SD Shibulal, one of the seven founding members of Infosys, has traded the world of technology for a new mission: transforming education in India. After stepping down as CEO and MD of Infosys in 2014, Shibulal has dedicated himself to leading the Shibulal Family Philanthropic Initiatives, which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. He is also the patron of Mantra4Change, a non-profit organization that launched Shikshagraha, a movement aimed at revolutionizing government schools across the country.
In an interview with Mint, Shibulal spoke about his philanthropic journey and his vision for the future. He acknowledged the profound impact technology has on every aspect of our lives, including philanthropy. He highlighted the use of technology in his family’s scholarship program, which has awarded over 50,000 scholarships since its inception in 1999.
The scholarship program, born out of a desire to address the low enrollment rates in higher education in India, has helped thousands of students pursue their dreams. Shibulal and his wife, Kumari Shibulal, recognized the need to invest in higher education and empower students to reach their full potential. The program has witnessed success stories, with recipients going on to pursue PhDs abroad and secure positions in various corporations across India.
Shibulal’s philanthropic journey has evolved over the years, leading to the creation of Shikshagraha. His organization, ShikshaLokam, focused on developing leadership and capacity within education institutions. However, he realized that a more collaborative approach was needed.
Shikshagraha aims to create a nationwide movement by partnering with local NGOs, community members, and government officials to address the challenges faced by public schools. The initiative emphasizes collective action, micro-improvements, and building capacity within school communities. The goal is to create a ripple effect of positive change across the country.
Shibulal highlighted the success of Shikshagraha in Punjab, where the initiative helped reverse a declining enrollment rate and improve the state’s ranking in national education assessments. He believes that by fostering collaboration and empowering local communities, Shikshagraha can drive meaningful change and ensure that every child in India has access to quality education.
