About 60 school dropout girls and homemakers, hailing from rural and tribal areas such as S.Kota, Araku, Paderu, Anakapalle, Gopalapatnam, Payakaraopeta and Gajuwaka, were imparted training in beautician techniques as part of skill development programme organised by Raaghavi Beauty Salon in collaboration with APSSDC ( Andhra Pradesh State Skill Development Corporation).

They passed out here on Friday. The programme gave a new lease of life to them, as 80% got placements.

A graduation function was held for the candidates, aged between 20 and 35 years, at Black & White Hotel, near Beach Road on Friday.

They can stand on their own feet financially and independently, said MD of Raaghavi Beauty Salons and Raaghavi Beauty Training Institute Ch. Roopa Raju, an NRI entrepreneur, who has taken up this project.

Two batches

“The basic qualification is Class VIII passout. The girls were divided into two batches and trained for 108 days (six hours a day) and they were very enthusiastic,” she said.

She said that while many were placed in her saloons and other saloons, several set up own parlours in their house.