PVR NEST launches ‘Garima Grih’ to improve life quality of people from slums, disadvantaged sections

New Delhi, November 1, 2022: PVR NEST, the CSR arm of India’s leading film Exhibition Company, PVR in association with Municipal Corporation of Delhi has launched ‘Garima Grih’, a large public health infrastructure for women and children from Delhi’s slums and other disadvantaged sections of the community. 

The First of the ‘Garima Grih’ in the city was inaugurated today at Jawahar Camp, Kirti Nagar. According to PVR NEST, ‘Garima Grih’ is designed to provide safe and hygienic spaces along with skill development and income generation opportunities for empowering women of marginalized sections of the society.  It will serve various needs of more than 10 lakh people residing in areas such as Jawahar Camp, Chuna Bhatti Camp and Harijan Camp in Kirti Nagar.

Developed on the basis of a thorough understanding of the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals), ‘Garima Grih’ is also aligned to the government’s Smart Cities Mission, Swachh Bharat Mission, The Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation 2.0 (AMRUT 2.0), and National Skill Development Mission.

As per the PVR NEST officials, ‘Garima Grih’ will bring about a basic change in the health and sanitation habits of the inhabitants of this diverse population group.

Speaking on the launch of Garima Grih, Ms. Deepa Menon, Founder Head, PVR NEST said, “The social relevance and the impact which the ‘Pink Centres’ created, inspired us to take an ambitious step towards expanding the scope of our Safe Centres catering to a wider demographic and bring disadvantaged communities to the mainstream. Urban spaces like ‘Garima Grih’, a one-of-its-kind unique concept of multi-utility safe centre have the ability to create sustainable jobs which in turn leads to socio-economic development among women”. 

‘Garima Grih’ is completely accessible through ramps, thus being friendly for Persons with Disabilities, senior citizen and children. Women can get access to Menstrual Hygiene products through a Sanitary Napkin Vending Machine and can dispose them in a most sustainable way through incinerators. Besides toilets, there are changing rooms, bathing and handwashing areas. It has a Common Services Centre ‘Jan Seva Kendra’ offering digital services for public. It will be completely run by women. The ‘Women Empowerment Centre’ will be used for skill development of women and they will be taught essential skills for earning livelihood. Additionally, there is a covered open space for women to take rest after a hard day’s work which adds up as an area to run capacity building workshops for increasing or developing skills and competencies of the neighborhood community. ‘Garima Grih’ will enlist the support of multidisciplinary organizations such as Water Aid India, Deakin University, Lady Irwin College, NIFT, Read India and PVR Pictures to realize its objectives.

Ms. Shashanka Ala (IAS) Deputy Commissioner, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (Karol Bagh Zone) said, “PVR NEST has been a sustainable excellence partner running various programs at its 20 Pink Centres in Delhi contributing to the development and empowerment of women in the community. We are extremely pleased that our partnership has progressed over the years to eventually take the shape of a project of such magnitude.”

PVR NEST in association with Municipal Corporation of Delhi and National Commission of Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) operates 20 ‘Pink Centres’ in Delhi that provide free-to-use, women-exclusive sanitation facilities managed by well-trained women sanitation workers known as WASH Champions.

These centres are considered as ‘Beyond-Toilet facilities’ because they offer essential amenities such as grooming space, resting/reading space, bathing facility, breast-feeding space, changing room and menstrual hygiene products. These safe accessible spaces uphold the right to hygiene, dignity and safety among women.