Prayagraj— In a significant community-driven initiative, Prayagraj-born entrepreneur Anand Chandra, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Arya.ag, led a 15-day SHG Women Leadership and Psychosocial Training Program in his hometown, reinforcing his commitment to grassroots empowerment. His parents were also present during the program, symbolizing a shared family dedication to uplifting the local community.
The capacity-building initiative was organized by Bridge4Change Foundation in collaboration with Aryadhan Foundation for Equitable Agriculture, the CSR arm of Arya.ag. The program focused on strengthening leadership qualities, self-confidence, and practical skills among women associated with Self-Help Groups (SHGs) across various districts of Prayagraj.
Approximately 50 SHG women leaders were selected based on their commitment to social change and their ability to mobilize their communities. The training equipped them with psychosocial skills, leadership development tools, and practical digital competencies aimed at enabling sustainable grassroots transformation.
Chief Sustainability Officer of Arya.ag, Shenoy Mathew, emphasized the organization’s commitment to inclusive growth. “We support initiatives that strengthen rural leadership and community resilience. Through our CSR efforts, investing in women leaders aligns with our vision of inclusive development and reflects our commitment to elevating the role of women in Indian agriculture—from wage earners to leaders,” he said.
Director of Bridge4Change Foundation, Ashish Agrawal, highlighted the ripple effect of empowering women. “When women are enabled to lead, they become inspiring role models for others. Our goal is to build a confident network of SHG leaders who can guide, collaborate, and drive positive change at the community level,” he stated.
For Anand Chandra, leading the initiative in Prayagraj held deep personal significance. His engagement alongside his parents underscored a heartfelt commitment to giving back to the community that shaped his early life. Their presence further reinforced the importance of local leadership and community-led development.
The training sessions covered stress management, budgeting, goal setting, cyber security, and digital literacy, strengthening participants’ financial confidence and digital participation. Modules also included mindful consumption, menstrual hygiene, communication skills, gender rights awareness, and community collaboration—critical components for sustainable livelihoods, improved health outcomes, and stronger social networks.
By fostering confidence, decision-making ability, economic independence, and active community participation, the initiative aims to empower SHG women leaders to support their peers, enhance livelihood opportunities, and advocate for social welfare at the grassroots level.
