The Adani Foundation helps 111 disabled people achieve livelihoods

Ahmedabad : The Adani Foundation is committed to support persons with disabilities through livelihood opportunities. It had organized a large-scale employment fair in Mundra, ahead of the International Day of People with Disabilities (December 3). These efforts culminated into a one-of-a-kind celebration in Bhuj (Kutch district), wherein appointment letters were awarded to 111 persons with disabilities. The candidates have received employment in Adani Group and other companies located in and around Mundra.

This event was graced by the presence of Jeet Adani, Director, Adani Group; V.J. Rajput (IAS), Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Government of Gujarat; Vasant Gadhavi, Executive Director, Adani Foundation; Rakshit Shah, Executive Director, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ); Nimesh Pandya, Additional Collector – Bhuj; Dipesh Shroff, President – Kutch Nav Nirman Abhiyan; and S.K. Prajapati, District Development Officer – Kutch.

The Adani Foundation worked in alignment with APSEZ and 20 other companies. As a result, 111 candidates received jobs and 50 candidates received equipment support to become self-employed. Jeet Adani, Director, Adani Group, said, “We are augmenting our efforts in this direction, as part of which more than 100 persons with disabilities received employment opportunities at Adani and many other companies. As a society, each one of us should contribute to this cause and I pledge to contribute whole-heartedly to this mission”.

Since 2014, the Adani Foundation is dedicated to mainstream differently abled persons through its Swavalamban project by supporting them in their journey towards self-reliance. Over the years, the Foundation has been celebrating International Day of People with Disabilities at the taluka/district level by providing equipment support, organizing employment fair, facilitating Government schemes, and supporting creative and entrepreneurial aspirations. Till date, Swavalamban project has supported 800+ individuals.

V.J. Rajput, Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities during his presentation said that the Government offers many schemes and benefits which should be availed by maximum number of people. “The Adani Foundation’s efforts mark a new beginning. We need to identify the innate talent of persons with disabilities and help them to become self-reliant in the society,” he said. In addition, he expressed his interest to start mobile court facility in Kutch district.

The services facilitated by the Adani Foundation include raising awareness and providing counselling to avail disability certificate as well as benefits under different Government schemes – for example, bus pass and other public transport services for commuting, pension, e-shram card etc. Many are also supported with equipment like hand cart, flour mill machine, sewing machine, cabin to set up shop, walker, prosthetic limbs, rickshaw etc. Vasant Gadhavi, Executive Director, Adani Foundation, said that “The Adani Foundation works across India in many areas in the social development sector, but this is one of the core areas of focus in Mundra for the last seven years. We remain committed to take these efforts to the next level in the times to come.”

These sustainable livelihood opportunities enhance the quality of life of persons with disabilities, while promoting inclusive and diverse communities. Vishnu Prajapati, one of the candidates, expressed happiness and said that “I am thankful to the Adani Foundation for helping me get employment that aligns well with my capabilities and skills.” Another candidate Avni Jethva conveyed gratitude to the Adani Group for this opportunity and said that “I am hopeful that in the future too, the Foundation will set a remarkable example by continuing to do meaningful work for the welfare of the community.”