The Cardiological Society of India has reported roughly a 30% increase in cardiac arrests over the last 10 years. Against this backdrop, Mission Prafulla reflects the organisation's belief that life-saving skills should extend beyond healthcare professionals and be accessible to people who may be the first to respond during a medical emergency.
Through the initiative, Volkswagen Group Digital Solutions India has equipped employees with the knowledge and confidence to act during critical situations, both inside and outside the workplace, potentially making a difference to families and communities in their neighbourhoods.
Mission Prafulla was launched in memory of Prafulla, a colleague who suffered a cardiac arrest. The incident highlighted the importance of timely intervention and prompted the organisation to establish a structured programme focused on emergency preparedness and life-saving response capabilities.
Sidharth Yadav, Group CEO, Volkswagen Group Digital Solutions, said, “By making our workforce cardiac emergency-ready, we are creating waves that extend far beyond our organization. Every employee trained in CPR has the potential to save a life, whether at work, at home, or anywhere in the world. We view this initiative as a meaningful contribution to society, empowering individuals with life-saving skills and helping build safer, more resilient communities for the future.”
Soumi Alphons, Chief People Officer, Volkswagen Group Digital Solutions India, said, “This initiative was born from a tragedy that touched us deeply, the loss of our colleague, Prafulla. It made us realize how critical the first few minutes of a medical emergency can be and inspired us to ensure that our employees are equipped to respond when it matters most. Over the past two years, we have worked tirelessly to provide practical CPR training to every employee. Through this initiative, we aim to create a culture of care, preparedness, and potentially life-saving action, both within and beyond the workplace.”
The programme has already demonstrated its impact beyond the organisation's premises. At Mumbai Airport, employees returning from a business trip responded when an individual suffered a cardiac arrest. Drawing on their BLS training, they administered CPR, used an AED and coordinated emergency assistance until professional medical responders arrived. Their timely intervention contributed to saving the individual's life.
In another incident, an employee applied the training to assist an individual experiencing a severe seizure while alone at home. The employee provided critical support during the emergency until additional help arrived.
These incidents illustrate how emergency response training can prepare employees to assist people in situations that extend beyond their professional responsibilities. As conversations around preventive healthcare, emergency response and cardiac awareness continue to grow in India, Mission Prafulla is contributing to the development of a broader community of trained first responders.
By equipping employees with practical life-saving skills, Volkswagen Group Digital Solutions India is demonstrating how organisations can strengthen emergency preparedness beyond office premises and extend these capabilities into surrounding communities.
Having completed BLS training for 100% of its workforce, the organisation will continue the programme for all new employees. This will help ensure that emergency response preparedness remains an ongoing capability across the organisation rather than a one-time training exercise.
Mission Prafulla highlights how workplace learning can extend beyond professional development by equipping individuals to respond when every second counts. The initiative reinforces Volkswagen Group Digital Solutions India's commitment to fostering a culture of care, preparedness and social responsibility while contributing to greater awareness of emergency response and public health preparedness in India.
Volkswagen Group Digital Solutions India is the Global Capability Center for technology and digital innovation for the Volkswagen Group, driving digital transformation across all customers, products and enterprise domains. With more than 4,500 technology professionals, the organisation develops AI-powered products, digital platforms and scalable solutions that support some of the world's most iconic automotive brands, including Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, Lamborghini, Skoda, Bentley, MAN, Scania, TRATON, Ducati, CUPRA, SEAT and other Volkswagen Group enterprises.
Volkswagen is India's Top 100 Great Place to Work, Top 50 Workplaces for Health and Wellness and Top 100 Best Place to Work for Women in 2026.
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