural and urban areas.

Rural Women Empowerment needs FMCG industry support

Steering women empowerment in India, the FMCG industry’s CSR partnerships can be a powerful force towards making rural women of India financially independent by supporting them with vocational training, financial literacy and entrepreneurship support. 

Understanding the challenges faced by the local rural women of India, Smile Foundation’s Swabhiman programme has been working closely on encouraging and empowering rural women by introducing them to the world of entrepreneurship.

Each year over 1.5 lac women are given health and nutrition benefits, including skill development and entrepreneurial management training so that they can holistically develop themselves, their families and their communities. Swabhiman closely works on-

  • Capacity building to start Micro Enterprises
  • Workshops on E-commerce and digital marketing
  • Technical capacity building 
  • Enrolment in government schemes for livelihood opportunities
  • Setting up of model Micro Enterprises 

FMCG companies can play a pivotal role in empowering women in rural India by partnering their strategic CSR initiatives with programmes like Swabhiman.

With a focus on financial inclusion and empowerment of rural women,

the FMCG CSR initiatives can partner with Smile Foundation to empower rural women through- 

  • Skill Development Initiatives- By setting up vocational training centres focused on skills relevant to their industry, such as packaging, quality control, or distribution. These centres can impart training to women in rural areas, equipping them with marketable skills that enhance their employability and income.
  • Entrepreneurship Development-  Supporting women entrepreneurs by providing micro-financing, mentorship and access to markets can be a transformative CSR activity.
  • Health and Hygiene Initiatives-  Many FMCG products cater to health and hygiene needs. Companies can promote awareness and provide access to affordable products such as sanitary pads, soaps, and healthcare supplements. Additionally, organising health camps and workshops on nutrition and maternal health can significantly benefit rural women.
  • Financial Inclusion- Facilitating financial literacy programs and promoting savings and banking among women can empower them economically. FMCG companies can collaborate with banks to establish financial literacy camps and facilitate easy access to banking services in rural areas.
  • Digital Literacy- In today’s digital age, imparting digital literacy skills is crucial. FMCG companies can establish digital literacy centres or mobile training units to teach basic computer skills, internet usage, and e-commerce, enabling women to access broader markets and information.

As a significant industry both in India and globally, FMCG industry holds a unique position closely tied to its consumers. Leveraging its substantial influence, the FMCG sector’s Corporate Social Responsibility in India can catalyse transformative development in rural India.

The good days!

By focusing on initiatives such as

  • enhancing quality education for underserved children,
  • skill development for rural youth
  • and empowering rural women

FMCG companies can create a dynamic ecosystem.

This approach shall nurture holistic development among underserved children, prepare youth for the workforce and also empower women, their core customer base, fostering financial independence and societal equality.

Considering the profound potential impact of FMCG’s CSR programmes on rural India’s development, it is imperative to invest in the inclusivity of the nation. After all, acche din (good days) must each every individual of India.

Categories
Livelihood Smile

Rural Revolution: The Journey from Childhood to Livelihood

Girl child education in India

India holds the 12th position globally as one of the hardest-working nations, widely recognised for its industriousness. This underscores the significant role each citizen plays in contributing to the nation’s comprehensive development. Given India’s sizable population of youth and children, there is an urgent need to emphasise the importance of investing in their holistic development from childhood to livelihood opportunities.

All social stakeholders must strategically invest in equipping rural children and youth in India for a productive future.

Hurdles for Rural Children & Youth

  • Limited Access to Quality Education

Rural children in India face significant challenges in accessing quality education. Geographical barriers, such as the lack of adequate school infrastructure in remote areas, hinder their ability to attend school regularly.

Moreover, a shortage of qualified teachers in rural areas leads to lower-quality education. Additionally, rural schools in India often lack basic facilities, learning materials, and technology, further impeding effective education delivery. These factors combine to create substantial barriers for rural children, limiting their educational opportunities and overall development.

  • Economic Constraints and Livelihood Opportunities

Rural India continues to grapple with significant income disparities, exacerbating the poverty gap and presenting obstacles for families to finance their children’s education and ensure they complete their academic journey. Sadly, this often leads to parents sacrificing a girl child’s education so that their brothers can continue theirs.

