Gujarat, March 4 : President of India Droupadi Murmu visited the GMR Varalakshmi Foundation (GMRVF)-run Ekta Skill Development Center in Ekta Nagar (Kevadia), Gujarat, on February 27, 2025. She was accompanied by Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat and Protocol Minister Jagdish Vishwakarma. The visit highlighted the GMRVF’s efforts in empowering local communities through skill development programs.

During her visit, the President received a detailed briefing on the center’s activities and its impact on local youth. The Ekta Skill Development Center has been instrumental in providing industry-relevant training, creating employment opportunities, and fostering economic independence. She engaged with trainees and alumni, particularly women e-auto drivers who transitioned from rented autos to owning their own vehicles, significantly improving their financial stability in the Statue of Unity area. The President lauded their entrepreneurial spirit and resilience.

Sharing her thoughts in the visitor’s book, President Murmu praised the center’s role in mainstreaming rural youth and women. She emphasized the importance of skill-based vocational training in enhancing employability and contributing to national development. Since its inauguration in July 2021, the GMRVF-led center has trained over 2,000 youth, achieving an 80% placement rate. The GMR Varalakshmi Foundation, the CSR arm of the GMR Group, continues to work towards uplifting communities, reinforcing its commitment to social and economic progress.