Diksha Foundation

Diksha Foundation is a registered non-profit organization committed to providing holistic education to children and youth from socially and economical Read morely marginalized communities in India. Established in 2010 by a group of school friends from Don Bosco Academy, Patna, Diksha’s vision is to create transformative learning spaces where every child is empowered to reach their full potential—academically, emotionally, socially, and morally. At the heart of Diksha’s philosophy is the belief that education must go beyond literacy. We emphasize the holistic development of learners, focusing on academic excellence alongside life skills, emotional well-being, social responsibility, and moral values. Our work is guided by the Three R’s – Relationship, Responsibility, and Reverence for all life—principles that foster empathy, community engagement, and a sense of purpose. Diksha’s approach to education is shaped by three core values: • Freedom – Encouraging curiosity and self-driven growth • Joy – Creating joyful, safe learning environments • Democracy – Promoting inclusivity, equality, and civic awareness Our flagship initiative, the KHEL (Knowledge Hub for Education and Learning) Center, is an after-school supplementary education program providing academic support, creative engagement, and life skills training. We currently operate three KHEL Centers in Patna, Bihta, and Samastipur, collectively serving over 490 children. These spaces are designed to nurture confidence, critical thinking, and community spirit. In addition to KHEL, Diksha Foundation runs several impactful programs: • The English Access Microscholarship Program (till 2024), in partnership with the U.S. Embassy, equips youth aged 13–21 with English proficiency and global citizenship skills. • The Fellowship Program trains local youth to become community educators and mentors. • The Poonji Project builds financial literacy and entrepreneurial capacity among women. • Under Inclusive Smart City initiatives (till 2023), Diksha engages youth and women in civic action, sanitation awareness, and gender equality efforts. We also adopt a Hub-and-Spoke model, where our KHEL Centers serve as hubs for capacity-building in nearby 15 government schools, positively impacting an additional 800 students. This model strengthens public education by integrating our pedagogy, resources, and mentorship with existing school infrastructure. Diksha’s work extends beyond education into urban social development, especially among sanitation workers and slum communities. We are actively engaged in 50 slum areas in Patna, where we have: • Trained over 5,000 sanitation workers on safety, rights, and hygiene • Established a 54-member women’s cooperative for mechanized cleaning services • Reached more than 1,000 parents, teachers, and local leaders through community mobilization and advocacy efforts Our focus remains on sustainability, emphasizing community ownership, local resource mobilization, and replicable models to scale impact responsibly. The long-term success of Diksha’s efforts is evident in the journeys of our alumni, many of whom are now pursuing higher education and becoming changemakers in their communities.

Diksha's vision is to create a place where all children and young people in India get a well-rounded education that gives them a strong mind, kind heart, and healthy body, helping them succeed in life, care for others, and make the world a better place.

Diksha Foundation was granted a license to receive foreign donations under the FCRA Act by the Government of India, and organizations like ASHA for Education (USA) and Rotary Club Darlington chapter (UK) have started supporting their work.