Furthermore, in today’s competitive market, upskilling has become essential for personal and economic growth, but unfortunately, many rural youths still lack access to basic vocational training, limiting their ability to secure stable livelihoods and break free from ongoing cycles of socio-economic stagnation.

  • Social and Cultural Factors

In rural India, parents often face a dilemma when deciding which child to prioritise for education. Traditionally, sons are seen as future breadwinners, while daughters are expected to marry and join another family. This cultural belief leads to a higher dropout rate among rural girls in India, as their education is often sacrificed in favour of their brothers.

Economic instability further exacerbates this situation, prompting families to migrate to cities in search of better prospects. It has been recorded that annually an average of 90 million people have migrated from rural India to urban cities. However, this migration also entails struggles of new city life and the financial strain of relocation often results in cutting back on daughter’s education or resorting to child labour to make ends meet.

 Additionally, discrimination against marginalised groups, such as tribal communities and ethnic minorities, persists in many parts of the country. This social exclusion significantly restricts their tribal children and youth from accessing educational and livelihood opportunities.

Students of STeP- Vocational training course focusing on Sustainable Livelihood

Childhood to Livelihood- Securing with Sustainability

In light of the aforementioned challenges, the path to integrating rural youth and children of India into mainstream development lies in establishing sustainable educational and livelihood programmes tailored to their needs and those of their families. The concept of sustainable livelihood must encompass holistic development to be effective. 

Smile Foundation’s lifecycle approach aims to empower underserved children and their families by providing resources and opportunities that foster sustainability. With the key focus on education, health and livelihood, Smile has been working for over a decade on the ground level to facilitate a sustainable ecosystem for the underserved communities of India.

Through initiatives like Mission Education, Smile Foundation aligns education with principles of the National Education Policy (NEP), emphasising on Foundational Language and Numerical (FLN) and STEAM subjects to enhance cognitive abilities.

In the space of health, the aim extends beyond mere provision of medicines to the underprivileged, focusing on fostering healthy eating and living habits within these communities and to achieve this Smile Foundation utilises Smile On Wheels (SOWs), a mobile healthcare unit delivering comprehensive medical services including OPD facilities, point-of-care tests, and free medications, ensuring healthcare accessibility for underserved communities.

Moreover, recognising the pivotal role of women in community development, the Swabhiman programme prioritises women’s maternal, menstrual and neonatal health. It promotes awareness and education on women’s health management and hygiene practices.

Additionally, to complete the cycle of holistic livelihood, initiatives like STeP and Swabhiman empower youth and women from underserved communities through vocational skills training, enhancing their employability. Furthermore, in alignment with government initiatives for women empowerment, Swabhiman fosters entrepreneurship development and digital financial literacy among women, striving to bolster their economic independence and societal standing.

Impact from the Ground

From School drop out to a lifesaver Doctor- Sushma, Mission Education Student

Sushma was forced to leave school at 14. Hailing from a migrant family in Bihar, she supported her mother by crafting newspaper bags, which she sold to nearby shops. She would go to pick her siblings from the school everyday, and would yearn to go back to school again to complete her education.

Fortunately, Sushma re-enroled at Smile Foundation’s Mission Education Centre, resuming her academic journey. Today, like any other school-going girl, she engages in extracurricular activities, nurturing her dream of becoming a doctor.

Quality Healthcare for Everyone – Smile on Wheels covering Indian miles

From remote corners like Mewat and Manesar in Haryana to Singruali in Madhya Pradesh and Shirur in Pune, Smile on Wheels provides quality healthcare across India. Offering thorough check-ups and free medications, Smile on Wheels ensures primary healthcare reaches every doorstep. For specialised consultations, telemedicine connects patients with specialist doctors, ensuring timely access to quality medical care.

Class 12th Student becomes a Successful Entrepreneur- Payal, Swabhiman beneficiary

Payal’s Success Story Coming from a modest background, Payal, a class 12 student, relied solely on her father’s earnings. Realising the need for sustainable income, Payal joined Smile Foundation’s Swabhiman programme where she was given entrepreneurial training, business material and management support along with digital literacy enabling her  to launch her business venture and transforming her family’s prospects.

