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The Loomba Foundation and Navjyoti India Foundation launched Project Jeeva to mark International Women’s Day in Gurugram on March 8, 2021. Project Jeeva – Rediscovering the spirit in the lives of widows, is supported by The Loomba Foundation, and conceptualised & implemented by the Navjyoti India Foundation in association with the District Legal Services Authority, Gurugram. A survey conducted by the NGO in the rural parts of Sohna Block, Gurugram revealed the dire economic, physical, and mental situation of these women who have lost their husbands early in life. The project aims to provide need-based counselling to the women and their families, facilitate linkages for them to avail legal aid and various welfare schemes and help build their self-esteem, confidence, and life skills.

The project was introduced by Ms. Chandni Bedi, Director of Rural Management and Training Institute, Navjyoti India Foundation. Mr. Atul Palta, Director – Skills Training and Empowerment from The Loomba Foundation shared about the mission of the Foundation and the ways skills training and employment have empowered the widows not just in India but globally as well. Other panel members Ms. Munmun Goyal, Advocate from District Legal Services Authority, Gurugram and Mr. Suresh Kumar Taneja, Section Officer, District Social Justice Department, Gurugram also took part in panel discussion and replied to the queries of audience.  

Nirmala and Angoori Devi, two young widows who have been supported by Navjyoti India Foundation under Project Unnati, shared their success story of running a boutique and selling home-made spices. Mr. Hemant Kumar and Pawan Kumar, Team members of the Loomba Foundation were also present during the Launch of Jeeva Project.

After a spirited discussion and questions from the audience, made up of widows from Sohna Block, the vote of thanks was delivered by Ms. Ujala Chaudhary, Executive Director of Navjyoti India Foundation.