A MoU signed between Maruti and Tribal Development Department of Gujarat in 2007 has come a long way in helping tribals gain driving licenses and a better means of livelihood.
Gujarat Institute of Driving Technical Training & Research (AGIDTTR) in Vaghodia, Vadodara has changed the lives of many local tribal youth. These youth have learned how to drive, gained driving licenses and now have a respectable means of livelihood and have expressed their appreciation and thanks to this nonprofit organization.
Spread over a 25 acre campus, AGIDTTR has till date seen over 6,000 tribal student embark on their careers. Tribals are taught driving, educated on the various road safety rules and regulations and furnished with driving licenses at the end of their training thus allowing them to go out and find employment.
Many tribals who owe their elevated standard of living to this Maruti driving school, have expressed words of gratitude to the driving institute to show how they have benefitted. Vasara Mansukhbhai’s income from being a casual laborer has increased from INR 4,000 to INR 8,000 per month while Ratma Lakshmanbhai who never ever thought he would even sit in a car is now in the driver’s seat earning INR 24,000 per month. He and his friend are first two in his entire village to possess driving licenses. Vasaav Prakash is another tribal in possession of a driver’s license. He earns a monthly salary of INR 16,000 and has even managed to purchase his own car and enhance his standard of living by renovating his dilapidated house
Maruti driving school trains 2,400 students per annum from its 10 classrooms, 30 rooms and 300 beds. The institute possesses 6 cars and 2 simulators while lessons are held on a 2 km track on the premises. AGIDTTR caters to SC/ST students who have passed 8th standard. These students are offered training, provided with free hostel facilities with meals at the hostel canteen. Their curriculum includes driver’s training, personality development, spoken English, etiquettes, team building and road safety.
Apart from this one school in Gujarat, Maruti also helps operate 5 more schools, 2 in National Capital Region, 1 each in Rohtak, Bahadurgarh and Dehradun.
via Zee News
