Barmer, 26^th August 2020.

Cairn Oil & Gas, Vedanta Ltd., has partnered with the Department of Education, Government of Rajasthan to launch a digital education program, “e-Kaksha” for students of classes 9^th to 12^th. The aim of the program is to provide free and quality education to students enrolled in the Board of Secondary Education, Rajasthan (RBSE) and Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) countrywide. It will help improve the accessibility as well as affordability of quality education, increase the enrollment and attendance of students (post lockdown) and enable digital transformation in rural education system.

The program will be available countrywide through digital platforms – YouTube, Mobile App and website to deliver quality videos of subjects like English, Math, Physics, Chemistry, Biology.

To ensure continuity in learning for students in Rajasthan, the state ministry approached Cairn Oil & Gas and Mission Gyan Trust to extend the project e-Kaksha for students studying in class 6^thand onwards. This will benefit over 1.7 crore students across 33 districts in the state with government approved quality content and with the support over 6 lakh government teachers. The project also aims to supplement students from humble backgrounds through digital learning with a simple application in English and regional languages.

Ms. Harmeet Sehra,Head CSR, Cairn Oil & Gas, Vedanta Ltd. said, “The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in lockdowns, and disrupted children’s education. Thus, it is imperative for all stakeholders to come together to provide quality education and ensuring the well-being of our children across all strata of the society. Our aim through project e-Kaksha is to ensure learning and higher education reaches every student.”

Speaking about the program, Mr. Saurabh Swami, Director, Department of Education, Government of Rajasthan, said, “Project E-Kasha is a unique endeavor to provide quality online education to RBSE students. The entire course will be available in the digital library in a ready to access mode. Mr. JinenderSoni, Managing Director, Mission Gyan Trust, said, “Mission Gyan is committed to provide quality online education through project e-Kaksha. The entire course videos have been prepared by learned faculties in a structured way.”

Setting a milestone in this journey, a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on 28th July 2020 by Mr. Saurabh Swami (IAS) Director - Education Department (Ministry of Education, Govt. of Rajasthan); Ms. Harmeet Sehra - CSR Head, Cairn Oil & Gas & President Cairn Foundation; and Mr. Jinender Soni - MD, Mission Gyan Trust at Directorate Education, Bikaner, Rajasthan.