CHENNAI: To ensure that women are not discriminated against in education and employment, AVTAR Human Capital Trust (AHCT), a non-profitable organisation launched ‘Project Puthri’, a longitudinal development initiative. It began with five ‘Puthri scholars’ each from classes 8 to 12 of Sri Venugopal Vidhyalaya Government School, Chennai, unveiling the website (www.puthri.org) along with Saundarya Rajesh, founder president, AVTAR group and followed by an oath taking.
Bharathy Bhaskar, senior vice president, Citibank, and also a motivational speaker, said that she was inspired by the concept. “Creating awareness among girls that having a career is extremely important,” said the guest of honour. This was followed by a panel discussion which saw well-known faces like Akhila Rajeshwar, executive director — (The Indus Entrepreneurs) TiE, Lalitha Balakrishnan, principal, MOP Vaishnav College for Women, Sarathbabu Elumalai, entrepreneur, Foodking, Shvetha Jaishankar, model and author and Prahalathan, co founder, Bhoomi.
“Our vision is to provide proper education and careers to more than 10,000 girls across Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry,” said Saundarya Rajesh. “We have to achieve three more things through this project. Firstly, it would ensure that these girls would come out from their domestic bubble, secondly, they would not be forced into an early marriage and finally, they will have the choice and freedom to have children late.”
Project Puthri will look into creating a career coach, role model and a mentor for girls from across government and corporation schools. “We will ensure that these girls get the right education and opportunities to pursue a career of their choice. And they will also be able to contribute directly to the GDP of our country,” smiles Saundarya.
