Godrej Launches Technical Training Lab in Pune to Empower and Upskill Differently-Abled Veterans!

In a remarkable stride towards social inclusion and sustainable empowerment, Godrej Enterprises Group, under its flagship CSR initiative Project Disha, has inaugurated a state-of-the-art Home Appliances Repair and Maintenance Lab in Pune. The initiative, launched in partnership with Queen Mary’s Technical Institute (QMTI), is dedicated to upskilling war-injured and differently-abled personnel from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Paramilitary Forces, enabling them to build stable and dignified livelihoods through technical training and employment opportunities.

The newly established training lab is designed to train more than 200 differently-abled veterans over the next three years. Participants will undergo rigorous, hands-on training in repairing and maintaining household appliances — a skill set that is increasingly in demand due to India’s expanding home appliance and service sectors. In addition to technical instruction, trainees will receive certification and structured career guidance to ensure they are job-ready upon completion. To further support their transition, the program also includes placement assistance and a three-month post-training mentorship program that provides ongoing support as participants integrate into the workforce.

Speaking on the occasion, Harpreet Kaur, Chief Human Resources Officer at Godrej Enterprises Group, highlighted the initiative’s deeper social mission. “This program creates real, sustainable career pathways for our specially-abled veterans, allowing them to regain independence and contribute meaningfully to society. With technology becoming integral to daily life—especially in fast-developing urban regions like Pune—there is an increasing need for skilled technicians. Through our collaboration with QMTI, we aim to bridge this gap while uplifting those who have selflessly served the nation.”

Echoing this sentiment, Col Dr. Vasant Ballewar, Dean of QMTI, emphasized that the project goes far beyond technical training. “This initiative is about restoring confidence, providing financial independence, and giving back purpose to our soldiers who have given so much for the country. Partnering with Godrej enables us to amplify our impact and ensure that every veteran has access to meaningful skill development and sustainable employment.”

This collaboration forms part of Project Disha, a comprehensive skill development program launched by Godrej in 2011. The initiative focuses on preparing India’s youth—and now, differently-abled individuals—for evolving job markets through a blend of technical education, industry exposure, and career support. To date, Project Disha has reached more than 18 states, positively impacting over 200,000 young people. In FY 2024–25 alone, the program trained 9,046 individuals, surpassing its target of 8,400, with nearly half securing gainful employment soon after completion.

For over a century, the Godrej Enterprises Group — encompassing Godrej & Boyce and its affiliated companies — has been synonymous with Indian innovation, engineering excellence, and self-reliance. From creating India’s first indigenous locks, typewriters, and refrigerators to pioneering green manufacturing and design-led engineering, Godrej has remained at the forefront of industrial and social progress.

The new technical lab in Pune embodies the company’s enduring philosophy: to combine innovation with compassion, and progress with purpose. By empowering India’s differently-abled veterans with tangible skills and opportunities, Godrej reaffirms its belief that true development is inclusive — and that those who have protected the nation deserve every opportunity to thrive within it.