Dr. Andrew Fleming , Hon’ble British Deputy High Commissioner Unveiled the Digital Skill Training Centre along with Saket Mohta, MD, Merlin Group

Merlin I Am Kolkata, the corporate social responsibility arm of Merlin Group, the leading real estate conglomerate in India, has announced the unveiling of a Digital Skill Training Centre for youth living in urban slum area of Dhapa in partnership with TDH Suisse, a Swiss Child rights organization and DRCSC , a non-profit organization working in  Dhapa area and other parts of West Bengal today.

At a formal function, Dr. Andrew Fleming, Hon’ble British Deputy High Commissioner, Mr. Soumitra Ray, founder singer of eminent Bangla Band Bhoomi and special consultant of West Bengal State Commission for the protection of the rights of children (SCPCR),Mr. Saket Mohta, Managing Director, Merlin Group unveiled the Digital Skill Training Centre at Dhapa Dipi in presence of Ms. Ajitha Menon, Political Economy Advisor, British Deputy High Commission, Mr. Ashish Ghosh , Regional Coordinator-Asia , TDH Suisse,  Ms. Somjita Chakraborty, Chief Program Officer, DRCSC , DRCSC  .

The digital Skill training centre will impart  computer and soft skills training to 60 youth to build better career opportunities for them. This will help the youth complete the course and develop basic skills on interview preparedness, resume writing, computer applications. On this occasion Mr. Saket Mohta, MD, Merlin Group and founder of Merlin I am Kolkata , also announced the expansion of educational support to  70 students additionally and with this Merlin I Am Kolkata now will extend educational support to 490 children across 5 urban slum areas in Dhapa. Merlin group will also provide scholarship to 10 meritorious students under this support education programme.

While unveiling the digital skill training programme and support education programme, Dr. Andrew Fleming , the Hon’ble British Deputy High Commissioner appreciated the effort of TDH Suisse and DRCSC for relentlessly working to spread education among the children in Dhapa area. He also profusely appreciated Merlin Group for coming forward to set up the digital skill training centre for the slum youth here and also for supporting education for 490 children at Dhapa in partnership with TDH Suisse and DRCSC. He emphasized the importance of imparty quality  education among girl children as they are our future and a girl spreads education among the family when she grows up.  He reiterated that education, particularly formal education is the most crucial tool in shaping the character and integrity of children.”

Speaking on the occasion,  Mr. Saket Mohta iterated , “ It is our motto at Merlin I Am Kolkata to create a society with inclusive growth. We at Merlin pledged to continue our support to TDH Suisse and DRCSC in the urban slum project of Kolkata to empower vulnerable children by providing access to quality education, right based education, environment actions and sustainable development.

It is crucial for our children to  acquire knowledge in computer and its application in this digital era. We hope our little support will empower the marginalized section of the society and the youngsters and kids will learn the basics of  digital literacy programme. Merlin  I am Kolkata will appeal to the Technical Education Department of the Govt of West Bengal to introduce a certificate course for the youth in this digitial education centre to enhance their employability. Under our support education programme we will also provide scholarship to 10 meritorious students for higher studies.  ”

Mr. Ashish Ghosh, Regional Coordinator-Asia, TdH Suisse, said“TdH Suisse is always looking for impactful changes in the lives of most vulnerable children and youth. This collaboration will demonstrate a remarkable effect of a corporate NGO partnership between Merlin Group, Terre des Hommes Suisse and DRCSC (our implementing partner). This will allow us to take concrete steps for achieving the goal of Education for Sustainable Development of the most marginalised children of slums in Kolkata.

Our vision is that of a supportive and sustainable world in which children rights are respected”.

Terre des Hommes Suisse (TdH Suisse) – A Geneva (Switzerland) based Child rights organisation supports local organisations across 4 States (Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal)  in India, of which DRCSC is a partner. DRCSC is a non-profit organization working in West Bengal and currently implementing a project in Dhapa areas to provide education to marginalized children. Merlin Group CSR have partnered with TdH Suisse to co-fund the project across 5 urban slums in the Dhapa and Tangra region, situated at a close proximity to Merlin X site. The project impacted 420 children in 2023 with education support and ensured that they retain in public schools.