Ramesh and Nitu, both ex-trainees of SEDI Rajasthan, have been conferred with the Skill Ambassador Award and the Skill Icon Award, respectively. They were felicitated by Hon. Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Shri Ashok Gehlot; Hon. Minister of Skill Development, Shri Ashok Chandan; and Hon. Health Minister, Shri Tikaram Jully. Trainees from Ambuja Foundation SEDI have secured the highest number of Skill Icon and Skill Ambassador awards in Rajasthan, which was lauded by the Chief Minister and other dignitaries.
Ramesh, from Nagaur district, comes from a low-income background. Forced to drop out of education, he worked menial jobs and earned only Rs. 1800 per month in 2008 — rising to just Rs. 10,000 per month after 10 years. Unhappy, he joined the RSDLC Field Technician - Other Home Appliances course at SEDI. Through dedication and counselling, Ramesh started his own enterprise and soon employed three other ex-trainees. “There were times I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to afford dinner, but after completing the course and starting my business, my life has prospered,” he says. Today, he earns around Rs. 75,000 per month.
Nitu, from Jhujhunu, also came from a lower-income family and faced little support from her family and in-laws. Despite these challenges, she completed her studies, paid her own fees, and began looking for work — all while caring for two children. Unable to find a job, she attended a SEDI mobilization event in the market, where she learned about courses and job opportunities. Persuading her husband of the benefits, Nitu joined the hospitality course at SEDI Chirawa. With continued family resistance, she chose to prioritise her career.
After training, Nitu worked at a leading hotel in Jaipur’s housekeeping department. She quickly moved between top hotels, increasing her salary each time. “I learned speaking skills, confidence, and a positive attitude from SEDI. Today, though I’m a single mother, I can pay my children’s school fees and remain financially stable,” says Nitu. Achieving her dream of working at the Hilton Hotel in Jaipur, she now earns Rs. 27,000 per month plus free food and accommodation.
Ramesh and Nitu are just two among the 65,000 lives transformed by SEDI since its inception, with many more yet to come. Notably, this is the fourth consecutive year that a trainee from SEDI Chirawa has received a Skill Icon Award.
