Building Social Capital

Facilitating change and transformation through the empowerment of women is a key initiative of the Tata Chemicals Society for Rural Development (TCSRD). At Tata Chemicals’ Mithapur plant site in Gujarat’s Okhamandal taluka, women are being trained to operate forklifts, buses, etc. to break gender stereotypes and become financially independent.

Bharti Vagha (20) is a shining example of the programme’s success. The training provided by the TCSRD has helped Ms Vagha to become the first woman in Okhamandal taluka to drive a bus.

The 20-year-old is part of TCSRD’s World On Wheels (WOW) initiative. For the past 15 months, she has been driving a 20-seater computer-equipped and IT-enabled vehicle to schools and colleges around the taluka to impart computer and science classes for students and young adults. Besides, she herself is also learning computer skills on the bus.

Through her success, Ms Vagha is also inspiring other young girls to take up unconventional jobs and make their parents and community proud. The steady job has made Ms Vagha financially independent and self-fund her graduation.