Category: Awards & Recognitions

There are moments in this journey that make us pause and reflect, not just on how far we’ve come, but on the people and partnerships that have made this work possible.

Being recognised by Thane Vaibhav, in collaboration with Sewa Connect, was one such moment for Sampoorna Shiksha.

Over the years, our work has grown across classrooms, community centres, and learning spaces, from building toy and book libraries in underserved schools to enabling digital learning through computer labs and smart classrooms to working closely with educators to strengthen everyday teaching practices. At the heart of all of this is a simple belief: that learning should be accessible, engaging, and meaningful for every child.

What makes this recognition especially meaningful is that it reflects consistent, on-ground work, the kind that happens quietly in classrooms, in conversations with teachers, and in the everyday efforts to make learning a little more joyful and inclusive.

Thane Vaibhav brings together organisations and individuals working across sectors, all contributing in their own ways to strengthen communities. To be recognised in this space is both humbling and motivating.

We are deeply grateful to Thane Vaibhav and Sewa Connect for this recognition. A special note of thanks to Milind Ballal and Khushbu Taori for their continued support and belief in our work.

More than anything, this moment belongs to the community that makes this work possible, our students who show up with curiosity, our educators who adapt and innovate, our volunteers who contribute their time and energy, and our partners and supporters who walk alongside us.

As we move forward, recognitions like these serve as reminders, not of what has been achieved, but of the responsibility to continue doing this work with the same intent, consistency, and care.

Because meaningful change is never built alone, it is built together, over time.

At a vibrant and inspiring evening celebrating grassroots changemakers, Sampoorna Shiksha was honoured at the Angels of Mumbai Awards, organised by the Free Press Journal. Selected from a cohort of 36 outstanding Angels of Mumbai, the recognition celebrates organisations creating meaningful and measurable impact on the ground.

The event brought together philanthropists, social sector leaders, and individuals committed to driving positive change across communities. The awards ceremony was attended by distinguished guests, including Ronnie Screwvala, philanthropist and film producer; Shri Mangal Prabhat Lodha, Minister of Skill, Employment, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Government of Maharashtra; and Mayor Ritu Tawde.

A particularly meaningful moment for the Sampoorna Shiksha team was receiving a special mention from Justice S. J. Kathawalla, retired judge of the Bombay High Court, who chaired the jury for the awards.

The jury comprised respected leaders from across the development and philanthropy sector, including Archana Chandra (CEO, Jai Vakeel Foundation), Chetna Gala Sinha (Founder, Mann Deshi Foundation), Amita Chauhan (Board Member, Social Venture Partners India), Ziaa Lallaka (CEO, H. T. Parekh Foundation), and Vinti Lodha (Trustee, Lodha Foundation).

For the Sampoorna Shiksha team, this recognition reflects the collective effort of educators, volunteers, partners, and supporters who continue to work towards creating more equitable learning opportunities for children and communities.

We are deeply grateful to our endorser, Dr Navasikha Duara, Associate Professor and In-Charge Principal at SVKM’s Pravin Gandhi College of Law, whose support and belief in our work strengthened our nomination.

We would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the FPJ and Angels of Mumbai team, especially Pooja Patel and Kavitha Iyer, for creating a platform that celebrates and amplifies grassroots changemakers.

Most importantly, this recognition belongs to the community that makes our work possible — our donors, partners, volunteers, educators, and well-wishers. Their continued trust and collaboration enable us to keep building meaningful pathways for education and empowerment.

As we celebrate this milestone, we remain committed to strengthening partnerships, expanding our impact, and continuing to work towards an inclusive and equitable education ecosystem.

This award is not just a recognition of past efforts — it is a reminder of the work that still lies ahead.

We are deeply honoured to share that Sampoorna Shiksha has been awarded the CSRHAT – Socio Star Award 2025 in the category of Education (Digital & Innovative Education).

This recognition is a moment of pride for our entire community, students, teachers, volunteers, donors, partners, and supporters, who believe that meaningful change in education is possible when intent meets sustained action.

At Sampoorna Shiksha, our work has always been guided by a simple yet powerful belief:
“The best of wealth is education.”

Over the years, this belief has taken shape through initiatives that make learning joyful, relevant, and future-ready for children from underserved communities. From Project Kitab Khilona that nurtures curiosity, to Project Tech Pathshala and Project E- Smart Shiksha that bridge the technology gap; from SS Academy, our teacher capacity-building programs to our Skill Development programs, experiential and hands-on learning initiatives, every effort is designed to strengthen learning ecosystems.

This award recognises not one project, but a collective journey of educators who go beyond the textbook, volunteers who show up with commitment and compassion, donors who place their trust in long-term impact, and partners who walk alongside us in building sustainable solutions.

As we celebrate this milestone, we remain deeply grounded in our purpose. The real reward lies in classrooms where children feel confident to ask questions, teachers feel supported to innovate, and communities feel empowered to participate in their children’s learning journeys.

Alone we are a drop, together we are an ocean.

We are grateful for this recognition and even more grateful for everyone who continues to be part of our mission to strengthen the spirit of social change, one classroom, one child, one community at a time.

We are proud to share that Sampoorna Shiksha was named a Finalist at the iVolunteer Awards 2025 in the category Leader in Volunteer Engagement.

This recognition reflects the heart of our work, the volunteers who show up with consistency, compassion, and a deep belief in the transformative power of education. Across classrooms, communities, and geographies, our volunteers continue to be catalysts of change, creating learning spaces that are inclusive, joyful, and impactful.

A particularly special moment for our organisation was seeing Rekha Sriram, our Overseas Volunteer Leader, named a Finalist in the Volunteer Hero category.

Based in Dubai, Rekha has played a pivotal role in building and sustaining Sampoorna Shiksha’s global volunteer ecosystem. Over the last four years, her leadership has enabled:

• 1,000+ volunteers to engage meaningfully

• Partnerships with 7+ schools in Dubai

• Direct impact on 1,000+ students in India, through both in-person and virtual learning initiatives

What sets Rekha’s work apart is not just the scale of engagement, but the intent behind it. She has nurtured a culture of empathy, responsibility, and purpose, helping young people understand that service is not about charity, but about solidarity and shared growth. Through her mentorship, volunteers learn that even small, consistent actions can create lasting change.

This recognition is a tribute to Rekha’s vision, commitment, and the strong volunteer-led model she has helped build, one that bridges geographies while keeping children and classrooms at the centre.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our volunteers, partners, donors, supporters, and the iVolunteer team for believing in our work and walking alongside us on this journey.

As this milestone reaffirms, strong volunteer engagement is not an add-on—it is the foundation of sustainable impact.

Congratulations, Rekha. Your impact truly travels beyond borders.