Promotion of Education
Education should be a fundamental right as it is the first step towards realising the full potential of every individual, whether it’s to discover the career they want to pursue, the sports they want to play and even the extracurricular activities that will enrich their lives. However, good quality education is still not easy to come by in India.
With this in mind, the Mukul Madhav Foundation has made the promotion of education one of its core objectives. Every child deserves to start life on the right foot, which begins with school. To bring this objective to life, we have several ongoing initiatives like infrastructural support, scholarships, safe drinking water and sanitation, supporting teachers with remuneration and training, donation of sweaters, uniforms, books, stationery essentials and more, to ensure quality education for every child, whatever their circumstances.
Late Smt. Mohini Pralhad Chhabria Scholarship for Agriculture colleges of Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri
(Funded by FIL)
Finolex Industries and its CSR Partner Mukul Madhav Foundation started intervention in the spectrum of Water conservation from 2014 and completed 23 projects in the districts of Solapur, Sangli, Pune, Satara,Ratnagiri and Osmanabad in Maharashtra and it has benefited more than 3 lakh people in farming sector.
While supporting farmer with water and environment Finolex and Mukul Madhav Foundation has also initiated a program to support students from agricultural sector and MOU has been signed on 4th June 2019 to provide scholarships and assistance to 36 undergraduates, 20 Post Graduates students to the lower strata of the society at these universities.
In 2021-2022 FIL/MMF increased 2 BSc students in each college.
Today on 22nd March 2022 third year scholarship is handed over to all 10 colleges of Agriculture.
Total 76 agriculture students now benefiting through this initiative.
This will enable students to be motivated and educated with the required expertise in the field of agriculture. Finolex Industries and Mukul Madhav Foundation continue to Spread Hope and Happiness in the lives of students.
MMF Supported to school going children with school fees
(Funded by Yoshika Engineering Limited)
On 31st March 2022 Mukul Madhav Foundation and Yoshika Engineering pvt. Ltd. supported 40 students from 5th STD to 12th STD of Vidya Mahamandal’s Laxman Rao Apte School, Pune for their school fees. Students are from low income families and their parents are daily wages worker, Auto rickshaw driver, Maid and vegetable seller.
All these students are scoring very well in their academics this support will help these students to continue their education. In Jan 2021 MMF Supported 59 students for the school fees.
Laxman Rao Apte School is a very reputed and aided school, catering to children from surrounding slum and low income group children to have good education in their school.
School has retained excellence in academics over the years.
Supporting schools with Paver blocks
The coconut breaking ceremony for the Paver Blocks was conducted at Masar Primary School on 6th April 2022. This school supports 344 no of children.
Mr Ramjibhai Rabari, Sarpanch of Masar Village, Mr Jitendrabhai Patel, Principal of Masar School and Gram Panchayat Members and School staff attended the Program.
MMF Supported School going children with school fees at NMV School Pune
(Funded by Yoshika Engineering Limited)
On 31st March 2022 Mukul Madhav Foundation and Yoshika Engineering pvt. Ltd. supported 73 students from primary section of Nutan Marathi Vidyalay for their school fees. Nutan Marathi Vidyalaya is one of the oldest schools in Pune, Maharashtra, India. The school was founded by the Shikshan Prasarak Mandali, an educational charity on 1 January 1883.
Students are from low income families and their parents are daily wages worker, Auto rickshaw driver, Maid and vegetable seller.
This support will help these students to continue their education
Spreading warmth among schools in Maharashtra
(Backed by Finolex Industries)
After a brief hiatus, Mukul Madhav Foundation was back to doing what it loves to do – spreading warmth. On the 14th of February 2022, we celebrated Valentine’s Day by distributing sweaters and beanies to 347 students. We also provided remuneration to 2 teachers from the same school at Panchgani in Maharashtra.
Supported school for the mentally challenged
(Funded by Finolex Industries)
Jeevan Vardhini is a residential school for the mentally challenged in Dive Saswad, which MMF, in collaboration with Finolex Industries, has been supporting.
