by Mahesh Kumar
MUMBAI, NOV 3, 2015: The Don Bosco Development Office succeeded in its efforts to empower 169 women, from a series of slums across Mumbai, by imparting skill-based training to help them earn their livelihood. The women, from 12 different localities, attended their Graduation ceremony at the Provincial House in Matunga on October 30, after they successfully added to their skill-sets. The graduates hailed from slums in Kurla, Dharavi, Matunga, Wadala and Dockyard.
The program began with a short prayer service. Unnikrishnan, CSR head of the Eastern Shipping Company, was the chief guest for the event. Father Glenn Lowe and Father Adolph Furtado were the other dignitaries present at the ceremony. Father Rolvin D'Mello, executive director, Don Bosco Development Society welcomed the gathering after the prayer service.
The application of the skills- learned and acquired- was the main focus of the speeches made by the dignitaries. Some women also shared their excitement about how the training will help them to earn their livelihood. The programme ended with the distribution of certificates.
Imparting skills, forms a part of the women-empowerment activities being conducted by the Development office. The office took a cue to conduct the training from Skill India, which is a Government of India Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship initiative.
