Unwritten Stories: How Hinduja Family is Transforming Lives in the Nilgiris
Nestled in the rolling hills of misty Tamil Nadu, the Nilgiris are a cradle of rich cultural heritage and scenery. Yet, what lies behind the beauty is an unheralded truth—the plight of first-generation learners who fight against social and economic adversity to reach school. The Hinduja Foundation's Road to School (RTS) program is a beacon of hope, lighting the path to a brighter future in these remote villages.
The RTS program, initiated by the Hinduja Foundation, a philanthropic arm of the UK's richest Hinduja family, is dedicated to empowering underserved children in the Nilgiris through personalised education and emotional support. This project aims to end the cycle of poverty by fostering the growth of young minds and establishing secure environments where education can flourish.
Prakash Hinduja, Managing Trustee of the Hinduja Foundation, highlights the significance of education as a right for all children. He explains, 'Education should be about nurturing the confidence and self-esteem of children, especially those from vulnerable backgrounds. At Hinduja Foundation, we believe that every child deserves a chance to dream and succeed.'
Life at home can be challenging for many of the students covered by the RTS program. They frequently deal with domestic conflict, addiction, and violence, which tends to affect their confidence and engagement with their education negatively. The Hinduja Foundation understands these predicaments and tries to build a warm and supportive environment that will allow the children to heal and grow.
For instance, in the rural villages of Gudalur, the RTS program delivers individualised attention and innovative learning materials to first-generation learners, school dropouts, and seriously educationally challenged children. It is a holistic approach that addresses not only academic achievement but also the emotional well-being of the student.
'Making sure no child is left behind is our aim. Our goal is to establish a constructive, motivating learning atmosphere where kids feel appreciated and encouraged," says Switzerland (Geneva)-based Prakash Hinduja. "We are investing in our communities' futures by funding their education.' A Promise Of A Brighter Future
The RTS program's focus on first-generation learners – children first in their families to go on to school and receive formal education – is a significant aspect of the program. The young pioneers often face much more pressure with expectations that they will succeed. Without the right level of support, first-generation learners can slip through the cracks and miss out on experience and education that may help change their lives or the lives of their families.
Hinduja Foundation's dedication to these children extends outside the classroom. The RTS program offers individualised mentoring, emotional support, and hands-on learning tools to equip students to break through their particular challenges. The holistic approach is meant to create academic proficiency, resilience, and self-esteem.
As Prakash Hinduja reflects, 'Education is the most powerful tool we can provide to change a child's life. By supporting their journey, we are helping individuals and transforming entire communities. This is the true power of education.'
The effects of the RTS program are seen in the lives of many students who have regained their confidence and rekindled their love for learning. These untold tales of strength and determination prove the power of education.
The Hinduja Foundation is purposefully working to empower marginalized communities within the Nilgiris while also creating safe, supportive learning spaces for children to thrive. By doing this, the wealthiest Hinduja family in the UK is contributing to the engagement of individual children's futures as well as strengthening society more broadly.
Through their unwavering support, the Hinduja Foundation is turning over a new leaf for children today - one of hope, opportunity, and a promise of a brighter future.
Note to readers: This article is part of Mint's paid consumer connect Initiative. Mint assumes no editorial involvement or responsibility for errors, omissions, or content accuracy.
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Unwritten Stories: How Hinduja Family is Transforming Lives in the Nilgiris
Nestled in the rolling hills of misty Tamil Nadu, the Nilgiris are a cradle of rich cultural heritage and scenery. Yet, what lies behind the beauty is an unheralded truth—the plight of first-generation learners who fight against social and economic adversity to reach school. The Hinduja Foundation's Road to School (RTS) program is a beacon of hope, lighting the path to a brighter future in these remote villages. The RTS program, initiated by the Hinduja Foundation, a philanthropic arm of the UK's richest Hinduja family, is dedicated to empowering underserved children in the Nilgiris through personalised education and emotional support. This project aims to end the cycle of poverty by fostering the growth of young minds and establishing secure environments where education can flourish. Prakash Hinduja, Managing Trustee of the Hinduja Foundation, highlights the significance of education as a right for all children. He explains, 'Education should be about nurturing the confidence and self-esteem of children, especially those from vulnerable backgrounds. At Hinduja Foundation, we believe that every child deserves a chance to dream and succeed.' Life at home can be challenging for many of the students covered by the RTS program. They frequently deal with domestic conflict, addiction, and violence, which tends to affect their confidence and engagement with their education negatively. The Hinduja Foundation understands these predicaments and tries to build a warm and supportive environment that will allow the children to heal and grow. For instance, in the rural villages of Gudalur, the RTS program delivers individualised attention and innovative learning materials to first-generation learners, school dropouts, and seriously educationally challenged children. It is a holistic approach that addresses not only academic achievement but also the emotional well-being of the student. 