Dr Reddy's Foundation

When Kajal Garva first heard about the HQHCS course during a community meeting, she was only looking for a way to restart her working life.

The pandemic had changed things at home. “I was working as a teacher in another village when the pandemic came. But my parents needed me, so I left my job and came back home.”

During that time, watching her aunt work as a phlebotomist made Kajal think seriously about healthcare. Through the High Quality Healthcare Skilling (HQHCS) program, she trained as a General Duty Assistant and got her first job at Bhuj Imaging and Fetal Center.

That first opportunity opened the next door.

She went on to pursue GNM while continuing to work in hospitals. Today, Kajal is in the final year of her GNM course and works as a Senior Nurse at Spandan Maternity Hospital.

“I assist doctors during procedures and care for patients every day. My income now helps me pay my college fees and support household expenses.”

Our HQHCS program supports 10th and 12th-pass unemployed women from rural, low-income backgrounds through a 90-day residential skilling program in General Duty Assistantship. The program prepares them for work in hospitals, clinics and homecare settings, while also helping address India’s shortage of skilled healthcare professionals.

For many young people, a short-term skill development program is not just about the first job. It is often the beginning of a bigger dream, stronger livelihood and a more secure future.

When a young woman continues from undergraduate studies in science to a Master’s in Chemistry, it is more than an individual achievement. It is a step towards stronger gender diversity in STEM.

Kawaljeet Kaur, a Sashakt scholar, is now pursuing her Master’s in Chemistry at NIT Jalandhar, with the goal of building a research career in Physical Chemistry.

“For me, chemistry is not just a subject. It is a way of understanding the world more deeply.”

Through financial support and mentorship from senior women scientists, Sashakt helps academically bright girls, especially from rural India and low socio-economic backgrounds, pursue STEM education in some of India’s top institutions.

When more young women are supported to stay in STEM, they do not just complete degrees. They enter classrooms, laboratories, and research spaces where their presence can shape the future of sciences.

On , we recognise the women who are playing an important role in mangrove restoration work in Tadatalav.

Nearly 200 women from the community are part of this effort to restore 200 hectares of mangroves. Their work starts in the nursery, where they help prepare beds, sow seeds, care for seedlings and track their growth.

At the restoration sites, they support plantation during low-tide periods, carry and plant saplings, maintain spacing and assist with gap filling and site care. They also help remove algae and trash to protect young saplings.

Through their involvement, we are strengthening coastal biodiversity and community-based climate resilience.

Project Vasudha is in collaboration with Vertis Infrastructure Trust.

A first job does not change everything overnight. But it can create the first opening.

Through our GROW Green program, we train youth from low-income households for opportunities in the emerging green energy sector. The program combines technical training with core employability skills.

“There, I learned about EV systems, motor controllers, battery management systems, and basic electronics.”

After completing the training, Sanjeev got his first job as a Technician at MG Motor. Today, he works at Euler Motors, repairing electric two-wheelers.

“With my salary, I helped my father open a small general store in our village. Now he has another source of income, beyond daily wage work.”

And sometimes, one opportunity does not stop with one person. It slowly changes what becomes possible for the whole family.