Persistent Systems Limited

Persistent Foundation's Kiran Girls Scholarship and Mentoring Programme supports underprivileged girls in pursuing education in Information Technology and Computer Science. It awards annual scholarships of INR 40,000 to 40 students until graduation, including ten affirmative action students. Mentoring and industry exposure are provided from the first year, with residential schools in Pune and Bangalore enhancing technical and soft skills for second- and third-year students. Participants attend seminars and complete final year projects at Persistent Systems, building confidence. Since 2010, 401 students have benefitted, with 16 placed at Persistent Systems by 2023. The programme often supports the first educated member in families, reducing interview anxiety and improving job readiness. Graduates secure jobs with average salaries of INR 6.5 lakh, with the highest reaching INR 43 lakh annually. Some pursue further education or civil service exams.

Persistent Foundation's Integrated School Development Programme supports 11 schools, 2 special schools, and 1 residential centre by providing essential infrastructure. Following an assessment, it equips schools with science labs, computer labs, libraries, toilets, playgrounds, and benches, and refurbishes classrooms. The programme enhances education quality, teaches hygiene and adolescent changes, and supports attendance with fee assistance and school kits. It engages students in initiatives, involves principals, teachers, and staff, and offers teacher training and regular parent meetings.

In FY 2021-22, 4005 individuals benefitted, with improved attendance, participation in extracurricular activities, and academic performance. A 60% behavioural improvement was noted, and dropout rates significantly reduced. Students continued education beyond the tenth standard, and teachers adopted innovative teaching methods.

Persistent Foundation supports special schools by offering comprehensive education and rehabilitation to 400 students across two institutions catering to the hearing and visually impaired. This includes Ashray Akruti in Hyderabad and Suhrud Mandal School in Chinchwad Pune, focusing on holistic student development. The programme covers educational expenses, hearing aids, and therapy sessions, alongside providing resources like projectors and internet support for enhanced learning. The foundation also supports Jagruti School for Blind Girls with fees and housing donations, while encouraging student participation in extracurricular activities. During the pandemic, virtual classes and educational materials have been provided to ensure continued learning for all students, fostering improved literacy, communication skills, and digital proficiency. Additionally, parent counselling has strengthened familial bonds and facilitated parental involvement in their children's education.

Persistent Foundation's after-school support programmes operate in 4 centres in Pune and 13 in Hyderabad, focusing on urban underprivileged communities. Targeting students from 7th to 10th grade, it enhances academic performance through tutoring and provides activities promoting physical fitness, civic responsibility, and health awareness. The foundation supplies school kits, organizes health and summer camps, and covers centre rents. In Pune, a WiFi network aids educational access, supplemented by online courses. Employee volunteers enrich student experiences with mentorship opportunities. These centres foster holistic development, improve attendance, and reduce dropout rates, while teacher training enhances instructional quality. Students benefit from improved academic skills and gain knowledge of cultural events and national holidays, reinforcing their overall growth and learning experience.

Persistent Foundation provides comprehensive care for individuals born with cleft lip and palate, addressing the lack of awareness and superstitions associated with the condition in India. Many affected children do not receive timely treatment, impacting their life expectancy. The foundation conducts awareness campaigns in rural areas, urging families to seek support. It offers free services covering treatment and post-operative care for low-income families, including nutrition, dental care, maxillofacial surgery, and speech therapy. During 2020-21, 12 of its 14 centres also assisted COVID-19 patients. These efforts have increased awareness and accessibility to treatment, leading to transformative surgeries that improve patients' ability to eat, breathe, and thrive. Post-surgery care and therapies enhance self-confidence and societal acceptance, significantly improving the quality of life for affected families and children.

Persistent Foundation supports elderly individuals through various initiatives. They conduct eye exams, vision screenings, and diabetic retinopathy checks, while raising community awareness about eye health. Regular eye-screening camps are held, with logistical support provided for hospital visits and screening kits distributed. They also supply pre and post-surgery medications. Their Mobile Medical Unit visits 17 remote villages in Goa weekly, providing essential healthcare services and facilitating access to government programs. This initiative helps seniors receive timely medical care and emergency hospital referrals. Successful eye surgeries improve quality of life by preserving vision and enhancing independence.

