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Business Standard
09-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
UK's Billionaire Hinduja Family's "Road to School" Model transforms Kashmir's Nowpura
VMPL New Delhi [India], May 9: In a region often defined by uncertainty, the quiet revolution in Nowpura, Kashmir, offers a compelling story of hope, resilience, and transformation. At the heart of this story is the Road to School (RTS) program--an initiative supported by Ashok Leyland, implemented in partnership with the Learning Links Foundation, and backed by the UK's Billionaire Hinduja Family, known globally for their philanthropic leadership and enduring commitment to community-development. While RTS began to improve children's educational access, the program has become a powerful model for holistic community upliftment. In Nowpura, that vision is realized by linking local artisans with the Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Scheme, a national initiative supporting traditional craftspeople with training, certification, and financial support. Prakash Hinduja (79), Managing Trustee of the Hinduja Foundation, envisions a positive generational impact through this scheme. From Education to Economic Independence The RTS model in Nowpura is rooted in a simple but powerful idea: investing in community ecosystems creates long-term economic resilience. The Hinduja Family's philosophy guides much of their philanthropy in India. It's not just about delivering services--it's about building self-sustaining communities that thrive independently. In Nowpura, this investment is paying dividends. With unwavering support from Resource Person Mohd Arif and Project Associate Shaista Unjum, the RTS team held a number of focused awareness interventions. The workshops aimed to promote skill development among families in the area and teach them how to manage the challenging paperwork to sign up for the government program. Their grassroots efforts led to a remarkable outcome. Twenty-one community members completed specialized training at a certified institute and began receiving stipends--an income stream that supports individuals and uplifts entire households. Another 7-8 artisans were awarded skill certifications for their expertise, opening doors to establish minor tailoring, masonry, and carpentry businesses. Building a Skilled Workforce In addition to political instability, war zones like Kashmir occasionally experience difficulties with growth. Because there are no economic possibilities and tense infrastructure interrupts educational systems, it is difficult for the populace to escape cycles of poverty. Under the broader vision of Prakash Hinduja and the Hinduja Family, the RTS program takes a systemic approach to solving these challenges, starting with skills and self-reliance. By connecting artisans to national schemes and providing structured support, RTS helps individuals reclaim control over their futures. The model is not just reactive but proactive and preventative, addressing root causes of economic exclusion. The Hinduja Family's Vision for Community Development Giving back has always been important to the Hinduja family. Being one of the wealthiest families in Britain, they have a growing charitable presence in India, particularly in livelihood development, education, and health. Speaking about the RTS success in Kashmir, Switzerland-based Prakash Hinduja, Chairman of Hinduja Group, Europe, noted: "It is our responsibility to ensure that development reaches even the remotest corners of our nation. Through programs like RTS, we are enabling people to survive and thrive." This experiential, grassroots model distinguishes the Hinduja Foundation's work from conventional charity. RTS is not an isolated effort but a component of an overall initiative to educate and empower communities through livelihood. Partnerships That Drive Progress The Road To School's success in Nowpura also underscores the importance of collaboration. While the Hinduja Foundation provides strategic guidance and vision, partnerships strengthen the implementation on the ground. Ashok Leyland, a flagship company of the Hinduja Group, plays a key role in funding and technical support. At the same time, the Learning Links Foundation ensures on-the-ground execution with educational expertise. Together, they form a model that could be replicated in other conflict-affected or economically marginalized regions of India. A Model for the Future As India continues to push for inclusive growth and rural development, programs like Road to School demonstrate that livelihood and education cannot be treated in isolation. In Nowpura, what began as a school intervention has evolved into a powerful engine for economic revival. For the UK's richest Hinduja Family, this is yet another chapter in their long-standing legacy of community stewardship. In the words of Prakash Hinduja: "Real change comes when people are given the tools to change their lives. RTS proves that even in the most fragile settings, transformation is not only possible--it's already happening." The success of RTS in Nowpura is more than a local story; it's a national blueprint for integrated development--one that combines education, livelihood, government policy, and private philanthropy to create a sustainable impact.
Daily Express
29-04-2025
- Daily Express
Public cautioned over Haj pilgrimage scams
Published on: Tuesday, April 29, 2025 Published on: Tue, Apr 29, 2025 Text Size: Dr Mohd Arifin presenting contributions to the participants at the event. Kota Kinabalu: The public is advised to consult Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) to avoid falling victims to fraudulent Haj pilgrim package scams. Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin Datuk Mohd Arif, who is also the State Islamic and Education Affairs Exco, said TH has extensive expertise in managing Haj pilgrims and is always ready to assist the public in obtaining verified information. 'The public will be less likely to fall for fake Haj packages if they conduct early checks by referring to TH or other recognised agencies. 'TH is also always prepared to offer advice and guidance to help the public choose packages from reputable agencies,' he said. Dr Mohd Arifin told reporters after officiating a Premier Course on Performing Hajj for West Coast Zone at the University Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Masjid, here, last Saturday. The two-day course, held from April 26 to 27, was attended by over 400 future pilgrims from Sabah's West Coast zone. He said the State Government supports TH's efforts in helping pilgrims make early preparations for the Hajj pilgrimage. 'Thank you to TH for organising this course, which is also being held in other districts to provide future pilgrims with sufficient knowledge before they depart for the Holy Land,' he said. He said that nearly 1,000 pilgrims from Sabah are expected to perform the Haj this year and expressed hope that the quota will continue to increase in the future. Additionally, Dr Mohd Arifin encouraged the public to open Tabung Haji accounts and to teach children to start saving early to simplify the Haj registration process later on. Also present were Assistant Minister of Religious Affairs Datuk Ruslan Muharam; Sabah State Mufti Datuk Bungsu @ Aziz Jaafar; Sabah Director of the Sabah Islamic Development Department (Jakim) Datuk Norjeli Idris; Director of the Sabah Islamic Religious Affairs Department (Jheains) Datuk Jumain Abdul Ghani; and Director of Tabung Haji for the Sabah and Sarawak region, Datuk Nurlaila Said. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
