In a world where education is a powerful catalyst for change, SFPI’s Vidyadhan program stands out as a beacon of hope. Launched in 1999, Vidyadhan provides comprehensive scholarships and support to meritorious students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds across India. With a mission to break the cycle of poverty through education, the program not only funds higher education but also offers mentoring and career counselling. Through its rigorous selection process and commitment to transparency, Vidyadhan has empowered thousands of students to achieve their dreams and make meaningful contributions to society. This interview delves into the transformative impact of Vidyadhan and the vision driving its success.

R. Chandra: Great to start the interview! We would first like to start with your introduction. Could you provide us with an overview of SFPI and its vision? Additionally, could you share what inspired you to start Vidyadhan?

Kumari Shibulal: The Shibulal Family Philanthropic Initiatives (SFPI) were born out of a deep sense of responsibility towards society—a way of giving back. Our motivation for philanthropy stems from our personal experiences. We formally entered the social sector in 1999, establishing multiple foundations focused on education and healthcare, which we carefully nurtured. The next decade saw new initiatives, consolidation, and scaling up with technology and partnerships.

R. Chandra: What are the main focus areas of SFPI?

Kumari Shibulal: SFPI supports multiple initiatives in education, healthcare, culture, and organic farming, all aimed at transforming lives and breaking the cycle of poverty. Education has been the foundation’s primary focus area. Both Shibu and I believe that whatever we have achieved is due to education. Over the years, SFPI has touched almost every education ecosystem area, contributing to systemic transformation and individual empowerment.

R. Chandra: Could you provide an overview of your initiatives, especially focusing on Vidyadhan?

Kumari Shibulal: Certainly. Vidyadhan is our flagship program. We started it in 1999 to support higher education, beginning with two children from Shibu’s school. Vidyadhan is not just a scholarship; it involves training and mentoring for meritorious youth from economically disadvantaged families. Students are selected through a comprehensive process involving a test, interview, and home visit.

R. Chandra: How many applications did you receive this year, and how many students will be selected?

Kumari Shibulal: This year, we received 95,000 applications from across 20 states of India. From these 95,000 applications, we will be selecting only 3,000 students. It’s quite a challenge.

R. Chandra: What other programs does SFPI run apart from Vidyadhan?

Kumari Shibulal: Another program is  Ankur, which started in 2004. It’s a comprehensive residential scholarship program for children from the most underserved families, focusing on their emotional and physical well-being along with wholesome education. The children from Ankur are schooled at the Samhita Academy, a socially inclusive chain of schools set up in 2009.

We also have ShikshaLokam, a societal platform that enables and amplifies leadership development opportunities for individuals and institutions engaged in K-12 education. It has reached over 600,000 education leaders and 800,000+ micro-improvements across India. Another initiative is Edumentum, an incubator for early-stage non-profits in the education sector. Additionally, SAATHIYA provides a gateway for aspiring youth from economically weaker sections to make a career in the hospitality sector. The Vidyarakshak scholarship program supports the k-12 education of children of martyrs of paramilitary forces in India.

In the non-education sector, we have AkshayaSree, which promotes organic farming, AyurRaksha, which offers financial assistance for critical medical care, and Venda, which supports the rehabilitation of children recovering from substance abuse.

R. Chandra: Vidyadhan is your flagship program that has been running since 1999. Can you give us more details about the program, the scholarships provided, and some success stories?

Kumari Shibulal: We started Vidyadhan in 1999, sponsoring education for two children from Shibu’s town and the school where he studied in Kerala. Both of us believe in the transformative power of education and understand the challenges students face in pursuing higher education due to a lack of funds. My own experience is similar, as I came from a village as a farmer’s daughter. My father struggled a lot to send me to college, and because of his efforts, I’m here today. That’s the transformation I personally experienced.

Vidyadhan is essentially a higher education scholarship program that begins after the 10th standard. The program continues for the next 5 to 7 years, until the students complete their graduation. For instance, a medical course scholarship spans 7 years, while a BSc or BA would cover about 5 years, starting from the 11th grade. Students in need of financial assistance are identified and supported throughout senior school and the graduation course of their choice. We don’t insist on a specific course; they choose what they want to study. Additionally, mentoring and career counseling are provided to match the students with the courses they have chosen.

Kumari Shibulal: Meera can explain more about the selection process.

Meera Rajeevan: Vidyadhan is addressing a significant problem in India—its very low gross enrollment ratio for higher education. Many meritorious students wish to pursue higher studies but are unable to do so due to what we call the AAA factors: Awareness, Access, and Affordability. We designed the program to guide students toward realizing their full potential. We select them after the 10th standard because the 11th and 12th grades are when the dropout rate is particularly high. Boys are often expected to supplement the family income, while girls may be married off. The scholarship we provide during the 11th and 12th grades acts as an incentive for parents to keep their children in school

Last year, we had 7,700 students in the program. This year, we will reach 10,000. Sixty percent of them are girls, and 90% are from rural areas and Tier 2 or Tier 3 cities. Very few students are from metro cities, and the majority are pursuing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) courses. The demographics reflect our society, with 85-90% of these students having parents who work as daily wage laborers, in agriculture, or as small-scale farmers or laborers. Almost all of them come from government or government-aided schools.

