XLRI: Xavier School of Management made its mission a reality by walking an extra mile to train youth belonging to SC/ST. Fr McGrath Skill Development Centre of XLRI for the first time ventured into a concrete program for the rural poor. India’s first B-School started in 1949 after 75 years of its existence, ventured into revisiting its original charism by opening the doors to SC/ST students from rural India.
XLRI has designed a special six-month skill development program in support of National Skill Development Mission. To begin with the Skill Development Centre has already trained 100 plus students belonging to SC/ST in Data Entry and Communicative English, Garment and Fashion Desing, Internship in Electrical and Plumbing programs.
On December 18, 2024, eighty-one of its students received their certificates at XLRI Jamshedpur. Fr Jerome Cutinha, S.J., the President of Jamshedpur Jesuit Society was the Chief Guest. Dr Sanjay Patro the Dean of Academics graced the occasion. It was moment of inspiration for all as the students coming from rural India showed their English-speaking skills and demonstrated their six months journey of learning new skills at an reputed institute. The program was mentored by Jerome Sequeira and Biranchi Soreng at our extended centres at Bhubaneswar and Phulbani.
“XLRI had forgotten its original vision. Platinum Jubilee year gave us an opportunity to revisit our original charism and get this premier B-school engaged with rural communities. Concrete action on accompanying youth and working for marginalized was taken up as part of XLRI’s platinum jubilee program. Creating an impact on society is more meaningful when it comes to personal and institutional accomplishments.” , said Fr Donald D’Silva, the Convenor of the Centre.
Certification ceremony was followed by cultural dances and one act play performed by the trainees to demonstrate their learning skills. The faculty and students of XLRI were touched by the young talents who have great potential to contribute to nation building by becoming Atma Nirbhar. XLRI students and staff shall continue to make sacrifice to see our underprivileged brothers and sisters one day joining the main stream society, making India a Atma Nirbhar Bharat.
