Courses & Workshops
Emergency Medicine & Home Nursing
The Emergency Medicine and Home Nursing program at the Hariharananda Vocational Training Center (HVTC) provides internationally recognized training in first aid, safety, and home health care. HVTC was among the first institutes in India to be certified under an emergency care and safety curriculum endorsed by leading professional organizations in the United States, including pediatric and orthopedic associations, and used in the training of paramedics and emergency responders. Between 2022 and 2025, HVTC conducted three certified courses in First Aid and CPR. Instruction was delivered through a combination of video-based learning, written materials, handouts, practical demonstrations, and formal examinations, all leading to internationally recognized certification.
In addition to emergency medicine training, HVTC offers two specialized programs in home health care, with film-based courses designed to make learning engaging and accessible. Both programs follow structured curricula that equip students with essential skills in patient care, hygiene, safety, and basic medical assistance. Together, these programs strengthen students’ capacity to serve their families and communities while preparing them for employment opportunities in health and caregiving fields.
Computer Fundamentals
The Computer Fundamentals course is one of the most popular and in-demand programs at the Hariharananda Vocational Training Center. Classes are conducted Monday through Friday and include both beginner and advanced levels as part of a one-year certified training program. The curriculum covers essential topics such as Windows operating systems, MS Office applications, cloud computing, networking and security, computer hardware and software, and basic programming concepts. Multiple textbooks are used to support learning, and the curriculum, textbooks, and software are regularly updated to keep pace with technological advancements and industry standards. This comprehensive training equips students with practical digital skills necessary for higher education, office work, and employment opportunities.
Tailoring
The Tailoring and WISH Shop programs at the Hariharananda Vocational Training Center provide practical vocational skills combined with real-world business experience for young women. The tailoring course includes hand stitching, sewing machine operation and maintenance, garment construction, pattern drafting, and the creation of multiple women’s clothing items. Students also receive training in basic small business management to prepare them for self-employment and income generation. Many graduates have gone on to establish home-based tailoring businesses in their villages, work in local tailoring shops, or obtain employment in the garment industry in Bhubaneswar.
W.I.S.H. Shop - Small Business
The WISH Shop serves as a hands-on learning environment where students gain experience in customer service and small business operations. Training includes bookkeeping, register maintenance, inventory management, marketing, and sales as an introduction to entrepreneurship. Through the Upahar Gifts of Love project, clothing items created by students during their tailoring course are distributed to underprivileged women and girls, allowing students to contribute meaningfully to their communities while building confidence and professional skills. Together, the Tailoring and WISH Shop programs strengthen economic independence and encourage practical pathways to employment and self-reliance.
Creative Arts & Media Education
The Creative Arts and Media Education program encourages self-expression, confidence, and teamwork through art, music, dance, theater, and film. Students participate in group activities that promote creativity, communication, and cultural awareness while strengthening emotional well-being and social connection. Theater skits addressing self-selected social issues are written, directed, and performed by the students, fostering leadership, critical thinking, and collaboration. Art supplies are readily available, and learning through art is integrated into the broader curriculum as a tool for expression and engagement.
Dance is one of the most popular classes, featuring instruction in classical dance forms as well as introductions to dance traditions from other countries, expanding students’ exposure to diverse cultures. Broadband internet and a projector enable educational and inspirational films to be shown, enriching learning through visual media. In addition, a video camera is available for students to learn basic filming skills and to document events and activities at the institute, building practical media literacy alongside creative development.
Spoken English
The Spoken English course was upgraded to a full-time program for both beginner and advanced students in 2023 in response to strong interest and demonstrated need. In 2025, the curriculum was revised and expanded again to further strengthen learning outcomes. This course has become one of the most popular offerings at the Hariharananda Vocational Training Center, providing students with regular opportunities to practice spoken English and build confidence in communication. In addition to conversation skills, the program emphasizes grammar, vocabulary development, and written English, helping students improve overall language proficiency for education, employment, and daily life.
Choice Point - Creating Your Life
The Choice Point – Creating Your Life course is based on a program originally developed by Robert Fritz, best-selling author, award-winning filmmaker, and business consultant. This course helps students identify personal life goals and develop practical action plans to achieve them. Through guided discussion and reflection, students explore what they truly want to create in their lives and are introduced to tools that support purposeful decision-making and self-direction.
During the course, students’ own lives become the focus of their creative process. Steeped in principles of the creative arts, participants examine how human creativity can be consciously applied to shaping their future. The program has been successfully offered in numerous countries around the world and is recognized for its ability to inspire clarity, confidence, and motivation. Highly interactive and participatory in nature, the Choice Point – Creating Your Life course empowers students to build greater success, responsibility, and joy in their personal and professional lives.
Life Skills - Rotating Workshops
Grassroots India conducts ongoing interactive workshops that address both women’s issues and essential life skills needed for healthy, independent, and responsible living. These sessions provide a safe and supportive environment where students can discuss real-life challenges while gaining practical knowledge related to health, family life, social responsibility, and personal development.
