In an effort to make the communities disaster resilient, we have recently introduced the Diaster Mangement Pillar.  The goal is how through Smartpur/Panchayat Level we can train and make the local community aware about disaster planning and preparedness.  The entire goal has to be proactive approach and not a reactive one.  Some glimpse from our trainings in Panchayats of Assam and Rajasthan! Trainings were conducted in collaboration with the SDRF Teams.

On Ground Surveys, Focus Group Discussions underway at Panchayats of - Haridwar, Fatehadbad, Rajgarh, Tiruvallur, Ahilyanagar  Team is going deep and interacted with stakeholders to understand the requiremnets and current baseline of panchayats located at above mentioned districts. Nokia Smartpur aims to come in further enable amnd strengthen these Panchayat Ecosystem under close guidance and collaboration of Panchayat and Zilla Parishad Office!

The team visited all the centers, interacted with the trainees and faculties, project stakeholders.  These community development initiatives are done under guidance and collaboration of  Indian Army .  The goal of HQ is to track each trainee that we have in our interventions and ensure that they are able to benefit through the programs, and also their joruney is mapped end to end to ensure and capture the difference that the program is creating in their lives. Major emphasis is given to placement and market linkages and enabling the trainee to get connected with the market so they they can start off with their professional lives.

Two Power Packed Days -  KPMG India  - CSR Team and REACHA HQ Team on Ground Visited  Nokia  Smartpur Lcoations - Waghera, Mulegaon, Sanjegaon, Kanchangaon and Adsare Smartpur Centers.  Team also interacted with Senior Government Officials - Rural Self Employment Training Institute (RSETI), Animal Husbandary Department, Modal ITI Nashik - Skill Development Department.  Key observations and findings that emerged - How Smartpurs are enabling the last mile in these Panchayats (A lot of them pre-dominantly have tribal population), Locals who have become center facilitators who are giving essential services to community members at their door steps, who earlier had to travel long distances to avail - Farmer Schemes, Aadhaar Pan Services, Abha Cards, Ayushman Card, Banking Transactions, Various Livelihood Trainings with Experts nominated by Government Departments, Digital Classes for children of panchayats with dedicated computer instructors. Important role of Community Mobilizers was seen through the intervention and how they stay in touch with the last mile - follow up with each one of them on how they can benefit through government schemes, and then to check if they availed the scheme and if they were able to benefit through that or not and how. CMs keep the engagement at its peak. The MH Nashik Smartpur team is at it with their heart and soul, working with various government departments to strengthen the last mile.

Our Chairman and CEO -  Nikhil Pant  took a session on - Skilled Uttar Pradesh - Building a Future Ready Talent Pool.  The session focused on CSR's Role for UP's Talent Readiness, and Skilling Pathways. Mr. Pant shared about REACHA's skilling work pan India, especially in Uttar Pradesh - with support of corporates, Case study of REACHA's work in Uttar Pradesh.  Noteable attendees included - Hon’ble Cabinet Minister, Shri Anil Rajbhar, Department of Labour & Employment; Dr. MK Shanmuga Sundaram,Principal Secretary, Department of Labour & Employment.  REACHA team is at it working together with Department of Labour & Employment to strengthen the last mile in Uttar Pradesh. Team is grateful for  Neha Prakash  Ma'am continued support and guidance!

Following are key updates from December 2025 -  1) 13th December, 2025 Smartpur team Vodhpora, in collaboration with the Social Welfare Department Kupwara, organized an Awareness Program on Social Protection Schemes, attended by over 30 participants. Resource person informed attendees about various schemes, specifically focusing on assistance for the elderly, specially abled persons, marriage assistance, and other programs. 2) On 15 December 2025, Smartpur Kulgam organised a programme on social protection schemes at Government Middle School Batpora in collaboration with the Agriculture Department and the National Rural Livelihood Mission. The session focused on important agriculture schemes such as HADP, PM-Kisan, PMFBY, and PMKMY. 3) The Smartpur team Pulwama organized an informative banking awareness program on 11th December 2025 in collaboration with JK Bank Kakapora at Smartpur Larve. The program covered a range of topics, including bank schemes such as PM Surya, insurance, education loans, housing loans, and Mission YUVA. 4) Six-day training programme on Accelerating MSME Performance, organized in collaboration with the Jammu & Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI), Budgam).  5) Training programme on Vegetable Cultivation and Nursery Management commenced on 13 December with the objective of enhancing participants’ knowledge and skills in scientific and sustainable vegetable production practices. 6) Efilling camp to access government schemes and entitlements is going on at Smartpur Kurug Ganderbal registering farmers in Rabi Crop insurance scheme of Agriculture department 7) A three-day Livelihood Training Program on Scientific Agricultural Techniques in Vegetable Cultivation and Vermicomposting was organised today at Smartpur Handew in collaboration with the Agriculture Department - Shopian  8) One-month vocational training program on Fashion Designing and Cutting & Tailoring for rural women is currently underway at Lehandajan with KVK Anantnag  9) Smartpur Anantnag, in collaboration with J&K Bank, organized a Financial Literacy Camp to Raise Awareness about Banking Services at Nagipora Kullar on December 12, 2025 10) Smartpur Anantnag organized a two-days Aadhaar E-Filing Camp on 15th & 16th Dec, 2025 at Smartpur Centre Veersiran, in partnership with District CSC Aadhaar, 11) Programme organized by the MSME Development and Facilitation Office focusing on the PM Vishwakarma Scheme.

