Delhi: APL Apollo Foundation, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of APL Apollo Group, launched Project Aarohi under its flagship programme for women empowerment, Tejaswini, last year. Supported by Apollo Metalex Pvt Ltd this year as Phase-II, Project Aarohi (derived from Aarohan meaning ascent) will provide vocational training in beautician trade and beauty parlour management to 70+ girls/women from underserved communities in East Delhi slum areas to help them become self-reliant.
There is a batch-wise extension in the training period from 4.5 to six months as the curriculum of Project Aarohi has been upgraded with additional training at the basic level and several new advanced courses curated basis the growth in the beauty and wellness industry, need assessment done at the community level, specific requirements of women looking at both wage and self-employment and market 
demand. A new Aarohi Centre was inaugurated with more space including a professional beauty parlour set-up to provide exposure to an actual work environment.
According to Neera Gupta, Director, APL Apollo Foundation, “Promoting inclusive growth by via development initiatives and community outreach efforts has been a key priority for APL Apollo Foundation with women empowerment taking the centre stage. Under Phase-I, there was 100 per cent 
employment achieved with respect to the women beneficiaries of Project Aarohi. Our focus on providing skill training to them has not only enabled them to earn a livelihood but has provided them with a sense of identity, financial inclusivity and social empowerment. With new interventions to strengthen the project even further this year, we are absolutely confident that these women beneficiaries too will achieve economic independence and contribute to the greater good of the society.”
Apart from the intensive basic course, the beneficiaries of Project Aarohi will be provided advance training in Bridal Make-up, Nail Art, Mehndi Application, Hairstyling, Aromatherapy, preparation of oils for treatments, use of kitchen items to make natural skin/hair care products etc by industry experts. The beneficiaries will also be coached for employability and mock interview sessions will be conducted to help them in wage employment. Along with these, soft skills, personal hygiene, client handling, entrepreneurship, inventory management, customer engagement, social media management, digital and financial literacy, social media presence for freelancing opportunities and internships/on-the-job training will also be provided with regular experience sharing and guidance on upskilling via alumni network groups for information exchange, updates through apps and physical meetings.
