Shimla: The Dr. Reddy’s Foundation(DRF) has trained and helped find jobs for 54 boys and girls picked up from Mandi district’s Karsog tehsil of Himachal Pradesh, an official of the DRF said today.
“In all 300 young unemployed youth have been selected by DRF.The first batch of 54 local youth who were atleast matriculates were trained by us for three months in four streams, hospitality,paramedics,sales and as multi system technicians,†said Ganga Ram Verma Community Organiser,DRF at Karsog.
“Of the 54 youth, 40 finished the course in December last year,out of which 39 have been provided jobs,†Verma told MH.
“We will soon start courses in other fields for 50 more youth and are targetting training all 300 youth whose interests and aptitudes have been taken note of,†he said.
DRF has shortlisted these unemployed youth from over 15 villages which will be affected by the Cement giant Lafarge which has been allocated a cement plant to be set up at Karsog by the state government.
Some environmental activists and locals continue to remain opposed to this proposed cement plant saying it will adversely affect the fragile terrain of the region. The allotment of the plant is being contested in the state high court.
Verma said DRF is a service provider for Lafarge.The two signed an MOU a year ago. DRF carried out a survey of the area in an around the proposed cement plant,corridor and mining area.
DRF also carried out a study of the people of the affected area, their living and education standard,land holding, agriculture,livestock activities and employment opportunities of the 15 or so villages,Verma explained.
In a 20 year career published widely. He has worked for the BBC, AFP, The Statesman, IANS and the Business Standard . Known for his hard hitting writing and occasional off-beat stories. He lives in Shimla.
A cement plant in Karsog region is a very bad idea…. a very bad one.
How can you call DRF `helping’ people when it is being paid as contracted service provider to do this on behalf of the company displacing people for the cement plant. There is no philantropic objective inherent here – it is business, though conducted through a `foundation’.
If DRF has trained people, helped them become employable and earn living for themselves and their families, the end result is good, even if it is a business and the Foundation has been paid for it. I fail to understand why it is bad if I make money and help others make money.
I do not want to be a part of any controversy, but I urge my fellow Indians to be open minded and appreciate good deeds as well.
Khushdil