Honda India Foundation felicitates top performing students of 'Honda Ki Pathshala'

Japanese automaker Honda's CSR arm - Honda India Foundation organised the felicitation ceremony to acknowledge top performers of 'Honda Ki Pathshala' - its initiative that supports education for underpriviledged children in India through its various schools across the country. 

The event was held at the Honda Samajik Vikas Kendra - the foundation's multi-skill development facility, located in Naurangpur, near Manesar in Haryana. Ten students were shortlisted from over 1,300 candidates through a series of elimination rounds across 26 such centres in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana.

The 'Honda Ki Pathshala' is a flagship CSR initiative of Honda India Foundation that operates 50 such centres across India, and has benefited over 2,500 students till date by focusing on their performance, and thus, reducing the drop-out rates as well. The programme has been implemented in collaboration with NGO Khushii (Kinship for Humanitarian Social and Holistic Intervention in India), which is dedicated to providing comprehensive after-school education and support to students from underpriviledged communities. 

The NGO is led by former Indian cricketer Kapil Dev and focuses on the areas of education, health, and community development, while working towards the quality of life for disadvantaged sections of the society. In addition to academics, the Honda Ki Pathshala also stresses upon outdoor activities, gender sensitisation, child rights sessions, and child-leadership programmes to ensure all-around development of students. 

According to Vinay Dhingra, Senior Director, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India and Trustee, Honda India Foundation, "Honda Ki Pathshala is not just an educational initiative for the underprivileged, it is a platform to nurture young minds, empowering them to dream big and equipping them with essential skills to succeed in today's world. Our objective is to reduce dropout rates, enhance academic performance, and foster leadership qualities among these students. We were also honored to have Kapil Dev join us today, whose inspiring presence motivated not only the students, but everyone involved in the initiative.”

Speaking at the felicitation ceremony, former Indian cricketer and Chairman Emeritus, Khushii NGO, Kapil Dev, said, “I am proud to say that KHUSHII’s collaboration with Honda India Foundation through 'Honda ki Pathshala' is transforming lives in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Haryana. We have set up community-based centers, where more than 1,500 empowered children are given the support, they need to thrive. Together, we are making a meaningful difference in their education and future - we are grateful to Honda for coming forward to do it with us."