Abby Lighting & Switchgear, CRY Launch STEM Centre in Palghar to Support 250 Students

Maharashtra, April 25, 2026: Abby Lighting & Switchgear Ltd, in partnership with CRY – Child Rights and You, has inaugurated a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Centre at T. L. Patil Aided Secondary Ashram School in Padghe, Palghar.

The initiative is designed to benefit 250 students from Standards 6 to 9, particularly those from underserved communities with limited access to practical science education and digital tools. The centre aims to shift learning from traditional rote methods to experiential and application-based approaches.

The facility includes over 100 curriculum-aligned models covering Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, and Technology, mapped to NCERT standards. Students will have access to interactive tools such as Newton’s Cradle, solar eclipse models, DNA structures, and geometry kits. The technology component introduces learners to 3D printing, robotics, virtual reality, and sensor-based automation.

In regions like Palghar, where access to laboratory infrastructure is limited, the initiative seeks to strengthen foundational learning, improve scientific understanding, and encourage long-term academic engagement. A key focus is also on increasing participation of girls in STEM education, addressing gender gaps in access to science and technology.

Kreeanne Rabadi, Regional Director, CRY- West, said, “At CRY, we believe that access to quality education is not just a right, but a powerful enabler of change. In regions like Palghar, where children often lack access to even basic learning infrastructure, initiatives like this STEM Centre can fundamentally transform how students experience education. By making science and mathematics interactive, engaging, and accessible, we are nurturing curiosity, confidence, and aspiration especially among girls who are often left out of such opportunities. This is about creating equal opportunities and ensuring that every child has the tools they need to build a better future.”

Rachna Bajaj Joshi, Director, Abby Lighting & Switchgear, added, “At Abby Lighting & Switchgear, science and technology lies at the core of everything we do. We see STEM education as a powerful way to nurture that same spirit of inquiry and problem-solving among young minds. Palghar isn't just where we manufacture. It's where we belong. Abby has been rooted here from the very beginning. That comes with a responsibility we don't take lightly. Not as a one-time gesture, but as a commitment we renew, year after year. Through this initiative, we are not just creating infrastructure, but building an environment where students can explore, experiment, and develop a scientific mindset from an early age. We are particularly committed to ensuring that girls have equal access to these opportunities, so they can actively participate in shaping the future of science and technology.  This STEM Centre reflects our commitment to building a more inclusive, skilled, and future-ready generation.”

The launch event was attended by CRY representatives, local leaders, and school stakeholders, reflecting community participation. The initiative forms part of Abby Lighting & Switchgear’s broader CSR efforts focused on education and inclusive development.