Skill Training and Encouragement Program Organized for Acid Attack Survivors at Akums

Haridwar, 14 February, 2026: Under its Corporate Social Responsibility initiative, Akums organized a skill development camp at its manufacturing unit in Haridwar. This three-day skill development program was conducted in collaboration with the Noida-based Chhanv Foundation, in which ‘Sheroes’ (women heroes) who have fought and overcome acid attacks and burn accidents participated. The objective of the program was to prepare these resilient women for corporate culture and professional training environments. During the camp, expert corporate trainer Ms. Shweta Rastogi from Delhi-NCR played a significant role in creating a comfortable and engaging atmosphere.

Speaking about the CSR activity organized at Akums’ Pure & Cure Healthcare plant, Mrs. Archana Jain, Secretary of the Akums Health & Education Society, said, “We are truly overwhelmed and inspired by the courage and sincerity of these remarkable women. Their journey of rebuilding life with dignity, confidence, and purpose is a powerful reminder in today’s times. Their determination and passion to move forward despite adverse circumstances is an inspiration for everyone facing life’s challenges. At Akums, we feel proud to provide training and machinery to these talented women. We firmly believe that their stories of self-reliance and success will become exemplary models of humanity and women empowerment.”

Carefully and sensitively planned, this three-day engagement camp focused on building practical capabilities. Participants took part in guided sessions on workplace culture, personal grooming, communication skills, interview preparation, and basic digital tools. At Akums, they also had the opportunity to closely understand pharmaceutical manufacturing, along with gaining insights into the corporate and industrial environment of SIDCUL, Haridwar. Akums also organized Ganga Aarti and दर्शन (holy viewing) at the Ganga Ghat, and facilitated a visit to the manufacturing unit located at the plant.

In the words of Mr. Alok Dixit, Founder of Chhanv Foundation, “Rebuilding life after trauma means much more than physical recovery. Life begins to feel somewhat normal again only when confidence, independence, and professional identity are restored. Programs like these help survivors choose their profession with clarity and dignity. We thank Akums for providing a supportive and healthy environment where skill development was encouraged along with shaping a better future.”

Despite adverse circumstances and social challenges, these women have re-established themselves, and Chhanv Foundation has contributed significantly in encouraging and empowering all these resilient women. From Chhanv Foundation, Ms. Aditi Tiwari was present as a guide for the Sheroes, while Akums’ CSR team systematically coordinated the entire program. At the conclusion of the program, certificates were distributed to all participants, and sewing machines were also provided by Akums to support and encourage women’s self-employment initiatives.

Sheroes Hangout Café and Sheroes Store for handcrafted products are initiatives of the Chhanv Foundation aimed at creating sustainable employment opportunities for survivors. The trainings supported by Akums will strengthen the survivors’ skills and enhance their effectiveness in roles at the Sheroes Hangout Cafés, while the sewing machines provided by Akums will enable and scale their production activities under the Sheroes Store project.