Mumbai, 15^th July 2026: Essel Group Chairman, Dr. Subhash Chandra along with his brothers Shri Laxmi Narain Goel, Shri Jawahar Goel and Shri Ashok Goel, offering a lasting tribute to their father Late Shri Nand Kishore Goenka Ji, have announced the establishment of Shri Nand Kishore Goenka University in Agroha, Hisar.

The educational institution will be established on 32 acres of land owned by the Goenka family and will entail an investment of nearly Rs. 100 crores. Conceived as a center of excellence focusing on social service and community welfare, the University will seek to carry forward Late Shri Nand Kishore Goenka Ji’s lifelong commitment to charitable work. The University will introduce a specialized and unique curriculum focused on ‘Social Service’ and ‘Giving Back to Society’. The Goenka family has signed an agreement with the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), Ahmedabad to establish the University.

The announcement was made by Dr. Chandra in Agroha, Hisar, upon completing the last rites of Late Shri Nand Kishore Goenka Ji, amidst the presence of thousands of well-wishers and family members. People from across the region paid their respects to the departed soul, reflecting the deep affection, admiration and goodwill Late Shri Nand Kishore Goenka Ji had earned over a lifetime. The funeral was also attended by several distinguished dignitaries and prominent political leaders from across the country, who came together to honour his memory and significant contributions to society. Those present included Union Minister Manohar Lal, former Union Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Haryana Cabinet Minister Ranbir Gangwa, Rajya Sabha MP Subhash Barala, Hansi MLA Vinod Bhayana, former Haryana Minister Kamal Gupta, Adampur MLA Chandraprakash and Nohar (Rajasthan) MLA Amit Chachan.

The Nation’s Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi also penned a heartfelt letter to the Goenka family, describing Late Shri Nand Kishore Goenka Ji as an inspiring personality who placed the highest value on hard work throughout his decades-long public life. The Prime Minister stated, “He not only enriched the family’s business traditions but also fulfilled his responsibilities toward society with complete sincerity. His life, inspired by his service to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and guided by the ideals of organization and ‘Nation First’ stood as an example of simplicity and public welfare. I consider it my privilege to have had the opportunity to meet him on several occasions. His warmth and gracious nature will always remain in my memory. His passing is an irreparable loss to society.”

Dignitaries from various fields across the country paid a heartfelt tribute to the legacy of Late Shri Nand Kishore Goenka Ji. Political leaders including Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini condoled his demise along with Yoga guru Baba Ramdev. Renowned business personalities including Kumar Mangalam Birla and Bombay Stock Exchange MD and CEO, Sundararaman Ramamurthy also expressed grief.

In honour of Late Shri Nand Kishore Goenka Ji’s memory, the Goenka family has also organized daily ‘Shanti Baithaks’, from 10 am to 1 pm and 4 pm to 7 pm at the Goenka Seva Sadan, Devi Bhawan Mandir Complex, Hisar, bringing together friends, well-wishers and members of the community to offer prayers and pay homage to his life and legacy. A ‘Rasam Pagdi’ ceremony will also be held on 26^th July 2026 from 3 pm to 4 pm at the Maharaja Aggarsain Bhawan, Old Government College Ground in Hisar.

The family expressed its heartfelt gratitude for the immense outpouring of prayers and support received from across the country during this time of bereavement and reaffirmed its commitment to carrying forward the values that Late Shri Nand Kishore Goenka Ji embodied throughout his life.

Late Shri Nand Kishore Goenka Ji, passed away on 13^th July 2026 at the age of 96 in Mumbai. He was widely respected for his humility, generosity and unwavering commitment to community welfare. Through his contributions towards society, he championed the values of service and compassion, touching countless lives through his philanthropic efforts and guidance.

The agreements mark the beginning of a long-term collaboration focused on enhancing academic excellence while providing students and researchers with practical industry exposure.

Key Objectives and Areas of Collaboration 

Student Development:

Students will benefit from internship opportunities, industrial exposure, and placement support.