Engineering is no more a distant dream for Radhika- scholarships for engineering education

Smile Scholarships for Girls Radhika dreamt of becoming an engineer but faced financial setbacks when her father suffered a brain stroke. With her mother’s support, Radhika applied for Smile Foundation’s scholarships, receiving assistance that brought her closer to achieving her dream.

Collaboration for Impact

As a two-decade-old NGO in India, Smile Foundation staunchly advocates that societal transformation requires collaborative efforts from corporates, NGOs and governments. The success stories highlighted above are not merely the outcomes of the foundation or its partners alone, but the result of a unified approach and steadfast commitment to uplifting underserved communities across India. This ensures that no one is left behind or deprived of a dignified life.

It is no longer a matter of choice but a collective necessity and responsibility for all of us to ensure that we actively work towards bridging socio-economic disparities. By integrating rural children and youth into India’s journey towards a 5 Trillion economy, and empowering them with quality education, healthcare, and livelihood skills, we will enable them to lead sustainable lives free from prejudice while equipping them to make meaningful contributions to national development.

Categories
Livelihood

Inclusive Skill Development: India and Differently-abled Livelihood

Inclusive Skill Development: India and Livelihood for its Differently-abled
Inclusive Skill Development: India and Livelihood for its Differently-abled

“Development can only be sustainable when it is equitable, inclusive and

accessible for all. Persons with disabilities need therefore to be included at

all stages of development processes, from inception to monitoring and evaluation.”

Ban Ki Moon

The Context

People who are differently abled perceive the world quite differently from those without them. Their experiences, joys, difficulties, and more might find similar patterns with others but it would be true to say here that their journey toward independent living is filled with difficulties unimaginable for most of us. What can we do in such a case? Enrollments in online skill development courses are one way to go about it.

We can support them while they build their own bridges to get where they want to be. Sometimes, being a fully supporting character in someone’s life is more than enough.

What does Disability mean in India?

The Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act was approved by the Indian government in 1995. According to the Act, a person who qualifies as “disabled” has at least a 40% handicap, as determined by a medical authority. Such a person is also called PwD, a Person with Disability.

Additionally, there are various frameworks that are now utilised in India to describe and define disability. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was ratified by the Indian government.

In October 2007, (UNCRPD), according to Article 1 of the Convention, “Persons with disabilities include individuals who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments that, when combined with other factors, may prevent them from fully and effectively participating in society on an equal basis with others.”

As a result, disability is not viewed as a distinct medical illness but rather as the result of interactions between a person’s health and their environment in general.

In India, there were over 22 million people with disabilities, which is about 2.13 percent of the population, according to the Census of 2012. This encompasses those who have physical, mental, or communicative difficulties. Nevertheless, the 2009 World Bank Report estimates that there are about 6% of disabled people in India. To top it off, the World Health Organization estimates that 10% of the population is affected. 

Disability is a complicated phenomenon, making it difficult to precisely estimate its prevalence through a national survey. Given these difficulties, it is not unexpected that there is disagreement over the best ways to quantify handicaps, leading to a range of numbers.

Value Proposition of Including People with Disabilities in the Workforce

Despite having a sizable population, PwDs are rarely regarded as the nation-state’s productive human resource. National states sometimes disregard the relationship between disability and poverty, which creates a vicious cycle in which people with disabilities and their families are more likely to be poor than the general population because they have fewer opportunities to earn money and higher expenditures.

The talent, hard work, and potential of PwDs in India are mostly unrealized, underutilized, or underdeveloped. Additionally, the employment and education rates for people with disabilities are significantly lower than those of other people.

PwDs are one of the poorest populations in India since there are fewer options for them to make money and more expenditures to cover. Even though work prospects have risen over the past 20 years and India’s GDP grows by an average of 6.3% percent, the employment rate for people with disabilities actually decreased.

Many not-for-profit organisations working in tandem with the rising needs of the Government of India and the nation, have been trying to skill the Indian youth from underprivileged sections to prepare them better for employment opportunities, and online skill development courses are high on their agenda.

