This Children's Day, I am reminded of the incredible potential within each child. As an educator, I feel humbled and privileged to play my part in empowering children to soar using the most valuable asset that can bring about a change in their lives - education. As I reflect on my journey with the Adani Foundation, I feel overwhelmed with the positive transformation we have created, and continue to create, in the lives of more than 90,000 students. In all these years, I have come across countless talented students who have inspired me. Their stories are a testament to the fact that with sheer hard work, coupled with the right support and mentorship, even the most challenging circumstances can be overcome. I am proud to celebrate these students, their hard work, dedication, and innocence.

Early years at Adani Vidya Mandir, Ahmedabad

My association with the Adani Foundation began in the year 2008, when I joined Adani Vidya Mandir Ahmedabad (AVMA) as a Hindi teacher. Little did I know that this wasn't just a job that I had taken up - it was a place where I met some remarkable young minds who would inspire me with their resilience, determination and perseverance. As a teacher, they touched my heart in ways I hadn't imagined and altered my perspective on the profound importance of education in one's life.

AVMA isn't just a school; it's a sanctuary for young minds brimming with potential yet held back due to financial constraints. From my very first day, I came across students who, despite their challenging backgrounds, showed incredible potential. Over the years, I witnessed three batches of AVM (Adani Vidya Mandir) students graduate, and it is a sheer delight to watch them soar high in life.

One of the most inspiring stories I have come across is Honey Gupta. Coming from modest beginnings, Honey joined AVM in class 8^th and quickly distinguished herself through her academic excellence and unwavering hard work. Today, she is pursuing a PhD at the prestigious Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC) in Mumbai. Her journey is a testament to the transformative power of education and is among many stories which strengthen my resolve to positively keep impacting as many lives as possible.

A New Chapter in Surguja, Chhattisgarh

A fresh set of experiences awaited me when I joined Adani Vidya Mandir in Surguja, Chhattisgarh in 2015 as the principal. The school caters primarily to students belonging to tribal communities. The students faced unique challenges — geographic isolation, cultural barriers, and limited access to resources. However, these factors hold little relevance as their quest for learning and growth overpowers these issues. During my stint in Surguja, I realized that education, indeed, is the tool which we can use to change the world. Our team of dedicated teachers remained passionate and committed to unlocking the true potential of every student, instilling confidence and self-esteem in them, thereby making them ready to tackle their academic challenges and pursue excellence.

Creating a Positive Impact through Project Utthan

In 2018, I returned to Ahmedabad, stepping into a leadership role at the Adani Foundation’s head office. I took charge of Utthan – a unique CSR education initiative of the Adani Foundation which aims to improve the learning outcomes of students, especially progressive learners, in government schools. As part of this intervention, the Foundation also runs Adani Competitive Coaching Centers, Adani Evening Education Centres and various scholarship programmes. With a team of over 230 empowered educators called Utthan Sahayaks, we strive to enhance the academic performance of students, mostly belonging to underserved communities in rural areas.

While driving this project, I have yet again come across students who have appalled me with their exceptional talents and dedication towards studies. One of them is Chandan Jain, a resident of Kawai, Rajasthan, who suffers from disability in one hand. Coming from a financially challenging background, Chandan hoped to secure an admission into Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya - government-run schools which provide free education and lodging facilities. He enrolled at our Adani Competitive Coaching Centre in the region. Through his sheer hard work and dedication, Chandan fulfilled his dream and secured an admission into a JNV school.

Another remarkable student is Buddhadev Mandal. Buddhadev, a resident of Bhadrak, Odisha, belongs to a fisherfolk community. While his family struggled to make ends meet, Buddhadev dreamt of pursuing his passion for Mathematics, and make a mark on the world stage. He came across Vidyaratna – a scholarship programme being run by the Adani Foundation in the region. With his hard work and determination, Buddhadev not just bagged the scholarship, but also secured an admission into the prestigious IIT Madras, thus inching closer to his dream.

I am inspired by these stories, as they boost my resolve to contribute to a cause where we can truly make a positive difference in the lives of children. These stories are also a testament to the transformative impact that right guidance and opportunities can have on a child’s life, thereby empowering him/ her to soar high.

Adani Vidya Mandir: Where Dreams Take Flight

The Foundation has been running four Adani Vidya Mandir schools in Ahmedabad, Bhadreshwar (in Gujarat) Surguja (Chhatisgarh) and Krishnapatnam (Andhra Pradesh). These schools provide free world-class education to children from economically disadvantaged families. Besides academics, these schools cover all associated costs - uniforms, books, meals, and transportation—eliminating financial barriers to education.

Since its inception in 2008, AVM Ahmedabad alone has produced over 500 alumni, many of whom are now employed at leading multinational corporations (MNCs) such as Google, Amazon, Intas, and Intel. These students, most of them first-generation learners, are often the first in their families to break free from the cycle of poverty, becoming beacons of hope and inspiration for other children within their communities.

As the Adani Foundation continues to empower children academically, I feel privileged to contribute my bit. Besides academics, the Foundation is also honing them in co-curricular activities and sports, besides training them to become more compassionate, humble and responsible citizens of the country. It is heartening and a pure joy to see our students reach for the sky and break all barriers to chart a brighter future for themselves and their families.

With 41 Adani schools and dedicated programs which are benefiting children from underserved backgrounds, the Adani Foundation is working to foster a culture of resilience and excellence, thereby creating a legacy of growth, goodness and hope. This Children’s Day, I feel extremely grateful to be able to play my part in shaping the future of so many bright, talented young minds. Collectively, let us keep empowering more and more children to unlock their talents and potential.