Technology Advancement:

ULTS will collaborate in the areas of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and digital technologies, while Matterlab will provide support through its testing facilities.

Research and Startups:

The partnership will promote joint research, technology transfer, startup mentorship, and knowledge sharing.

Shaju S., Managing Director, ULCCS, said: “At ULCCS, we believe that strong partnerships between academia and industry are essential to preparing future-ready engineering talent and driving meaningful innovation. Our collaboration with NIT Calicut, ULTS and Matterlab brings together academic excellence and industry expertise to create opportunities for students, accelerate applied research, and support technology-driven solutions for real-world challenges.”

Prof. Prasad Krishna, Director, NIT Calicut, said that sustained collaboration between educational institutions and industry is crucial to creating an innovation-driven ecosystem. He added that such partnerships would help students gain exposure to real-world work environments.

The MoU signing ceremony, held at NIT Calicut, was attended by Prof. Prasad Krishna, Director; Sunil Jacob John, In-charge Registrar; Dr. Murali K.P., Chairperson, CIIR; and Dr. Rakesh R.T., Vice Chairperson, CIIR, representing NIT Calicut.

Representing ULCCS were Shaju S., Managing Director; Arun Babu, Chief Operating Officer; and Rohan Prabhakar, Chief General Manager (Projects). Representing ULTS was Harishankar R., Chief Executive Officer, while Freddy Soman, General Manager; Anil Pottekkatt, Deputy General Manager; and Sreelakshmi S.B., Senior Compliance Engineer, represented Matterlab.

Both institutions stated that this joint initiative would help nurture engineering talent equipped to meet the future demands of the infrastructure and construction sectors while advancing sustainable technological progress.

Hyderabad, 16^th July 2026: Sambhuti Learning and IIT-Bombay incubated Prosical Language Technologies has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to integrate TARA (Teacher’s Assistant for Reading Assessment), an AI-powered oral reading fluency assessment technology into Sambhuti Learning’s AI-powered learning platform, VidyaBuddhi.

Prosical Language Technologies is incubated at the Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SINE IIT Bombay), the technology business incubator of IIT Bombay. SINE, IIT Bombay, has supported the commercialisation of this deep-tech innovation by enabling the translation of IIT Bombay research into impactful educational technology.

The collaboration brings together academic research, artificial intelligence and digital learning to equip schools and education programmes with objective, scalable and data-driven tools that help assess, monitor and improve foundational literacy and language fluency.

TARA is a patented AI-powered Oral Reading Fluency (ORF) assessment technology developed at IIT Bombay. Prosical Language Technologies, a company founded by IIT Bombay faculty and alumni, has licensed the technology from IIT Bombay to translate years of academic research into scalable language learning and assessment solutions. 

Under the MoU, TARA will serve as the assessment engine within VidyaBuddhi’s Reading Intervention Programme. The integration will enable teachers to evaluate students’ oral reading accuracy, fluency, pace and expression while generating actionable insights that support personalised instruction and targeted interventions. The platform will support both formative and summative assessments, enabling educators to continuously monitor student progress and address learning gaps through evidence-based instruction.

Mr. Umamaheshwar Ragi, Co-Founder and CEO, Sambhuti Learning, said, “Reading fluency is one of the strongest indicators of learning outcomes. By integrating TARA into VidyaBuddhi, we are combining advanced AI with proven assessment methodologies to help teachers identify learning gaps early and provide targeted interventions. This collaboration strengthens our commitment to improving foundational literacy through technology.”

Under the agreement, Prosical Language Technologies will provide API access, technical integration support, product enhancements and training for seamless implementation of the TARA engine within VidyaBuddhi. Sambhuti Learning will integrate the technology into its platform, provide the required infrastructure and make the solution available to schools and education partners across its digital learning ecosystem.