Suggestions for the Private Sector

So how can the private sector rise up and make their workplace more diverse and representative of different communities?

According to the PwD Act 1995, the Government of India will provide incentives to the public and commercial sectors to encourage the hiring of people with disabilities. However despite the incentive program’s passage, 13 the outcomes need major improvements.

To evaluate current incentive programmes and develop new ones that will encourage the hiring of handicapped people in the commercial sector, the private sector’s engagement, in especially the business world, requires considerably more creativity and should ideally go beyond simple incentives like tax breaks and Provident Fund payments, etc. 

Creating accessibility in the workplace, and providing assistive technology, gadgets, personal attendants, etc. are just a few examples of improvements and concessions that might be made to the workplace to support and promote employment for PwDs.

It’s a great idea to hold private meetings with corporations and business groups, together with an executive decision-maker, to discuss how they might help PwDs have a better quality of life. Create a composite livelihood plan as a pilot project, and appoint an impartial committee to oversee it. The committee should have suitable representation from PwDs, business entities, the government, and civil society.

Some Points for Urban Livelihoods, Self Employment and Entrepreneurship

A good starting point would be to Include the interests and needs of the differently-abled as a vulnerable group in new or current poverty reduction programmes to provide chances for livelihood (wage and self-employment) for those living in urban areas, particularly slums and from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.

Also, create incentive programmes (such as exemptions from sales tax, VAT, excise tax, and service tax) for disabled business owners, companies that employ more than 50% of disabled people, and companies that produce assistive technology or gadgets for people with disabilities.

Points for Rural Livelihoods

Under major government initiatives, like the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) which already includes provisions for PwDs, disability-specific sub-programmes might be launched. Disability audits should be conducted on a regular basis to make sure the programme is effective for the handicapped community. These will highlight the creases and assist in determining the best tactics for ironing them out.

Additionally, campaigns may be launched to raise awareness of the rights granted to the disabled under the programme.

In order to guarantee that the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) is inclusive with a provision for reasonable accommodations/adjustments, there should also be an extra focus on vulnerable groups like women with disabilities, etc., ensuring that 3% of the target population benefits from the scheme, and have regular reviews undertaken to determine the impact of the programme on the livelihood patterns of PwDs.

Conclusion

There are many young girls and boys who are differently-abled and can do a lot better in their professional careers and lives overall if provided the much-needed support like giving them an environment to learn new and old things 360 degrees. Online skill development courses with their advancements, especially after the pandemic, can work wonders for them too.

India indeed has a lot of work to do for the upliftment of the differently-abled.

The differently-abled must educate themselves on the newest technology of the day if they want to live a full life– a life filled with love, care, respect, dignity, and contentment. The job market’s increasing need for these abilities can keep them in demand and help them integrate into society.

Smile Foundation and Inclusive Livelihood

Smile Foundation through its livelihood programme, STeP (Smile Twin e-Learning Programme) is employing all its human and technical resources towards skilling the Indian youth from lower-income families for better employment opportunities.

Inclusive skill development is the programme’s next logical step towards broadening the scope of our livelihood-related work. Become an active agent for the nation’s economic progress aligning your CSR activities with our livelihood programme. Learn more here!

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Livelihood

Inspiring Stories on Youth Empowerment

Mamta was identified and trained on employability skills for six months under Smile Foundation’s livelihood programme – STeP. She has been placed in Haryana State Electricity Board.

The youth comprises over one-third of the Indian population which in turn constitutes a major part of the labour force of the country. The number of underprivileged youth in India who lacks education and proper guidance is so huge that according to the reports of the Financial Express only 15% of the young graduates passing out of colleges are employable; the rest are branded unemployable.

Smile Twin e-Learning Programme (STeP) is such an initiative of Smile Foundation that aims at creating a pool of young and independent people, from a section of underprivileged youth, through skill enhancement in tandem with market requirements. It is an effort towards bridging the gap between demand and supply of skilled manpower in the fast emerging services and retail sectors of modern India.

