Kindling change

For generations, the Paradhi community has grappled with deep-rooted social stigma, economic exclusion, and limited access to essential services and opportunities. These challenges often translated into precarious livelihoods and strained relationships with surrounding institutions and industries. Recognising that sustainable change requires understanding rather than exclusion, Tata Power chose a path of engagement, trust-building, and empowerment.

In August 2025, Tata Power Community Development Trust (TPCDT) partnered with the District Collectorate of Jalna through a formal Memorandum of Understanding to drive the holistic development of the Paradhi community in Partur. The intervention began with a comprehensive socio-economic assessment covering 407 households across three major settlements, laying the foundation for evidence-based action.

One of the community's most pressing challenges was the lack of access to identity documents and social security schemes. To address this, we established a dedicated Document Service Centre and organised six documentation camps, enabling nearly 1,000 community members to secure critical documents such as ration cards, caste certificates, PAN cards, E-Shram cards, bank accounts, and other identity credentials. These efforts unlocked access to several government welfare programmes, including tribal development schemes, labour welfare benefits, and clean cooking initiatives, generating an estimated ₹ 14 lakh worth of financial coverage and community assets.

Beyond access to services, the programme focused on nurturing confidence, leadership, and aspirations among community members. Mind Programming workshops engaged Paradhi youth in discussions around ethical practices, personal development, and community leadership. Exposure visits to leading institutions, including YASHDA, BARTI, TRTI, Pune Police Commissionerate, and Vigyan Ashram, broadened perspectives and inspired participants to envision new possibilities for themselves and their communities.

Recognising that sustainable inclusion requires institutional support, we also facilitated sensitisation workshops for government officials, helping address long-standing prejudices and strengthening collaboration between the administration and the community. Simultaneously, community-led advocacy efforts delivered tangible civic improvements, including electricity access for the community hall at Paradhiwada, restoration and installation of streetlights, and improved municipal waste collection services.

To create pathways for long-term livelihood security, Tata Power established a dedicated Police Recruitment Facilitation Centre equipped with training infrastructure, learning resources, and physical fitness equipment. The centre supports Paradhi youth aspiring to join security and law enforcement services, opening doors to dignified employment and social mobility.

During FY26, the PARADH programme reached over 2,300 beneficiaries across multiple interventions, including documentation drives, literacy initiatives, community workshops, youth development programmes, exposure visits, civic advocacy campaigns, and livelihood facilitation efforts.

While the journey is still unfolding, the impact has been significant. Increased access to government entitlements, improved civic infrastructure, stronger community leadership, shared value creation and enhanced institutional engagement have contributed to greater socio-economic inclusion and self-reliance. Equally important, the programme has helped build trust and mutual understanding between the community and Tata Power, fostering stronger community relations and reinforcing the social licence to operate.

The PARADH initiative demonstrates how affirmative action, when implemented through sustained engagement and partnership, can transform lives while creating shared value for communities and businesses alike. As we continue to expand our inclusive development efforts, PARADH serves as a powerful example of how purposeful intervention can help rewrite narratives of exclusion into stories of dignity, opportunity, and progress.