Commenting on the partnership, Prof. Preeti Rao, Founder & CEO, Prosical Language Technologies, said, “TARA is the outcome of years of research at IIT Bombay to make Oral Reading Fluency assessment objective, scalable, and accessible. Through our collaboration with Sambhuti Learning and the support of SINE, IIT Bombay, we are taking this research beyond the laboratory into classrooms, where educators can use AI-powered insights to strengthen reading fluency and improve learning outcomes for every child.”

The integration will enable schools and education programmes to conduct standardized oral reading assessments on a scale, significantly reduce teachers’ assessment time and generate actionable insights that support targeted interventions and improved language learning outcomes.

Mr. Shaji Varghese, CEO, SINE, IIT Bombay, said, “One of SINE’s key objectives is to help transform cutting-edge research into businesses that create measurable societal impact. This collaboration demonstrates how innovations developed at IIT Bombay can be translated into scalable educational solutions through partnerships between academia, startups and industry.”

Aligned with the goals of NEP 2020 and the NIPUN Bharat Mission, the collaboration seeks to equip educators with practical AI-enabled tools that help identify learning gaps early, personalise instruction and strengthen foundational literacy outcomes.

New Delhi, July 10 2026: PanIIT Alumni India, the apex body representing the alumni of all 23 Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), today announced two key additions to its national leadership team. Dr Amitabh Ranjan (Registrar IIPA)has been elected Vice Chairman, and Rajeev Singh (Chief General Manager, Engineers India LTD)has been elected General Secretary of the organisation for the 2026-28 term.

The two office bearers join Chairman Prabhat Kumar, IRS, and Treasurer Ashish Kela, CFA, on the Executive Council, which represents a community of over five lakh IIT alumni across India and around the world, including active chapters in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Korea, Singapore, and Australia.

Dr. Amitabh Ranjan currently serves as Registrar at the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), New Delhi, one of the country’s premier institutions for the training and capacity-building of civil servants. A petroleum engineering graduate, he has previously served in leadership roles within the Government of Uttar Pradesh, where he was widely credited for spearheading the digitisation of the state’s Transport Department through the “Vahan” (vehicle registration) and “Sarathi” (driving licence) digital platforms, now used nationwide. He has been an active voice within the PanIIT ecosystem, frequently moderating and speaking at flagship PanIIT summits on themes ranging from public governance to India’s knowledge traditions, and brings with him a keen interest in the energy, renewable energy and climate domains.

Rajeev Singh has been a long-standing and active member of PanIIT Alumni India’s core team, having played a key role in organising several of the organisation’s flagship initiatives, events and community engagement programmes over the years. He takes charge as General Secretary at a time when PanIIT Alumni India continues to expand its footprint across India’s technology, entrepreneurship and public policy landscape.

Commenting on the new appointments, Prabhat Kumar, Chairman, PanIIT Alumni India, said, “Dr Amitabh Ranjan and Rajeev Singh bring with them years of dedicated engagement with the PanIIT movement. Their leadership will add further depth to our efforts in strengthening alumni collaboration, driving thought leadership, and contributing meaningfully to nation-building. We warmly welcome them to their new roles and look forward to their continued contribution.”

Speaking on his election, Dr Amitabh Ranjan, Vice Chairman, PanIIT Alumni India, said, “It is a privilege to take on this responsibility within an organisation that has consistently channelled the IIT community’s talent towards public good. I look forward to working with the Executive Council to deepen PanIIT’s engagement with public policy, governance and the larger national development agenda.”

Rajeev Singh, General Secretary, PanIIT Alumni India, added, “PanIIT has always been a platform built on the collective energy of its volunteers and alumni. As General Secretary, my focus will be on strengthening this ecosystem further and ensuring that our chapters, initiatives and members remain closely connected in pursuit of shared goals.”

PanIIT Alumni India serves as an umbrella organisation for the alumni of all IITs, promoting collaboration, thought leadership and national service through a strong and unified network. Over the years, the movement has expanded significantly, organising flagship summits and initiatives across the country in the areas of technology, entrepreneurship, public policy and education. The newly strengthened Executive Council is expected to build on this momentum, fostering deeper alumni engagement, innovation-led partnerships and initiatives that contribute meaningfully to society and nation-building.

