NEW DELHI (India CSR): United Way of Kolkata, in partnership with Genpact announced the official launch of two transformative community development programmes — G-Sakhi, a women’s skill development and entrepreneurship initiative, and the Curiosity Lab, a STEM-focused learning programme for school students on November 17, 2025. The launch event in Kolkata, was in the presence of the representatives of Genpact, Rachna Chugh, Sanjit Chatterjee and Sutanuka Ghosh; Board members of United Way of Kolkata, Dinesh Agarwal, Amitava Sen and Dr. Nayan Mitra; programme partners, community representatives, artisans, educators and students.
Chief Guest, Debashis Sen, former Managing Director, HIDCO and Chairman, NKDA and a firm believer and practitioner of ‘innovation-on-the go’, mentioned,
“I am very sure that with these two new initiatives by Genpact and United Way Kolkata, more and more interesting innovations will come about in West Bengal, especially with increasing awareness about Artificial Intelligence in schools, with the Curiosity Lab Project.”
These programmes form a key part of the ongoing commitment of United Way of Kolkata and Genpact to advance inclusive growth, sustainable livelihoods, and equitable access to quality education across urban and rural communities in West Bengal.
G-Sakhi – Women’s Skill Development & Empowerment Initiative
Implemented in the Bolpur- Sriniketan block of Birbhum district, G-Sakhi empowers over 250 rural women entrepreneurs through capacity building and livelihood enhancement. The programme provides training in traditional and creative skillsets including Kantha stitching, tailoring, macramé, Batik, and grass jewellery work, while also strengthening women’s financial and digital literacy.
Through G-Sakhi, women are supported to transition into independent micro-entrepreneurs who can sustainably improve their household income and contribute to community development.
Curiosity Lab – Turning curiosity into capability
The Curiosity Lab addresses the digital and scientific learning gap in government and government-aided schools. Through the establishment of STEM laboratories in 13 schools across Kolkata and South 24 Parganas, the programme equips students with hands-on learning opportunities in robotics, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, 3D printing, and design thinking.
The launch saw the dissemination of the baseline report from the two projects that deeply focussed on the gaps in these sectors and put forward impactful recommendations to make the projects sustainable.
Rachna Chugh, Vice President and CSR Leader, Genpact, added:
“As we try to grow and expand in West Bengal we want to give back and do something for the State because if the State is kind enough to give us land and licences to grow our business, it is our duty to give back and help the children and youth in West Bengal to be employment-ready. This has been our goal as we decided to scale our CSR programme.”
(India CSR)
