L&T's CSR team in Vadodara (Gujarat) empowers rural communities by addressing various facets of their well-being in alignment with their needs.

 

This is achieved through the Sustainable Action for Resilience and Advanced Livelihood(SARALSAMUDAAY) – a village development programme that caters largely to women. The programme involves undertaking infrastructure support, building resilience of women through sustainable livelihoods that make them role models for transformative change within their villages.

 

SARALSAMUDAAY fosters a sense of collective responsibility and ownership among community members by creating and strengthening community institutions. These include the Self-Help Groups (SHGs), which enable women to access financial services and support for their entrepreneurial endeavours. And the Bal Sansads (Children’s Parliaments), which develop leadership skills in the children, instil in them a sense of civic responsibility and give them practical training and experience in running a democracy.

 

Through various awareness sessions and capacity-building workshops, covering areas such as financial literacy, health, sanitation and hygiene, SARALSAMUDAAY has also enhanced the overall well-being of the community.

 

SARALSAMUDAAY has made a significant impact on the villages of Vadodara’s Waghodia Taluka. Over the past five years, the project has empowered hundreds of women and adolescent girls through skill-building initiatives, resulting in the establishment of numerous successful micro-enterprises. The average earnings per woman have seen a substantial increase, contributing to the economic uplift of the entire community.

 

Every year, L&T holds Samvad (‘dialogue’), an event which facilitates the exchange of knowledge, ideas and best practices, leading to greater synergy among community members, government bodies, financial institutions, and civil society organisations. This year, it was held on 26 February.

 

Ms Kavita Gohil (DPO – Women & Child Department) was the Chief Guest and Mr Ajay Jain (EVP & Head – Onshore EPC, L&T Energy Hydrocarbon [LTEH]) and his wife Hema were the Guests of Honour. Also present were Dr Prof M N Parmar (Dean – Parul University), Dr Priyesh Gandhi (Vice Chancellor – Sigma University) and Mr Sureshbhai Bharvad (Sarpanch – Rayantalavdi Village), Mr Pritesh Shah (Head, CSR – Onshore EPC, LTEH) and Ms Avani Vansia (Head, HR – Onshore EPC, LTEH).

 

Mr Jain spoke on LTEH’s CSR Initiatives and the way forward. A few of the women beneficiaries shared their success stories. Stalls were set up by women beneficiaries to display the various products and skill-building initiatives that helped empower them – stitching, tailoring, beauty & wellness, papad & khakhra making, etc. Other empowering groups – like the SHG and SHE Team – set up stalls to generate awareness of their activities. The impact of LTEH’s CSR initiatives in rural and urban Vadodara was showcased through displays.

 

Looking ahead, SARALSAMUDAAY continues to expand its reach and impact, with plans to further empower rural communities and drive sustainable development in the region. L&T’s CSR initiative is making a meaningful difference in the lives of the villagers, paving the way for a brighter and more prosperous future for rural India.