Project Puthri to spread its wings across Tamil Nadu with government’s support

Chennai, November 2, 2019: In a landmark move, Project Puthri received a Grant Letter from the Government of Tamil Nadu to roll out the Career Intentionality program in 1000 schools across the state with private partnerships using CSR funds. Project Puthri – a novel initiative by AVTAR Human Capital Trust (AHCT) -- India’s first ever developmental project that aims to create career intentionality among girl students studying in corporation and government run schools in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. The Letter was issued to AHCT at the third edition of Udyog Utsav 2019, a unique career visioning fair organized by Project Puthri today. The event witnessed an active participation from 800 ‘Puthri’ scholars who gathered from different parts of Chennai. These young girls are trained in over 40 skills under the intervention program conducted by Project Puthri at their schools to build Career Intentionality. Udyog Utsav is a platform for underprivileged girl students to envisage the possibilities of career, scholarship, internships and jobs for them to decide their career paths. M Vasu, Joint Director (NSS), Directorate of Education, Government of Tamil Nadu said, “The Government of Tamil Nadu is happy to partner with Avtar Human Capital Trust to scale up the initiative by enabling more and more girls studying in corporation and government run schools to pursue their dreams and ambitions. Famous poet Bharathiyaar believed absolutely not in the equality but also in the superiority of the female over the male. That is where we envisage the scholars of Project Puthri to move forward in their life by being the enablers of the growth engine.” Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Saundarya Rajesh, Social Entrepreneur, Founder – President, AVTAR Group and the Managing Trustee of AHCT, said “As we move towards a gender balance society, it is pertinent that the huge talent pool in the underprivileged community does not go untapped. Under Project Puthri, India’s first ever Career Intentionality training program which addresses underprivileged girl children across Tamil Nadu. More than 5000 girl children have been benefitted through this initiative till date. Today, more and more corporates are building career enablers within their organizations for women to maintain career continuum and not pause their professional lives at – Marriage, Maternity & Mobility. Career Intentionality is not like a course or a vocation, instead we teach them the ability to demonstrate resilience, show passion, work in a team and remain focussed on their careers. Udyog Utsav is an extension of the intervention program. This platform provides these girls a corporate exposure and allows them to envision their dream careers.”. “An entry into the Indian economy will mean that these girls will directly contribute to the increase in GDP of our country, which is expected to growth by an additional 2.9 trillion USD, by 2025, if we achieve Gender Parity,” said Dr Rajesh.