For countless bright minds across India, especially those from economically disadvantaged and rural backgrounds, the dream of higher education often fades under the weight of financial hardship. But what if one opportunity could not only revive that dream—but ignite a generational transformation?
In this deeply insightful conversation, TheCSRUniverse speaks with Mrs. Kumari Shibulal, Founder & Chairperson, Shibulal Family Philanthropic Initiatives (SFPI), the force behind the Vidyadhan program—a scholarship ecosystem that’s not only funding education, but also nurturing mentorship, life skills, and community-driven change. From a humble beginning in Kerala with just two students to supporting thousands across 22 states and union territories, Vidyadhan’s mission to reach 1,00,000 scholarships by 2030 is redefining what inclusive education can look like.
In this exclusive email interview, Mrs. Shibulal reflects on her personal journey, the evolution of giving, how data, technology, and zero administrative costs drive trust, and why collaboration across government, corporates, and civil society is key to unlocking India’s future workforce.
As she eloquently puts it, “Success is about seeing a spark in a young person’s eyes and knowing they believe in their own future.” This is not just an initiative—it is a national movement in the making.
Q&A
Q. Vidyadhan's goal to reach 1,00,000 scholarships by 2030 is both ambitious and inspiring. What is the core vision that fuels this mission, and how do you define success both for the program and for the young lives it touches?
A. When we began Vidyadhan, it was with a simple thought that no child should be denied an education because of their financial situation. Over the years, that thought has grown into a movement, and our goal of reaching 1,00,000 scholarships by 2030is rooted in that very belief. For me, the vision is deeply personal. I’ve met students whose lives have completely transformed because someone believed in them. A girl from a small village who is now a medical student, a boy who went on to become an engineer and returned to mentoring others, these stories are our true measure of success. For us success isn't just about business growth or financial wealth. It is about creating long-term, meaningful impact, creating a difference in society, especially for underserved communities. It’s about seeing a spark in a young person’s eyes and knowing that they now believe in their own future. That is what fuels us every day at Vidyadhan, the hope that one opportunity can change everything.
Q. From launching Vidyadhan in Kerala in 1999 to expanding across 22 states today, how has your philosophy of giving evolved over the years, and what personal experiences shaped your belief in education as a tool for systemic change?
A. We came back from the USA in 1997, and we wanted to do some work in the social sector. Education has the power to transform lives, and that’s why we chose to start our philanthropic journey with education. We started in 1999 at a very small scale, by sponsoring scholarships for two children from the school where Shibu studied and that’s how the Vidyadhan Scholarship program started. Every year the numbers increase and today, we sponsor 4900 children who graduate from education every year through the Vidyadhan programme. Currently, we support thousands of meritorious students from low-income families across 22 states/UTs with scholarships, mentoring, and career support.
My belief in the power of education comes from what I’ve seen firsthand. Growing up, I witnessed how education changed the course of my own life. Over the years, as we met more students from across India, that belief only deepened. Giving, for us, is not just an act of kindness but a way to lead by example. I first learned the value of generosity from my mother. The beauty of giving is that it inspires others. When people witness generosity, especially from someone they look up to, they are more likely to give themselves. A simple, sincere act can spark a ripple effect of compassion and support.
Q. In what ways has your background in building and scaling businesses shaped SFPI’s operating model, especially your insistence on zero administrative costs for sponsors and data-driven impact measurement?
A. Coming from a business background, we believe that just like in any well-run organization, operations must be lean, systems must be transparent, and impact must be measured. When we created SFPI and Vidyadhan, we wanted to carry those same principles of efficiency, transparency and accountability into our philanthropic work. We enable people and process with the effective use of technology effectively in order to operate these principles. We made a conscious decision that every rupee a sponsor donates goes entirely to the student. All administrative costs are taken care of separately by us. It’s a model that builds trust, and we feel deeply responsible for maintaining that trust. We also use technology and data extensively not just to track numbers, but to understand how our students are doing, where they need support, and how we can improve. These insights help us stay grounded while scaling responsibly. At the end of the day, it's about combining the heart of giving with the discipline of good governance.
Q. Financial aid is only one pillar of Vidyadhan. Could you elaborate on how residential training, mentoring, and career-readiness programs are designed, delivered, and evaluated across such diverse geographies?