Hyderabad: 11^th July, 2026: The Hyderabad Public School, Ramanthapur, held its Investiture Ceremony with great pride and enthusiasm, formally inducting the newly elected Student prefects for the academic year. The ceremony marked a significant milestone in the school’s commitment to nurture responsible, confident, and value-driven leaders.

The occasion was graced by Padma Shri awardee Dr. G. V. Rao, Director of AIG Hospitals and Chief of Surgical Gastroenterology, as the Chief Guest. The Hyderabad Public School, Ramanthapur, felicitated its distinguished alumnus, Dr. G. V. Rao, on the occasion of his receiving the Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian honours, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to medicine and healthcare. The ceremony was attended by members of the HPS Society, BOG, faculty, students and alumni, making it a proud and memorable occasion for the HPS community.

Addressing the students, Dr. Rao encouraged the young leaders to embrace responsibility with humility, lead with integrity, and view leadership as an opportunity to serve others. He highlighted the importance of discipline, compassion, perseverance, and ethical decision-making in shaping future leaders.

The ceremony commenced with the ceremonial oath-taking, where the newly appointed Head Boy, Head Girl, House Captains, Deputy Captains, Prefects, and members of the student prefectorial board pledged to uphold the values and traditions of the institution while fulfilling their responsibilities with dedication and sincerity.

Welcoming Dr. Rao, the Principal described his journey from the classrooms of HPS to becoming one of India’s foremost Surgical Gastroenterologists as an inspiration for generations of students. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. S. Narsimha Reddy, Principal, The Hyderabad Public School, Ramanthapur, said “At The Hyderabad Public School, Ramanthapur, we believe that leadership is not merely about holding a position of responsibility but about inspiring others through integrity, empathy, and service. The Investiture Ceremony marks the beginning of a meaningful journey for our student leaders, who will have the opportunity to lead by example while upholding the values and traditions of our institution. We were honoured to have Padmashree recipient  Dr. G. V. Rao grace this occasion and inspire our students to embrace leadership with humility, resilience, and a commitment to excellence. We are confident that our newly inducted Student leaders will carry forward the school’s legacy and make a positive difference within the school community and beyond.”

Congratulating Dr. Rao, the President of HPS Society, Mr Gusti J Noria said that the Padma Shri is a fitting recognition of his exceptional professional excellence, pioneering innovations, and selfless service to society. He noted that Dr. Rao’s life reflects the values of dedication, perseverance, compassion, and excellence nurtured at HPS, inspiring students to strive for meaningful contributions to the nation and humanity.

In his address, Dr. G. V. Rao expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the management and the HPS community for inviting him back to his alma mater. He recalled his fond memories as a student and acknowledged the invaluable role the school played in shaping his character, values, and outlook on life. Describing the felicitation as one of the most meaningful honours of his life, he encouraged students to dream big, pursue excellence with perseverance, and remain committed to serving society with compassion and integrity.

The ceremony concluded with the presentation of a memento and heartfelt congratulations from the management, staff, students, alumni, and the entire HPS community, who expressed immense pride in welcoming their illustrious alumnus back to his alma mater.

Another defining feature of this year’s MBA cohort is that students from non-engineering backgrounds have outnumbered engineers, signalling a growing preference among candidates from commerce, economics, humanities, science and other disciplines for management education. The batch represents 23 states across India, bringing together students from diverse academic, cultural and professional backgrounds.

