Godrej Salonis first batch of 100 women graduate in Beauty, Hair Care and Mehendi training

Students received graduation certificates on completion of training This initiative aims to train over 5000 women this year

Mumbai, May 10, 2012: As part of Godrej Groups Good and Green employability initiative to train 1 million rural and urban youth in skilled employment, the company had successfully launched a unique program Godrej Saloni. This project which aims to train unemployed rural and urban women to become beauticians in Beauty, Hair Care and Mehendi Application, successfully completed training the first batch of 100 women students. In this quest, Godrej joined hands with Manav Sadhan Vikas Sanstha (MSVS), an NGO committed to holistic human development for the past 16 years, to participate in their effort to impart employability skills to the underprivileged. Godrej Salonis first batch of 100 students graduated today in Mumbai after gaining the required training from industry professionals. The graduating students received course completion and training certificates. The initiative is underway in many other communities in Mumbai and Thane districts and across several rural and semi-urban parts of the country. Mr. Deepak Parekh, Ex Chairman- HDFC, Ms. Vasudha Kamat, Vice Chancellor, SNDT University, and Mr. P. S Pasricha, Former DGP - Maharashtra State graced the occasion and lauded Godrej and MSVSs commitment and contribution towards the cause. Mr. Sumit Mitra, EVP, Corporate HR, Godrej Group, said, Godrej has always been at the forefront of philanthropic and social activities for several decades. Over the last year, through our "Good & Green" initiative we have developed a more strategic approach to corporate social responsibility and as part of that effort we are proud to announce that the Godrej Saloni initiative has made a successful beginning in creating employability in India. Today we have seen the first batch of 100 women graduating from the program. We expect that the skills imparted by our trainers will enable these women generate regular income. As we advance further ahead towards the project we will see more students acquiring these skill sets. We aim to meet our target of ensuring that over 5000 students are trained by the end of this year as beauticians and benefit from this initiative. About the organizations:
Godrej Group: The Godrej group is one of Indias leading business groups. With interests in industries as varied as high tech engineering solutions and world-class consumer products, Godrej is an integral part of the lives of over 500 million Indians everyday. The Godrej group has charted a new marketing and branding strategy that aims to revitalize the Godrej Master Brand by creating a unified brand identity based on a strategic plan to create greater synergy across its businesses and brand portfolio. As part of a systematic plan for investing in the Godrej brand franchise, the group will strategically align its product and brand development, retail channel strategy, communication and talent management. The initiative intends to

build the Godrej Master Brand in tandem with the four businesses of personal grooming, furniture, property and aerospace amongst others Godrej Good & Green: By 2020 the Godrej Group is committed to: ensuring employability train 1 million rural and urban youth in skilled employment creating a greener India achieve zero waste, carbon neutral, positive water balance and 30% renewable energy innovating for good & green products have a third of our portfolio revenues comprising good and/ or green products and services

Manav Sadhan Vikas Sanstha Manav Sadhan Vikas Sanstha (MSVS) is a charitable trust dedicated to the cause of upliftment of the downtrodden in the country. Economically backward people need help in terms of education/ training for acquiring skill/s that has/ have demand in the labour market. For the past 16 years, MSVS has been working steadily for the development of the underprivileged in Sindhudurg and Ratnagiri districts of the Konkan region of the Maharashtra state. Recently, MSVS has launched its vocational training programs in Mumbai too.