Vidyadhan Celebrates 25 Years of Impact with ‘Partnering for Social Impact’ Event

Hyderabad, January 29, 2025 – Vidyadhan, a Shibulal Family Philanthropic Initiative (SFPI), proudly marks its 25-year journey with the ‘Partnering for Social Impact’ event, held at the KLN Prasad Auditorium, Hyderabad. This milestone event brings together thought leaders, policymakers, corporates, and community members to foster innovative collaborations aimed at increasing the Gross Enrolment Ratio in higher education by addressing Access, Awareness, and Affordability (AAA Factors).

Celebrating a Legacy of Transformation

Since its inception in 1999, Vidyadhan, under the Shibulal Family Philanthropic Initiatives, has been a beacon of hope for meritorious students from economically disadvantaged families. Over the past 25 years, Vidyadhan has supported over 14,000 students through 50,000 scholarships across 20 states and Union Territories, including 1,200 students in Telangana since 2016. The program’s rigorous selection process ensures that only the most deserving students receive comprehensive financial aid, mentoring, and training to pursue higher education.

Event Highlights

The ‘Partnering for Social Impact’ event showcased Vidyadhan’s vision to achieve 1 lakh scholarships by 2030 and brought together nearly 250 students, alumni, and parents, industry representatives and non-profit organizations.

  • Round Table Discussion: Esteemed speakers, including Vidyadhan founders Mrs. Kumari Shibulal and Mr. S.D. Shibulal, alongside representatives from TSIG and HYSEA, explored innovative collaboration models to expand higher education access.
  • Celebrating Success Stories: Inspiring accounts from Vidyadhan students and alumni highlighted the transformative impact of the initiative in Telangana and beyond.
  • Panel Discussion: Experts deliberated on ‘Partnering for Social Impact’, focusing on sustainable and scalable solutions for higher education and employability challenges.
  • Distribution of scholarships to the new students selected for the current academic year.

Dignitaries and Key Speakers

The event featured prominent personalities such as:

  • Smt. D. Anasuya Seethakka (Hon. Minister, Panchayat Raj & Rural Development, Women & Child Welfare, Telangana)
  • Mr. R. Subrahmanyam, I.A.S (Former Secretary to GOI (Higher Education, SocialJustice), Secretary, CRISP)
  • Amir Ullah Khan, (Member, TSPSC),
  • Raghu Boddupally, VP, Infosys
  • Archana Suresh, (Director, TSIG),
  • Smita Sharma, (Global Program Manager-CSR, UST) and
  • Asha Thomas, (COO, SFPI)

A Fireside Chat with the Founders

A special highlight was a fireside chat with Mr. S.D. Shibulal and Mrs. Kumari Shibulal, moderated by Vidyadhan students, who engaged in a heartfelt dialogue about their vision, challenges, and the path forward for Vidyadhan.

Smt. D. Anasuya Seethakka (Hon. Minister, Panchayat Raj & Rural Development, Women & Child Welfare, Telangana), who was the chief guest of the event said “What Vidyadhan has achieved over the past 25 years is truly inspiring. Its work in Telangana has empowered thousands of students from underprivileged backgrounds to achieve their full potential. I am honoured to be part of this milestone celebration. It is crucial for the government, corporate sector, and NGOs to work together to ensure that higher education is accessible to disadvantaged students in society. This collective effort has the power to transform lives for generations. The Telangana government is fully committed to supporting initiatives like Vidyadhan to ensure that no child in the state is left behind”.

Speaking at the event, Mrs. Kumari Shibulal, Vidyadhan Founder, said “Every child deserves a chance to dream and achieve, and Vidyadhan has been a catalyst for making those dreams a reality. This event is a testament to the power of collaboration and the potential we can unlock when communities come together for a shared purpose.”

Mr. S.D. Shibulal, Co-Founder, Infosys, and Vidyadhan adds that, “The last 25 years of Vidyadhan have been a journey of impact and empowerment. Through education, we aim to break the cycle of poverty and create a generation of confident, self-reliant individuals. Today, as we celebrate this milestone, I am filled with hope for the future and remain committed to scaling Vidyadhan to reach 1 lakh scholarships by 2030.”

Ms Meera Rajeevan, Chief Operating Officer, Vidyadhan further added that “The Vidyadhan program is a living example of what sustained efforts and partnerships can achieve. Over the years, we have witnessed students overcoming incredible odds to achieve their dreams. This celebration is not just about looking back at our accomplishments but also about envisioning the path forward with renewed commitment.”

The Road Ahead

With a mission to break the cycle of poverty through education, Vidyadhan envisions a future where every meritorious student, regardless of financial background, has the opportunity to achieve their academic and career dreams. This event reaffirmed its commitment to building stronger partnerships and expanding its reach across India.

About Vidyadhan

Vidyadhan empowers underserved students to pursue higher education through scholarships, training, and mentoring. The initiative’s transparent and inclusive model has been a catalyst for social change, impacting thousands of lives. Learn more at www.vidyadhan.org.

About Shibulal Family Philanthropic Initiatives (SFPI)

Driven by a deep sense of responsibility toward society, the Shibulal Family Philanthropic Initiatives (SFPI) has been transforming lives for over 20 years through focused efforts in education, healthcare, and organic farming. Founded by Mrs. Kumari Shibulal and Mr. S.D. Shibulal, SFPI operates on the belief that education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty, a principle that shaped the founders’ own journeys.

SFPI’s initiatives—Ankur, The Samhita Academy, Vidyadhan, Vidyarakshak, and ShikshaLokam—empower underserved communities, creating opportunities for a better future. By addressing both foundational and higher education needs, the organization takes a 360-degree approach to impact children, families, and communities.

In addition to its programs, SFPI supports education-focused start-ups, enabling capacity building and improving access to quality learning for underserved groups. Every member of the Shibulal family is personally involved, guided by a shared vision to bridge inequity and create meaningful change. Learn more at www.sfpi.org

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