On 25th March, 2022, we inaugurated the newly constructed and renovated dining hall, roofing, and separate toilet block for ladies at the school.
Mr. Nilesh Ghule from FIL Maharashtra sales team, Mr. Anish Shrivastava, DGM HR , and Jitendra Jadhav attended this event alongside authorities and members from Jeevan Vardhini Mentally challenged residential school.
In the past, we have supported this home with mid day meals for at least 5 children, and we strive to provide continued support to them in the future.
Supported the teachers of Pune Women Council Anganwadi
(Backed by Finolex Industries)
Mukul Madhav Foundation has been supporting the PWC Anganwadi at Bavdhan with monthly groceries from 2018 to 2019, but due to the pandemic, the grocery support had stopped as the school remained shut.
On Gandhi Jayanti, at the request of Inner Wheel, an NGO, MMF agreed to support 3 teachers with their salary in October 2021.
Our Dream Project – Mukul Madhav Vidyalaya
Mukul Madhav Vidyalaya was opened in 2010 by the Mukul Madhav Foundation on 10 acres of land that were identified and leased by Finolex Industries. The aim of starting a school in the interior village of Golap, Ratnagiri, was to nurture students from rural areas by immersing them in an English-medium curriculum and modern facilities that were otherwise only available in urban areas.
From a humble beginning of 150 students, today Mukul Madhav Vidyalaya instructs over 660 students from nursery right up to class 12, with a junior college offering science and commerce streams, inaugurated in 2020. Even though it is set up in a rural area like Golap, Mukul Madhav Vidyalaya offers local students world-class equipment and big-city school facilities right here, and has been recognized as a school with a difference.
Here are a few unique features of the school:
- Alongside academics, importance is given to extra-curricular activities
- German is offered along with Hindi, Marathi and English
- For online classes conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, digital tablets were provided to students at a subsidised cost so that their education can continue uninterrupted
Upgrade of School Infrastructure
Many schools have excellent teachers but their infrastructure lets them down, and impairs their potential to become centres of learning. Mukul Madhav Foundation has infused many schools across India with renewed vigour, by helping upgrade their infrastructure. Whether renovations, or new labs, building new wings or halls, clean drinking water and sanitation facilities, or anything else they might need.
ZP Parishad School - Nidhal Satara: In 2021
MMF constructed a rural school building for Nidhal’s Primary school which now supports 450 students.
Pre-nursery block
Over 350 marginalised students got access to better educational infrastructure with the construction of the pre-nursery block in Henk Bruna Swamy Vivekananda Round table school, Hoskote, Bangalore:, Karnataka. This was completed as a tribute to the vision of Late Smt Mohini and Late Shri Pralhad P Chhabria, Finolex Industries Ltd.
It was inaugurated on 18th April 2021, attended by the members of Round Table India and their families – Mr Gopal Gera, Secretary, Sindhi Youth Association and Round Table Representative; Dr Sanjay Bajaj, Treasurer, PD Hinduja Sindhi Hospital; and Vivek Mrunal, Asst. Manager, Finolex Industries Limited.
BT Shahani Primary School
In 1948, Shri Bhagawandas Tarchand Shahani, an educationist, started this school for Sindhi children, and in 1954 he started a Hindi school. With 454 children, the school is in a slum at Tadiwala Road, Pune.
In 2019, MMF helped refurbish and renovate their English classrooms, added a computer lab, drinking water facilities, toilets and a multipurpose hall. This was inaugurated by Didi Krisha Kumari from Sadhu Vaswani Mission. Mr Prakash Chhabria and Mrs Ritu Prakash Chhabria, along with other members from the Foundation and the school, also attended.
We also organised a robotics workshop at the school and helped students build their own robotics projects in collaboration with ROBOTEX International . The students were trained in developing projects from scratch, promoting experiential learning through hands-on activities.
Anna Saheb Kadu Vidyalay, Satral, Ahmednagar, Maharahstra
In 2019, we provided clean drinking water, toilet facilities and a new computer lab supporting 770 students.