Persistent Foundation supports paediatric health through specialised medical interventions for children up to 18 years old. At Balshalyakriya, expert surgeons from the USA and UK perform complex surgeries like urological and orthopedic procedures, bridging the gap in medical expertise. These surgeries are offered at minimal cost, benefiting rural patients who often cannot afford such treatments. Physiotherapy is also provided affordably post-surgery. Additionally, the foundation conducts free squint correction surgeries in collaboration with schools and NGOs in Goa, covering all associated medical expenses. These initiatives enable children to lead independent lives with restored confidence and vision, mitigating social stigma and providing essential medical care that is financially out of reach for many low-income families.

Persistent Foundation provides free support for artificial limbs and fittings, ensuring patients leave with improved mobility. They offer ongoing assistance for related issues. The foundation also sponsors dialysis treatments for end-stage kidney failure, supporting patients and their families through this challenging process. Their Jaipur Foot program enhances mobility and independence, boosting confidence and employability. Dialysis extends patients' lifespans and reduces pain, highlighting the foundation's commitment to enhancing healthcare access and quality of life.

Persistent Foundation is dedicated to infrastructure development with cutting-edge technology, enhancing quality and modern amenities. They have constructed two 22-storey buildings, Raigad and Shivneri, housing 168 flats for Maharashtra Police constables, featuring state-of-the-art facilities and recreational spaces. Additionally, they are building an 8-floor hostel in Karve Nagar for Maharishi Karve Stree Shikshan Sansthan, accommodating 110 working women with modern amenities and parking facilities, expected to be completed by September 2022. They are also constructing school buildings with dormitories for VIKALPA in Nagpur, adhering strictly to municipal norms, aimed for completion by the same date. These initiatives reflect their commitment to supporting community infrastructure development across various sectors, ensuring high-quality facilities for their beneficiaries.

Persistent Foundation collaborates with the Forest Department and NGOs for tree plantation initiatives, ensuring high survival rates over three years. They implement solar power projects at Pune and Nampally railway stations, Seth Tarachand Charitable Hospital, and schools, reducing carbon emissions and promoting clean energy. 'Mission Urja' generates hydropower for a village in Velhe, providing affordable electricity year-round. Their laptop refurbishment project minimizes e-waste and supports digital access for students and NGOs. These efforts exemplify their commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable development, benefiting communities and promoting global sustainability goals.

Persistent Foundation undertakes water conservation initiatives in drought-prone areas of Pune and Nagpur through comprehensive watershed development projects. These efforts include deepening and widening streams, building cement and earthen dams, and creating farm ponds to replenish groundwater levels. Emphasising a ridge-to-valley approach, the foundation aims to capture and manage rainwater efficiently from high ground to low, promoting sustainable water usage. Villagers contribute 10% to open well construction, ensuring accessible water sources that support livelihoods. These initiatives have fostered positive changes in villagers' water management practices, enhancing agricultural productivity and economic stability. Improved access to water has also benefited villagers' health and reduced women's daily workload, allowing for increased focus on farming and community well-being.

Persistent Foundation initiates sustainable livelihood projects in urban and rural areas, focusing on skill development tailored to local needs. Over 450 young adults have completed courses like Assistant Electrician and Nursing, with strong placement support and post-training tracking. They also support rural livelihoods through livestock services and bamboo craft training, empowering 20 families in bamboo cultivation regions. Urban graduates earn INR 8,000 to 10,000 monthly, with opportunities for entrepreneurship. Livestock services boost milk production and economic stability, benefiting 2500+ farmers who collectively generated INR 149 lakhs in three years. Bamboo artisans earn INR 8000-10,000 seasonally, enhancing rural livelihood sustainability.

Persistent Foundation's Project Kalki tackles urban river pollution by treating sewage with the bio-culture solution "Kalki." Initially successful at their sewage treatment plant, Kalki was applied to a stretch of the Ramnadi river in Pune from May 9 to May 24, 2022. Results were impressive: pollutants like Benzene and Benzopyrene dropped below detectable levels, while carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulphide levels significantly decreased. Water quality indicators such as BOD, COD, and suspended solids showed substantial improvement, benefiting aquatic life. Air and soil quality also saw marked enhancements within just 20 days. Pune Municipal Corporation is now considering expanding Kalki's use across the entire Ramnadi, highlighting its potential for broad environmental impact.