The document summarizes a visit by guests from an NGO called Kamalini to a Career Development Center (CDC) operated by NIIT Foundation in Gharoli, India. During the visit, the guests interacted with local students enrolled in the CDC's programs. One interaction involved a shy student named Rahul participating in an activity called "Jeevan Chakra" where he rated physical environment as an important part of his life. The visit provided an opportunity for the guests to generate stories about the CDC that could be shared with others.

1. Employability skills for underserved youth
News Letter Volume 3
July’2012
Neem Tree is a symbol of
value. Hard at work from
roots to leaves. Sincerely
making itself useful to all it
connects with.

2. PERSPECTIVE
How volunteering can change the
flavor of an organization
“I always wondered why somebody didn't do something
about that. Then I realized I was that somebody.” Second, volunteering requires us to set aside our
Lily Tomlin
social status and link at a human-to-human level.
This sets us free from the boundaries we have
I had been thinking for a long time to connect with
created for ourselves.
those less fortunate. Things would always come up
that seemed threateningly urgent and I would again
become relentlessly occupied. Last year I finally got the I believe giving trains the mind to stay on the
opportunity through a giving initiative launched in positive side. Realization that we have done
NIIT. I took my daughters to visit an orphanage where something good naturally instills a sense of
we spent half-a-day with some very energetic and wellbeing. This boosts not just our mood, but an
zealous kids, generally chatted with them and handed entire gamut of things, from self-esteem to
over to them loads of snacks. These kids enveloped us relationships, even competence.
in love and gratitude. Suddenly we were the ones who
felt cared for. It was very humbling. Giving changed us With this conviction, last year we launched the
for the better - I realize that this is the formula for social giving initiative in NIIT – we call it „I
manufacturing happiness! Give‟. Each NIITian is encouraged to give back to
society through volunteering or donations. NIIT
Giving is up to us, we can choose how. We can give offers a special type of leave „IGive Leave‟ where
our time, which is most precious, or the next best thing NIITians can take up to four days off to support
- money. However, for the entire experience their cause! Many are already taking advantage of
of giving to be satisfying, here are some this initiative, and I hope many more do this year.
of my takeaways.
First, we got to concentrate on Shampi Venkatesh
‘giving’. When we do this, the Chief People Officer
noise of judgment quietens; NIIT Ltd.
we concentrate on
creating value rather than
demanding it. In other words, whether
our time is „best utilized‟ by the
NGO or not, we got to make our
visit count and make a
difference.
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3. STUDENT SPEAK
Narayan Baghel : No Dream Too Big
“Bhaiya apka photo chhapa hai paper main” (Your picture has come in the
newspaper), someone cried from the heavy mob that wrestled against
unplastered walls of Narayan Baghel‟s house. Narayan, the eldest son of a
farming laborer, was chosen from all over India for DPE-MSL Global Scholarships
for professional training through NIIT Foundation.
Narayan‟s beginnings were tougher than you would guess from his brave smiles.
Knowing Rs.2000 per month hardly sufficed for his family of five, from an early
age of 12, Narayan spent weekends working on farms earning Rs. 20 per day for
school fees. When school finished, he quietly buried his hopes of being an
Engineer. Concentrating hard on practicality of life, doing B.Com.(Hons.), and
moving to Bangalore with his Aunt seemed like a sure shot way to land a job.
Three years of home tuitions to earn fees, endless chores and errands, nights of
pouring over English books to comprehend what professors talked about and
finally a B.Com.(H.) degree however failed to do the needful. Narayan returned
to Chhindwara, MP his hometown without a job. Just another statistic confirming
that traditional education system does not prepare youth for industry.
Narayan then heard of NF District Learning Center in Chhindwara. Professional
Job oriented courses offered at the center seemed within Narayan‟s reach,
bringing hope of a job. Still, the 5 hours of daily travel, and sheer battle for
sustenance posed a challenge. “But then I would think how I had come a long
way, I was finally learning about computers, professional behavior, and conversing
in English. Ravi Sir supported me a lot at DLC. I would remember my dream of
being an Engineer, to have a computer of my own, and I would somehow find the
strength to go on for one more day”
Narayan‟s dedication and hard work earned him the DPE-MSL Global scholarship
that is helping him fulfill his dream. Today Narayan has his coveted laptop, he is
studying to be a software engineer from NIIT on full scholarship, and interning in
NIIT Foundation Head Office, New Delhi.