BJ Medical College, Sassoon General Hospital
MMF renovated and refurbished the reading room of the college in 2018, which can now accommodate 100 students
Samplawala School, Masar, Gujarat:
5 computers donated in 2018
The Lift for Upliftment project
Since 2012, over 2,900 deserving students have been provided with educational assistance through the Lift for Upliftment Project.t: MMF supports an NGO run by the students at BJ Government College, Pune, that offers free coaching to underprivileged students for NEET (Medical Entrance Examinations). The programme consists of a regular lecture series and weekly practice conducted at the Bal Vikas Shikshan Sanstha Prathamik Shala, Pune. In 2017, Mukul Madhav Foundation donated school essentials such as A4 sheets, a green board, chalks, dusters and folders.
Finolex Academy of Management and Technology, Ratnagiri
MMF provided funds for a CNC (Computer Numerical Control) milling machine, which produces custom-designed parts or components by drilling and removing material from an object using rotating cutting tools and computerised controls.
30 computers were donated
to 14 schools in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra over the last 12 years.
ZP School, Urse, Pune
Refurbished the computer lab and provided 13 computers. Besides this, we also provided a borewell to address their water scarcity concerns supporting 260 students.
Educational aid to students of Vidya Mahamandal’s Laxman Rao Apte School, Pune
On January 7th, 2021, Mukul Madhav Foundation celebrated the birth anniversary of Savitribai Phule by funding the school fees of 59 students (36 boys and 23 girls) of Vidya Mahamandal’s Laxman Rao Apte School, Pune.
This is a reputed school working with children from the surrounding slums and low-income groups, maintaining excellence in academics over the years.
Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar Municipal Schools
- Since 2006, we adopted Municipal School No. 1 and No. 2 with a total of 347 children in Panchgani, which lacked basic infrastructure and urban educational facilities. Over the years, we have upgraded their infrastructure by building new classrooms and a science lab. We continued our support by donating a TV and VCR set, an audio-visual system and CDs to enhance visual learning. Students also benefitted with the support of books, stationery, uniforms, shoes, socks and sweaters. For the Girls’ Vocational Training we equipped the school with sewing machines and, for extracurricular activities, tablas were provided. To enhance further activities, we introduced a karate teacher and funded his remuneration.
- In our mission to upgrade facilities, we convinced and supported the school to introduce English as a medium of instruction. Identifying teachers, remunerating them, and constantly updating their skills with teacher training programmes. The confidence of the students as they converse fluently in English is testament to this initiative. This also encouraged the school to expand its facilities to the 8th grade. Besides the academics, we have also conducted annual health camps for the students.
- To promote urban education and e-learning in zila parishad schools of Maharashtra, MMF – in association with the Poona North Rotary Charitable Trust (PNRCT) and Mr Kulbir Dodd – began a project in 3 municipal schools of Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani. Tablets were pre-loaded with Akshardhara, a new-age learning app for 1st to 3rd grade students, developed by Tata Consultancy Services. 60 tablets (20 per school) were provided along with maintenance support that has impacted the language skills of over 300 students between 2015 and 2018, constantly upgrading the software to keep it relevant to the students’ growing abilities.
- Besides the schools in Panchgani, similar upgrades of schools have also been undertaken in Mahabaleshwar, Satara, Ratnagiri and Pune.
Schools adopted in Gujarat
Since 2015, we have been supporting Masar and Abhor villages in Gujarat with English teachers in Masar Primary School, Girdhar Vidhyalaya, and MMP Sampalawala School. We have actively assessed their infrastructure and upgraded the same wherever necessary, also donating laboratory, office and sports equipment. In 2016, we set up computer skill development centres in and around these schools so students could attend computer classes before they began their regular school hours. They provided a certified course conducted by trained professionals from Baroda. Sessions for adults are also conducted later in the day. Our commitment to the schools and the academic development of the students motivated us to identify, engage and retain top-quality teachers at competitive compensation packages. They now instruct students in English, computers and ancillary subjects. Besides academics, we have also endeavoured to leave an impact on the students of these schools by setting up a rainwater harvesting system, RO filtered water facility, toilets and even planting trees in their immediate vicinity.