A. We had realized that just paying for education wasn’t enough. Many of our students come from environments where they’ve had very little exposure beyond their textbooks. That’s why we introduced residential training programs, mentoring, and career-readiness support to help them build confidence, communication skills, and a vision for their future. Our residential camps are designed to be safe, nurturing spaces where students learn soft skills, digital literacy, and even how to express themselves. For many, it’s the first time they’ve travelled outside their hometowns. The transformation we see in just a few days is incredible. Mentorship is equally important. Our alumni, volunteers, and professionals step in as mentors to the students who they can talk to, seek advice from, or just lean on. It is a relationship that often lasts well beyond their scholarship years. We constantly evaluate these efforts through feedback, student outcomes, and adaptability across regions.
Q. With 90 % of students from rural areas, 60 % girls, and 5 % specially abled, what specific outreach and inclusion strategies ensure that the most marginalized youth are not left behind?
A. We made a conscious decision to reach students in some of the most remote parts of the country, places where access to education is limited and opportunities are even more so. We work closely with government schools, teachers, NGOs, and community leaders to identify bright, deserving students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Right from the polo cation stage we give weightage to what we call neediness factors to ensure equity. These include factors such as physical disability, orphans, children from single parent families, rural or backward areas of the state, vernacular medium of study etc. Considering we got over one lakh applications last year; it is important for us to ensure equity throughout our selection process. Every child’s journey is unique, and we try our best to meet them where they are. For students with disabilities, we’ve developed a dedicated program called V Able. This program is designed to ensure that no child is left behind because of circumstances beyond their control. A big part of what makes this work possible is the role our female state coordinators play. They often lead conversations with families, especially in more traditional or hesitant households, helping parents understand the value of education, particularly for their daughters. Their presence, both as mentors and as role models, brings immense confidence to the families we work with. When parents see that someone believes in their child, it can shift everything. Inclusion isn’t a separate initiative at Vidyadhan, it’s woven into everything we do.
Q. What digital tools or platforms are proving most effective in managing applications, matching donors, and supporting scholars remotely, and how might emerging tech—AI, analytics, vernacular apps—accelerate your next leap?
A. Technology has played a central role in helping us scale Vidyadhan without losing personal touch. During Covid-19, we went an extra mile making our process more digital. Our in-house digital platform manages everything from student applications, selection process and verification to donor-student matching and scholarship disbursement. It allows us to stay efficient and transparent, even as we support thousands of students across 22 states. We also use the platform to track each student’s progress and performance, so we can intervene early if someone is struggling. This data-driven approach helps us stay true to our mission, maintain transparency, ensuring no one is left behind. Looking ahead, I believe emerging technologies like AI and regional language apps can take us even further. AI can help us identify trends, flag students who need extra support, or personalize mentoring. Vernacular apps can help break down language barriers, especially for first-time digital users in rural areas. At the end of the day, we see technology as a tool to stay deeply connected with our students, our donors, and our mission.
Q. Can you share a concrete example of how collaboration with a state education department unlocked new reach or resources, and what lessons it offers for cross-sector alliances in social impact?
A. A great example of how collaboration with a state education department can unlock new opportunities is our recent partnership with the Government of Meghalaya. On March 21, 2025, we signed an MoU with the state at the office of the Chief Secretary to officially launch the Vidyadhan scholarship program in Meghalaya. What stood out in this collaboration was the enthusiastic support from the Meghalaya government. Their proactive engagement and openness to work with a nonprofit like Vidyadhan an initiative of The Shibulal Family Philanthropic Initiatives (SFPI) showed how impactful cross-sector partnerships can be when aligned on a shared mission. This collaboration reinforces an important lesson: when governments and civil society come together with trust and a clear purpose, the reach and sustainability of impact grow exponentially. It’s not just about funding or logistics; it's about co-owning the vision of empowering youth through education. We look forward to building this partnership and using it as a model for similar alliances across other states.