Ms. Gautami Tadimalla, Actor, Television Host, & Public Speaker was chief guest while Mr. Manoj Kolhatkar, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, TATA AutoComp Systems Ltd was Guest of Honor. Director of IIM Nagpur Dr. Bhimaraya Metri; Prof. Prashant Gupta, Dean-Faculty & Academics; Prof. Sujeet Kumar Sharma, Dean- Research, and PhD Programmes; Prof. Alok Kumar Singh, Dean- Executive Education; Prof. Prakash Awasthy, Chairperson MBA; Prof. Rakesh Gupta, Chairperson Admissions; and Prof. Ranjitha G P, Chairperson, Student Affairs also shared the dais. The programme was attended by newly admitted MBA and PhD students, their parents, faculty members, officers, staff, and invited guests.

In her address, Ms. Gautami Tadimalla urged the students to see themselves as future leaders and achievers but never forget their identity as compassionate human beings. “You have already achieved something remarkable by earning admission to IIM Nagpur. The institute will teach you management and technology, but never lose your humanity. Success becomes meaningful only when it improves the lives of others,” she said.

Mr. Manoj Kolhatkar, described admission to IIM Nagpur as a privilege earned by only a select few. Appreciating the institute for enrolling 52 percent women students, he observed, “Industries today struggle to achieve even 25% women representation, while this batch has 52% women. That is a wonderful milestone and reflects the changing face of leadership in India.” Kolhatkar said India is uniquely positioned for sustained growth and highlighted the national vision of becoming a USD 30 trillion economy by 2047. “Today’s management graduates would play a crucial role in achieving this aspiration,” he said.

Welcoming the incoming students and their parents, Dr. Bhimaraya Metri, Director, IIM Nagpur, said they had chosen the right institution at the right time. “India will play a defining role in shaping the global economy, and this century belongs to India. Prepare yourselves to lead the world.”

Earlier, Prof. Prakash Awasthy, Chairperson MBA, welcomed the gathering. Prof. Rakesh Gupta, Chairperson Admissions, presented the admission report of the new batch. Prof. Prashant Gupta, Dean-Faculty & Academics, outlined the academic framework and learning ecosystem of the institute. Prof. Sujeet Kumar Sharma, Dean- Research, Sponsored & Smart projects and PhD Programmes, introduced the institute’s research ecosystem and doctoral programmes, while Prof. Alok Kumar Singh, Dean- Executive Education, highlighted the rapid growth and achievements of IIM Nagpur’s executive education initiatives. Prof Ranjitha GP  proposed a vote of thanks.

During the ceremony, Director’s Merit List Certificates were presented to outstanding incoming students. IIM Nagpur and Cheema Group Scholarships were also awarded to deserving candidates by Mrs Kokila Cheema, Director of K S Cheema group of Companies, and Dr. Bhimaraya Metri.

The new MBA batch comprises 341 students from 23 states, including 65 students from Maharashtra, 39 from Uttar Pradesh, 31 from Madhya Pradesh, 25 from Gujarat, 23 from Delhi, 19 from Rajasthan, 17 from Bihar, 15 from Jharkhand, 13 from Haryana, 12 from Telangana, and 10 each from Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. The institute has also welcomed students from the North-East, including Assam (3), Mizoram (2), Nagaland (1) and Tripura (1). The average age of the incoming MBA students is 23 years, while nearly 40 percent of the batch brings prior work experience, further enriching classroom diversity.

The Let’s Talk AI Inaugural Summit brought together 500 participants from across Keralam’s 14 districts, marking the first public programme under the state’s newly created Ministry of Artificial Intelligence

Announced launch of KFSI — the Keralam Future Skills Initiative — Saina Human AI’s flagship AI education programme 

KOCHI, 10^th July, 2026: Saina Human AI Pvt. Ltd., the AI education and technology arm of Saina Infotainments Pvt. Ltd., a group with four decades of operational history in Malayalam media, hosted the Let’s Talk AI Inaugural Summit at Kinfra Hi-Tech, Kalamassery, Kochi on July 3rd, 2026. This was India’s first public AI literacy summit aligned with a state-level AI ministry mandate.