Mahatma Gandhi School, Pune
Founded on 14th June 2014 by Vinayak Deokar, Mahatma Gandhi School is a free English medium school. We are currently educating 366 kids who are orphans or children of prisoners, daily wagers, domestic workers, and single mothers residing in the slums in and around Yerwada in Pune. This school is continually working to uplift underprivileged children through education as they are the essence and future of our country. MMF is supporting 5 teachers in Mahatma Gandhi School with salaries and has also provided 4 computers and 25 benches.
In addition to this, parents of these children have been provided with ration kits.
Snehalaya Institute, Pune
Snehalaya Institute is a Pune-based NGO currently working with 65 children (aged between 5-25) with cerebral palsy. Mukul Madhav Foundation, has been associated with this institute since September 2021 as part of its mission to support children with cerebral palsy. Mukul Madhav Foundation began its journey by providing a full medical assessment for these children and thereafter incorporating weekly speech therapy sessions for 15 children, providing 9 orthopaedic devices and helping to design comfortable, easy-to-wear outfits for these very special children. Additionally, 3 special educators have been identified and paid on a monthly basis to enhance educational skills for these students.
Scholarships and Education Supported
- English Language App – CATs: This has been developed by the Cambridge University in London and is owned by the Cambridge Education and Development Trust. It is a solution to master the English language at all levels. It is an innovative, world-class app with a comprehensive suite for learning.
- In 2021, the management subsidised 90% of its registration cost for MMV. So far, 201 students and 30 teachers from MMV have undergone this training and have found it encouraging and innovative.
- In 2019, the Late Smt Mohini P Chhabria Scholarship was instituted by MMF to encourage agricultural studies. 36 BSc and 20 MSc agriculture graduates from the underprivileged strata of society were identified, interviewed and given scholarships at Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth in Ahmednagar, at Agriculture College, Pune, and at Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri. In 2021, an additional 20 students were awarded scholarships, taking the total to 76 students.
- In 2019, MMF instituted 13 female students for a nursing programme through The Lila Poonawalla Foundation. These students are supported throughout the 4-year BSc Nursing programme.
- SOS Children’s Village, Yerwada, is a home for disadvantaged children that helps them shape their futures and contributes to their development. To support this institution, in 2018, MMF adopted 25 children, aged 10 to 16, to provide educational facilities at Rs. 21,600 per child for one year.
- In 2018, 2 students at Symbiosis Nursing College, Pune, received scholarships and have now graduated with a Masters in Nursing (MSc).
- Udyan Foundation is a home in Kolkata for children of leprosy-stricken parents. MMF has adopted 4 children (2 boys and 2 girls) to sponsor their schooling and mess fees in 2018. This was a one-year programme.
- With our support, 18 students have received a scholarship at Samparc NGO, Pune, since 2018. has been working in the states of Maharashtra, Rajasthan, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh for 29 years to provide childcare, education and rehabilitation to underprivileged children. This is done through community education support programmes and skill development to rural school dropouts through an industrial training centre and a vocational training centre; schools, junior colleges with hostel facilities for poor, rural and tribal students; medical centre and mobile medical unit for the rural poor; women’s empowerment and entrepreneurship development activities for rural women; development of tribal families through livelihood and education support programmes to tribal children and counselling services to children and women.
- In 2016, we sponsored the fellowship of a Teach for India candidate for a year. On completing the fellowship, the candidate now teaches at a government school in Pune.
- A Fellowship for Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at KEM Hospital, Pune, was instituted by MMF in 2008 and continues.
