A ₹10 Crore Commitment to Change Lives
In a remarkable collaboration, Coal India Limited (CIL) has joined hands with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) to uplift the lives of tribal students in Chhattisgarh. CIL has pledged ₹10 crore under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to support 68 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) across the state.
This project is set to benefit over 28,000 tribal students, ensuring they gain access to modern education, health, and entrepreneurship opportunities. It aligns with the vision of NEP 2020 to offer equitable and inclusive education to every child, especially from marginalized communities.
Empowering Education Through Technology
One of the core objectives of this initiative is to bridge the digital divide. As part of the ₹10 crore grant:
- 3200 computers and 300 tablets will be installed in EMRS computer labs.
- This will promote digital education in tribal schools, preparing students for the future.
With these tools, tribal students will learn coding, communication, and essential digital skills. This move is expected to enhance both academic and career readiness for the youth.
Supporting the Health of Girl Students
CIL is also taking steps to ensure better hygiene for girl students. Under this initiative:
- Installation of 1200 sanitary napkin vending machines.
- Deployment of 1200 incinerators in schools and hostels.
These efforts will promote menstrual hygiene and ensure girls can attend school with dignity and comfort. It also addresses the dropout rate among adolescent girls, which often spikes during puberty due to lack of facilities.
Mentorship and Career Guidance
To further support student development, the project includes comprehensive mentorship programs. Mentors will guide students in academics, mental wellness, and career choices. This personal attention will help students stay motivated and perform better in exams and interviews.
Residential Entrepreneurial Boot Camps
Innovation and entrepreneurship are critical for long-term empowerment. The project will organize residential boot camps at top institutions like IITs, IIMs, and NITs.
These camps aim to nurture an entrepreneurial mindset among tribal youth, encouraging them to think creatively and solve local problems with scalable solutions. Students will receive exposure to leadership, business planning, and startup incubation.
Caption: Tribal students participating in an entrepreneurship bootcamp under CIL-MoTA partnership.
Implementing Change Through NSTFDC
The National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC) will implement the project. As a Section 8 company under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, NSTFDC has a long-standing record of supporting tribal development projects efficiently.
This partnership reflects a shared commitment to upliftment, blending corporate support with government initiatives for maximum impact.
Part of a National Movement
Currently, 479 EMRS schools are functional across India. These institutions provide not just education but also focus on health, nutrition, and overall development. The initiative in Chhattisgarh will act as a model for other states to replicate.
It also supports India’s national goals under NEP 2020 and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in education, gender equality, and poverty eradication.
Voices of Hope
“This project is a game changer for our children,” said a school principal from Dantewada. “Digital labs and boot camps will help students dream bigger and achieve more.”
Parents, too, are hopeful. “Our daughters now have better hygiene facilities and more opportunities than we ever imagined,” shared Meena Bai, a tribal mother from Bijapur district.
Conclusion: A Future Full of Possibilities
With a ₹10 crore investment, CIL and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs are doing more than just upgrading infrastructure—they are investing in dreams. Tribal students in Chhattisgarh now have a chance to break the cycle of poverty and shape a brighter future for themselves and their communities.
This is what nation-building looks like—one school, one student, one success story at a time.