Topics include women’s health and life stages such as menstruation, pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, family planning, child care, and mental health, along with discussions on education, independent living, and working women. Critical social and legal issues are also addressed, including domestic violence, sexual abuse, rape, dowry, child labor, women infanticide, land and inheritance rights, divorce, widows’ rights, adoption, and self-defense. Broader themes such as gender equality, women in politics and sports, women traveling independently, joint versus nuclear families, live-in relationships, and spiritual life are explored to strengthen confidence and decision-making skills.
The Life Skills component includes practical training in cooking, gardening, house management, financial literacy, marketing, and awareness of government welfare schemes. Students also receive guidance in childcare, family responsibilities, and community participation. Yoga and mental health counseling are integrated into the program to support emotional well-being, stress management, and physical health. Creative arts activities further encourage self-expression and confidence.
An important feature of this program is assistance with formal identity and documentation. Students are supported in obtaining essential Know Your Customer (KYC) documents such as Aadhaar cards, voter identification, and PAN cards, enabling them to access government schemes and prepare for employment and independent living. Through guest speakers and special workshops, students gain exposure to real-world knowledge and role models that strengthen their readiness for adult life.
Building on these foundational life skills, students participate in the Choice Point-Creating Your Life program, which focuses on goal-setting, personal purpose, and the creative process of shaping their future.
Women’s Health & Women’s Rights Workshops
On-going interactive workshops are conducted which address various issues related to women’s health and women’s rights. Subjects often include personal daily events in the girls’ lives and include discussion on menstrual cycles, procreation, childbirth, childcare, personal hygiene, and mental health issues. Practical information is given on various laws effecting the rights of women, including domestic violence, sexual abuse, dowry, bride burnings, and land rights.
Domestic Violence Workshops
Two workshops have been created by Grassroots India in cooperation with internationally-renowned domestic violence counselors who specialize in awareness, counseling and rehabilitation. The Domestic Violence 101 and Domestic Violence for Advocates & Counselors workshops are used for our resident trainings and outreach programs. Grassroots India has built a network of educated and informed women in the rural villages who can identify and support victims of domestic violence. We have often provided shelter to victims of violence and the required emergency services for medical and legal aid.
Drug & Alcohol Workshops
In cooperation with local drug & alcohol rehabilitation centers, and women activists against domestic violence, Grassroots India conducts periodic workshops and open discussions on substance abuse issues affecting women and girls in the village. Grassroots India has also linked with social workers who offer support for substance abuse and rehabilitation.
Internship & Work Study Program
Grassroots India offers an ongoing Internship and Work-Study Program for postgraduate MA students seeking practical professional experience aligned with both their academic interests and the mission of the organization. These internships provide hands-on learning opportunities in fields such as psychology, social work, and rural development while actively engaging students in community outreach and program implementation. Through direct participation in grassroots initiatives, interns gain practical skills, deepen their understanding of social development, and contribute meaningfully to the empowerment of rural women and communities.
A distinctive feature of the program is its strong emphasis on communication and professional development. Interns are encouraged to write original articles on topics of their choice related to their studies and field experiences. They also prepare and record video presentations of their work in a lecture-style format, allowing them to observe themselves on video and improve their public speaking confidence and presentation skills. Faculty and staff provide guidance in refining these articles and presentations, strengthening interns’ advanced English writing and communication abilities. Completed articles and videos are published on the Grassroots India website and shared globally, giving interns an international platform for their work while building their academic portfolios and professional visibility.
Infrastructure & Capital Assets
Grassroots India is firmly established in a long-term leased facility located at Plot No. 5D/1427, CDA Sector 10, Cuttack. The center is situated in a safe and secure neighborhood and is fully equipped with CCTV monitoring throughout the premises. It accommodates up to 30 residential students at a time and provides a structured and supportive living and learning environment.
The Cuttack facility includes three kitchens, a dining hall, six dormitories, six bathrooms, a computer laboratory, classrooms, the WISH Shop, administrative offices, several verandas, and a large multipurpose hall used for meetings, workshops, and cultural programs. Social workers remain on-site 24 hours a day to ensure continuous care, guidance, and supervision for students. Equipment includes dormitory and kitchen supplies, computers, sewing machines, display cases, office equipment, and a library. In addition, Grassroots India maintains an ambulance to support medical training and emergency transportation needs.
Grassroots India also operates a field office in Pattamundai, Kendrapara District. This facility is a small house consisting of three rooms, a kitchen, and a bathroom, and serves as a base for outreach activities in surrounding villages. The Pattamundai office allows staff to meet with families, collect applications, conduct interviews, and stay overnight while carrying out outreach programs in interior rural areas.
Together, these infrastructure resources enable Grassroots India to deliver consistent residential care, vocational training, community outreach, and emergency support services effectively and safely.