Here are some inspiring stories of young girls from across India who have been skilled, trained and empowered under the STeP programme to earn an independent and dignified livelihood:

Neha is one of the 20,000 youth who have been so far placed after completion of employability training under Smile Foundation’s livelihood programme STeP

“It is not easy for girls to have dreams. I was one of the only few girls in our slum who went to school. My parents were never able to buy new clothes for us. Every year I prayed to God to not grow since I had to wear the same cloth all the time. I knew my father’s income wasn’t enough to feed the six members of our family. My father struggled every day to ensure that I go to school. Because of lack of money I could not study beyond class 12. I stayed indoors to avoid talking to people. Neighbours and relatives started blaming my father for pinning their hopes on a daughter. He had suffered the same taunts when he had decided to send me to school, when the family was almost starving. When I got my first job, my father was the happiest man. He always says – If you have a heartbeat, there’s still time for your dreams.”

– Neha

 

Mamta was identified and trained on employability skills for six months under Smile Foundation’s livelihood programme – STeP. She has been placed in Haryana State Electricity Board.

“Orphaned in childhood, harassed by in-laws over dowry, beaten by husband, two miscarriages – life has shown me everything that can give shivers to any woman. After losing both my parents in childhood, emptiness killed me every day. I craved for a family, for belongingness. At the age of 21, my aunt got me engaged. There were fears, but somewhere I hoped to get a soul mate and new parents too. But destiny betrayed me again. My in-laws from whom I sought parental love started torturing me for dowry. What devastated me further was my husband’s attitude towards me. Despite taking marital vows of always supporting me, he started beating me mercilessly for demanding a car from my aunt. I got pregnant twice, but they never took me to doctor for routine check-ups. Due to poor health and mental trauma, both time, I suffered miscarriages – and the mother within me died one day.

Having lost hope and faith in life, I came back to my aunt’s house. Days passed but I could not move on. Being unproductive and sitting idle at home made me feel worthless and a burden on my aunt. Once I was a daughter, a wife and a mother… and suddenly one day, I became alone in a lost world where there was nothing but darkness. It was easy for me to remain in that darkness, but I decided to stop crying behind closed doors. I began fighting a battle nobody knew about – to earn food and dignity. My aunt says it’s my rebirth now and she wants me to celebrate it every day.

– Mamta (Name changed to protect identity)

 

Sana was trained on employability skills under Smile Foundation’s livelihood initiative STeP and placed in an IT firm in Mumbai

“Being a girl always represented a lot of ‘NO’s. I wanted to study, the answer was ‘no.’ I wanted to join singing classes, the answer was ‘no.’ I wanted to travel, the answer was ‘no.’ All my life, I felt like there was a barrier separating me from life. I grew up in a densely populated slum in Mumbai… in a one-room house where everything is limited – limited space, limited clothes and limited food. After lots of debates and fights at home, I got the chance to go to school. However, I could not study beyond class 10 because my father could no more afford my school fees. The only thing my family wanted for me was to get married. I lost almost four years of my life sitting at home and unable to do anything. Eventually I reached a moment where I knew that my only chance was to make a major change. I chose to stand against all ‘NO’s for the first time. I enrolled myself for an employability training and was fortunate to get a job upon completion. I am the first girl in my family to have got an employment. This has changed many things – people’s opinions about me, my family’s faith on me, and of course – me as a person. ‘NO’ is not always the answer.”

– Sana (Name changed)

 

Seema was identified and trained on employability skills under Smile Foundation’s livelihood programme – STeP and placed as a teacher in Mumbai

“Respect is the most important thing in a human’s life. My father did all kind of small jobs in his life to survive with his family. Sometimes he worked as a labour on construction sites, sometimes he worked on small shops as a helper, and sometimes he did loading and unloading of goods in factories. He was bound to respect everyone – those who were older than him and also those who were very younger than him. On the other hand people insulted him for being uneducated and poor. Despite the hard struggles, my father ensured that I and all my sisters get an education. He says society respects educated people, and I always wanted to earn that respect for him. Today, I work as a teacher and nothing brings more happiness to my heart when people talk to my father with admiration and honour.”

– Seema

 

To know more about our STeP Programme please visit us at https://www.smilefoundationindia.org/livelihood/

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