Hindustan Zinc’s pilot initiative ‘Unchi Udaan’ struck gold as three students from the program cracked the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT). Despite adverse economic and social backgrounds, Rani Khatik, Laxman Khateek and Sanjay Jeengar have shown the power of persistence, dedication and commitment to get into India’s most prestigious institutes in IIT.
‘Unchi Udaan’ was initiated with education as the primary focus for rural and tribal students to appear and get through the IITs and other prestigious Engineering Colleges in the country. Introduced under the company’s Siksha Sambal Program the pilot project provided free coaching to select students from 6 districts – Udaipur, Bhilwara, Chittorgarh, Rajsamand & Ajmer in Rajasthan and Pantnagar in Uttrakhand.
Speaking on this achievement, Mr. Sunil Duggal – CEO, HZL said “We take pride in congratulating India’s future technocrats Rani, Laxman and Sanjay as they embark on a new journey being selected for Indian Institute of Technology. The initiative Unchi Udaan which made this possible, is very close to my heart. Through this program, we are focused towards inclusive growth of deprived students by bringing them into mainstream education for their bright future and ultimately contributing towards building a progressive nation”.
‘Unchi Udaan’ does not merely provide financial aid to these children, but cares for their holistic development as well. Along with their academic progress, these students have developed their personality and confidence equal to that of any urban child. The project identifies 50 students, 50% of which are girls from a long list of 2,000 students and these select students join the residential program comprising 24 students in batch 1 and 26 in batch 2. The three students that have got into IIT have been from batch 1, the 26 students from batch 2 will be eligible to appear for the IIT exam next year.
Rani Khatik, Sanjay Jeengar, and Laxman Khateek have been inspirations and will act as role models for the communities they live in. Rani’s father left her and her mother to fend for themselves at a very young age. With almost no financial security, Rani started jobs like sewing and stitching while keeping her eyes on being educated. Under ‘Unchi Udaan’ Rani was identified as a bright girl and was given the opportunity to shine. Beating all odds, Rani is now ready to be enrolled with the IIT.
Sanjay was a boy on a mission. He was sure to achieve his dreams with hard work, persistence and dedication and will soon join a premier IIT. Laxman was another inspiring student from ‘Unchi Udaan’. With his father suffering from a disability and his mother being a housewife, it was a huge challenge for him financially as well as on a social front. Laxman proved that these factors shouldn’t be a roadblock between him and his bright future.
Hindustan Zinc through its educational programs like Unchi Udaan, Shiksha Sambal, Yashad Sumedha Scholarship, Scholarships & Sponsorship for higher education and other coaching programs have always focussed on inclusive growth of students from rural background. The company is touching the lives of more than 70,000 children through these educational initiatives.
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