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Taj Hotels has partnered with the Prabha Khaitan Foundation under Project Prayas to provide practical hospitality training to young adults with special needs across its Kolkata hotels. Supported by Shree Cement Limited, the initiative focuses on developing workplace skills through hands-on experience rather than classroom learning. Participants will engage in front-of-house responsibilities such as welcoming guests and serving beverages under the guidance of hotel professionals. The collaboration also supports IHCL's broader ESG commitments to youth skill development and aims to promote inclusive employment opportunities in the hospitality sector.
Taj Hotels and the Prabha Khaitan Foundation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) under Project Prayas to provide hospitality training and workplace exposure to children and young adults with special needs across Taj Hotels in Kolkata. The initiative, supported by Shree Cement Limited, is designed to help participants build confidence, communication skills and practical workplace experience through real-life interactions in a professional hotel environment.
Instead of conventional classroom-based learning, the programme places participants in front-of-house roles where they will welcome guests, serve welcome beverages and assist in hospitality-related activities under the supervision of experienced hotel professionals. The initiative aims to prepare them for future employment while helping them develop independence and social confidence.
The MoU was signed during a programme held at Taj Bengal, where the participants of Project Prayas themselves conducted the traditional welcome ceremony. The event also included the ceremonial lighting of the lamp and was attended by Suhel Seth, K Mohanchandran, Senior Vice President – Operations (East & North East), The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), Anindita Chatterjee, Executive Trustee of the Prabha Khaitan Foundation, and Parvinder Bual, General Manager of Taj Bengal. Esha Dutta, Shefali Rawat Agarwal and Gouri Basu, members of the Ehsaas women initiative of the Prabha Khaitan Foundation, were also present.
Speaking at the event, K Mohanchandran said it was a privilege for IHCL to partner with the Prabha Khaitan Foundation to provide skill development opportunities for children with special needs. He added that the initiative aligns with IHCL's ESG+ framework, Paathya, under which the company has committed to training 100,000 young people by 2030.
Suhel Seth highlighted the importance of institutions and individuals working together to create more opportunities for young adults with special needs. He said the collaboration reflects the need for inclusive workplaces where individuals are recognised for their abilities and given equal opportunities to participate in the workforce.
Initially, the programme will work with participants from one partner NGO, with plans to include more organisations over time. Through regular interaction with guests and hotel staff, the participants are expected to improve their communication skills, workplace readiness and self-confidence while gaining practical exposure to the hospitality industry.
Project Prayas has been designed with multiple objectives, including strengthening self-esteem and interpersonal skills, encouraging independent living, improving employability through experiential learning, and fostering greater acceptance and empathy within society. The programme also aims to demonstrate that individuals with special needs can successfully contribute to professional workplaces when provided with the right training and support.
The Prabha Khaitan Foundation, a Kolkata-based non-profit organisation established in the 1980s by the late Dr. Prabha Khaitan, has been working in the fields of literature, arts, education, gender equality and social inclusion for over four decades. Through Project Prayas, the Foundation has expanded its focus on creating opportunities for persons with special needs by connecting them with industry partners.
The collaboration also reflects the growing emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion across India's hospitality sector. In recent years, several leading hotel chains have introduced initiatives aimed at increasing employment opportunities for persons with disabilities through structured training, accessible workplaces and inclusive hiring practices.
Source PTI
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