Centum Foundation, the CSR arm of Centum learning, recently launched Centum GRO to train deaf youth in India. The initiative is in collaboration with US-based Global Reach Out, a non-profit organisation run by hearing-impaired individuals, which has imparted leadership skills and entrepreneurial training to over 1,000 deaf youth across the countries.
Dr Madan M Vasishta, former chief advisor to the Indian Sign language Research and Training Centre, New Delhi, and Sanjeev Duggal, CEO and MD, Centum learning, inaugurated the first center. Aarti Chandna, VP, Centum Foundation; Dr Alim Chandani, Associate VP, Centum GRO and senior management from prospective employers such as lemon Tree and Concentrix were present. Dr Alim Chandani will head the first centre at Hauz Khas. He is dedicated to empowering deaf people for a decade now.
The pilot batch has already commenced with training under way of nearly 40 students who are graduates from various streams. Besides skills training to the hearing-impaired candidates, the programme will also include 'workplace sensitivity' training sessions to potential employers to help companies assimilate people with disabilities more effectively at their workplaces.