In the rural landscape, the backbone of a developing community where traditional beats resonate, women often struggle between cultural norms and economic limitations. A disciplinary course of routine with no scope for personal and professional growth and dependency on others for financial needs confines women to a loop of dependency and marginalization. For centuries women have been unrecognized pillars of practicing agriculture, nurturing the family, and preserving cultural traditions. These efforts and social contributions often slide by like a gust of wind, unseen and unacknowledged. 

But, within these challenges, lies the opportunity to transform and empower. Providing access to education and skill development can act as a catalyst for the sustainable growth of a community. Confining them within the social norms not only hinders inclusive growth but also the growth of a community. By investing in aspects like education, leadership, and entrepreneurship new potentials can be unlocked leading to positive changes in the rural community. 

Amid all the restrictions and shackles of a continuous loop, rural women are bound to, the recent upsurge of small ventures in rural areas has led these women to pave a path of economic freedom. Empowered by public and private sector initiatives, tailoring entrepreneurship for financial freedom, rural women in several communities are actively enrolled in various small businesses and seize the steering of their destinies.

Empowering Women

Considering the surge towards women empowerment Tata Motors as a part of their corporate social responsibility helps empower rural women in Gujarat by commencing the dairy initiative. It seeks to capitalize on the potential of dairy farming and as women of rural communities are mostly involved in daily dairy practices, the initiative has invested in setting up dairy farms, providing training, and linking to local and other markets. 

Comprehensive capacity building and training programs were provisioned that seek the needs of women and train by their daily schedule. These women through these workshops are equipped with sufficient knowledge of animal husbandry and dairy farming. The skills they acquire enhance productivity and further engage with entrepreneurship for economic freedom and sustainable living. 

Tata Motors has also helped these women with access to the modern-day infrastructure of dairy farming. Combining technology with traditional practices has the potential to improve the quality and quantity of dairy products and create high market demands. Further, the company is surging to partner with other private and cooperative institutions that have a direct linkage to the market. Introducing women to such ventures will ensure them to access fair market practices with fewer chances of misleading and duping.

Impact Created 

The city of Sanand, Ahmedabad, has observed a socio-economic transition that aims to enrich lives by improving education and welfare facilities that promote community development. Tata Motor's CSR by combining technology and best practices has enrolled 1600 women in rural regions to contribute to the upliftment of economic and social conditions of rural areas in Gujarat. 

The women of these regions are traditionally involved in dairy practices. The dairy farming practices led by the Bahrwar and Koli Patel communities have resulted in a passive income source. These women are often gifted cows and buffaloes as a wedding gift, thus a natural indulgence of women towards dairy farming is evident in the rural regions. Though dairy farming is a traditional practice in these areas, the per capita yield and consequently the income was observed to be low. 

Tata Motors thus took the initiative to introduce women to cooperatives and technology to have a better yield of dairy products in terms of quality and quantity. The initiative hence introduced these women to automated milk collection systems and bulk milk chilling units. Combining traditional practices and modern technology they have learned the efficient production of various dairy products like ghee, yogurt, curd, butter, and cheese. Through this initiative, Tata Motors has enhanced the lives of 4496 enrolled members across 32 villages. 

Promise For a Better Tomorrow

The impact of Tata Motor's CSR must be looked at beyond the economic horizon. The primary achievement to be considered from this initiative is empowering women as community leaders and building a sense of pride in owning a venture promoting sustainable livelihood. The rural women of Ahmedabad are not only contributing to economic development but also to community and family prosperity that will change the future course of these communities more brightly. 

Moreover, the secondary effects of financial freedom like providing quality education to their children have led to the overall growth of the community. Education leads to a better understanding, and observing their parents thrive in this venture, will surely have an impact on the coming generation which will lead these small ventures to a multi-scale endeavor. Thus, the seeds of breaking the barriers are already sown which will unchain the customs of poverty and unemployment and pave the way for a brighter future. 

Tata Motors Dairy Development initiative is a commendable example of a responsibly executed corporate social responsibility. With sufficient investments in education, skill building, technological resources, and women empowerment, the initiative has produced a powerful and rapid force whose ripple effects will surely be felt in other communities. By setting up these examples other corporate firms are also encouraged to take strides towards public welfare and serve for the upliftment of marginal communities.

Tata Motors has changed the lives of thousands of women in rural Gujarat. Women who were bound to follow customs and social norms have now developed a sense of freedom. Instead of depending upon their spouses for financial needs, women are now generating their income which has brought balance and nourishment to their respective families. An extra source of income unlocks multiple opportunities concerning quality education, better healthcare, and standard of living. 

The linkage with cooperative structures has proven to build entrepreneurship and leadership qualities among women. They are now more active and skilled to participate in any public dealings with confidence and put forward their demands and outputs. Lessons should be acquired by other corporations so that the chain of social responsibility weaves an infinite web of public welfare, empowerment, and development.