Education
At Hiranmoy Dasgupta Foundation, we recognize the power of youth to be the agents of transformative change. In our mission to restore humanity in the pockets of inequality and poverty in our community, the youth remain our great hope and our single greatest source of inspiration. Harnessing the power of youth requires quality education and Haryana has taken major strides forward to achieve our goal. The state is below the national average in learning outcomes.
India is developing its emerging economy and has become one of the most impacting economies in the world. It is also the most vulnerable to the threats of climate change. The progress India is making in terms of economic growth is taking its toll on the environment within India. According to a World Economic Forum report, India is the country most vulnerable to climate change. From unplanned waste management to insufficient recycling practices, India is in need of proactive awareness and action at the grassroots level to battle the growing menace of climate change. At HMDG Foundation, our goal is to create awareness about the environmental footprint of India among the rural population of Palwal
The HMDG Foundation’s environmental awareness initiative works with schools at Palwal and its surrounding villages to educate young kids about the protection of environment such as recycling and the dangers of carbon usage. Peer volunteers organize awareness sessions in schools where school kids and staff participate to concepts including climate change, global warming, water scarcity, droughts, deforestation, floods and pollution.
With the help of donations from the community, HMDG also organizes tree planting days at school, and helps children learn about the importance of trees to the environment. The trees are planted in community spaces such as school yards and fellow fields. The children are encouraged to take ownership of their saplings and provide nurturing and protection.
To facilitate primary-level education, HMDGF has joined hands with a local school -Tagore Shiksha Niketan School at Palwal. The school provides value-based education with new innovative ideas and technology so that the students can grow up to become responsible citizens. The school aims to provide integrated education, with the goal of providing well-round development of the students.
HMDGF provides funding to the school so that it can provide quality education at a very minimal expense to the local children. The foundation also regularly donates school accessories, such as uniforms, writing accessories including books, pens, pencils, and writing pads, so that the students feel motivated during their educational pursuits.
Traditional cultural beliefs often become part of the many challenges faced by women in India, exacerbating prevailing disparity. In many communities, menstruating women are considered impure and are barred from entering temples, taking part in religious ceremonies, or preparing certain foods.
Making matters worse is the lack of knowledge among girls about menstrual hygiene. A study found that 71% of girls in India reported having no knowledge of menstruation before their first period. A study conducted in a north part of India shows that the dominant feelings among school girls during menstruation is: shock (25%), fear (30%), anxiety (69%), guilt (22%) and frustration (22%).
While there is inadequate data to establish direct linkage, strong anecdotal evidence suggests a large number of girls miss school during their menstrual cycle, while many girls drop out of school altogether once they begin menstruating.
With the help of Golden Hospital and Dr. Vandana team, HMDG foundation was able to educate village community to help them to learn about good menstrual health management practises and we are able to provide access to adequate information, preparation, and support with which to manage menstruation in a healthy, safe, and dignified manner. Studies show that 70% of mothers, who are main source of information for their daughters, consider menstruation to be dirty and polluting. By engaging them, sharing knowledge about the menstrual cycle, and how to manage it, HMDG foundation aims to achieve transformations that will benefit adolescent girls long into their futures.