GRSE Honored with SKOCH Award for Project Akansha's Impact on Vulnerable Youth
Recognition for Social Responsibility Efforts
Photo: @psuconnect/X
Kolkata, July 14: India's leading defense shipbuilder, Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd, has received the prestigious SKOCH Award for its initiative, Project Akansha. This Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program is dedicated to enhancing the lives of children and adolescents from underprivileged backgrounds in Kolkata.
The accolade was awarded during the 108th SKOCH Summit in New Delhi. Project Akansha, executed in collaboration with Child Rights and You (CRY), aims to foster the comprehensive development of youth in the Munshiganj and Watgunj-Hastings regions of Kolkata.
The project's goal is to establish a secure and supportive environment for children, improving their access to education and personal development opportunities. This is achieved through various means, including supplementary education, life skills training, self-defense workshops, nutritional assistance, and community involvement.
Significant progress has been noted in the targeted areas, with increased school enrollment and retention rates, enhanced life skills, and greater community engagement in child protection efforts.
According to an official, "It has also facilitated the creation of trusted learning environments and encouraged active participation from mothers and local stakeholders in protecting children's rights."
GRSE has a rich history, having delivered India's first indigenous warship, INS Ajay, to the Navy in 1961, just a year after it became a defense public sector entity. To date, it has launched 117 additional warships for the Navy, Coast Guard, and allied nations, marking the highest output from any Indian shipyard. Notably, two of its warships have been exported to Mauritius and Seychelles.
Recently, on June 21, Prime Minister Narendra Modi commissioned three warships constructed by GRSE into the Navy, including the advanced stealth frigate INS Dunagiri, the survey vessel INS Sanshodhak, and the anti-submarine warfare craft INS Agray.
Currently, the shipyard is engaged in the construction of nine warships, which include the advanced stealth frigate Vindhyagiri, four Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels, and four anti-submarine warfare shallow water crafts. Additionally, GRSE is working on 30 commercial platforms, including 12 specialized multi-purpose vessels for a German client.
The shipyard is also tasked with building four research vessels for NPOL, NCPOR, and the Geological Survey of India.
GRSE commands the largest market share in India for modular steel bridges utilized by the Army, Border Roads Organisation, and various government bodies to connect challenging and strategic locations. Furthermore, it is producing 30 mm naval surface guns (NSGs) for installation on warships as a close-range weapon system.
"By showcasing excellence in shipbuilding and engineering, GRSE reaffirms its dedication to generating sustainable social impact through impactful CSR initiatives that foster education, empowerment, and comprehensive community development," the official concluded.