“ETASHA Society” – A 20 Year Journey of Empowerment, Dignity & Opportunity
Over the last two decades, ETASHA Society has quietly & steadily become a trusted catalyst for Transformation of lives- walking alongside adolescents, youth, & women from resource-poor communities as they move from uncertainty to confidence, from exclusion to opportunity, & from dependency to economic independence.
ETASHA Society at 20 is not just an anniversary; it is a celebration of lives transformed, futures unlocked, & dignity restored. ETASHA Society’s journey is not only a story of programs & growth; it is a story of people, young girls who chose education over early marriage, first-generation workers who stepped into formal workplaces with pride, & women entrepreneurs who built businesses & rewrote the rules for their families & communities.
ETASHA was founded on a powerful belief- poverty & marginalization are not natural conditions; they are social constructs that can & must be changed. This belief is captured in ETASHA’s vision- “An India where all citizens achieve sustainable economic independence to lead a life of self-respect & dignity.” This vision has been more than a statement, it has been ETASHA’s moral compass for 20 years, reminding the organization that development must be rooted in justice, not charity, & in enabling, not giving.
In its early years, ETASHA stepped into communities where young people struggled with limited education, low confidence, unemployment, & little exposure to formal work opportunities. The organization responded by building pathways to employability through skills training, life skills, personality development, & workplace readiness. ETASHA Society understood early on that a certificate alone cannot change a life; real transformation needs confidence, guidance, & access. With time, ETASHA sharpened its approach into an integrated model anchored in three pillars- Counselling, Skilling, & Linking with resources.
Counselling at is not just advice, it is aspiration-building. It helps young people confront social & psychological barriers, make informed choices, & imagine a future beyond their present limitations.
Skilling goes beyond technical training & equips learners with employability, communication, digital literacy, financial awareness, & problem-solving, skills that prepare them for today’s work environment & tomorrow’s changing job market.
Linking with resources ETASHA Society connects young people with jobs & apprenticeships, & women with markets, buyers, suppliers, & financial institutions so their growth can continue long after training ends. This is why ETASHA Society is not just a training provider; it is a transformative platform, turning hidden potential into sustainable livelihoods & dignified lives.
A Turning Point-One of the most defining milestones in ETASHA’s journey has been its sustained focus on women’s economic empowerment. Over the years, ETASHA has supported women to explore self-employment & micro-enterprises through entrepreneurship development, business literacy, mentoring, & market linkages. Whether in food-related businesses, tailoring, beauty services, or retail trading, women supported by ETASHA Society have not only increased household income, but they have gained voice, work, & decision-making power. ETASHA has consistently reinforced an important truth- empowering women is not only an economic intervention; it is a social transformation. When a woman earns & grows, households change, mindsets shift, & communities begin to accept new possibilities.
As ETASHA Society evolved, so did its underst&ing of impact. It became increasingly clear that development is not measured only by numbers trained or placed. ETASHA Society measures success through deeper outcomes-stability, resilience, dignity, confidence, & sustained economic independence. ETASHA Society’s identity is firmly grounded as a development organisation, distinct from short-term service delivery or humanitarian response. Even during disruptions such as the COVID-19 p&emic, ETASHA Society remained focused on long-term empowerment-pivoting towards digital skilling & alternative livelihood pathways rather than limiting its work to temporary relief.
Irreversible Change-What makes ETASHA Society’s 20-year journey truly meaningful is its commitment to irreversible change. ETASHA works not only with individuals, but also with families, communities, markets, & institutions, because change becomes lasting only when the ecosystem around people becomes more inclusive. Through its approach, ETASHA has enabled people to move-from dependency to work, from vulnerability to resilience, & from invisibility to recognition. Partnerships with CSR programs, foundations, institutions, & government stakeholders have strengthened ETASHA Society’s ability to innovate & scale while staying rooted in community realities. These collaborations have helped ETASHA Society remain accountable, outcome-driven, & future-ready. As ETASHA Society completes 20 years, it st&s as a symbol of meaningful development practice, professional, grounded, & deeply human.
Looking ahead, ETASHA moves forward with renewed commitment, to strengthen skilling, employability, entrepreneurship, & sustainable livelihoods, & to contribute actively to a more equitable & inclusive “Viksit Bharat,” where every individual can learn, earn, & live with self-respect & hope.
This blog is written by Subhasis Chakraborty, ETASHA Society