From an aggressive kid who had joined DLC Chhindwara, Narayan has now
transformed into a calm, cooperative and responsible young man. His improved
speech, posture, and dressing match his new self perfectly. He says he still has a
long way to go. Being a farmer at heart, he is prepared.
From above:
Top: Narayan at Chhindwara
District Learning Centre. For more information on Narayan’s scholarship story, kindly visit:
Middle: In Delhi streets on his
way to NIIT office. htt p:// born tol earn .m s l earn.net/ d pe_ ms l _s chol ars hi p/b/we bl og/
Bottom: At NIIT, where archive/2012/05/17/narayan-s-transformation.aspx
Narayan studies through his
DPE-MSL scholarship.
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4. READER’S ANGLE A Visit to CDC Gharoli
Guests from NGO-Kamalini
A visit by guests from NGO- Kamalini, represented by
Claudia from Peru, Paolina from Brazil and Anu Thomas
Dr. Nutan Bharati, from India, created a chance to interact with local
Commonwealth of Learning students registered with CDC. This interaction was
Educational Media Centre For Asia
(CEMCA), New Delhi valuable as it generated
stories that can be shared
I had an opportunity to visit one of the career across with like minded
development centres (CDC) of NIIT Foundation some people.
time back. NF is making an effort to address
employability issues for urban underprivileged youth by
providing industry linked skill-sets. In the following
paragraphs I am sharing my experience of that day when
I was at CDC Gharoli along with my friends from other
countries.
Rahul, a young
Gharoli Settlement
shy boy in the soft
skills class, was
Gharoli is a settlement near the city dump at Ghazipur
game for the
off the National Highway 24 from New Delhi. If we were
„Jeevan Chakra‟ activity. He chose the area of life:
to ignore trying realities, this dump encircled by vulture
physical environment as an important part of his life.
in the grey sky, actually presents an art surrealist‟s image
Physical environment was rated eight on a ten point
of human existence looming larger than human
scale. According to Rahul‟s observations, eight meant
dwellings, hopes and aspirations.
an acknowledgement to what has already been done
for locality‟s environmental cleanliness. He aspired for a
The resettlement, Mullah Colony with well measured
rating of ten which would mean more cleanliness
streets, has materialized around high tension
around the houses. He made a commitment to himself
transmitters. These big electric transmitters provide
to speak to his landlord to allocate one container for
unique relief to the topology of this colony, as
household garbage so that it is not strewn all over the
sometimes, they appear like mini towers underneath
place. Rahul‟s face was beaming at the possibility of
which motorbikes can easily pass through somewhat like
meeting his commitment.
everyday traffic crosses bridges and tunnels.
Some other towers offer a roundabout
Puja, a young lady, expressed concerns over health
chance to narrow lanes. The towers
issues for women and committed to mobilize her
stand there tall and very inclusive.
community for a health awareness mela. Rohit felt he
This is a monument of human
cannot bear to see the poor suffer; he has committed
capacity and a will to adjust to
to share at least one skill with people he wishes to help
environmental hurdles!
in order to search for ways to achieve freedom from
poverty.
Another spacious feature
that attracts attention
This class of fourteen, predominantly dreamt, planned
because of its potentially
and committed to take steps for improving
beautiful architecture is a mosque
communication and computer skills to earn a
housing a Madrasa, a place of learning.
certification and achieve financial freedom for
NIIT Foundation‟s career
themselves and their families. They are truly
development centre called NIIT
unstoppable!
Yuva Star is housed close to this
building. Disclaimer: Views expressed are from writer's personal perspectives and do not
necessarily represent viewpoint of CEMCA.
4

5. EVENTS
On the eve of CII Center inauguration in Chhindwara, Hon‟ble Minister Mr. Kamal Nath presented WIPRO job offer letters to NF
students. Mr. S. Ramadorai, Mr. Adi Godrej, Mr. Pradeep Bhargava, and Mr. Deepak Saxena also graced the occasion with their
presence.
Volunteer workshops were conducted across The Industry visit to VRPL, Pitampura was a first visit to
CDCs to build mass awareness on issues like a retail outlet for most of the fresh students of our CDC.
Health, Domestic Violence and Women's Rights The Store Manager showed a realistic picture of the
work culture, growth path and the technicalities of the
job to the students.
