IIFL Foundation, one of India’s largest education focused organizations has taken a lead to collaborate with the Government of Rajasthan for transforming Maa Baadi centres as a ‘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 education fold.
The initiative aims to enhance the academic learning of the students through introduction of ‘Digital Tools’ (Multimedia based teaching over TV & Android Tablet), access to healthy sanitation facility, development of play area and upgrading Maa Baadi as a ‘Green Structure’ through installation of solar panels.
On 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 upgradation, in presence of Gulab Chand Kataria (MLA – Udaipur, Former Home Minister – Rajasthan), Amrutlal 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 level among marginalized communities (Scheduled Tribe) native to 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 world class education. We appreciate 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 repair of the structure, improving sanitation facility, and building play area 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 programs – ‘Sakhiyon Ki Baadi’ – which has already educated over 36,000 girls in rural districts of Rajasthan.
