'Prazna' a Zuari Cement CSR Initiative

Zuari Cement, a part of the worldwide Italcementi Group is the fifth largest cement producer in the world. As a part of its CSR approach, Zuari Cement has taken up a 'skill development program to empower and self sustain rural youth' called Prazna.

Through this initiative Zuari Cement aims to make the community around its production facilities self dependent by promoting skill enhancement activities for the rural youth and to enable them to be a support to themselves and their family. 

The first phase of 'Prazna' would facilitate 40 youth both men and women from villages nearby the Zuari Cement Sitapuram unit, to receive training on functional jobs.

Skill development programs undertaken at Prazna:

• Tailoring and Sewing skill training for women
• Motor Winding and Maintenance
• Consumer Appliance Repairs (TV, Refrigerator, Washing Machine, Mixer etc.)
• Computer Skills (DTP, Networking etc.)

Recently, the Tailoring & Sewing skill development program was inaugurated by Mr. Roberto Callieri, Regional Director, Zone 4 of Italcementi Group. This training program would be held for 20 ladies identified with the help of village leaders.

On the occasion, Mr. Roberto Callieri emphasized that 'Skill Development Program' is an excellent effort to provide training and opportunities for youth to become self reliant and financially independent. Zuari Cement's attempt with this CSR initiative is to make youngsters confident with an opportunity of sustainable earning.

Mr. Nabil Francis, Managing Director of Zuari Cement expressed that this CSR aims to help the unemployed youth to explore the possibilities of acquiring new skills and become independent. He added that this program will be replicated at other units of Zuari Cement, supporting more youth to become self reliant. With this self employment generating program, Zuari Cement aims to improve the economy of the village community.

Mr. Sitarama Rao, President - Sitapuram Works, Mr. Sunnira Ly, Chief Financial Officer and Mr. Suresh Sivanandam, President - HR & IR and other senior executives were present at the event. Village leaders, beneficiaries and Zuari Cement employees attended the inauguration function.

Zuari Cement is part of the worldwide Italcementi Group, the fifth largest cement producer in the world. Zuari Cement has a total cement manufacturing capacity of 6 million tons in India, which includes two manufacturing units at Sitapuram and Yerraguntla, along with a grinding centre at Chennai. Zuari cement is developing a project of 3 million ton per year cement plant in North Karnataka and a large grinding unit is also being erected at Sholapur in Maharashtra. A cement terminal is being developed at Kochi, Kerala.