Parikh Foundation collaborated with Hong Kong-based Touch A Life (TAL) Foundation to sponsor and construct Gyan Mandir, a science lab cum multipurpose hall, computer lab and library at Yedeshwar Vidyamandir at Yedgaon village, Junnar in Pune district. The facility was inaugurated by Ravindra Sabnis, Tahsildar of Junnar in the presence of Jitendra C Parikh and Milan Parikh, trustees of Parikh foundation. Gyan Mandir, a shared resource for multiple schools is spread across 2640 square feet and will benefit 870 students in five schools in the vicinity of Yedgaon.

TAL Smart School ecosystems get access to resources like training materials for teachers and academic curriculum that are shared digitally. The system connects vendors, advisors, sponsors, service partners and the beneficiaries on a single digital platform via mobile apps. Strict verification and compliance for all stakeholders prevent leakages and ensure total transparency. Parikh foundation was established in 1985 to create and manage a structured CSR program focusing on four core areas including health, education, animal welfare and relief and rehabilitation. Touch A Life HK (TAL) is a social enterprise built on the foundations of Trust and supported by one of the world’s largest jewellery retailer Chow Tai Fook, Parikh foundation, Rio Tinto, RSM Hong Kong and the Head Masters Association, Pune. TAL’s ART plus ecosystem ensures accountability, responsibility and traceability to ensure 100% transparent charity supply chain and a zero loss delivery process.

Origins

TAL was founded in 2018 by Naresh Surana and his wife Seema Surana with a motive of reaching out to remote parts of the country and promoting education along with updated digital mediums and technologies. The organization supports education in 34 villages near Pune and expands its reach into many other places. Naresh Surana, Founder, Surana Brothers Jewelry HKG Ltd; during one of his frequent visits to India met an ambitious school boy Abhishek Ganesh Daptare in rural Maharashtra. Abhishek wanted to learn English and pursue doctorate in Philosophy. His father’s poverty stopped him from pursuing his modest dream.  Just like a rough diamond needs to be cut and polished to make it shine, Naresh realized that there are millions of bright and talented school children who are like rough diamonds. They need financial resources, adequate infrastructure, trained teachers and technology to shine and prosper in life. This thought was the genesis of an idea called Touch A Life foundation (TAL). Riddhi Surana is actively involved with her foundation to spread the idea and ensure its execution. The Wharton & Oxford educated Riddhi, handles all technical aspects and communication.

The image above on the left shows Gyan Mandir building and to its right (l-r) Riddhi Surana, Purvesh Tejani of TAL with Jitendra and Milan Parikh.