Tag: Rajiv Rajgopal

Education

The Forecast for 2022 is Bright Skies as AkzoNobel springs a colourful surprise for over 1300 school children in New Delhi

Dec 22, 2021 by Gouri Achary 0 Comments #Akzo Nobel India, #AkzoNobel, #Dulux, #Let’s Colour, #Rajiv Rajgopal, #school children, #SDMC Pratibha school

Akzo Nobel India brings smiles to 1300 students by adding colour to SDMC Pratibha school in Jonapur, New Delhi under its Let's Colour initiative

Akzo Nobel India, the leading global paints and coatings company and maker of Dulux, has brought new cheer and bright skies as a New year gift for the young students of government SDMC Pratibha School in Jonapur, New Delhi. With a passion to add colour to people’s lives under its ‘Let’s Colour’ program, Akzo Nobel India repainted the government school where more than 1300 young girls and boys are enrolled from the first to fifth standard.

Nearly 50 excited people including primary class children, teachers, AkzoNobel employee volunteers and women painters of AkzoNobel Paint Academy came together under the Let’s Colour program to brighten up the school which was last painted nearly six years ago. The transformation that took place over one month, involved over 500 litres of AkzoNobel’s Dulux range of decorative paints applied over 30,000 square feet school area.

Psychological studies show that colours can have a significant influence on our mood and behaviour. As for colour experts from over 200 years, AkzoNobel’s team went on an overdrive to bring a cheerful and stimulating learning environment to the school under its Let’s Colour program.

The transformative power of paint is now felt everywhere. The specially created art mural in the school façade inspires children to realize their dreams which are as limitless as the skies. The vibrant rainbow in the assembly area and the colourful pillars reflect happiness as children get ready to meet each other again. Bright Skies in the classrooms bring nature and openness to the learning environment. Making this initiative even more special was the launch of Bright SkiesTM – AkzoNobel’s Colour of the Year 2022 in India.

For the children excited to return to school after 2 years, AkzoNobel rings in a forecast of Bright Skies, smiles and unlimited possibilities

Rajiv Rajgopal, Managing Director, Akzo Nobel India, stated: “In 2021, extensive global trend research conducted by AkzoNobel’s team of in-house colour experts and international design professionals revealed that after a spell of feeling shut-in, people want open-air and a breath of fresh air.

Using these insights, we have now introduced Bright Skies, our Color of the Year 2022 in India. The airy, light blue colour opens up and revitalizes spaces with its palette of soft neutrals and joyful hues. Energized with Bright Skies, the school now reflects the limitless skies and inspires children to achieve their colourful dreams with a fresh approach.”

The repainting of SDMC Pratibha school is a manifestation of our ‘Let’s Colour’ initiative, which is an integral part of our social outreach program ‘AkzoNobel Cares’ that focuses on uplifting and renovating communities, as well as educating future generations. It is a key component of the People pillar of our People. Planet. Paint. approach to sustainable business.

Let’s Colour uses the power of paint to transform lives by uplifting communities, changing behaviour and making living spaces more fun, livable and enjoyable. Till date, nearly 2405 Let’s Colour projects have been completed globally involving more than 13,000 volunteers and 1.6 million liters of paint, benefitting more than 82 million people in 46 countries.

Marten van den Berg (Ambassador of the Netherlands to India), P. Udayakumar (Director-Planning & Marketing, NSIC) and Rajiv Rajgopal at the inauguration
Business

Akzo Nobel India inaugurates the all-new AkzoNobel Paint Academy in Delhi

Sep 14, 2021 by Rekha Nair 0 Comments #Akzo Nobel India, #AkzoNobel Paint Academy, #Ambassador of the Netherlands to India, #Director - Planning and Marketing, #Managing Director, #Mr Marten Van den Berg, #Mr. P. Udayakumar, #Rajiv Rajgopal

Delhi: Celebrating five successful years of its flagship ‘AkzoNobel Paint Academy’ corporate social responsibility project in Delhi for skill development, Akzo Nobel India Limited in collaboration with National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC), a certified Government of India Enterprise under Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises today inaugurated its Paint Academy in the new premises of NSIC (Okhla, Delhi).

