Empowering Underprivileged Children: An Interview with Mamta Saikia, CEO of Bharti Foundation

By Rusen Kumar

Meet Mamta Saikia, CEO of Bharti Foundation and a seasoned development sector professional with over 28 years of experience. In this interview, we will learn about Mamta’s leadership and strategic direction for Bharti Foundation’s programs, as well as her recognition as one of India’s ‘100 Women Achievers’ by the Ministry of Women & Child Development and a felicitation by the President of India. Excerpts:

Rusen Kumar: Hello Mamta, thank you for taking the time to speak with us today. Can you tell us a little bit about your background and how you became involved with Bharti Foundation?

Mamta Saikia: Thank you for having me, Rusen. I have always been passionate about working in the development sector and have over 28 years of experience in this field. I joined Bharti Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Bharti Enterprises, in 2004 and have been privileged to play a role in giving shape to our Trustees’ vision to provide quality and holistic education opportunities to underprivileged children and young people of our country.

Rusen Kumar: Can you tell us about your current role as CEO of Bharti Foundation and your responsibilities there?

Mamta Saikia: As CEO of Bharti Foundation, it is my responsibility to provide strategic direction and leadership to our programs. We have several initiatives aimed at improving education for underprivileged children and young people in India, and it is my job to ensure that these programs are running effectively and making a positive impact.

Bharti Foundation’s Satya Bharti Quality Support Program (QSP) works with government schools to address challenges and improve student outcomes. The program has reached over 3.1 lakh students in 808 government schools in over ten states.

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Bharti Foundation also has a Large-Scale Initiatives (LSI) program that covers schools in an entire block or district, with interventions focused on leadership empowerment for school heads, support for the implementation of the National Education Policy, and building life skills in students. The organization has seen positive impacts through QSP and LSI, including improved learning outcomes and a reduction in dropout rates.

Rusen Kumar: That’s great to hear about the successful integration of technology in education. Can you share some data or specific examples of the impact these initiatives have had on student outcomes?

Mamta Saikia: Of course. For example, our virtual teacher program has been particularly effective in remote locations where access to quality teachers is often a challenge. By using devices and the internet to beam in virtual teachers from other cities, we are able to provide students in these areas with a high-quality education experience. The virtual teachers are supported by young teachers in the classroom to engage with students and ensure their learning needs are being met. In terms of specific data, we have seen an increase in student attendance and retention rates in schools where we have implemented the virtual teacher program.

Rusen Kumar: How can companies partner with Bharti Foundation’s programs and initiatives?

Mamta Saikia: Bharti Foundation believes in collaboration as a way to achieve sustainable goals and has established partnerships with a range of stakeholders, including grassroot communities. Companies can support Bharti Foundation through financial and material contributions and employee mentorship to help underprivileged children develop important life skills.

Rusen Kumar: That’s great to hear. Can you share with us some examples of how companies have partnered with Bharti Foundation in the past?

Mamta Saikia: We have had several successful partnerships with companies in the past. For example, one company partnered with us to set up computer labs in our schools, while another provided material support for building infrastructure. We have also had employees from various companies volunteer their time to mentor and support the children in our programs. We value these partnerships and the support they provide to help us achieve our mission.

Rusen Kumar: Bharti Foundation has received several accolades for its work, including your own recognition as one of India’s ‘100 Women Achievers’ by the Ministry of Women & Child Development. Can you tell us more about this recognition and any other notable achievements of Bharti Foundation?

Mamta Saikia: It was a great honor to be recognized as one of India’s ‘100 Women Achievers’ by the Ministry of Women & Child Development. At Bharti Foundation, we are committed to improving education and making a positive impact on the lives of underprivileged children and young people. We have seen some notable achievements through our programs, including the establishment of our flagship Satya Bharti Schools, the launch of the Satya Bharti Quality Support Program to work with government schools, and the implementation of our Large-Scale Initiatives program to cover schools in an entire block or district. These initiatives have helped to improve learning outcomes and reduce dropout rates in the communities we serve.

Rusen Kumar: Thank you for sharing that with us, Mamta. As we wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to add about Bharti Foundation and your work there?

Mamta Saikia: I would just like to thank you for this opportunity to speak about Bharti Foundation and the important work we are doing to improve education for underprivileged children and young people in India. We are dedicated to making a positive impact and are grateful for the support of our partners and donors. We hope to continue this important work for many years to come.

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