Chief Secretary, Government of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Durga Shankar Mishra visited VidyaGyan
Leadership Academy Sitapur campus on 07 th of April 2023. On this occasion he visited and observed
various areas in the campus before attending the formal meeting with VidyaGyan and SHIKSHA
Initiative team.
Mayank Sinha, Associate General Manager, SHIKSHA Initiative briefed about programs run by
SHIKSHA Initiative in Uttar Pradesh and in the native district (Mau) of the Chief Secretary. Mr. Sinha
gifted a collage of accomplishments in Mau district and shared an annual progress report with the
Chief Secretary.  On this occasion Additional Chief Secretary (Sugar Industries), Uttar Pradesh, Mr
Sanjay Bhoos Reddy was also part of this visit along with District Magistrate, Chief Development
Officer, Superintendent of police and other administrative officials of Sitapur.
The Chief Secretary was delighted to see how the students are shaping up and the foundation is
providing free quality education and amenities to meritorious rural children.

The impact of SHIKSHA Initiative’s work in education is profound. As of today, SHIKSHA Initiative
stands tall as one of the key changemakers in the domain of education in the state of Uttar Pradesh.
Owing to this reputation, SHIKSHA Initiative was invited to a Teacher’s Conference and District
Agriculture and Industry exhibition held in Bulandshahr on 27th March 2023. The event was graced
by the presence of Shri Kuldeep Meena, Chief Development Officer, Bulandshahr and Mr Lalitendra
Bhartiya, Senior Project Manager, SHIKSHA Initiative was invited to be a distinguished guest in the
event.
Mr Bhartiya highlighted the impact of SHIKSHA Initiative in the field and how all the programs are
working towards the common goal of literacy for an empowered and inclusive society. The work
done by SHIKSHA Initiative was wholeheartedly appreciated and applauded at the event. Shailendra
Yadav, Kalim Ullah Shah, Sunil and Mahesh from SHIKSHA Initiative were also present.

Team from SHIKSHA Initiative visited the Office of the Head forest field director in Lakhimpur district
and interacted with the Chief Conservator of Forest, Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, Mr B. Prabhakar (IFS)
and his team.
Mr Mayank Sinha, AGM, SHIKSHA Initiative led this meeting and explained about SHIKSHA – SNF and
SHIKSHA Kiran program in detail. Mr B.Prabhakar appreciated SHIKSHA’s efforts through awareness
activities among rural communities. He also shared his experience about existing forest range-
related issues and conflicts between wildlife & humans. He requested to extend support for
information dissemination through the implementation of awareness activities and Shiksha Kiran
Van will play a vital role in this regard. Mr Kaushik from The Habitat Trusts team accompanied team
SHIKSHA initiative and moderated the conversation with the forest officials.

SHIKSHA Plus Jail program focusses on literacy for the inmates which helps them live a dignified life
and gives hope for the future. In this context, another batch of learners completed the SHIKSHA Plus
Jail program successfully in both Bulandshahr and Gautambudh Nagar Jail in January 2023. 10
learners from GB Nagar Jail and 20 learners from Bulandshahr jail received their completion
certificates from Shri Lalitendra Bhartiya, Senior Project Manager, SHIKSHA Initiative.

SHIKSHA Plus program of SHIKSHA Initiative is working to address the issue of adult illiteracy through its profound intervention across multiple districts. Aiming towards the same, SHIKSHA Initiative has come up with an innovative approach that not only will ensure that our learners remain in touch with the knowledge they have gained so far but shall also tap students of different age groups reading in schools, preparing for competitive exams and so on by setting up libraries. A library is a storehouse of knowledge one can immerse into. By setting up libraries SHIKSHA Initiative aims to bring knowledge to adults and students, who will now have free access to not only story books, schoolbooks but also books related to coding, awareness, general knowledge, and competitive exams. With the inauguration of community library in Sitapur, certificate distribution ceremony was also held on November 4, 2022. Around fifty learners were awarded the certificates and in addition five instructors were also recognized for their efforts. Mr. Akshat Verma, CDO Sitapur was the chief guest of the program. He further acknowledged SHIKSHA Initiative team to undertake this mammoth task. Along with the inauguration of the main library in Maholi, four sub- libraries were also inaugurated in different communities of Sitapur.

This Children’s Day, SHIKSHA Initiative left no stone unturned to deliver a fun-filled, treat-loaded day. SHIKSHA team designed a specific manual outlining the activities and laying out the ground rules with ounces of fun and surprises for both children and teachers. The day commenced with the school principal addressing the students about the day followed by a string of activities like classroom decoration, dance, musical chairs, colouring competition, hurdle race and hula hoop games. These activities were designed keeping in mind the objective which is to enhance their learning abilities through playful activities and having fun doing so.

A workshop for Anganwadi workers was organised by SHIKSHA Initiative on 10th October 2022. The workshop was attended by Mrs. Poonam Tiwari, District Program Ofcer (DPO), Gautambudh Nagar, Mrs. Manju Verma, Child Development Project Ofcer (CDPO), Dadri, Mr. Radhey Shyam, Child Development Protection Ofcer (CDPO) Sikandrabad and Mrs. Neha, Head of Gram Panchyat, Chithera along with the team of Anganwadi workers and helpers. The objective of the workshop was to share experiences, learnings and planning a way ahead after completion of 30-day long pilot Anganwadi program.

A total of 37 learners (25 from male batch and 12 from female batch) received certificate upon successful completion of Adult Literacy Initiative under SHIKSHA Plus Program in Bulandshahr Jail premises on 19th July 2022. Jail Superintendent, Mr. R.K. Jayaswal had an interaction with the learners to vet the impact of the initiative. Astounded by the responses received from the learners, Mr. Jayaswal appreciated this one-of-a-kind initiative which focuses on development of inmates through education. On this occasion, Mr. Dheeraj Singh, Jailer along with Mr. R.K. Jayaswal, Jail Superintendent were present from Bulandshahr Jail administration along with Team SHIKSHA Initiative.

Teacher’s Day is celebrated to acknowledge the challenges, hardships, and special roles that teachers play in our lives. In this spirit, SHIKSHA Initiative felicitated the backbone of the organization – ‘Teachers’ on the occasion of Teacher’s Day Celebration at SHIKSHA Initiative Teacher’s Day on 5th September’ 2022. In an event organized at SHIKSHA Initiative offices at Dadri and Sitapur, all the teaching and non-teaching staff were honoured and felicitated by Mr. Robin Sarkar, Project Director along with Mr. Mayank Sinha, Associate General Manager, Mr. Lalitendra Bhartiya, Senior Project Manager and Mr. Vijay Anand Verma, Adult Literacy Head.