The program is in full momentum in Manipur.  The team has also come up with unique and effective mobilization strategies. Here is a glimpse of one -  The Winter Carnival 2025, organised by the Naga Students’ Union, Chandel Manipur. This year marks the second edition of the carnival. It is a ten-day event where people come together to enjoy food, games, and shopping. The carnival is one of the biggest crowd-pulling events in the district. The team showcased its project progress and outcomes so far at the carnival. Interested youth were/are also being registered for the IIFL supported program!

Industry Expsoure Visit of ITI Youth to  Sterling Holiday Resorts Limited , Dehradun and  Effotel Hotel by Sayaji .  Director of Engineering team at these Hotels covered following key topics -  1) Room Appliances - Technical workings of the same 2) Workings of Generators and Panels  3) Tool and Equipments required at Hotels  4) Appliances used at a banquet hall  The trainees are from AC Technician, Electrician and associated trades.  IHCL supported program emphasizes importance of Industry aligned training so that the youth can be market ready. Exposure visits like ones mentioned above, enable youth to better visualize how an industry looks like, and skillsets required for the same!

Naincy Gaur comes from a nuclear family, where dreams are big but resources are limited. She completed her BSc from IT College, Lucknow. Her father works as an electrician, and her family has always struggled hard to make ends meet. From a young age, Naincy dreamed of becoming independent and supporting her family. Naincy was extremely shy and introverted. She spoke very little and avoided interaction with others. Public speaking scared her, and her low confidence became her biggest obstacle. Although she wanted to grow, fear often held her back. When Naincy joined Genpact's - Skill BRIDGE Program, she was the quiet girl who always sat in the corner of the first bench — silent, observant, and hesitant to speak. But deep inside, she carried a strong desire to change her life.With regular classes, continuous trainer guidance, and consistent practice, Naincy slowly began to understand her strengths and areas of improvement. She started participating in activities, sharing her thoughts, and speaking up — one small step at a time. Her classmates stood by her, encouraged her, and became her support system, making her journey easier and stronger. For the next three months, Naincy worked with complete dedication to improve her soft skills and communication skills. Day by day, her confidence grew. The quiet girl who once avoided attention began to believe in herself. She completed 240 hours of training and  NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (NIELIT)  exam.  When the placement drive was conducted, Naincy appeared for the interview at Startek — and she successfully cracked it. Today, she works as a Customer Support Executive, handling Uber’s Sri Lankan and Indian clients, and earns a monthly pay of ₹13,000. The day Naincy received her offer letter, her mother smiled with joy and said, “Teri first salary se main sandal kharidungi.” It was a moment filled with pride, happiness, and tears of joy for the entire family. Her Father felt proud, her mother felt blessed, and Naincy felt stronger than ever. From being a quiet, introverted girl to becoming an independent working woman, Naincy is now financially contributing to her family and moving confidently towards a better future. Naincy’s story proves that confidence can be built, fear can be defeated, and dreams can come true when courage meets hard work. Her journey inspires every young girl to believe in herself and take the first step towards growth.

Chef Bakery and Fashion Designing (Weaving) Project supported by  The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL)  in collaboration with  Indian Army  right at the border. The project has picked up full momentum and local youth from in and around Uri are coming and participating actively. Practicals are underway - the attempt is to get these youth ready in line with industry requirements and also as entrepreneurs.  All of this could not have been possible without the vision and support of IHCL to strengthen the youth of Uri/Kashmir. Tata STRIVE  is the assessment partner.

Certification Ceremony in collaboration with Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Lohit, Arunachal Pradesh, for the trainees who have succesfully completed the Orange Revival Training by our master trainer - Mr. Borang.  This is an important step as part of  SIDBI(Small Industries Development Bank of India)  supported Enterprise Development Program - that has a focus on Orange Revival and Orange related eneterprise development for the area.  Many farms here have been affcted by disease. Mr. Borang is one of few people who have succesfully combated these diseases. He has trained and shared best practices with the community members.  The goal of SIDBI supported project is development of enterprises, community engagement and strengthening youth of northeast!

The team is covering - GITI Haridwar, Jagjitpur and Vishisht GITI, Haridwar.  Focus is on industry aligned upskilling - AC Technician and associated trades. Team is also actively creating market linkages for the trainees where they can pursue practical trainings and market opportunities.  The team is collaborating with  Department of Skill Development and Employment Uttarakhand  to take the program forward in the state.