From Auto Drivers to Goodwill Ambassadors: A story of amazing transformation. 100 years ago, Gandhi Ji went from Delhi to Champaran and India got Satyagraha, the first powerful tool to achieve national freedom. After freedom, thousands of migrants from Champaran came to Delhi in search of livelihood.

Therefore, in a unique attempt to pay "karyanjali" to 100th year celebration of Champaran Satyagraha, The Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti (GSDS), Ministry of Culture, Government of India, decided to take up capacity building measures to bring a holistic change in the lives of Champaran auto drivers plying in Delhi NCR, which in turn, would also result in a safer and more pleasant travel experience to the commuters in the national capital.

Interestingly, a majority of auto drivers in Delhi NCR, belong to Champaran, so GSDS conducted a pre-mobilization survey on occupational and livelihood condition of Champaran Auto Drivers in Delhi NCR and based on the outcome, GSDS started Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) program as sanctioned by National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) under PradhanMantri Kaushal Vikas Yojna (PMKVY), Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Govt of India.

Moreover, the Skill Development Team of GSDS led by Bishwajit Singh and aptly and variously supported by Vishwas Gautam, Puja Singh, Chandan Gupta, Ashish Mishra and Maushmi Kumari, also designed and imparted Life skill training, which became the highlight of the RPL program as the life skill training has helped the auto drivers in managing not only the occupational duties but also managing Finance, Credit, Family, Health and Safety for a better future.

Moreover, the decision of Ministry of Transport to abolish the difference between Private & Commercial license for LMV, has also come as a big relief to auto drivers as ever since pre-mobilization, they continuously raised the issue and GSDS further put efforts to escalate it.

Nearly 1000 Champaran auto drivers have been trained and certified in phase 1 of the RPL program.

Notable contributions to the program have been made by Mr. Prashant Shrivastav, Dr. Manju Agrawal, Mr. L N Kothari and Mr. Varun Nautiyal for Life skill training and Mr. Pawan Kumar and Mr. Lalan Ram for domain training as well as by the Admin and Program Unit of GSDS.

Under the August Chairmanship of Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Esteemed guidance of Honourable Minister of Culture, Shri Mahesh Sharma and able leadership of Director Shri Dipankar Sri Gyan, the RPL program is a befitting contribution By GSDS to the Skill India Mission as envisioned by Prime Minister Modi.