Guwahati, December 23: AkzoNobel India is marking three years of its Project Revive, a skill-building program in decorative painting that has benefited over 800 drug-rehabilitated youth in Assam, Manipur, and Arunachal Pradesh.
Launched in Manipur in December 2021 in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare (Government of Manipur) and Makers Foundation, Project Revive provides vocational training in decorative painting to vulnerable youth in Drug Rehabilitation Centers (DRCs). The program also offers employment opportunities and 90 days of post-training engagement to minimize relapse.
Following its success in Manipur, the initiative expanded to Assam in 2023 and Arunachal Pradesh in 2024, reaching a total of 840 individuals across the three states.
Rohit Totla, Executive Director of AkzoNobel India, commented, “By empowering drug-rehabilitated youth in the North-East with livelihood oriented skills, Project Revive is helping these vulnerable youth unlock a meaningful life with new possibilities and confidence. Every second trainee now flourishing as an independent professional painter. Most importantly, their journey from substance abuse to becoming dignified, financially empowered professionals is also inspiring others in their community to break the vicious cycle of dependency.”
Vijay*, a 25-year-old from Assam, who had struggled with substance abuse for ten years, participated in the program after returning to a rehabilitation center in 2024. After completing the training, he is now employed as a painter at the center.
Devajit* from Assam and Thoiba* from Manipur, former trainees of Project Revive, now work as salaried trainers at their respective rehabilitation centers.
Project Revive also received a Special Mention at the 2nd North East CSR Award 2024, held at TISS, Guwahati, for its contribution to sustainable development in the North East.
(*Name of the individual changed to protect their identity)
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