The ‘Daughters of India’ initiative is led by a group of Indians from within the country and overseas aims to use technology to improve the quality of rural education in the poorest part of the country.

The group has collaborated with 2 local NGOs with expertise in the area aims to uplift underprivileged communities, with a special focus on girls. The group has identified 13 of the poorest districts and aim to broaden the pilot to the other school districts in the future.

The initiative is led by Aaryman Mishr, a California based Indian who strongly believes in the power of education as a force to transform lives and future generations. He hails from a nearby village and his first-hand experience of benefitting from  a good education motivated him to conceptualise and lead the initiative.

The challenge prompting the ‘Daughters of India’ initiative stems from the pressing educational needs in rural regions. The first school to go live is the Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya, Itwa village in interior Uttar Pradesh.  A school visit to a remote village revealed that only one teacher was available, resulting in limited attention and enthusiasm among students. The scarcity of teachers also hindered the effective delivery of the government’s well-structured curriculum, impacting student learning and attendance which had drooped to 50%.

Another significant hurdle is the prevailing notion that discourages educating girls. Many parents in the region prioritize marriage and household duties over-investing in their daughters’ education. Faced with economic difficulties, parents often choose to educate their sons over their daughters. To address this, the initiative aims to reduce the financial burden on parents and engage them actively in recognizing the value of educating their daughters. It aims to showcase the potential for higher studies through scholarships, paving the way for a brighter future for girls.

The team believes that creating successful role models among girls in the community is a potent way to change mindsets and promote education. The initiative seeks to highlight the accomplishments of these role models, inspiring other young girls and their parents to understand the potential of education.

The ‘Daughters of India’ initiative centres on girls because enrolment rates are lowest and dropout rates are highest among them, largely due to parental attitudes. Government data indicates that only 2 out of 10 girls attend high school regularly and proceed to graduation. This statistic underscores the urgent need to empower girls through education.

To address this pressing concern, the initiative encompasses various vital components:

• Identifying gaps in educational resources and infrastructure in schools.
• Establishing digital classrooms for technology-driven learning.
• Engaging parents to gain support for their daughters’ education.
• Training volunteers to guide and mentor students.
• Enhancing teacher training and technological teaching methods.
• Regular interaction with parents to demonstrate initiative progress.
• Providing career counselling to help students make informed choices.
• Offering scholarships to outstanding students pursuing higher studies.

Speaking about the initiative, Aryaman Mishr said, “ The Daughter of India initiative  is the consequence of the efforts of multiple skateholders including the govt, NGO and people from ordinary walks of life who have painstakingly worked towards doing their bit to solve this acute problem. We were pleasantly surprised at the welcome we have received from the government ”

Vinod Prajapati of Swabhiman Samiti, said, “Swabhiman Samiti is glad to collaborate with KGBV Etawah to unveil the ‘Daughters of India’ initiative. The aim is to empower around 100 deserving girl children from impoverished backgrounds, enabling them to access quality education. These girls, often excluded from technological advancements, will benefit from e-vidyaloka’s online education expertise, enhancing their grasp of English, Science, and Mathematics. The partnership also extends valuable career counselling guidance. Simultaneously, this initiative involves mapping the remaining 12 KGBVs, uncovering specific needs and informing future planning. Swabhiman Samiti’s dedicated efforts demonstrate their commitment to positive change and progress, uplifting communities and enabling brighter futures.”

By implementing these comprehensive measures, the ‘Daughters of India’ Initiative aims to create an inclusive and nurturing educational environment for underprivileged girls in the poorest regions of India. Through the collaboration of dedicated volunteers, technology, government support, and NGO partnerships, the initiative strives to transform the lives of these girls, empowering them to build a brighter, more prosperous future for themselves and their communities.