The inauguration ceremony was graced by the Guests of Honor – Mr. Marten van den Berg (Ambassador of the Netherlands to India), Mr. P. Udayakumar (Director – Planning and Marketing, The National Small Industries Corporation Ltd.) and Mr. Rajiv Rajgopal (Managing Director, Akzo Nobel India Limited).

Sharing his thoughts, Mr. Marten van den Berg, Ambassador of the Netherlands to India said “Youth are key for sustainable economic and social growth. The Netherlands firmly believes that by building right skills we can achieve both economic prosperity and social cohesion. Moreover, both the Netherlands and India recognizes the importance of skill development and is committed to encourage exchange of best practices and collaboration between the two nations. Therefore, I am delighted to see this partnership between Akzo Nobel India and National Small Industries Corporation which will go a long way to address Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 5,8,10 and 17- gender equality, decent work & economic growth, reduced inequalities and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development. It is very impressive to note how the partnership is promoting skill-building with a safety focus, empowering the disadvantaged, and driving Diversity and Inclusion in the painting community”.

Commenting on the inauguration of AkzoNobel Paint Academy, Mr. P. Udayakumar, Director – Planning and Marketing, The National Small Industries Corporation Ltd. said, “I am delighted to see AkzoNobel Paint Academy transforming the art of painting with science and creating new entrepreneurship opportunities. I thank Akzo Nobel India and Mr. Marten van den Berg, Ambassador of the Netherlands to India for their presence in the event. With Indian families now increasingly staying at home, demand for painting will grow further. NSIC will continue to support Akzo Nobel India’s commitment to transform youth into entrepreneurs. There is tremendous potential in painting skills, and we at NSIC look forward to expanding the reach of this initiative together with AkzoNobel through our Skill centres across cities in India. NSIC will also be happy to provide the bouquet of services to the trainee graduates so that they become successful in their endeavours.”

Elaborating on this initiative, Rajiv Rajgopal, Managing Director, Akzo Nobel India, said, “Akzo Nobel Paint Academy is a testimony of our AkzoNobel Cares commitment. In just 6 years, our Paint Academies are helping the youth who aspire to be gainfully employed and economically empowered. At the same time, Akzo Nobel is contributing to promote diversity and foster inclusion in decorative painter community. By giving an equal opportunity and livelihood rehabilitation for many women, transgenders, prison inmates and juveniles, the AkzoNobel Paint Academies are adding colour to the lives of people. In convergence with Skill India and driven by the support of NSIC, we are confident that the Paint Academy will fulfil the dreams of many more youth.”

In its five years at Delhi, AkzoNobel Paint Academy has benefitted over 1,500 youth. In its new avatar, the Delhi chapter aims to train 200 youth in the first year itself! Furthering diversity and inclusive culture within the field of painting, nearly 30% of the trainees in AkzoNobel Paint Academy will be women and youth including transgenders, prison inmates and juveniles. To promote learning without barriers, it also offers free hostel facilities for outstation students.

The month-long course in decorative painting empowers new-age painters to gain marketable skills. The training includes modules on modern painting techniques, knowledge of paint surfaces, use of safety tools and PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). The Academy also helps painters develop soft skills to ensure better customer satisfaction. On completion of the training program, Akzo Nobel India facilitates employment opportunities for the successful candidates with paint contractors.

In synergy with Government of India’s flagship ‘Skill India’ programme, Akzo Nobel India launched its flagship skill-development initiative AkzoNobel Paint Academy in 2015. Since then, the five state-of-the-art AkzoNobel Paint Academies in Delhi, Kolkata, Bengaluru and two centers in Navi Mumbai have benefitted more than 9,000 youth.