Bharti Foundation
Bharti Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Bharti Enterprises, one of India’s leading business groups. The Foundation, which is responsible for Bharti’s corporate social responsibility, was established in 2000 with a vision to help underprivileged children and young people realize their potential. Towards this, the Foundation has been creating and supporting programs that will bring about sustainable improvement in the areas of both primary and higher education.
Established under the Laws of India, with charitable status pursuant to a ‘Deed of Trust’ dated August 2000, the Foundation has been registered under the Registration Act, and granted a certificate under section 80(G)(iv) of the Income Tax Act 1961, applicable to charitable nonprofit organizations.
Satya Bharti School Program
The Satya Bharti School Program was launched in 2006, as the flagship program of Bharti Foundation. The program aims to provide quality education free of cost to children below the poverty line, in remote parts of rural India, with special focus on the girl child. The program is designed to help students garner the necessary skills to develop into economically and emotionally independent individuals. Considering that these children may come from a background of poverty, child abuse, neglect and social injustice, especially for the girl child, the program aims to not only educate these children but make them capable of fighting any social evils that may hamper their growth, both individual and societal.
Program status and location
Currently, 236 Satya Bharti Schools are operational across the states of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Keeping in mind the widespread illiteracy in the agricultural sectors of India, the Bharti Foundation has adopted a two-pronged approach. While building 187 primary schools across these states, it has also adopted 49 existing Government primary schools in Rajasthan. This makes the program more sustainable and leads to optimum use of all available resources.
Over 30,000 poor children from rural backgrounds are presently part of these village primary schools. In addition to quality education, the children are also provided with uniforms, text books and mid-day meals, free of cost. Over 1000 highly motivated and trained teachers work towards the children’s overall development as a first step towards bringing growth and progress to these rural pockets of our country.
Statewise distribution of schools
- Punjab: 90
- Haryana: 46
- Rajasthan: 78
- Uttar Pradesh: 12
- Tamil Nadu: 10
Functioning
Various innovative processes and systems ensure quality education in Satya Bharti Schools. The curriculum used at the schools looks to the holistic development of children, while at the same time giving special emphasis to computer learning and the English language, in line with the modern education scenario.
Partnerships and joint programs
Bharti Computer Centers have been set up across the country in association with organizations like Pratham InfoTech, Kalakar Trust and Adharshila. This initiative has made computers accessible to underprivileged children studying in NGO schools. In January 2005, the Bharti Library and Activity Center (BLAC) program was launched with a goal to introduce deprived children to the world of books and help them upgrade their reading skills.
In order to provide education and training opportunities to young people and develop future leaders and entrepreneurs, the Bharti Foundation has partnered with premier institutes like the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi to set up the Bharti School of Telecommunication Technology and Management, IIT Delhi. A scholarship and mentorship program to encourage bright young people from disadvantaged backgrounds has also been instituted.
Awards and Recognition
- Social and Corporate Governance Award for Best Practices in Corporate Social Responsibility, 2008
- Asian CSR Award for Support and Improvement in Education, 2008
- Indian NGO Award- Regional Winner, North (Large Category), 2008
- Golden Peacock Award 2006