Freedom From Poverty: Here’s How You Can Get the Right Skills to the Underprivileged

As India completes 70 years of independence there is much to be proud of.  After 200 years of colonial rule, starting with limited means and resources in 1947, India has steadily built a nation which today has the fastest-growing economy in the world.  

The per-capita income of an Indian has risen from just Rs 264 in Financial Year (FY) 1951 to Rs 93,293 in FY 2016. For a democracy with such diversity, to grow at this pace is nothing less than a wonder.

And yet, there is another part of India with a growth curve that is not this steep.

Our country accounts for a third of the world’s poor with 32% of the 1.3 billion people still chronically malnourished, and many unemployed. While the Indian government has spearheaded a number of programs – from food subsidies to rural employment schemes – to alleviate poverty, individual efforts have been limited.

What then is the greatest challenge that we as concerned citizens of this country need to overcome?

The/Nudge Foundation believes it is poverty alleviation through a focused all-round development of individuals to equip them with literacy and livelihood skills. Bringing together some of India’s brightest entrepreneurs, leaders and change makers, it has, for the past two years, persevered to transform lives of underprivileged youth through education and more importantly, keep them permanently away from poverty through constant guidance and employment opportunities.

The organisation believes in cultivating values, nurturing a positive attitude, and providing practical learning tools apart from the formal skills each of their student needs to shine professionally.

The 360-degree approach ensures that these young men and women – coming from poor backgrounds – can let go of their past and transform into stronger individuals ready to face all challenges and build a better life for themselves.

Career advancement to stay away from poverty: Take the case of Vaishnavi – who came to the Foundation’s Gurukul as a shy girl, with a dream of becoming a beautician. The extensive 100-day residential program at the Gurukul gave her professional training as well as the confidence she needed to go out into the world and shine in her chosen path.

After graduating, Vaishnavi was placed with Green Trends beauty salon in Bengaluru. Within a year she had proven her mettle by impressing customers and employees and was recently promoted to the post of Assistant Manager.

After graduating, Vaishnavi was placed with Green Trends beauty salon in Bengaluru. Within a year she had proven her mettle by impressing customers and employees and was recently promoted to the post of Assistant Manager.

By joining the Gurukul, Vaishnavi had realised that the only long term solution to stay away from poverty was a  respectable career.

Learning to save for the future: For Ajmath Ulla, the time spent at the Gurukul helped him learn the value of saving. Ajmath Ulla comes from a family of 4 living in Hindupur, Andhra Pradesh. His father is a tailor earning Rs 6000-7000 a month and his mother works as a babysitter. The family found it hard to survive with the little that they earned.

Ajmath Ulla joined a driving livelihood section at the Gurukul last year. Apart from learning this essential skill, he also learnt, for the first time in his life, how to open a bank account, as well as to operate the account online via the financial and digital literacy training modules. 

He got placed as an Uber driver immediately after his graduation and is earning a salary of Rs. 15,000 a month. A year into his job, Ajmath has already put in to practice what he learnt at the Gurukul.

He has been looking after his family and saving money – enough to buy his own car!

At the Gurukul, it is understood that for youth who have lived surrounded by hardships all their lives, it is not education alone that can equip them to face adverse situations. It is also aspects like developing self-confidence, believing in one’s abilities and being ready for a work life in the corporate world.

That is why, for many students like Malini – a recent Gurukul graduate – it was her grit and her determination that allowed her to shine – thanks to the intensive residential program.  

The value of grit and determination: Malini had married against her family’s wishes at a very young age. She became a mother at 18 and without any support from family, the young couple found it extremely difficult to make ends meet.

That is when Malini came to know about the Gurukul. She was eager to join but was worried about her 9-month-old daughter. Her husband supported her decision and made sure that while Malini improved her life, he took care of their daughter.

There were times when her daughter fell sick during the rigorous residential training at the Gurukul, and Malini had to rush back.

But she came back each time more determined to learn and build a career for her daughter’s sake. Malini graduated from the Gurukul, with a job in hand!

She says, “The Gurukul taught me the value of grit and determination. If a person is willing to learn, they don’t need any support to turn their life around.”

There are hundreds of students like Malini, Vaishnavi and Ajmath Ulla who are getting a second chance at life thanks to The/Nudge’s Gurukul.

The organisation is graduating 2000+ youth annually, with 100%+ placements into sales management, driving, beauty, and plumbing verticals across 8 Gurukuls in Bangalore.

The aim is to give every student a chance to fulfil their dreams and gain the respect they deserve as citizens of a free country, breaking the shackles of poverty.

If you wish to support The/Nudge foundation and bring more youth out of poverty, click here – https://www.thenudge.org/donation.php

Like this story? Or have something to share?
Write to us: [email protected]
Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.
NEW: Click here to get positive news on WhatsApp!

Found Value in This Story?Pay What You Can to Support Impactful Journalism

If you found our stories insightful, informative, or even just enjoyable, we invite you to consider making a voluntary payment to support the work we do at The Better India. Your contribution helps us continue producing quality content that educates, inspires, and drives positive change.

Choose one of the payment options below for your contribution-

₹201
₹501
₹1001

By paying for the stories you value, you directly contribute to sustaining our efforts focused on making a difference in the world. Together, let’s ensure that impactful stories continue to be told and shared, enriching lives and communities alike.

Thank you for your support. Here are some frequently asked questions you might find helpful to know why you are contributing?