ICRISAT and Kriti Social Initiatives Join Forces to Empower Women and Children in Telangana

Media Release

Hyderabad, India – March 12, 2024 – The empowerment of women and children in Telangana State, India, is the central objective of a recent partnership between the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and Kriti Social Initiatives, a local non-profit organization dedicated to community upliftment.

Twenty (20) refurbished computers from ICRISAT were donated to the charitable trust on Monday, March 11, 2024, which will directly benefit Kriti initiatives in Shaikpet, Khairtabad and Secunderabad mandals of Hyderabad, Telangana.

“These computers will not only provide valuable resources for educational initiatives but also serve as tools for empowerment—enabling economically vulnerable women to acquire new skills and opportunities while equipping students with the knowledge and skills they need to unlock their full potential," emphasized Dr Jacqueline Hughes, the Director General of ICRISAT.

A ceremonial hand-over of computers was held on Monday, March 11, 2024. Pictured: Dr Jacqueline Hughes, Director General of ICRISAT (left); and Ms Sreelata Chebrol, Trustee of Kriti Social Initiatives.

Ms Sreelata Chebrol, Trustee of Kriti Social Initiatives, accepted the computers on behalf of the organization, noting the importance of computer literacy skills in today's world.

“At Kriti, we have several computer literacy centers that provide free education to many underprivileged individuals. We work through government schools, as well as independent centers, where we provide this skills training at no cost.”

“The donation of these 20 computers is timely and will impact many women and children in our communities. I am hoping that this collaboration with ICRISAT expands further and that we can continue to be a part of the organization's eco-friendly and socially responsible initiatives,” shared Ms Chebrol.

Deputy Director General – Corporate Services, Mr Angshu Sengupta, commended the charitable trust on the many initiatives dedicated to the upliftment of rural communities, noting the alignment with ICRISAT's core values and mission.

“At ICRISAT, our work revolves around community empowerment, with a special emphasis on the upliftment of rural women and marginalized groups in the semi-arid tropics. Ever mindful that there is always more that can be done, we are grateful to be partnering with Kriti Social Initiatives to continue positively impacting the communities we serve,” concluded Mr Sengupta.

The hand-over of computers was held as part of a wider ceremony, with representatives from local financial institutions, IDBI Bank and Kotak Bank, which championed sustainable practices through the donation of electric vehicles.

Kriti Social Initiatives (Kriti) is a registered public charitable trust approved by the Government of India to undertake Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities. Established in 2009 by like-minded corporate professionals, the not-for-profit entity empowers economically vulnerable women to achieve self-reliance and provides children with essential education to enhance their future opportunities, with a broader goal of eradicating urban poverty.

This work aligns with SDGs 1, 13 and 17.

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