TRANSFORMING Lives

Dinesh Sood, Managing Director, Orane International School of Beauty and Wellness, speaks with Priyanka Parshurami about their award-winning skill development campaign.

Started in 2009 with a motto to skilling Indian youth for a better future, Orane International is today one of the leading beauty and wellness schools in India. Today, they have skilled more than 80,000 students and have 110 academies across 22 states in India and 2 in Canada.

Recently Orane International won a gold at the ET Shark Awards 2024 for their campaign ‘Hunar Hai Toh Kadar Hai’, focusing on the transformative power of skills to uplift youth and empower women.

Excerpts from an interview with Dinesh Sood, Managing Director, Orane International School of Beauty and Wellness:

AWARDS AND ACCOLADES

“The ‘Hunar Hai Toh Kadar Hai’ campaign highlights the transformative power of skills in uplifting youth and empowering women. Through community workshops and grassroots initiatives, we showcased real success stories of our students, demonstrating how acquiring skills changed their lives and brought economic stability to their families. This award honours the collective efforts of the Orane family and the unwavering spirit of our students, fuelling our mission for lasting social reform.”

INDUSTRY COLLABORATION

“Our collaborations with influencers and industry experts played a pivotal role in amplifying our message. Seeing the joy and confidence in our students as they achieved their dreams has been the most rewarding part of this journey. This award is not just a recognition of our efforts but a celebration of every student’s resilience and dedication.”

A VISIONARY CAMPAIGN

“Winning an award tabulated by EY is a significant achievement, and I wholeheartedly credit my incredible team for driving our vision. Our success is a direct result of their dedication, passion and relentless pursuit of excellence. They are the backbone of Orane International, continuously pushing boundaries to stay ahead of industry trends.

“This award is not just a recognition of our ef forts but a celebration of every student’s resilience and dedication.”

Their hard work and unwavering commitment bring our vision to life, ensuring we maintain the highest standards of performance. This award is a testament to their remarkable efforts and dedication. I’m incredibly proud and grateful for such a fantastic team that shares my passion for empowering individuals through education.”

INNOVATIVE STRATEGIES

“At Orane, we have implemented innovative practices and strategies that set us apart and contributed to winning this award. Our holistic approach includes technical, soft, financial, and digital literacy skills.

We prioritise community engagement and real-world exposure through partnerships with local businesses and influencers.

Additionally, we use technology in education, offering online modules and virtual reality simulations. Our commitment to inclusivity ensures scholarships and financial aid for students from underprivileged backgrounds.”

“Challenges will arise, but your perseverance and positive attitude will help you overcome them.”

TRAINING PROGRAMMES

“At Orane International, we ensure our curriculum and training programs stay ahead of industry trends by continuously updating our content based on feedback from industry experts and alumni. We collaborate with leading beauty and wellness professionals to integrate the latest techniques and innovations. Our instructors undergo regular training to stay current with global standards.”

NEW INITIATIVES

“Winning this accolade is a powerful catalyst for Orane International’s future plans, especially in amplifying our CSR efforts and expanding our reach. We are committed to increasing our CSR initiatives tenfold, focusing on youth upliftment and women’s empowerment through extensive skill development programs. Our goal is to create more scholarships, offer free training to underprivileged communities, and promote financial independence for women.

We plan to establish new training centres in underserved regions, invest in digital learning platforms, and integrate sustainability into our curriculum. These initiatives reflect our dedication to social reform and community upliftment, inspired by this prestigious award.”

MESSAGE FOR BEAUTY PROFESSIONALS

“My advice to aspiring beauty professionals and entrepreneurs is to believe in the power of your dreams. Embrace continuous learning, as the beauty industry is ever-changing. Stay passionate and dedicated; your love for what you do will fuel your journey. Surround yourself with inspiring mentors and never underestimate the power of networking. Engage with your community, seek guidance, and collaborate. Most importantly, stay resilient. Challenges will arise, but your perseverance and positive attitude will help you overcome them. At Orane International, we believe in the transformative power of education and dedication. Keep striving, and you’ll achieve greatness.”