The summit was inaugurated by Shri P.K. Kunhalikutty, Keralam’s Minister for Industries, Information Technology, and Artificial Intelligence, whose portfolio includes India’s first gazette-notified cabinet-level AI ministry, announced on May 20th, 2026. Shri V.E. Abdul Gafoor, Minister for Fisheries, also participated in the proceedings.

The event saw around 500 attendees, including students, MSME owners, educators, professionals, and government officials across all 14 districts of Keralam. The attendees participated in the full-day programme running from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

The day-long summit featured three structured panel discussions. The first, moderated by Harish, addressed AI and the future of learning, with panellists Umer Abdusalam, Raul, and Bilal Navadh. The second, moderated by Bilal Navadh, addressed AI adoption in business, with panellists Jinu Ben, Niyas, Akhil Vinayak and Sachin. The third panel, moderated by Adil Majeed, addressed building with AI, featuring Anfas and Priyank Upadhyay

Speaking on the inaugural summit, Bilal Navadh, CEO of Saina Human AI, said, “We are glad to host India’s First AI Literacy Summit and humbled to see the responses we received. As a group, we are exploring participation as a principal in Malayalam AI model development and are also in talks with companies that are into training AI models. Our large catalogue’s value will be used as an authenticated Malayalam language training dataset for AI training.”

Aashiq Bava, Director of Saina Human AI and CEO of Saina Group, added, “This summit marks the public launch of KFSI – the Keralam Future Skills Initiative – Saina Human AI’s flagship AI education programme. KFSI operates three schools: a School of Sales and Revenue Intelligence, a School of Digital Marketing and Growth, and a School of Content and Creative Media. We are glad to offer this to the students.”

Saina Group also launched The AI Filmmaker and Income Diploma – the flagship four-month cohort programme, which is priced at ₹75,000 plus GST with 25 seats per cohort in Kochi.

Saina Human AI Pvt. Ltd. is the AI education and technology arm of a group with four decades of operational history in Malayalam media through Saina Infotainments Pvt. Ltd. The media entity holds a catalogue of 700+ feature films and over 3,500 music tracks under full IP ownership – assets the group states it intends to deploy strategically within the AI economy rather than licence to third parties. Saina Infotainments operates Saina’s Network of YouTube channels collectively with 30 million+ subscribers and 700 million+ documented views through there Socials an, alongside the Saina Play OTT platform with 3M+ Downloads.

Mumbai, 7^th July, 2026: JBCN International School, Parel and Oshiwara, have once again delivered exceptional results in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) 2025–26 examinations. Continuing its legacy of academic excellence, JBCN achieved an outstanding average score of 37.7, significantly surpassing the global average of 30.9 and further reinforcing its position as one of the world’s leading IB schools.

Leading the cohort was Zara Kanchwala, who earned a perfect score of 45/45, placing her among the top 0.5% of IB learners globally. Reflecting the depth of academic excellence across the cohort, 25% of learners achieved an average score of 41.1, placing them among the top 9% of IB learners worldwide. The school also recorded a 100% IB Diploma pass rate, while 85% of learners scored 5 or above (out of 7) across subjects, underscoring the consistency of strong academic performance.

Learners also excelled in the IB Core, achieving an average score of 2.20 with over 93.3% of learners securing 2 or more out of a maximum of 3. This further underlines the school’s commitment to nurturing well-rounded individuals who demonstrate excellence not just in subject knowledge but in research, critical inquiry and the broader dimensions of the IB philosophy. Beyond academics, learners have actively engaged in community projects, leadership initiatives and interdisciplinary learning, embodying the true spirit of the IB.

Complementing these academic achievements is a remarkable record of university placements.  The Class of 2026 secured 536 university offers, averaging 4.9 offers per learner, with scholarships exceeding USD 6 million. Across campuses, 131 learners earned admissions to leading institutions across eight global regions.