An Art Collaboration with Khula Aasmaan, Indiaart
Since 2015, Finolex and Mukul Madhav Foundation have collaborated with Khula Aasmaan, an online art contest that attracts entries from across India and abroad. On 25th March 2020, with the imposition of the national lockdown, we announced the art project “Art in the Time of Corona” to spread hope and positivity by encouraging people to express themselves through art. This 21-day art project was met with great enthusiasm seeing over 250 participants from 3 year olds to 99 year olds sharing their drawings, paintings and other art ideas right from day 1. Each artwork was a creative response to the unprecedented crisis of the pandemic. You can view the entire lockdown art collection here https://india-art.blog/lockdown-art-collection-21days/.
Children's Day celebrations at Sabari Foundation, Chennai
Sabari Pratishthan is an NGO in Chennai working for the well-being of children for the last 11 years. They have been organising an event for children – Bal Mahotsav and Bal Jallosh. MMF sponsored Bal Jallosh 2018 and 2019 with refreshments.
Bhumi’s event: Nakshatra, 2019
On August 15, 2006, Bhumi, a registered NGO, was founded by a group of friends in Pune who believed that every underprivileged child deserves a quality education. Since then, Bhumi has transformed this conviction into a volunteering opportunity for India’s youth, launching a snowball effect of nurturing talent on the path to an educated, poverty-free India.
MMF sponsored lunch for 850 children at their cultural event called Nakshatra in 2019 in Pune.
Science on Wheels
In 2017, an innovative idea was implemented by MMF in association with Finolex Industries. A senior, retired science professor was provided with a two-wheeler and science lab equipment to conduct experiments at schools that lack infrastructure for science laboratories. This practice enabled students to witness practicals and experiments physically.
Supported the ROBA Trust, Dehradun, for English language training for students appearing for their NDA examination
Mukul Madhav Foundation is honoured to be supporting the Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC), which is providing suitable education and training to boys to ensure a high pass rate through the ROBA Trust (Rimcollian Old Boys Association) by funding the remuneration of two English teachers since 2017. This institute prepares Indian cadets for admission into the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, UK, as a part of the Indianisation programme of the officer cadre of the Indian Army.
The ROBA Trust is focussed on improving the quality of education at this college. The students hail from all states of India on a pro-rata basis with 50% of cadets being from the lower strata of society. There are no reserved seats for any category, and the selection is based strictly on merit.
Chotti Si Asha
A joint initiative by Rotary India, Rotary Club of Bombay, and Wizcraft International- “Chhoti Si Asha” was launched to improve the future of disadvantaged children. Finolex Industries and MMF joined this mission to support 800 disadvantaged children. This has been stalled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Bhatkya Vimukta Jati Shikshan Sanstha (BVJSS) in Pune
MMF successfully raised Rs 29.25 lacs for the Bhatkya Vimukta Jati Shikshan Sanstha (BVJSS) Ashram Shala in Wagholi, Pune, which is an orphanage housing 400 children. BVJSS is serving orphans, single-parent, poor, needy and divyang children as well as blind and deaf children since 1987.
Fundraising was done with the help of Mr Sanjay Hinduja from Gulf Oil, Mr Utkarsh Munot, ZF Steering Gear India Ltd, Mr Sanjiv Aurora from Indo Global Infrastructure & Utility Services Pvt Ltd, and Finolex Industries Ltd.
In 2016, we helped rebuild BVJSS’s 4 kitchens, dining area, waterproofed the entire building, purchased new cupboards, repaired existing doors and windows and placed new ones where needed, and donated 60 bunk beds, 120 mattresses and pillows, 8 cupboards, 400 uniforms, 400 bedsheets with pillow covers, and 400 Sholapuri chaddars for the children. We also painted the Sai Baba statue outside this ashram. It was indeed a heartwarming experience to see the children enjoying the better, safer conditions.
Further, Mr and Mrs Manish Jaitha of Jivraj Baloo Trust donated Rs. 5 Lacs to begin a vocational project of goat farming in the second home of BVJSS in Pabal, Maharashtra (35 km further from Wagholi) where 50 children, who are mentally or physically challenged, reside. This project not only helps the children develop vocational skills but also solves the problem of providing milk to all the children at the Wagholi house.