This World Literacy Day, Jaipuria highlights a philanthropic commitment that began with education access for underserved children and has grown to include skilling, livelihoods and pathways to greater independence
NEW DELHI (India CSR): For Devyani Jaipuria, education has been a personal area of philanthropic focus for more than two decades. What began with Shiksha Kendra as an effort to create access to education for children from underserved communities has grown into a sustained initiative spanning education and skill development, reaching more than 25,000 students over the years.
This World Literacy Day, Jaipuria is highlighting the work as a long-term commitment to creating opportunities that extend beyond access to a classroom. Through Shiksha Kendra and the Pravah Skill Development Centre, the focus has been on helping children continue their education, supporting young people with skills and creating pathways towards employment and greater independence.
The impact can be seen in the journeys of students who have gone on to become Chartered Accountants at Deloitte and secure placements with organisations including Amazon, SpiceJet, ICICI Bank, Tata Solar and Decathlon. One student is currently pursuing nursing studies in Georgia after receiving educational support through the initiative. Several women who completed skill development training have also gone on to start their own boutiques and beauty businesses. High-performing students from the evening schools have, in some cases, moved into fully sponsored seats in mainstream morning schools.
“Our intention was always to build something lasting, an institution rather than a programme. An institution keeps creating opportunity year after year, touching more lives than any single effort ever could. That, to me, is the most meaningful kind of impact on education and social mobility, the kind that grows gently with time and carries forward across generations,” said Devyani Jaipuria, Pro Vice Chairperson of DPS and Director on the Board of RJ Corp.
At the heart of the work is the belief that education can become a meaningful route to greater independence when it is accompanied by the right support and opportunities. Over the years, the focus has therefore extended beyond enrolment and access to include skilling, career opportunities and the confidence to build livelihoods.
For Jaipuria, the work represents a long-term approach to philanthropy—one that seeks to create institutions and pathways that continue to generate opportunities rather than remain limited to individual interventions.
(India CSR)
