VIDYADHAN HIGHER EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP- 2025 DISTRIBUTED; PLANS TO SCALE THE PROGRAM IN UTTAR PRADESH
Bangalore , November 2025: The Vidyadhan Scholarship program, an initiative of Shibulal Family Philanthropic Initiatives (SFPI), was launched in Uttar Pradesh in 2023. This program currently supports approximately 960 students in the state, offering them scholarships and mentorship. Moving forward, Vidyadhan is committed to expanding and strengthening this initiative in the coming years.
An interaction with Vidyadhan scholars and their parents from the Varanasi Division was organized at the Project Mala school in Guriya village, near Varanasi, on November 12, coinciding with the visit of SFPI Trustee and Vidyadhan Patron Kumari Shibulal. During the event, scholarships were also awarded to new Vidyadhan students from the Varanasi region. It is noteworthy that the Vidyadhan program achieved the fastest scaling in Uttar Pradesh among all 22 states/Union Territories where the scholarship is currently offered. Attending the function were Annie Gilmour, Trustee and Education Adviser, Project Mala (U.K.); Asha Thomas, Trustee and COO of SFPI; Meera Rajeevan, Trustee and COO of Vidyadhan; Anil Sahu, CEO, Project Mala; and Mukesh Dubey, Director, Project Mala.
Vidyadhan provides long-term, higher education scholarships, starting from class 11 till the completion of graduation to meritorious students from economically disadvantaged families. The program is run by Sarojini Damodaran Foundation (www.sdfoundationindia.com), set up by Kumari Shibulal and S. D. Shibulal (Co-Founder and ex-CEO Infosys) as part of SFPI. Launched in Kerala in 1999, Vidyadhan is currently active in 22 states and UTs of India. By 2030, the program aims to offer one lakh scholarships to underprivileged students across all states.
The scholarship amount for graduation ranges from Rs 25,000 to Rs 100,000 per year. Vidyadhan also provides soft-skills training, career guidance and employability skills enhancement. So far, the Vidyadhan scholarship program has awarded more than 63,000 scholarships across the country. These scholarships are offered across medical, engineering, and other courses of students’ choice.
Speaking at the event, Kumari Shibulal, founder and chairperson of SFPI, said, “We believe education is the greatest equalizer with the power to transform both individuals and the nation sustainably. Our goal is to scale our efforts by providing scholarships and mentorship to guide students toward meaningful careers. We believe delivering quality education to India’s 300 million students requires strong collaboration between society, government, and market forces.” She also thanked Project Mala and the other NGO partners like the E&H Foundation besides the state government for facilitating the initiative in UP. On her ongoing visit to Uttar Pradesh, she said, “it has been a wonderful and warm experience and am looking forward to further exploring the ancient city of which Mark Twain had once said that – it is older than history.”
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 25 years through focused efforts in education,
healthcare, organic farming, and the arts. 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 educational initiatives like Ankur, The Samhita Academy,
Vidyadhan, and Vidyarakshak empower students from underserved communities, creating
opportunities for a better future. In addition, its program Shikshalokam addresses systemic changes
in public education. Today, Shikshalokam is co-building Shikshagraha, a people’s movement for
education equity that brings together governments, educators, civil society, and communities to
drive people-powered reform. 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
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
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