New Delhi, July 31, 2023. Alstom, a global leader in smart and sustainable mobility, has launched three key initiatives to provide education, support skill development and improve awareness about healthcare practices, to local children, youth and women residing in and around Madhepura, Bihar. Effective July 2023, these projects are being executed in partnership with The American India Foundation Trust (AIF), SEEDS Impact and Learning Links Foundation (LLF). It is set to impact the lives of more than 3,300 women and youth from the rural communities across seven villages.
Commenting on Alstom’s focus on impacting communities in Madhepura, Olivier Loison, Managing Director, Alstom India said, “Madhepura is India’s eloco capital as it is home to our world-class electric locomotive manufacturing facility. We understand the community needs in not just Madhepura but the towns and villages surrounding it as well, given our consistent CSR contribution over the last few years. This year, our projects will further positively impact the lives of the people as we have initiated concerted efforts towards improving healthcare, education, and skill development. We are not only building a brighter future for the beneficiaries, but also laying the foundation for a stronger and more sustainable society.”
Details of the initiatives are given below:
- Imparting best practices in women’s health and hygiene: Anemia and poor menstrual hygiene practices have considerably impacted young adolescent girls in rural India. Through the partnership with The American India Foundation Trust (AIF), special efforts will be undertaken to impart menstrual hygiene practices to over 2500 girls. This intervention will include sensitization and orientation of adolescent girls, distribution of reusable sanitary napkins and a lucky iron leaf, which is developed specifically to infuse iron while cooking meals. This will help in reducing cases of anemia while improving mental and physical capacity, thereby enhancing work and educational performance.
- Providing industry endorsed vocational trainings: Over the years, industry ready skill development has emerged as a key need in Madhepura and the surrounding villages. SEEDS Impact will impart industry endorsed vocational trainings to minimally educated youth on trades such as Sewing Machine Operation, Solar PV installation & electrician. This will be followed by formal certification and employment, thereby mainstreaming their career, and empowering them socially and economically. With a target of around 270 rural youth, SEEDS will aim to achieve employability offering to minimum 70% of certified youth.
- Implementing STEAM Shakti program in Govt schools: STEM education, which is a curriculum that focuses on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, has a huge potential in India. Alstom is working with Learning Links Foundation (LLF) to implement STEAM Shakti program in Govt schools at Madhepura to benefit over 600 students. This project will promote an innovation mindset, scientific temperament and inculcate 21st century life-skills for holistic development of rural students while building capabilities of teachers for integrating STEAM practices in pedagogical approaches.
Alstom is committed to extending its philanthropic support by promoting and funding initiatives that improve the living conditions and economic possibilities of communities around Alstom's facilities. Through consistent efforts, Alstom has played an instrumental role in providing better infrastructural amenities to schools, training programs for children and spreading awareness on sanitation and hygiene. These initiatives are carried out in close collaboration with local or international NGOs who have a track record of successfully implementing initiatives on the ground.
