We are 25!

We are 25!

A 25 years story/journey  of transformation

Project WHY, the flagship education & skill development program of Sri Ram Goburdhun Charitable Trust, celebrated its SILVER JUBILEE on 1st November 2025 at Brijbushan Munjal Vedic Kendra.  Dr. Dinesh Tyagi, a retired IAS officer, was the chief guest. He congratulated  the team for the phenomenal work and  inspired the organisation to scale up its community based model of after school education program and encourage digital learning & entrepreneurship.

 Ms Anouradha Bakshi, the founder & CEO dedicated her life to the cause of social transformation through education. Her journey which started  on roadsides with 40 children in 2000 to impacting over 10000 lives through five community based centres was presented, celebrated and honoured. Two films on Anou’s life with Project WHY, made by Genesis Media Pvt Ltd and Enfancess Indiennes, were screened and well received.

 The four alumni of Project WHY who made it to IIT were honoured. Adish & Asha Jain of USA rewarded them by sponsoring their education.

 The captivating music and dance performance by 98 students  showcasing 25 years of purpose, overcoming challenges, realising dreams and creating a sustainable future touched every heart. National Anthem by students of special section     was the climax of compassion, courage & determination.    All the major donors, sponsors, board and the committed team were felicitated in recognition of their contribution and support.

 The board members, supporters and well wishers of Project WHY from far and wide,  along with the parents of our students joined us in celebrating this mile stone.

Sudhanshu Chabra, Adish & Asha Jain, Utsah Engineering, Azure Hospitality Pvt Ltd. , Enfances Indiennes were the platinum sponsors who made this event a reality.

 

Project Why goes online!

Project Why goes online!

The wait is over! On 22nd November, the inauguration of our digital studio, “Project WHY online” with the help of Adish and Asha Jain Foundation. It was very kind of them to offer us all the things we needed for our studio.

The online classes will allow us to give quality education across all our centres for our senior classes. Having classes online will allow our children to revise during exam time and also to remain in touch when they go to their village. This will also allow us to expand our reach as the classes are free and for anyone who may want to access them. We want every child from everywhere to get the benefit of education via this new mode of learning.

It was a very warm ribbon-cutting ceremony by our dear friend Mr. Xavier Ray, President of Enfances Indiennes. We want to thank him for making this opening even more special and memorable. So, please be part of our journey

A special treat

A special treat

Mr Adhish Jain and his wife Mrs Asha Jain support the Okhla center.

His grandniece Jiya and her parents and sister came to Okhla Center on 15th November 2024, with 300 doughnuts to distribute to the children and teachers. Jiya is going to open her home bakery and we were her first customers.

The children enjoyed her doughnuts and wanted more!!!

We wish Jiya success in the future

 

Children’s day

Children’s day

It is children’s day today but actually every day is children’s day at Project Why! In all centres children are busy celebrating with games and competitions. 10 children from every centre have been invited to lunch by Azure hospitality at their famous Dhaba restaurant and you can imagine how excited the chosen few are.

As always, the onset of winter has got the pollution levels rise to unimaginable levels and Delhi is a real gas chamber. You can barely breathe. The privileged can shut themselves in their homes with air purifiers running 24/7. But the poor have no such luxury. They just continue surviving as they always do with a smile. My heart goes out to them.

With all my health issues, I have not option but to remain indoors.

This forced incarceration has a silver lining I guess as I decided to write a blog after many moons. My once prolific creative juices ran dry for years and in spite of many attempts I have not been able to resume my ‘one blog a day’ routine of yore years, But somehow I have the feeling that time has come to at  least try and bring back the lost practice.

So much as happened since the terrible day in 2020 when I got diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a death sentence of sort as this cancer it is said is not curable. But here I am 4 years later ready to take on what life still has in store for me.

One of the let us say ‘elephant in the room’ is undoubtedly what happens to Project Why after me. A succession plan has to be put in place and that is what we have been busy with lately. Project Why 3.0, the one without Anou, is being conceived, albeit gently.

The true successors of Project Why can only be those who have been associated with it since its inception. New roles are being defined and a transition plan set in place. It is felt by one and all that I should still be the one to see the transition through. I am honoured and humbled by this decision and will find the strength to abide by it in spite of my advanced age.

The levels of anxiety and even fear are high but they are accompanied by dollops of excitement and enthusiasm. The next weeks and even months are not going to be easy as getting out of comfort zones is a challenge. The new leaders will have to work hard to be accepted by the team but they are willing to accept the challenge. I am confident that they will be able to succeed  though there will be hiccups along the way.

So challenging and exhilarating days await us at Project Why but this all behind the scenes. On stage Project Why will continue its mission of creating spaces for children to be children!

Happy Children’s Day!

Kiko the clown

Kiko the clown

Meet KIKO the clown! He travels around the world and brings a smile on the faces of children by entertaining them with his magic skills, juggling talent and art of drama.  Project WHY has been lucky to enjoy his talent, at his initiative and with the support of Enfances Indiennes. After few weeks of intense volunteering, Kiko put up a little show for the kids with lots of fun and laughter, where he did a magic show. The kids had a  great time.

We do hope that he returns soon  and wish him all the best as he carries on bringing joy to children across the world

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