Education

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is becoming more central to societal expectations from commercial organizations, and spending a certain percentage of corporate income on societal welfare has received the support of legislative sanction in 2014. – Vatika Singh Quality Education, enlisted as Goal 4 under UN SDGs (SDG4), aims to “Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all” by 2030. In this context, the National Education Policy 2020 was laid down as the 1st Education Policy of the 21st century, aiming to address the many growing developmental imperatives of the country. The policy provided for revising and revamping all aspects of the education structure. By leveraging CSR initiatives and addressing key challenges, rural education in India

16th August 2024: Kotak Education Foundation (KEF), the CSR implementing agency of Kotak Mahindra Group, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IIT Bombay on 12th August 2024. In a bid to empower promising women from underserved communities at IIT Bombay and support their academic journeys, IIT Bombay and KEF have joined forces to offer an exclusive Kotak Kanya-IIT Bombay Scholarship. This initiative underscores our commitment to nurturing talent and facilitating access to quality education. The MoU was exchanged under the able leadership and in the esteemed presence of Prof. Ravindra D. Gudi, Dean of Alumni and Corporate Relations, IIT Bombay; Prof. Pratibha Sharma, Associate Dean Academic Programs, IIT Bombay; Prof. Pradeepkumar PI, Chairperson, Institute Scholarships Committee, IIT Bombay; Mr.

7 August 2024: Kotak Education Foundation (KEF), the CSR implementing agency of Kotak Mahindra Group, announced 500 scholarships under the Kotak Kanya Scholarship program, doubling the number of scholars as it enters its 4th year, to support higher education of meritorious girls from economically disadvantaged section across India. The scholarship program aims to empower the girl students by providing them with financial support of INR 1,50,000 per year across 4 – 5 years, enabling them to pursue their higher education without financial constraints. Besides Financial assistance, the scholarship facilitates holistic development of the scholars through intensive student engagement and finishing school activities. The response and outcomes from the Kotak Kanya Scholarship in the first three years were truly inspiring and

5 August 2024: Reckitt, a consumer health and hygiene company, has launched the Dettol School Hygiene Education Programme in Delhi under its flagship campaign, Dettol Banega Swasth India. In collaboration with Jagran Pehel, the social initiative arm of Dainik Jagran, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to implement the campaign across MCD schools in 12 zones of Delhi. The initiative aims to reach 4.5 million beneficiaries, including schoolchildren, teachers, and parents, encouraging and empowering communities to adopt better WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) behaviors and practices. Launched by campaign ambassador Ayushmann Khurrana, the Dettol School Hygiene Education Programme will focus on promoting hygiene practices by training teachers and students and raising

30th July 2024: AkzoNobel, maker of Dulux Paints, celebrated five years of Project Parivartan – its flagship education initiative – in the Mohali district of Punjab by gifting a new dose of joy to nearly 800 children and faculty of two Government High Schools at Mauli Baidwan and Saneta in the district. Throughout summer vacations, 10 employees from AkzoNobel’s Mohali plant and Dulux’s skilled painters volunteered their time and talent to create eight inspiring murals with nearly 700 liters of Dulux paints. Rajiv Rajgopal, Chairman and Managing Director of Akzo Nobel India, elaborates, “As AkzoNobel Cares, it’s been our privilege to play a role in painting a more vibrant and empowered future for young students of Mohali. We are proud