Q. How does Vidyadhan complement or differ from government schemes such as the National Means-cum-Merit or state-level post-matric scholarships, and where do you see opportunities for policy convergence
A. Government scholarship schemes like the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS) or various state-level post-matric programs play an essential role in supporting students from underserved communities, and we deeply respect their scale and reach. These programs have provided critical financial relief to countless families, and their contribution to improving access to education is undeniable. Vidyadhan is designed to complement these efforts, not compete with them, by offering a more personalized, long-term approach. For instance, NMMS supports students from Class 8 to Class 12, whereas Vidyadhan begins at Class 11 and continues through graduation, ensuring sustained support during a critical transition period in a student’s academic journey. Beyond financial assistance, what truly sets Vidyadhan apart is the depth of engagement. We invest time in understanding each student’s unique background through interviews, home visits, and close collaboration with local schools, NGOs, and community leaders. Once selected, students are not just recipients of a scholarship, they become part of a larger ecosystem. We provide mentoring, residential training camps, life skills development, and career guidance.
Our relationship with scholars often lasts six to eight years, and many alumni continue to stay connected with the program well into their careers. There are also structural differences. For example, the income eligibility thresholds for Vidyadhan may differ from those of NMMS, allowing us to reach segments of the population that might not be covered under existing schemes. This flexibility enables us to adapt our selection criteria based on state-specific contexts and individual neediness factors. That said, we see tremendous opportunity for convergence. If government scholarship programs could integrate structured mentoring or collaborate with organizations like ours for last-mile outreach, technology-enabled student tracking, or local engagement, the collective impact could be transformative. We're not here to replace what already exists, we're here to strengthen it, together. With shared intent and open dialogue, there is real potential for policy and philanthropy to walk hand in hand, creating a more holistic and supportive ecosystem for students across India.
Q. Rapid expansion often tests governance. What checks and balances audits, community feedback loops, impact dashboards are in place to preserve Vidyadhan’s transparency and student-centric ethos as it scales?
A. As Vidyadhan grows, we’re constantly mindful of one thing: scale should never come at the cost of trust. From day one, we’ve put systems in place that ensure we stay true to our student-first approach, no matter how large we grow. Our digital platform tracks key data points, including academic progress, dropouts, and career outcomes, through dashboards that guide our decisions. We have robust internal and external audit processes to ensure financial transparency and statutory compliance. Every sponsor is given access to the digital platform and knows exactly where their contribution goes, and it goes 100% to the student. But just as important as the data, are the voices from the ground. We have regular feedback loops from students, mentors, and community partners. Their insights help us improve, adapt, and stay rooted in the realities our scholars face. Good governance, for us, is not just about control, it’s also about care. It’s how we honour the trust placed in us by students, sponsors, and communities alike.
Q. Looking ahead to 2030 and beyond, how do you envision Vidyadhan’s role in building India’s future workforce and how can corporations, government, and civil society join hands in this vision?
A. When I look ahead to 2030, I see more than just 1,00,000 scholarships. I see a generation of young people, many of them first-generation learners who are ready to lead India into the future. These are bright, resilient, grounded individuals who know the value of hard work because they’ve lived through struggle. That, to me, is the strongest foundation for any workforce. Vidyadhan’s role is to prepare them not just academically, but with skills, values, and the confidence to thrive in a changing world. We want to nurture not just professionals, but responsible citizens and changemakers. To do this on a scale, we need a collective effort. Corporates can offer additional sponsorships, mentorship, internships, and career pathways. Governments can help with infrastructure and policy alignment. Civil society brings deep insight and community trust. If we come together with a shared purpose, we can ensure that no child is limited by their circumstances and that India’s future is built on the strength of its most deserving minds.
Q. Lastly, how can individuals who resonate with your mission be potential donors, volunteers, or mentors engaging meaningfully with the Vidyadhan ecosystem?
A. At Vidyadhan, we truly believe that it takes a village to uplift a child. If our mission speaks to your heart, there are many meaningful ways to be a part of this journey with us. Individuals and corporations can sponsor a child through our programme “Each One Teach One.” As a donor, your support goes directly to a student in need with no overheads, no middle layers. You’re not just funding education; you’re investing in a dream. We keep you informed about the student’s progress, and many of our donors tell us how personally fulfilling the relationship becomes. If you can give your time, we welcome mentors and volunteers with open arms. Our scholars often face the world alone as first-generation learners, navigating new spaces. Just having someone to talk to, to guide them, can make a world of difference. Even helping us spread awareness or referring to a deserving student helps. Every action counts. This is not just our mission, it's a shared commitment to create a more equitable India, one child at a time.
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