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A group of women sitting on the floor and one man is talking to them.
A group of women sitting in front of a white board.
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A young girl sitting at a desk using a computer.
A woman is combing the hair of a child.
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A woman wearing headphones sitting in front of a computer.
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Three women sitting at computers in a room.
A girl in an orange and yellow outfit sewing.
A man and woman painting with paint brushes.
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A woman is helping another person to sew.
A CUTTING-EDGE PROGRAM
LIFE SKILLS & VOCATIONAL TRAINING

Empowering Girls. Shaping Futures.

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Play Slideshow (PowerPoint Presentation) Life at Grassroots India
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Women Empowerment In Rural Odisha

Welcome to Grassroots India!

Grassroots India empowers rural and marginalized young women in Odisha through education, vocational training, health services, and holistic personal development. Between 2022 and 2025, the organization implemented a set of integrated programs addressing women’s education, vocational skills, medical care, and pathways to long-term employment and independence.

The core residential program is the Hariharananda Vocational Training Center (HVTC), which provides intensive vocational and life-skills training to 25–30 young women each year. Founded by Debra Pennington and Dr. Nivedita Das and inaugurated by Paramahamsa Prajnananandaji Maharaj,the center offers year-round classes and workshops for women ages 17 to 26, fostering confidence, self-reliance, and leadership.

Complementing the residential program is the Women’s Independent Self-Help (WISH) Network, an umbrella network that connects current students, alumni, staff, volunteers, and community partners. The WISH Network supports mentoring, peer leadership, continued skill development, and community engagement during and beyond the training period. It also provides educational scholarships, medical assistance, emergency relief, and social services to families in need.

Graduates of Grassroots India programs become change agents in their villages—supporting their families, inspiring other girls, and contributing positively to their communities. Together, the Hariharananda Vocational Training Center and the WISH Network form a continuous pathway of support, guiding young women from residential training to long-term independence and leadership.

Grassroots India’s work demonstrates that when women are empowered with knowledge, health, and opportunity, entire communities thrive.

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