Piramal Foundation Hosts Event To Advance Compassion-Based Education In India

New Delhi, Jun 3, 2025: Piramal Foundation and the Centre for Contemplative Science and Compassion-Based Ethics at Emory University, Atlanta, USA, convened a two-day collaborative engagement on May 29 and 30 in Delhi, marking a fresh milestone in their shared mission to transform education and health by embedding Social, Emotional and Ethical (SEE) Learning & CBCT. 

Leveraging the Compassion Center’s leadership and Piramal Foundation’s expertise in large-scale implementation and systemic reform, the event witnessed a series of immersive dialogues between the Compassion Center delegation and a diverse group of stakeholders, including Piramal Foundation team members, students, educators, and district and state officials from across various states.

The Compassion Center delegates included Ryder Delaloye, Associate Director, SEE Learning; Timothy Harrison, Associate Director, Cognitively Based Compassion Training (CBCT); Elizabeth Ura, Senior Program Coordinator, SEE Learning; and Hannah Smith, Senior Program Coordinator, CBCT.  

“It’s amazing to see SEE Learning becoming part of both student and teacher development in India. What truly struck me was how India has institutionalized it, allocating physical space and dedicated time in schools. That’s not just programmatic thinking, that’s ecosystem thinking,” said Ryder Delaloye, Associate Director, SEE Learning Program at the Center for Contemplative Science and Compassion-based Ethics. “India is showing how to embed SEE Learning into systems, not just sessions. While innovation happens globally, India is demonstrating how to take them to the grassroots. That’s the future of education.” 

With exhibitions on SEE Learning and CBCT Journey, the event was designed as a space for co-learning and co-creation. It reaffirmed the commitment of both institutions to transforming education through Social, Emotional and Ethical (SEE) Learning.

“Integrating Social, Emotional, and Ethical (SEE) Learning into education is key to building a compassionate and resilient society. The collaboration between Piramal Foundation and the Center for Contemplative Science and Compassion-based Ethics is a meaningful step toward embedding these values in India's schools, fostering academic excellence, empathy, ethics, and emotional strength in students. This partnership is a stride toward creating a more inclusive and future-ready education system in India,” said Monal Jayaram, Co-founder & Director, SoESC, Piramal Foundation.

Dr Romesh Kumar, Divisional Head, Counselling Cell, Jammu, shared his experiences, stating, “In conflict-affected Jammu & Kashmir, SEE Learning is more than an educational intervention; it is a transformative force that has significantly contributed to the personal growth and resilience of both students and teachers, helping them navigate trauma and rebuild trust. Its holistic approach is shaping a generation grounded in empathy, inner strength, and hope.”

The key highlight of the event was the launch of two new curriculum offerings: 

• SEE Learning through Play – an experiential, age-appropriate learning module designed to engage younger learners through joyful, interactive approaches.

• Compassion Shift – a transformative curriculum designed to foster deeper understanding and application of compassion in individual, classroom, and systemic settings.

The first SEE Learning workshop in India, held in July 2018, laid the foundation for what has since evolved into a transformative, nationwide initiative impacting thousands of educators and students. The partnership has reached out to 8 states where more than 3 lakh teachers are practicing SEE Learning and reaching out to 13 lakh students. Further, the partnership is being demonstrated in 2 states, Bihar and Jharkhand, where 2,580 government medical staff have experienced CBCT. SEE Learning initiatives have reached regions across several Indian states, including Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Odisha, Maharashtra (Palghar), Madhya Pradesh, and most recently, Himachal Pradesh.