World renowned spiritual and yoga guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar today inaugurated a key skill development centre close to the new international airport at Bhogapuram.
Unveiling the GMR Varalakshmi Foundation (GMRVF) Skill Development Centre at Bhogapuram the yoga guru heaped praises on GMR’s founder and chairman Mr Grandhi Mallikarjuna Rao and called him the pride of the nation.
Appreciating his tireless efforts in giving back to society and creating world class airports in India Sri Sri Ravi Shankar said that having money alone is not enough and one has to do seva (art of service).
“GMR is a man with a golden heart. He has inculcated a value based corporate culture. He always thinks of the future and plans accordingly,” said the spiritual guru.
Blessing the Centre’s mission of empowering local youth through skills, employment and sustainable livelihoods, Gurudev appreciated the GMR group’s efforts in empowering young people from remote and underserved communities, and providing industry-relevant, job-oriented training.
Citing mental health to be a serious concern in today’s day and age he advocated the young generation to practice a life encompassing yoga and meditation.
GMR group chairman himself apprised the spiritual leader on the Centre’s training programmes, infrastructure and employment-focused initiatives
He also highlighted that the participants at the centre comprise about 80% of women and that these trainees will be connected to employment opportunities both in India and overseas.
It was further informed that the Centre combines classroom-based learning with hands-on practical training, enabling trainees to build capabilities aligned with industry requirements and prepare for sustainable livelihood opportunities.
World Class Airport
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar also hailed the development of the new airport by the GMR group and said that the airport is of world class standard.
“I have personally spent one hour touring the airport today and I can say for a fact that it is an airport of world class standard. I can tell you that GMR doesn’t compromise on quality” noted the yoga guru.
Stating that true development is about creating opportunities and improving lives he opined that the airport has the potential to become a powerful catalyst for the growth of North Andhra, creating greater opportunities in tourism, trade, investment, employment and entrepreneurship.
“I commend Mr G. M. Rao and the GMR team for not only having created an airport, but a landmark that reflects excellence, service and the spirit of Andhra Pradesh.
May this airport become a gateway of growth and prosperity, opening new possibilities for the people of North Andhra and strengthening India’s journey towards a developed nation”, he said.
As per the group the Skill Development Centre has been established to ensure that the growth around Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport creates opportunities not only in aviation and allied sectors, but across the wider economic ecosystem.
“With the capacity to train 1,000 youth annually, industry partnerships and a dedicated International Placements Wing, the Centre will provide young people from remote and underserved communities with the skills, exposure and pathways needed to pursue sustainable livelihoods in India and overseas” said Mr. Ashwini Saxena, CEO – GMRVF.
The facility comprises six modern classrooms equipped with audio-visual facilities, an IT laboratory, library, seminar hall, mess and dining facilities, and hands-on training workshops.
