At Naandi, we are dedicated to guiding young people into the job market and to staying in touch with alumni. One recent and inspiring alumni story is that of Sadhna Gupta – a young woman from Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, whose hard work and determination have made her a role model for youth in her village. Her personal journey into employment, which began in 2017 after she joined Naandi’s Mahindra Pride School (MPS) programme in Chandigarh, stands as a testament to the transformational power that education and opportunity can impart to an individual.
Sadhna’s story was one of the many success stories featured in the Job Factory – a book released by Mr. Anand Mahindra in 2020 to celebrate MPS students who harnessed the skills, support, and confidence needed to overcome challenges and achieve success.
Through doing just that, Sadhna secured her employment at Cinepolis, a movie theatre franchise, and was commended for her dedication which led her to secure three promotions in just one year! With her earnings, she purchased her own mobile phone and scooter to further boost her independence and her ability to take agency over her career and her life.
Recently, the Naandi team reconnected with Sadhna during a special visit to Tim Hortons in Mohali, Punjab – a Canadian-style chain restaurant where she now works. Sadhna was overjoyed to meet the team and reconnect with those who had played such a pivotal role in her career. The meeting and the emotions it evoked reaffirmed the strength of Naandi’s connections with its alumni and the continued impact of our programmes. As our teams listened to Sadhna’s stories about her life and her new job, they felt immense pride in how far she had come.
