At charcha’25, GIF Flags Evidence-led Skilling & Women’s Workforce Inclusion
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Generation India Foundation (GIF) made a strong impact at charcha’25 by convening two high-impact discussions on the future of skilling, employability, and workforce inclusion in India. Bringing together leaders from industry, philanthropy, civil society, and international organisations, these sessions reflected a shared commitment to advancing evidence-driven solutions for a more resilient and equitable workforce.
The two conversations — “Future-Ready Workforce: Evidence, Impact & Policies” and “Beyond Numbers: How Women Navigate the Workforce” — formed a key part of GIF’s mission to catalyse systemic transformation through research, innovation, and multi-stakeholder collaboration.
The session on “Future-Ready Workforce: Evidence, Impact & Policies”, which was moderated by Nandita Sebastian, Vice President, Data & Research at Generation India Foundation, examined how data-driven strategies, evidence-based methodologies, and strong partnerships are shaping India’s evolving skilling and employment landscape.
The panel brought together distinguished leaders including Mr. Rajat Gupta, Senior Partner, McKinsey & Company & Chairperson, Generation India Foundation; Dr. Maneesh Mishra, VP & Head – Skill Development, Naveen Jindal Foundation, Jindal Steel & Power; Ms. Jyoti Sharma, CEO, NASSCOM Foundation; and Mr. Kishore Kumar Thangavelu, India CSR Lead – Microsoft Corporation India Private Limited. This discussion focused on the importance of aligning skilling efforts with emerging industry trends, especially as technology and AI redefine workforce needs. Panelists emphasized the value of data-backed insights and strong public-private partnerships in delivering scalable, future-ready skilling solutions. Importantly, the conversation also highlighted the critical role of CSR funding in nation building — not merely as a compliance requirement, but as a powerful lever to transform lives.
In another compelling session, “Beyond Numbers: How Women Navigate the Workforce”, moderated by Arunesh Singh, CEO, Generation India Foundation, leaders explored gender inclusion through the lens of agency, advancement, and equal opportunity — going beyond participation to address long-term empowerment.
The panel featured influential voices including Ms. Dhruvi Shah, CEO, Axis Bank Foundation; Ms. Sabina Dewan, Founder & Executive Director, JustJobs Network; Ms. Aparna Mittal, Founder, Samana Centre for Gender, Policy & Law; and Dr. Alaa Murabit, Global Managing Partner, 500 Global. This discussion shed light on the structural and societal barriers that continue to hinder women’s full participation in the labour force, including wage disparities, safety concerns, and limited representation in leadership. The panel called for comprehensive, multidimensional strategies that promote not only inclusion but also long-term empowerment.
Across both sessions, Generation India Foundation emphasized that sustainable progress in skilling and employment requires a combination of rigorous evidence, targeted interventions, and broad-based collaboration.
Arunesh Singh, CEO, Generation India Foundation, stated, “These conversations reinforce our belief that collaboration and evidence are the cornerstones of systemic change. To build a future-ready India, we must not only create jobs but equip individuals — especially those who face barriers to employment due to education, economic background, or other factors — to thrive and lead in them.”
