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First Batch Update. As we build upon for the coming time, first batch of COE was taken on an Industry Exposure Visit to Khyber Himalayan Resort and Spa, Gulmarg.  The session was conducted by key staff members of the hotel including Dr. Asif (Manager – Hospitality Section), Mr. Nazir Ahmad (HR Manager), Ms. Sabba (Associate Trainer – Hospitality), and Ms. Shahnaza (Trainer – HR Department). They introduced the students to the overall hotel infrastructure and explained the roles and responsibilities of different departments within the hotel. In addition to the theoretical briefing, the students were also given a practical demonstration of front office operations by the hotel staff. Glimpses for the same are as follows.

IIFL (India Infoline Group)  Foundation supported Hospitality (Chef) Training program at Kupwara with Tata Strive as Assessment and Certification Partner.  Recently the trainees were taken to an industry exposure visit to 5 Falcons Hotel. During the visit they were given a tour of the restaurant’s kitchen and service areas where they observed different sections such as food preparation, cooking stations, plating, and hygiene management. The professional chefs and staff at 5 Falcons interacted with the trainees in great detail and shared valuable insights about kitchen discipline, teamwork, food safety, and the standards followed in the hospitality sector.

Venue - PCMC Girls School, Jadhavwadi, Pune for the Interschool Coding Competition event. All students and faculties came together to present coding designs. Here are glimpses from the competition, that generated a lot of excitement among the students.

Team in Action in Blocks of Barabanki of Uttar Pradesh - Harakh, Deva, Masauli, Nindura. Extensive Field Visit, and Detailed Ground Survey and Focused Group Discussions in Action.  Entire goal of the intervention is to reach and enable the last mile with detailed follow ups from community members.

REACHA  Smartpur Kashmir team, had the privilege of meeting the newly transferred Shahzad Alam,(IAS) Deputy Commissioner Kulgam, to warmly welcome him to the district. During the interaction, the team briefed him about the organization REACHA, its founder J. C. Pant, and the broader vision and mission that guide its grassroots interventions. The discussion also highlighted the various initiatives undertaken by REACHA across Kashmir, particularly Nokia Smartpur, and how the project serves as a vital support system for government departments in the intervention Panchayats, ensuring that development efforts effectively reach the last person on the ground. The team also shared insights about the close coordination maintained with the previous Deputy Commissioner and expressed hope that this constructive collaboration would continue for the benefit of the people of Kulgam. In continuation of these engagements, the team also met the newly transferred Deputy Commissioner Budgam, Ather Aamir Khan. The team briefed him about Smartpur’s interventions in Budgam district, particularly the activities undertaken so far in the twin blocks of Khag and Soibugh. As the officer was already well aware of the organization and its work, the team sought his valuable guidance and cooperation to further strengthen the initiatives in Budgam and scale up collaborative efforts aimed at community empowerment and grassroots development.

Introducing in Panchayats of Kolar District.  Blocks - Malur, KGF, Bagarpete, Kolar, Mulbagal, Srinavasapura  All 6 blocks are being covered through the intervention.  Extensive ground visit last week covering - Panchayat Locations, In interiors of Kolar, Focus Group Discussions with communty and PRI members.

During the field visit, we interacted with local stakeholders and identified 11 potential Panchayat centers across the district. These centers will serve as community hubs and will focus on four key pillars aimed at strengthening rural development and community resilience. 1. Digital Literacy & Computer EducationEach center will offer DLC and computer training classes, where youth and community members will be able to learn digital skills free of cost. The goal is to bridge the digital divide and empower people with essential digital knowledge. 2. Livelihood & Skill Development TrainingThrough these centers, we aim to provide livelihood-oriented training, especially for women self-help groups and rural youth. Training programs may include activities such as food processing (pickles, papad, etc.), small-scale entrepreneurship, and other locally relevant skills that can generate income. 3. Governance & Community ServicesThe centers will also act as a platform to strengthen local governance and access to public services, helping citizens connect more effectively with government schemes, digital services, and community support systems. 4. Disaster Management & PreparednessSome regions of Khanpur and Laksar are flood-prone areas. Through this initiative, we plan to conduct disaster preparedness training so that communities are better equipped to respond to floods and other emergencies. During the visit, we identified several potential Panchyat locations including Lalchandwala, Netwala Sahibabad, Akabarpur , Ruhalika, Sikandarpur, Delna, Hathiyathal, Budpur Nurpur , Kumrari , Gopalpur, Munda kheda kala In total, 11 Smartpur Centers are planned across Haridwar district, which will serve as community learning and development hubs.

Milestone unlocked - we are happy to share 55 of our trainees were provided successful completion training certificate post their assessment from NIELIT.  The ceremony was graced by the presence of Mr. Ghanshyam Sir from NIELIT and Mr. Aniket Tiwari from Employment Departmet, Uttar Pradesh.  The journey continues as these trainees now prepare to enter the market and start their professional journies!  The team is setting up market linkage and placement opportunities for the trainees.

The program was conducted by REACHA with the objective of strengthening community preparedness and emergency response mechanisms. The initiative draws inspiration from the vision and leadership of J. C. Pant, Founder of REACHA, who has significantly contributed to the development of India’s National Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR). His commitment to building resilient communities continues to guide REACHA’s grassroots interventions in disaster preparedness and risk reduction. The sessions were led by an expert trainer From DRR Department From Nashik District who provided practical and hands-on knowledge on managing both natural and man-made disasters, including earthquakes, floods, fires, and landslides. The training focused on real-life emergency scenarios to ensure participants could respond effectively during crises. Participants received hands-on training in: Rescue operations and safe evacuation procedures Conducting mock drills First aid techniques Life-saving skills, including CPR Drowning response and water-related emergency management Special emphasis was placed on School Disaster Management, equipping students, teachers, and staff with the necessary knowledge to handle emergency situations within educational institutions. A total of 143 students, teachers, college staff, and community members actively participated in the program. The training significantly enhanced awareness, preparedness, and the overall emergency response capacity of the community, reinforcing the vision of building disaster-resilient villages under the Nokia Smartpur Project.

Glimpses of training session from  SIDBI(Small Industries Development Bank of India)  supported Enterprise Development Training Initiative at Medziphema Village located 44Km from Kohima.  Following are the glimpses from the Bamboo Craft Training Sessions at Medziphema.  The trainings are being conducted in collaboration with Assam Rifles.

At his farm we could see the following -  Integrated farming practice for -  1. Horticulture - Banana, Pineapple, Guava, Grapes, Bear Fruit etc 2. Fishery Farm - Rohu, Catla, etc  3. Livestock farming - Pigery farm, Goatery, Poultry  4. Weaving - traditional wear - cloth and Assamese wear  5. Nuts - Arecanuts etc  6. Agriculture - Paddy, Pulses etc.  Their house was made up of Bamboo making it sustainable.  The architecture planning of the house was done keeping in mind local flooding situation in Dhemaji, hence the premises was lifted above the ground.  Mr Dalip got training of integrated farming from KVK Dhemaji under the Nokia Smartpur Initiative. He used this training to develop his model farm. He now also helps us as a master trainer sharing his practices that makes his farm a model farm with other farmers.  Glimpses - KPMG and REACHA team visited the farm recently to see his model.

Team is bringing the initiative to panchayats of Rajgarh in following blocks -  Khilchipur, Narsinghgarh, Rajgarh and Zirapur Blocks.  The team is closely working with District Adminsitration.  The team also inaugurated REACHA MP office at Rajgarh today!  Extensive field visits through Sunday!