Civil Lines CDC Delhi, celebrated completion of one year in Parent Awareness workshops were organized to address
operation. In the picture: Chief Guest Purnima Rai and Sapna inhibitions associated with employment of their daughters
Moudgil (Implementation Head, NIIT Foundation) and problems encountered in feeling the connect with
children once they become young adults.
5

6. SPECIAL MENTION Rag Picker Project
Sangam Vihar and Gharoli are two rag-pickers‟ colonies that have sprouted
around the prominent garbage dumps of Delhi city. Rag-picking remains the mainstay of inhabitants whose daily
concerns are as much about meeting the goals set by local Kabadis (Scrap Shops) as they are about communal
tensions, diseases and crime.
“We had available capacity in the centers. Moreover, centers are there for the benefit of the community. It was hard
to ignore that (some of) these (rag-picker) kids had never been to school. They will become the youth of tomorrow.
We gathered kids of all ages (6 to 13 years) in the center and began with basics. Alphabet, grammar, maths, and
Early every morning, a half asleep Muskan is piled on to a rickshaw on which her father
drives her to work (picking broken glass objects) on the pahaad (Garbage dump) at 7.30
am with her parents and younger siblings. Her first meal of the day comes only after half
past noon. On the days that they are not able to meet the required pick, they work longer.
After coming back from the pahaad, while her parents set about sorting out the garbage,
she was left to her own devices on the basti streets for rest of the day.
On talking to Muskan, we learnt that she had never been to school. Within a few sessions
at NIIT Foundation Center, Gharoli, she has bloomed into a bubbly talented child. Her
natural urge to learn and participate in class discussions have won her first place in
Muskan
10 Years Old alphabet reading, basic arithmetic and multiplication table tests many times.
Gharoli “I love computer and dancing. I wait every day after reaching home to come back the next
Rag Picker day”- Muskan
Mampi could not understand anything except Bengali. NF Rag-Pickers‟ Project is entirely funded
She did not come for her classes at NIIT Foundation by individual donations. Two batches
(NF) Center for a week because she got scared by the have already passed out of Gharoli center.
strange things called alphabets.
In Sangam Vihar the entire batch was
Mampi Thanks to contributions of NF individual donors, she is placed in Lord Krishna Public School.
7 Years Old
now in school learning those unfamiliar things.
Ragpicker
Students Impacted through rag-picker’s
project: 118
Students admitted to schools through this
project: 52
Weekly Schedule at NIIT Foundation Center
for Rag-Picker batches
Day Activity Resource
Monday Listening & speaking Books
Tuesday Speaking & Writing Notebook, White Board
Wednesday Oral Test Trainer
Thursday Written Test Computer Software
Friday Dancing, Alphabet games Trainer
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7. PROJECT UPDATES
NIIT Foundation (NF) is a not-for-profit education society that makes critical interventions
towards upgrading the skill base and employability of the marginalized youth in urban slums
and rural areas. In addition, it works with other NGOs to offer NF Certification to the NGO‟s
beneficiaries.
District Learning Centers Career Development
(DLCs) focus on imparting Centers (CDCs) cater to the
employability skills to under- skilling needs of the vast employable
privileged, non-working graduates population residing in urban slums.
in rural areas. DLCs are currently CDCs are currently functional in
functional in Madhya Pradesh. Delhi-NCR, Jaipur, Mumbai, UP and
Urban Slum
Rural Youth
DU SC/ST
NGOs
Synergy Project set up in NReach builds capacity among
partnership with CII and Delhi NGOs by providing structured
University, focuses on building courseware, training NGO trainers
employability skills of the Distance and providing trainer and student
Education students at Delhi certifications. This program is
University, with a special focus on offered nationwide.
Performance Areas Total
No. of Students Impacted 36031
Percentage of girl students 43%
Percentage of placed students 78%
No. of NGO partners 84
No. of partner employers 250
100% Scholarship for SC/ST Students this quarter 47
100% Scholarship for Girl Students this quarter 41
Volunteer hours 6580
Sponsor a career for youth, a livelihood for a family and hope for the na-
tion!
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8. GET CONNECTED
NIIT Foundation District
Learning Centers (DLC)
DLC Chhindwara Team
in Chhindwara, Madhya
Pradesh started on the
hypothesis that it is
possible to bring a rural
or semi-rural graduate
to the same level of
proficiency as the urban
student by providing
focused and high-quality (Above from Left) - Dharmendra, Aaradhna, Vikram, Dinesh, Garima, Pankaj, Piyush, Saba,
training. Deepak, Vijay, Rita, Manoj, and Pratiksha
This change in
students can happen in
as short a period as six
months or up to a year, with
the right mix of technology,
training, industry input and
experienced faculty.