R. Chandra: How challenging is it to select the students, and what is the success rate?

Meera Rajeevan: It’s incredibly difficult for us to say no to anyone. With 95,000 applicants, selecting just 3,000 is a challenge, especially since we are committed to supporting them for five to seven years. We are very proud that our dropout rate is less than 0.5%. To achieve this, we recognized that financial support alone isn’t enough; providing training and mentoring is equally important because these students often lack professional role models. We conduct several workshops, including a five-day program when they first join. In addition to life skills, we introduce them to role models from various fields, such as IAS officers, doctors, police officers, and professionals from the social sector, to inspire and guide them.

R. Chandra: How does bringing professionals like IAS officers and doctors to interact with students impact them?

Meera Rajeevan: We conduct this training program at selected training centers to avoid requiring students to travel long distances. In each state, we identify two or three locations to bring the students together. The only feasible time for this is during their vacation between the 11th and 12th grades, a critical period as they are already under pressure from their upcoming exams. We cover all the expenses, ensuring parents feel comfortable with their children’s safety. Educating the parents is also a key component, as they often have unrealistic expectations, such as selling their land to afford expensive coaching, and believing their child will reach the top. We help set realistic expectations.

R. Chandra: How does Vidyadhan help in educating parents about realistic expectations for their children?

Meera Rajeevan: It’s about enabling students so they can communicate more realistically with their parents. Often, parents don’t fully understand the limited availability of government seats or the high costs of private education. We work to educate them on what is truly possible for their children.

R. Chandra: How many states is Vidyadhan currently active in, and how has the program expanded over time?

Meera Rajeevan: Vidyadhan is present in 20 states this year. We started in the south, beginning with Kerala, then Karnataka, and gradually expanded to other states. The only large states left are Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and the Northeast. Last year, we launched Vidyadhan in Uttar Pradesh and received around 2,500 applications. This year, we were amazed to receive over 20,000 applications from Uttar Pradesh.

R. Chandra: What challenges do you face in gaining trust and awareness about Vidyadhan in new states?

Meera Rajeevan: In every state, the challenges are different. It usually takes two to three years for people to know about the program and trust us, especially given the number of fraudulent schemes out there. Parents often worry if this is a scam. We’ve made all the information available on our website and translated it into local languages, but many parents are illiterate or not accustomed to reading. They expect instant results and sometimes question why we’re not asking for bank details immediately.

R. Chandra: How much support does Vidyadhan receive from the government or other NGOs, and how much of the program is self-sustained?

Meera Rajeevan: We do not receive any funding from the government. Until 2015, the program was entirely funded by the Shibulal family. To scale up, we needed partnerships, and we now have collaborators, including MNCs involved in CSR and individuals who support students. This allows us to support more students, but the Shibulal family remains committed to ensuring that no student leaves the program due to a lack of funds. For our sponsors, we offer a zero administrative cost model, meaning that the entire amount they contribute goes directly to the beneficiaries. Our technology platform, combined with this model, ensures complete transparency.

R. Chandra: What impact has Vidyadhan made on students’ lives?

Meera Rajeevan: The success stories are numerous. Many students have gone on to become civil servants, doctors, engineers, and entrepreneurs. Roopa Devi, a Vidyadhan scholar from Andhra Pradesh is an international para-athlete who has overcome numerous struggles, from losing her father at a young age to her mother’s single-handed struggle.Another student, Aaradhika Nair, from Kerala is training to be an Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer. A brilliant orator, poet, and Carnatic vocalist, Nagaraj left a high-paying corporate job to work in the social sector and is now employed at Vidyadhan, sponsoring a student’s education.

R. Chandra: How do you measure the success of Vidyadhan?

Meera Rajeevan: Success for us is seeing the transformation in these students’ lives. It’s about breaking the cycle of poverty and enabling them to support their families and contribute to society. We track their progress, not just academically but also in terms of their personal development and career achievements. The impact study by IIMK showed that 100% of students can take their families out of poverty within two years of getting employed.

R. Chandra: What future plans do you have for Vidyadhan?

Meera Rajeevan: We aim to expand Vidyadhan to every state in India, reaching more students from underserved communities. Additionally, we plan to strengthen our mentoring and career counselling programs to ensure that students are not only academically successful but also well-prepared for the challenges ahead.

R. Chandra: How do you see SFPI and Vidyadhan evolving in the next decade?

Kumari Shibulal: In the next decade, we envision SFPI and Vidyadhan becoming more inclusive, reaching even the most remote areas of the country. We plan to leverage technology to scale our programs and create a greater impact. Our goal is to empower as many students as possible, equipping them with the tools they need to succeed in life.

R. Chandra: Thank you so much for sharing your insights and experiences with us. It’s truly inspiring to hear about the work you are doing with SFPI and Vidyadhan.

Kumari Shibulal & Meera Rajeevan: Thank you for giving us the opportunity to share our journey. We hope that more people will join us in this mission to transform lives through education.