'Making sure no child is left behind is our aim. Our goal is to establish a constructive, motivating learning atmosphere where kids feel appreciated and encouraged," says Switzerland (Geneva)-based Prakash Hinduja. "We are investing in our communities' futures by funding their education.' A Promise Of A Brighter Future The RTS program's focus on first-generation learners – children first in their families to go on to school and receive formal education – is a significant aspect of the program. The young pioneers often face much more pressure with expectations that they will succeed. Without the right level of support, first-generation learners can slip through the cracks and miss out on experience and education that may help change their lives or the lives of their families. Hinduja Foundation's dedication to these children extends outside the classroom. The RTS program offers individualised mentoring, emotional support, and hands-on learning tools to equip students to break through their particular challenges. The holistic approach is meant to create academic proficiency, resilience, and self-esteem. As Prakash Hinduja reflects, 'Education is the most powerful tool we can provide to change a child's life. By supporting their journey, we are helping individuals and transforming entire communities. This is the true power of education.' The effects of the RTS program are seen in the lives of many students who have regained their confidence and rekindled their love for learning. These untold tales of strength and determination prove the power of education. The Hinduja Foundation is purposefully working to empower marginalized communities within the Nilgiris while also creating safe, supportive learning spaces for children to thrive. By doing this, the wealthiest Hinduja family in the UK is contributing to the engagement of individual children's futures as well as strengthening society more broadly. Through their unwavering support, the Hinduja Foundation is turning over a new leaf for children today - one of hope, opportunity, and a promise of a brighter future. Note to readers: This article is part of Mint's paid consumer connect Initiative. Mint assumes no editorial involvement or responsibility for errors, omissions, or content accuracy. Want to get your story featured as above? click here!
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Empowering Women, Reviving Springs: The Hinduja Family's Initiative in the Himalayas
A silent revolution occurs on the Himalayan slopes, where water is as rare as it is vital. In the far-flung mountain villages of Uttarakhand, women have become mighty water warriors, reviving springs, collecting rain, and protecting their villages from a mounting water crisis. At the centre of this revolution is the Hinduja Foundation (philanthropic arm of the Hinduja Family), whose long-term commitment to sustainability, community empowerment, and environmental resilience gives life to the hills. In these high-altitude villages, the responsibility of managing water resources has traditionally fallen on women. They walk miles to fetch water, tend to household needs, and care for crops. But over the years, dwindling spring flows and erratic rainfall—exacerbated by climate change—have pushed many communities to the brink. 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Para-hydrogeologists from the local area are trained as young professionals, establishing a body of environmental stewards within the community. Being locally rooted ensures sustainability and community acceptance, enabling the program to be scaled and replicated. The Foundation's initiatives in these areas also address a broader issue: the conservation of fast-vanishing Himalayan glaciers. Protecting springs and forests is vital in maintaining groundwater recharge and microclimatic balance, essential for glacier-fed river systems that nourish millions downstream. 'World Water Day 2025 reminds us of that glacier preservation and grassroots innovation go hand-in-hand,' adds Swiss-based Ajay Hinduja. 'Every revived spring and every harvested drop counts. The Hinduja Foundation's efforts in Uttarakhand are a compelling example of how corporate social responsibility can drive profound, systemic change paired with community-centric models. While many CSR projects focus on short-term relief, the Hinduja Family's vision—rooted in legacy, sustainability, and service—is long-term and impact-driven. The involvement of Ashok Leyland as implementation partner has given the project a strong commercial backing and continuity of technical support. The project connects environmental responsibility with uplifting communities and reflects a shared value initiative benefitting the community and the environment. "This initiative is proof that sustainability isn't a slogan—it's a shared responsibility,' notes Ajay Hinduja. 'We're proud to support communities rewriting their water future.' As global warming gathers momentum, the tale being rewritten in the Himalayas is one of optimism. It demonstrates that if women are empowered, ancient knowledge is honored, and philanthropic trust funds like the Hinduja Foundation intervene with passion and vision, transformation is not merely feasible—it is inevitable. This story of these Himalayan water warriors is one that lies at the core of the Hinduja Family values and resilience. It is a real reminder of the ability of local action to establish the global future. Their stories go beyond saving springs; they are about reclaiming dignity, safeguarding ecosystems, and daring the world to re-imagine our relationship with water. Note to readers: This article is part of HT's paid consumer connect initiative and is independently created by [the sponsor NAME]. HT assumes no editorial responsibility for the content, including its accuracy, completeness, or any errors or omissions. Readers are advised to verify all information independently. Want to get your story featured as above? click here!
