For most of his life, Susa Michael felt trapped in a cycle of struggle. Growing up near Vizhinjam Port in a family of six, there was never much to go around, but they managed. His father, once a fisherman, fell too ill to work, and his mother did what she could. School never felt like a way out; work did. He became a Coastal Police Warden, doing his part, but a quiet sense of untapped potential stayed with him. In August 2024, that changed—Susa became a lasher at Adani Port. It was not just a job, but a doorway. His wife, Betty, stitched clothes to keep the family afloat, believing in him even when he could not. Now, with a skill in hand and a future in sight, Susa believes too. The past no longer defines him. For the first time, the future feels like something he can build.

Kamla Ben’s life followed a familiar pattern—village childhood, marriage, and then a move to Ahmedabad. Her world became her family, and dreams quietly took a back seat. Everything shifted after a casual conversation with friends. They mentioned a course at the Adani Skill Development Centre in Narol. It was a small suggestion, but it planted a seed. Kamla chose to step into unfamiliar territory. She wasn’t just learning beauty skills; she was reclaiming her identity. Her first paycheck symbolised more than money; it was proof of her worth. A training trip to Pune felt like a breakthrough, opening a horizon she hadn’t imagined. Today, as a therapist at Kaya Skin & Hair Clinic, she stands as an example of resilience and self-discovery.

When Mahalingaraya lost his father, silence filled the house. Grief was one part of it; the larger weight was the sudden responsibility of providing for his family. In Somalapura village, he had once dreamed of becoming a government officer, studying relentlessly to change their future. But as the years passed, duty overtook ambition. The dream never left him; it only settled into a quiet ache. Then a friend spoke of a tailoring course. It was not a promise, only a chance, and he decided to try. With each stitch, he began to rebuild his confidence. Today he works at a manufacturing firm. For him, employment is proof that even when life changes course, determination can still carry you forward.

“They say money can’t buy happiness, but let’s be honest: it sure makes life easier.” In Chilhati, Monika grew up in a family where money was scarce but resilience was abundant. Her father worked the fields, her mother managed the household and her sister’s graduation showed what determination could achieve. Monika wanted her own way forward. Through a friend, she discovered the Machine Operator course at ASDC. The training was rigorous but empowering. Each lesson moved her closer to independence. Her first job came with Schneider in Hyderabad. With her income, she now provides for essentials her parents once struggled to meet. For Monika, the true reward is not the paycheck but the comfort it brings her family. The girl shaped by her village’s limits is now shaping her own future.

Leaving school after the 10th grade could have been the end of the road for Raja, but he refused to let it define him. Determined to grow, he enrolled in a short course in AI and computer skills. Each lesson not only built knowledge but also strengthened his confidence, opening doors he had only dreamed of. Today, Raja works steadily, supports his family, and envisions a future full of possibilities. What began as a single step in learning became a journey of resilience, self-belief, and ambition. His story proves that leaving formal education is not a limitation. With determination and grit, Raja transformed challenge into opportunity and dreams into achievement.

Shaikh Samreen joined the beauty therapy course with one goal: to start earning for herself. During training, she met a classmate whose skills matched her own. Instead of competing, they chose to work together. With shared tools and vision, they began taking bookings side by side. In just 20 days, they earned ₹30,000, a moment that showed them the power of partnership. Soon they welcomed another classmate, creating space for her to earn as well. What began as two women working together has grown into a small business in Wadi, known for both skill and trust. Shaikh Samreen is now saving to open her own parlour and hopes to employ more women, multiplying the independence she has found.