The CSR Arm of Deepak Fertilisers and Petrochemicals Corporation Limited, Pune (DFPCL), Ishanya Foundation (ISFON) is a registered NGO under the provision of the Bombay Public Trust Act 1950.
Ishanya Foundation's vision to act as a catalyst to create a self-reliant society of youth, women and marginal farmers, with a secure means of livelihood – supports and focusses on initiatives in three main areas of women empowerment, health and education.
ISFON identified the need to empower women and youth residing in low-income groups in Pune and rural areas of Taloja, Panvel District, Maharashtra (in areas of operation of the Parent Company). The target audience identified were those with low ability and qualifications to attain employment, primarily due to vocational skills. Unemployability can be accounted for the following reasons:.
Poor economic condition of the women and youth, due to which they are unable to take up any vocational training courses.
Inability to generate income due to inadequate education qualifications, lack of awareness, lack of guidance, poor health conditions, lack of right skill-set for the surrounding industries, leading to an challenged situation for meeting day to day requirements.
The Foundation initiated vocational training skill development programs for the urban low-income groups in Pune with the prime focus of enabling skill enhancement and employability. This was in line with the organization's strategy to create a meaningful impact of shared value in communities, which would lead to sustainable livelihood for the beneficiaries and their families. Initiatives were developed and introduced with the lead focus of empowering women, who would in turn enable empowering and benefitting the entire family. 80% of aspirants identified were women.
Courses offered to aspirants who enrolled through ISFON are in the following areas:
Professional Beautician Practice & Art of Mehendi
Diploma in Information Technology
Post Basic BSc Nursing, Diploma in Hardware and Networking
Pre-teachers training
Diploma courses for Construction Supervisor and Architectural draftsman
Retail Management
Security Guard course for women
Ward assistant course
Home Manager course and Hospitality courses
In the rural areas of Panvel, tailoring courses are conducted, encouraging women from the remote villages to enrol and develop their skills, and earn a secondary source of income.
Courses are designed in a structured manner with a focus on overall development of the aspirants, providing soft skills and life skills training, in addition to the mentorship program. Development of linkages have resulted in campus interviews conducted by leading Corporates like Reliance 4G, MD India, Euphoria Technologies, Parlorwale.com, House Joy, Urbanclap and many more.
Periodic and progressive tracking of the aspirants employed is carried out, after the completion of the course to ensure continuity of service and adaptation to work environments. This has further made the initiative successful and sought after. Continued counselling, encouragement and assistance for better career prospects is also offered to several aspirants.
In the rural areas, sustainable initiatives envisaging long-term impact have been successful and beneficial projects for farmers and their families, encouraging self-reliance.
The Wadi & Health Project implemented in Panvel District of Raigad, Maharashtra has benefitted families through the Wadi Model of Plantation for Mango, Bamboo and vegetables.
The Dairy Development Project extends support to the wives of the farmers. Support is extended across all arenas of dairy development such as fodder management, health care, hygiene with vaccinations, livestock rearing, doorstep services of artificial Insemination and pregnancy diagnosis creating alternate sources of income for these women and their families.
Ishanya Foundation has been committed and responsible towards the aspect of their contribution in saving the environment. A one of its kind innovative initiative – Muskaan provides an additional source of income to financially challenged women (Muskaan Parees). Pre-owned garments in a good and reusable condition are received at The Foundation and then re-sold by these Muskaan Parees, enabling them to earn a substantial amount per sale. The concept of Reuse and Recycle has been a key factor towards contributing to sustainability. This program along with other income generation programs under the Livelihood Enhancement through Entrepreneurship Development have had a positive impact on the beneficiaries.
Ishanya Foundation has always encouraged and partnered with the next generation for spreading awareness about the social issues of the community. Through their association with leading educational institutes like Symbiosis Pune and Symbiosis University, the Company has collaborated with specific Institutes like the Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communications and Symbiosis Institute of Management by offering an internship course at the Foundation since the last five years. The students from BBA & MBA stream are eligible for this internship under their Service Learning Module.