Rajasthan: IIFL Foundation, one of India’s largest education-focused organisations has taken a lead to collaborate with the Government of Rajasthan for transforming Maa Baadi centres as child-friendly Model Maa Baadi Centres for over 1500 children. This is IIFL Foundation’s second large education initiative after the successful girl child literacy initiative – Sakhiyon Ki Baadi – which had brought over 36,000 out-of-school girl children into the education fold.
The initiative aims to enhance the academic learning of the students through the introduction of Digital Tools (multimedia-based teaching over TV and Android tablets), access to a healthy sanitation facility, development of play areas and upgrading MaaBaadi as a green structure through the installation of solar panels.
On the auspicious occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, the Model Maa Baadi centre developed at Kharbar Panchayat at Sarada block of Udaipur was handed over to the department upon up-gradation, in the presence of Gulab Chandji Kataria (MLA – Udaipur, Former Home Minister – Rajasthan), Amrutlalji Meena (MLA – Salumbar), Basanti Devi Meena (Pradhan – Sarada) and Laxmi Narayan Pandya (TAC, Rajasthan).
Nirmal Jain (Chairman – IIFL Group) and Madhu Jain (Director – IIFL Foundation) were present as good Samaritans, supporting the cause for elevating literacy levels among marginalised communities of southern Rajasthan.
Gulab Chand Kataria said, “Children in cities have access to digital learning tools, but this initiative is a blessing for our students from tribal communities living in remote villages to have access to a world-class education. We appreciate the efforts of IIFL Foundation who are going that extra mile to grant opportunity to students, to have a brighter academic future.”
Madhu Jain, Director, IIFL Foundation said, “We believe providing quality in education the best we can do to improve a child’s full potential. We are grateful to all the support from the government and communities and expect to reach out to more children across Rajasthan.”
Maa Baadi centres governed by SWACH Project are an undertaking of Tribal Area Development Dept. (TAD), Government of Rajasthan. In its first phase, IIFL Foundation is redeveloping Maa Baadi centres located Udaipur (Sarada Block) and Pali (Bali block). The Foundation is also conducting repairs of the structure, improving sanitation facilities, and building play areas for students. A dedicated resource team is appointed to monitor and facilitate the initiative.
IIFL Foundation is the CSR arm of diversified financial conglomerate IIFL Group, which runs one of India’s largest girl child education programmes – Sakhiyon Ki Baadi – which has already educated over 36,000 girls in rural districts of Rajasthan.
