Mumbai, June 9, 2012: ‘Saksham’, a CSR initiative from world’s largest integrated jewellery manufacturer-retailer Gitanajli Gems Limited, won the Award for Empowerment at the recently held Aaj Tak Care Awards. The award was given away by chief guest for the evening, Hon’ble Finance Minister Mr. Pranab Mukherjee at a function also attended by Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar.  Mayuri Asar, Head - CSR division, Gitanjali Gems received the award on behalf of the company.
Under the Saksham initiative, Gitanjali has provided training and employment to over 2000 underprivileged rural youth including nearly 500 people with disabilities (PWD).
The Group also employs over 250 PWDs at its factories in Hyderabad, Mumbai and Surat. 
Congratulating the winners, Pranab Mukherjee said, “India needs its corporates to show, organise and help people who need to be brought into development. Our task is vast and we need to work together if we want a better future."
Mehul Choksi, CMD, Gitanjali Group said, “We are proud that our pioneering efforts in employing  person with disability has been recognized. Since Gems & Jewellery manufacturing process offers scope for employment of PWD’s, we have responsibility to the society at large and proud to commit in helping the underprivileged and Persons with disabilities.”

About SAKSHAM

Saksham is Gitanjali Gems initiative for the empowerment of PwD (Persons with disability) through training and employment. The PWDs are trained in different processes of diamond and jewelry manufacturing which are appropriate for them. We are studying the manufacturing process and learning from our experience so that we will be able to understand which type of work is suitable for a person with a particular disability.

During the training period, the trainees are provided boarding and lodging free of costs, or locals receive a stipend in lieu of this. After the training and gaining some work experience in our factory we would also look at helping them to find employment in the industry. Gitanjali will aid in their absorption in the industry both with training and providing some basic work experience initially

Gitanjali Gems has trained more than 2000 rural youth in Diamond and Jewellery manufacturing in its unit in Hyderabad out of which close to 500 were persons with Disabilities . Gitanjali currently employs nearly 250 persons with disabilities (210  in Hyderabad and rest in Mumbai and Surat ) and hopes to employ close to  1,000 additional disabled workers in the next three years. There is no discrimination in salary and facilities for normal people and PWD. All are provided with stipend, Free accommodation, with food and transport for a period of six months, after which they are absorbed as employee.
Presently Saksham the jewelry manufacturing and diamond processing training institute for PWD’s has been functioning at Hyderabad. Gitanjali Gems  plans to replicate the same success story at Surat and Mumbai which are jewelry and diamond manufacturing hubs of India.
Gitanjali Gems is one of the few organization in the Gems and Jewelry sector in India to carry out CSR activities in a focused manner. The diamond and jewelry manufacturer-retailer has a separate CSR division since 2009.
Gitanjali group believes in enhancing standards in key areas like employment and empowerment of the PWD’s, education for the underprivileged, Health, Training. we are working evolve the standards of our CSR initiatives and  to build a safe and secure working environment  through conducting various programs like first aid training, awareness programs ,blood donation camps  etc continuously