JBCN learners secured offers from some of the world’s most prestigious institutions, including globally ranked Top 50 universities such as Imperial College London, London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), University College London, University of California, Berkeley, New York University (NYU), The University of New South Wales (UNSW), University of Melbourne, King’s College London, University of Warwick, University of Edinburgh, University of Toronto, University of Sydney and University of Michigan, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Purdue University, University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign) to name a few.

Learners pursued purpose-driven pathways across STEM, Business, Liberal Arts, Design, Law and Sport Sciences, supported by JBCN’s future-focused university and career guidance programme. Beginning in middle school, the programme combines personalised counselling, mentorship and goal setting, guided by globally trained IB and CAIE educators, nearly half of whom serve as official IB and Cambridge examiners and curriculum consultants.

Mr. Kunal Dalal, Managing Director, JBCN Education, shared, “The Class of 2026 has demonstrated that true excellence is never one-dimensional. These results and placements are a reflection of years of curiosity, perseverance and a genuine desire to make a meaningful impact on the world. At JBCN, we have always believed that academic achievement and personal growth are two sides of the same coin — and this cohort embodies that belief in the truest sense. None of this would have been possible without the dedication of our faculty, the trust of our parents and the extraordinary commitment of our learners themselves. We are immensely proud of each one of them and look forward to seeing them thrive on the world stage as the Changemakers they truly are.”

As the Class of 2026 embarks on the next chapter, in universities across the world and beyond, they carry with them not only academic accolades but the values, perspectives and resilience that will define them as the Changemakers of tomorrow.

Balotra, Rajasthan | July 6, 2026 — Educate Girls, an award-winning non-profit organisation, today celebrated the achievements of more than 300 learners at the Learner Felicitation Ceremony in Balotra. The event honoured girls and women who successfully completed their Grade 10 Rajasthan State Open School examinations through Educate Girl’s second-chance Pragati program. Bringing together learners, government representatives, partners, community leaders, volunteers, and families, the ceremony recognised women who resumed their education after dropping out due to social, economic, or family circumstances, demonstrating the transformative power of education.

The Chief Guest, Sushil Kumar Yadav, IAS, District Collector, Balotra, appreciated the comprehensive education initiatives being implemented in the district and highlighted the importance of a continuum of support—from early childhood education to open schooling, digital learning, higher secondary education, and skill development. Congratulating the learners and their families, he encouraged them to continue dreaming big and building brighter futures through education while expressing his support for Educate Girls’ efforts to advance girls’ and women’s education.

The recent RSOS examination results underscore the program’s impact. Ninety percent of enrolled learners appeared for the examinations. Among them, 109 learners successfully passed all subjects in their first attempt and earned their secondary school certification, while 161 learners partially cleared the examinations and are well positioned to complete their certification in the next examination cycle. Notably, 25 learners scored more than 60 percent, reflecting exceptional academic achievement and the effectiveness of the second-chance program.

The ceremony recognised the efforts and achievements of every learner. Those who completed their secondary certification were felicitated, while learners who had partially cleared the examinations were encouraged to continue their educational journey. Dimple, the district’s highest-scoring learner, was honoured in the presence of her parents. Her story, alongside those of many other learners, reflected the determination and resilience of girls and women who chose to return to education despite significant challenges.

Safeena Husain, Founder, Educate Girls, said, “Education has the power to transform individual lives and entire communities. For many women, returning to education is an opportunity to reclaim aspirations that were once put on hold and create new possibilities for themselves and their families. The graduation of these women is a powerful reminder that it is never too late to learn, and that when women are given a second chance at education, the impact is felt across generations

Addressing the gathering, Motilal Oswal, Founder, Motilal Oswal Foundation, congratulated the learners, their families, community members, and Educate Girls on the program’s achievements. He reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to strengthening educational opportunities for girls and women in Balotra and shared plans to further expand the Balotra District Education Transformation Program in partnership with local stakeholders.

Vikram Singh Solanki, Director – Operations, Educate Girls, reflected on the organisation’s mission to ensure that every girl has access to quality education. Congratulating the learners, he encouraged them to see graduation as the beginning of new opportunities and to continue pursuing education and lifelong learning with confidence.

