In 2015, when Alstom won the contract to manufacture India’s first all-electric locomotives in Madhepura, Bihar, in collaboration with Indian Railways, they were about to get into something that would end up transforming not just the economy of the place but also the lives of its people. The first electric locomotive was completed in February 2018 and along with it rolled out a journey for the socio-economic betterment of the villages that fall under the influence of this huge project which eventually aims to manufacture 800 electric locomotives.
With ‘Commitment to Community’ as the motto at the heart of its various industrial initiatives, Alstom has driven programmes in healthcare, education and skill development with the help of local partners, that go beyond impacting just the economics of Madhepura. Counted among one of the most backward districts of the country with over 2 million people, Madhepura was a place that lacked basic amenities with villagers having to travel kilometres to avail even essential medical care.
“Making a difference around the communities in which we operate forms the cornerstone of our corporate social responsibility. This vision is made alive through our philanthropic arm – The Alstom Foundation. In Madhepura, we are engaged in uplifting the living standards of 7 villages that surround the plant along with local partners,” says Ms Sapna Bhawnani, Communications & CSR Director, APAC, Alstom.
“The company in partnership with NGO Pragya has introduced mobile healthcare services that aim to improve healthcare and a consciousness of healthcare in the region. With Care India, Alstom is focussing on uplifting the skills and making people, particularly the women of Madhepura, more employable,” adds Bhawnani.
Today, an ambulance made available by Alstom in Madhepura along with doctors to provide timely services and medicines has proved to be a boon for its people. “We are here five days a month to organise a special health camp and distribute medicines. We also provide general OPD services, says Dr NK Jha, involved with the initiative.
Education is another area Alstom is focussed on. It is actively working towards building a bright future of the children of Madhepura, in alliance with local ITIs and institutions like Holy Cross School. The focus is on school drop-outs, to try and enrol them back at school. Students who used to loiter, play or work in the fields all day are now brought together and taught. With the help of Care India, a Life Skill Center has also been formed to skill women and youth. Care India is also helping to create awareness on issues pertaining to menstrual health, cleanliness and hygiene.However, Alstom and Madhepura’s success story doesn’t end here.
At present, the company, in view of its localization and transformational strategy, is working towards developing an ecosystem to enable local manufacturers to set up manufacturing units in and around the area, making the venture truly a ‘Make in India’ proposition.
Moreover, Alstom’s active and targeted community action programme at Madhepura focusing on skill development and education will further prepare more than 5000 young minds for gainful employment. The company will adopt local ITIs to provide skill development to 840 students, youth and women over the next 10 years. Of these, 300 students will be absorbed by Alstom for apprenticeship programmes within the facility.
IndianBureaucracy.com wishes Alstom the very best.
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