Page 2 - EDII Report 124

EDII REPORTS 124 EDII REPORTS 124

Recognition:
While the country is home to youth, women, children, artisans, minorities, disadvantaged
and many other segments, an important section comprises the differently abled, whose
Project Udyamee Gets Awarded...
holistic growth, development and empowerment is also the responsibility of society. It is
our responsibility to ensure that all necessary support, infrastructure, and opportunities Utkal Alumina was awarded the prestigious INDIA CSR Award (Winner)
are extended to them to ensure that they are not deprived of opportunities. for ‘Project UDYAMEE’ under the category Enterprise Development
and recognized EDII’s work for their CSR initiatives in creating an impact
Entrepreneurship being an effective tool for empowerment, it is important to discuss and achieving sustainable growth.
enablement of PwDs through sustainable enterprise creation; creating a set of best Project UDYAMEE aims to promote youth entrepreneurs from Kashipur
practices in the context of infrastructure, perception, environment, security and other Block of Rayagada and Thuamul Block of Kalahandi in non-farm and
facilities to promote their complete inclusion in society; floating ways to ensure an agri-allied sectors through Rural Incubation Centre in three years.
integrative working environment; deciding on an inventory of business opportunities that
The Institute’s Governing Board Meeting was conducted on January 6, 2024 under the
PwDs could tap into to create own enterprises; aligning the interventions with sustainable
Presidentship of Shri Rakesh Sharma, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, IDBI
development goals and breaking the professional segregation in society that relegates
Bank Ltd. Esteemed Board Members brainstormed over EDII’ growth trajectory amidst
disableds to lower paying jobs.
the external developments.

It makes me happy to state that through various CSR interventions with corporates, EDII
has so far trained 8,533 PwDs through 266 skill training programs, leading to the
establishment of 1,247 enterprises. The Institute also houses the Centre for Empowerment
of the Differently Abled (CEDA), supported by the Department of Social Justice &
Empowerment, Directorate of Social Defense, Gujarat State Handicapped (Divyang)
Finance & Development Corporation, Government of Gujarat, on its campus. I am glad
that Government, corporates and the society in general, have started thinking about

inclusive development wherein empowering PwDs is high on priority. There is emphasis
on curating sustainable business opportunities and viable entrepreneurial prospects, and
on ensuring that the PwDs get suitably trained and handheld.

Two of the recent roundtable meets (in Delhi & Mumbai) for Corporates to 'Support,

Activate and Build Assured Livelihoods (SABAL) for Persons with Disabilities under CSR
Actions', organized under the aegis of Department of Empowerment of Persons with
Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India,
met with huge corporate representation. The discussions were promising.

I am sure, Amrit Kaal ka Bharat will have opportunities galore for all.

Best Wishes !!!

- Sunil Shukla

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