Join our mission by sponsoring
a needy student, volunteering
to spread awareness in
communities, or connecting us
DLC Barkuhi Team
to your network. You can start
by sharing this newsletter with
all your friends. We look
forward to meeting you.
(Above from Left) - Smita, Deepak, Neeraj, Wasim, Devendra, Amit, Amin, Manish,
Chhavi, and Rahul
Corporates, individuals, NGOs
and funding agencies can
connect with us in varied ways.
Please do write to us at
Partner@niitfoundation.org
to explore synergy.
8

9. CENTERS
Noida-51: Lavkush Market, near Post Office, main road Hoshiyarpur,
Sector 51, Noida -201301, Tel: 9811597208; Begumpur : Basti Vikas
Kendra, Behind Begumpur Bus-stop, Malviya Nagar, Begumpur -110017,
Ph. 40580305; Paharganj: 9329/1, Gali No.7, Multani Dhandha, Paharganj
- 110055, Ph. 47506874, 47506873; Prem Nagar : I-180, Prem Nagar II,
70Ft Road, Kirari, New Delhi -110086, Ph. 25185560; Gurgaon : Vishwas
Vidyalaya, Sector 46, near Unitech Cyber Park, Gurgaon -122001, Ph.
7838177728; Mangolpuri: L-625, DDA Flats, (near Mother Dairy)
Mangolpuri, Delhi Ph. 011-27918987; Sangam Vihar : Green Aravali
School, I-4/35, Ratiya Marg, Sangam Vihar, New Delhi -110062, Ph.
26043709; Sunder Nagri: N-25/26, Sunder Nagri, New Delhi -110093, Ph.
22597745; Madanpur Khadar: H.No 317, Chauhan Mohalla, Manshukh
Singh Marg, Near, Anglo Indian Public School, Madanpur Khadar, New
Delhi – 76, Ph: 29947891; Civil Lines: No. 2 Raj Niwas Marg, near Shah
Auditorium, Civil Lines, New Delhi, Ph: 23982620; Ghaziabad: Gram
Niyojan Kendra, Adhyatmik Nagar, Opp. IMS Engg. College. Dasna,
Ghaziabad, Ph: 7838177728 Nizamuddin: MCP School, Hazrat
Nizamuddin Basti, Delhi -110013. Ph: 9818942279; Gharoli: C-548,
Harijan Basti, Gharoli Extension -110096, Ph. 22628857; Brahmpuri : C-
185/36, 1st Floor, Above MTS Office, Main Brahmpuri Road Delhi -110053,
Ph. 22560344; Jawahar Nagar: 2/600, Jawahar Nagar, Opp. Sanatan
Handa Ki Gali, Near Satya Sai College, Jaipur, Ph: 0141-2650554;
Shastri Nagar: DD-82, Vishvakarma Colony, Nahari ka Naka,
Shastri Nagar, Jaipur, Ph: 0141-2309699; Jajpur: JSL
Institute of Industrial Training, Trijanga rehabilitation
colony, P.O. Danagadi Jajpur 755026, Ph: 07735565556;
Mumbai:FSC-1,1st floor shopping complex, opposite Airport high
school, New Airport Colony, (opposite Hanuman road) Airport
Authority of India, Vila Parle East Mumbai- 400099, Ph:
09619619074; Hisar: JINDAL INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL
TRAINING, (Formerly Stainless Skill Training Institute -
Prerana), 126 Green Square Market, Hisar - 125 005, Ph:
07206790140; Chhindwara DLC: NIIT District Learning Center, near
FCI warehouse Seoni road, Chhindwara Madhya Pradesh-
480002, Ph: 0716 2232228, 0716 2232229; Barkuhi DLC:
Barkuhi old VTC building, near SBI Barkuhi, Madhya
Pradesh- 480447, Ph: 0716 1263334
Project Director
NIIT Foundation
8, Balaji Estate, Kalkaji, New Delhi - 110019, India
Website: www.niitfoundation.org
Email: niitaffirmativaction@niit.com,
Giving@niit.com, Partner@niitfoundation.org
Facebook :http://www.facebook.com/NIITAffirmativeAction
Office: +91-11-4167-5000, FAX: +91-11-4167-5178
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