Pune: Skill Development Centre and Shantanurao Kirloskar Chair of Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) recently organised a 10-day entrepreneurship workshop for paraplegic soldiers to make them self-sufficient and fit for civilian life.

The university conducted the workshop for 30 paraplegic soldiers who will soon be passing out of the Queen’s Mary Technical Institute (QMTI) for differently abled soldiers. 

“Soon after their tenure in QMTI, these soldiers will enter civilian lifestyle. Our aim was to empower them,” said Director of Skill Development Centre, Pooja More.

“Our workshops were set for 40 hours in total at a stretch of 10 days. It included lectures on different areas, like business in retail or dairy and also information about how to procure bank loans for start-ups. The modules of business plans included advantages and disadvantages of every business. Interestingly, at the end of all sessions, these soldiers were able to design their own business plan and sought information related to it,” added More.

Managing Director of Elixir Training Services, Jayashree Fadnavis was present as chief guest, Chief Professor of Shantanu Kirloskar Chair SM Chitale, Dean of QMTI Lt Col (Retd) P Deshmukh, Director of Skill Development Centre Pooja More, Corporate Trainer of Skill Development Centre Jayant Oak and Col (Retd) Devendra Gupta were also present.