Through its second-chance Pragati program, Educate Girls has reconnected more than 40,000 adolescent girls and young women with education across Rajasthan, creating opportunities for continued learning, greater self-reliance, and improved livelihoods. The organisation aims to reach an additional 15,000 learners across the state over the coming year.

The event was attended learners, Preraks (community mentors), government representatives, partners, community members, volunteers, and the Educate Girls team. The ceremony celebrated academic success, courage, and determination of adolescent girls and women who refused to let their circumstances define their futures. Their achievements demonstrate how second-chance education can create pathways to dignity, opportunity, and lasting social change.

“Our journey for the next five years will be guided by the vision of ‘From India to the World’. A grand, full-fledged IIM Nagpur campus will come up in Pune. The State Government has allotted 70 acres of land on a nominal lease of just ₹1. Once developed, IIM Nagpur will be the only IIM in the country to have such a large second full-fledged campus,” Dr Metri said.

Dr Metri was recently reappointed as Director of IIM Nagpur for another five-year term. He said one of his major goals during the second tenure would be to take IIM Nagpur into the world’s Top 100 business schools.

The Institute is also looking beyond Pune. Dr Metri said expansion in Goa is on the future roadmap, while global academic partnerships will be taken to a new level.

At present, IIM Nagpur has an academic collaboration with the University of Lille, France, including student mobility opportunities. Over the next five years, the Institute aims to build partnerships with 20 leading universities across continents, giving students opportunities to study at international campuses, gain global exposure and pursue dual-degree pathways.

“We want our students to experience the world, study on international campuses and earn globally relevant qualifications. Our aim is to build meaningful partnerships across continents,” Dr Metri said.

This global ambition forms part of IIM Nagpur’s newly announced Strategic Roadmap 2026–31. The roadmap includes multi-campus growth, a place among India’s Top 3 institutions in Executive Education, AI-driven management education, India-centric research, energy and climate leadership, entrepreneurship, and a larger role in the development of Maharashtra and Vidarbha. The Institute has also set its sights on entering the world’s Top 100 business schools and Asia’s Top 10.

 The roadmap seeks to position IIM Nagpur as a growth engine for Maharashtra and Vidarbha. The Institute plans to use its expertise in entrepreneurship, public policy, rural development and industry partnerships to contribute more directly to regional growth.

Initiatives such as IVDP 2.0 and the District Development Strategy (DDS) are expected to support rural transformation and investment-led development.

“Our responsibility cannot end at the classroom door. IIM Nagpur must contribute to job creation, regional transformation, clean energy, public policy, entrepreneurship and India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047,” Dr Metri said.

 Energy and climate action will be another important area in the coming years. IIM Nagpur plans to build on its Executive MBA in Energy Management with NPTI, engagement with ONGC Green Limited, and the proposed Centre of Excellence for Heat Resilience and Sustainable Cooling with NRDC.

The Institute will also take forward the second phase of campus development, its Net-Zero ambition, and the already operational solar power initiative.

70-acre Pune campus to drive next phase of growth

The proposed Pune campus at Moshi will be one of the biggest pillars of IIM Nagpur’s next phase. Dr Metri said the Maharashtra Government has allotted the 70-acre land on a ₹1 lease, while its estimated market value is more than ₹180 crore. He thanked the Chief Minister and Revenue Minister of Maharashtra for their support.

“Several IIMs have smaller satellite or extension centres, but our vision for Pune is fundamentally different,” Dr Metri said.

The Pune campus will focus on areas such as manufacturing, Industry 4.0, digital technologies, AI and IT management. Proposed academic offerings include an integrated BBA–MBA programme and a five-year BTech–MBA programme in collaboration with leading IITs.

“Pune gives us a unique opportunity to rethink management education and develop leaders who understand technology, management and industry as an integrated whole,” Dr Metri said.