* To enhance employment opportunities for the rural youth. Services, retail and construction companies participate to tap rural talent

Chennai, April 19, 2008 : Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), India’s Premier Business Association and MARG Limited, one of India’s fastest growing diversified Infrastructure development companies jointly organised the first-ever Rural Job Fair at Swarnabhoomi, the recently launched mega infrastructure project of MARG Limited at Cheyyur Taluk. The rural job fair serves as a platform for the rural youth in Cheyyur Taluk to enhance their employment opportunities after the training provided through the Grass Root Level Skill Development Initiative (GLSDI) programme of CII.

Mr Thangam Thennarasu, Hon’ble Minister for School Education, Government of Tamil Nadu today inaugurated the Rural Job Fair at the MARG SEZ Swarnabhoomi, Cheyur, Kancheepuram District.

MARG in collaboration with the CII had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on June 09, 2007, to initiate the Skill Development Initiative program in Cheyyur Taluk. The GLSDI program aims to train 5000 unemployed rural youth on pre-employment skills to offer them employment opportunities in the organised sector through a consortium of companies across the management, retail and logistics sector. Presently over 800 rural youth have successfully completed the GLSDI pre-employment skills training which prepares them for the world of work.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr G.R.K Reddy, Chairman, CII Chennai Zone and CMD MARG Limited said, “MARG Swarnabhoomi encompassing two SEZs will be an engine of economic growth and employment generation. Our business belief is that growth needs to be inclusive. To reaffirm this belief, MARG had partnered with CII in June 2007 to initiate a Grassroot Skill Development Initiative (GLSDI) project in Cheyyur Taluk, the area surrounding MARG Swarnabhoomi. This innovative skill development program targets to generate social inclusiveness and will provide rural youth an opportunity to be a part of the mainstream economy. This initiative would work towards building a movement that will meet the challenges of sustainability.”

Speaking at the forum, Mr. G R K Reddy, Chairman & Managing Director, MARG Ltd. said, “For years, visioneers have propagated concept cities, where things happen with clockwork efficiency, infrastructure is planned and plentiful. Our new city MARG Swarnabhoomi is a city with the promise of plenty, peace and prosperity. Designed as a global city with world class civil and social infrastructure, MARG Swarnabhoomi delivers the perfect setting for a work-life balance while promoting the walk-to-work concept”

Mr B. Santhanam, Chairman, Task Force on Skills, Employability and Affirmative Action, CII (SR) & Managing Director, Saint Gobain Glass India Limited, in his address said that India has a huge Man power potential, around 63% of our population is of the employable age group. Rural youth in India contribute substantially to this large young population, who are capable of doing great jobs but are still without employment said Mr Santhanam.

Mr Santhanam pointed out that this unfortunate state of our country has resulted in a surplus of un-trained and un-skilled youth. At the same time we have companies growing at the speed of light and demanding for millions of such brilliant youth in their companies. They want skilled and Trained youth who shall join them and grow their entire career along with the company. These companies are facing a major shortage of skilled manpower.

We as CII (Confederation of Indian industry) identified this huge demand-supply gap and brought across a path-breaking revolution of a Skills development program for Rural Youths, for all of “YOU”, said Mr Santhanam. CII Southern Region launched the CII - MARG Grass Level Skills Development Initiative, a project with thrust on Entry-level Skills. The target of this project at Cheyyur Taluk SEZ is to make 5000 Youth employable with Pre Employment Skills and also train 1000 youth who would undergo industry specific training.

The inauguration of Rural Job Fair witnessed the presence of high-profile dignitaries namely, Mr Santosh Misra, IAS, Collector, Kancheepuram District; Mr Muruganandam, IAS., Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Corporation for Development of Women, Government of Tamil Nadu and Mr Desh Raj, Deputy Director General, (Apprenticeship Training), Ministry of Employment & Training, Government of India.

About Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) :

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) works to create and sustain an environment conducive to the growth of industry in India, partnering industry and government alike through advisory and consultative processes.

CII is a non-government, not-for-profit, industry led and industry managed organisation, playing a proactive role in India's development process. Founded over 112 years ago, it is India's premier business association, with a direct membership of over 7000 organisations from the private as well as public sectors, including SMEs and MNCs, and an indirect membership of over 90,000 companies from around 362 national and regional sectoral associations.

A facilitator, CII catalyses change by working closely with government on policy issues, enhancing efficiency, competitiveness and expanding business opportunities for industry through a range of specialised services and global linkages. For more information, visit : www.cii.in

About MARG Ltd (Formerly MARG Constructions Limited).

MARG Limited; formerly MARG Constructions Limited is among India’s fastest growing diversified Infrastructure development companies. Established in 1994, MARG Ltd is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and the Luxembourg Stock Exchanges (FCCB/GDR). The MARG group employs over 300 people.

The company pioneered Infrastructure Development on OMR, Chennai’s IT Corridor. MARG is developing the Karaikal port near Puducherry and Special Economic Zones for multi-services and light engineering including auto ancillary. MARG’s prestigious clientele includes market leaders such as Standard Chartered Bank (Scope International), Tata Consultancy Services, Satyam Computer Services, BHEL, Enercon India and Slash Support Systems.

MARG group’s verticals are broadly classified as Port & Logistics, Industrial Clusters, Commercial Infrastructure & Homes.

For more information, visit, www.Marggroup.com