ACC’s DISHA Helps Create a Better World by Empowering Communities

MUMBAI:
ACC Ltd., one of India’s most innovative and sustainable cement makers, has been continuously contributing back to society and the community through various initiatives and outreach programmes. DISHA, which focuses on eliminating unemployment among people in host communities, covering automotive technician, electrician, life skills, sewing machine operator and picker & packers.

The Development Initiative on Skills for holistic Development, or DISHA, aims to achieve this by providing necessary training and education required to make people employable across different skills and industries. In the 8 tribal villages that surround the company’s manufacturing plant at Chaibasa in Jharkhand, the initiative is driving the development of rural communities by addressing unemployment of local youth particularly dropout children.

DISHA recently completed the skill development training and successfully placed the candidates at leading organisations like Mother & Sons Sumi, Grofers, Big Basket, Welspun and Shahi Exports in Bengaluru. Till date, more than 200 candidates has benefited from the DISHA project.

When it comes to problem solving, DISHA follows the participatory rural appraisal study of communities followed by collection of household data that facilitates micro planning, counseling facilities, soft skills and digital skills development are also part of the programme, in addition to engaging with the local Panchayat members, who are key stakeholders of villages. Some of its other outreach programmes to the underprivileged focus on digital and financial literacy, soft skills, personality and all-round development.

ACC Limited, Chaibasa continues its journey and inaugurated new batch trades graced by Mr. Ananya Mittal (IAS) District Collector, West Singhbhum in presence of Raj Gurung, Plant Director of Chaibasa Cement Works to provide skill training to 70 candidates. District Commissioner was pleased to mention that West Singhbhum District is progressing rapidly under the program “Transformation of Aspirational Districts” launched by Hon’ble Prime Minister which aims to quickly and effectively transform some of the most underdeveloped districts of the country. District Commissioner also appreciated the contribution of ACC Limited in this regard. He said that participation of the youth will motivate others from the tribal area to come forward.

Sridhar Balakrishnan, MD & CEO, ACC Limited, said: “At ACC, our goal has always been clear: to transform lives and create a better world. We try to achieve the same by enabling marginalized households to access gainful self-employment, creating opportunities for youth development, and promoting equality through participation and inclusion of all individuals, groups and communities.”

The outreach programme also helps mobilize employment with many governments and social security schemes, like the Shram card and zero-balance Jan Dhan bank accounts.