Gangtok, July 17, 2025: Honda India Foundation (HIF), the corporate social responsibility (CSR) arm of all Honda group companies in India, has launched its flagship skill development initiative, ‘Project Buniyaad’, in Sikkim. The program was officially initiated through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Directorate of Craftsmanship Training & Scheme (DCTSE), under the Skill Development Department (SDD), Government of Sikkim.
The signing ceremony was held at Chintan Bhawan, Gangtok, in the presence of Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, Minister-in-Charge SDD Shri Samdup Bhutia, Additional Secretary-cum-Director, DCTSE, and Mr. Rajeev Taneja, Operating Officer, Honda India Foundation.
Implemented under the World Bank-supported Sikkim INSPIRES Program, the collaboration is designed to provide industry-oriented training in the hospitality sector, certifications from recognized agencies, and assured placement opportunities for youth in the region. The initiative aligns with Sikkim’s celebration of 50 years of statehood and reinforces the importance of skill development as a pathway to sustainable livelihoods.
Project Buniyaad, launched in 2024, focuses on empowering youth from National Priority Regions (NPR) such as the Northeast and Jammu & Kashmir by providing structured vocational training that enhances employability and supports inclusive economic growth. The launch in Sikkim marks a key expansion of the initiative’s footprint in India’s Northeast region.
The program aims to address region-specific employment challenges and contribute to long-term development by fostering partnerships between industry and government. As part of its broader CSR mission, Honda India Foundation continues to focus on areas including road safety, environmental protection, education, healthcare, and rural development.
The foundation reiterated its commitment to scaling similar skill-based initiatives across underserved regions of the country.
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