Grassroots Movement Bridges Educational Gaps in Rural Chhattisgarh
BILASPUR : Bright high school students in rural Chhattisgarh often face severe financial hurdles that force them to drop out prematurely. A group of dedicated retired professionals stepped forward in January 2024 to create a sustainable solution. They launched the Deeksha-Anand initiative in Bilaspur to support promising youth. The project ensures that talented students finish higher secondary education regardless of family income.
The founders built a direct and transparent support system. Selected students receive a monthly stipend of 1,000 rupees sent straight to their bank accounts on the first day of every month. The financial backing spans twenty months from Class 11 through Class 12. Each sponsor acts as a personal guide, monitoring academic progress and providing career advice throughout the high school journey.
| Academic Batch | Total Active Mentors | Total Sponsored Mentees | Key Program Milestone |
| 2024–2026 Batch | 18 Mentors | 21 Mentees | Program launched; 1 overseas member joined from USA |
| 2025–2027 Batch | 27 Mentors | 32 Mentees | Global network expanded; 5 overseas members joined |
| 2026–2028 Batch | 42 Mentors | 55 Mentees | Enrollment reached record high across regional schools |
Rigorous Selection Ensures Direct Community Impact
The initiative relies on a systematic field selection process to identify deserving candidates. Selection committee members visit government higher secondary schools and regional institutions like Saraswati Shishu Mandir in and around Bilaspur. They work closely with local educators to collect proformas containing detailed academic records and family income background.
After examining preliminary applications, committee members conduct structured personal interviews with shortlisted applicants. This hands-on evaluation ensures that financial aid reaches students who demonstrate high academic potential and genuine economic need. The program expanded significantly for the 2026–2028 academic cycle, increasing its active mentor network to forty-two supporters who collectively sponsor fifty-five young scholars.
If you wish to join this noble cause to contribute towards a student’s education, please contact:
Mr Pradeep Kumar – 9955488372 or
Dr Yogendra Parihar 9425530432
This year the function was organised at Saraswati Shishu Mandir on 27th Sep’2026 in Bilaspur starting the third batch of Diksha Anand. Founder and the brain Child of the enter initative Dr. Yogendra Parihar expressed thanks to all mentors and students on this occasion. He welcomed more and more people to join the noble cause and be a part of this nation building. He stressed the need for the students spend lesser time on electronic device like mobile and to focus more on studies as this two years 11th and 12th are very crucial for overall growth of any students. He also emphasised the need to be more humane and be humble and grow up to be more responsible citizen of this great nation.

Dr Yogendra Parihar addressing the geathering
| Selection Step | Primary Action Taken | Responsible Entity |
| School Outreach | Collect student lists and fill proformas | Field Selection Committee & School Heads |
| Student Screening | Conduct structured personal interviews | Selection Panel & Program Volunteers |
| Support Deployment | Transfer monthly 1,000 rupee stipend | Assigned Sponsor & Program Directors |
Global Community Joins Mentorship Expansion
The project has grown beyond its local roots into an international network. Overseas members from countries like the United States have joined the team to sponsor regional students. This expanding global presence reflects growing donor confidence in the program’s direct, account-to-account transfer framework.

Mentors Speaking with the Mentees
Organizers Pradeep Kumar and Dr. Yogendra Parihar manage administrative operations to ensure smooth coordination between mentors and students. By combining financial assistance with consistent personal guidance, the initiative helps young scholars focus on academic excellence and plan for higher education.
| Program Feature | Operational Standard | Direct Benefit to Student |
| Financial Assistance | 1,000 rupees direct monthly deposit | Covers essential books, supplies, and fees |
| One-on-One Mentorship | Regular progress tracking and guidance | Boosts academic confidence and ambition |
| Support Window | 20 months (Class 11 to Class 12) | Prevents financial dropouts during crucial years |

Students Parents and Guests during the event
Mentor Roster for the 2026–2028 Academic Cycle
The initiative announced its official mentor allocation list for the 2026–2028 academic cycle. Forty-two sponsors have committed to supporting fifty-five students across the region. Several members have chosen to mentor multiple students to expand the program’s reach.
| Mentor Name | Assigned Mentees |
| Sri M.K. Thapar | 3 |
| Sri D.B. Taylor | 5 |
| Sri Shiv Sharma | 2 |
| Dr. Jyoti Singh | 2 |
| Sri Umesh Sharma | 2 |
| Sri P.R. Arya | 2 |
| Sri K.P. Sahu | 2 |
| Sri Harish Mantri | 2 |
| Ujala World (Dhea Pushpra) | 2 |
| Sri L.K. Srivastava | 1 |
| Sri S.D. Tripathi | 1 |
| Dr. A.B. Bhattacharjee | 1 |
| Sri Vijay Kacharoo | 1 |
| Sri Hemant Gaur | 1 |
| Sri Gurmeet Kainth | 1 |
| Sri R.K. Prasad | 1 |
| Miss Padma | 1 |
| Sri Animesh Srivastava | 1 |
| Sri Abhishekh Srivastava | 1 |
| Smt. Shivani Srivastava | 1 |
| Smt. Shalini Srivastava Modi | 1 |
| Prof. Gaurav Pradeep Srivastava | 1 |
| Dr. Y.S. Parihar | 1 |
| Sri L.N. Maheshwari | 1 |
| Sri Pradeep Kumar | 1 |
| Smt. Neeti Shrivastava | 1 |
| Smt. Aparajita Bose | 1 |
| Ms. Pratima Banerjee | 1 |
| Smt. Sumona | 1 |
| Mrs. Kirti Tiwari | 1 |
| Sri Anil Swamy | 1 |
| Mrs. Priyanka Pratik Rajurkar | 1 |
| Sri Piyush Shankar Mishra | 1 |
| Dr. Jyotsana Dubey | 1 |
| Mrs. Anita Diwan | 1 |
| Mrs. Sapana Dubey | 1 |
| Mrs. Seema Pathak | 1 |
| Mrs. Vandana Tiwari | 1 |
| Mrs. Premlata Pandey | 1 |
| Sri O.P. Singh | 1 |
| Mrs. Rajlaxmi Sanjay Tiwari | 1 |
| Mrs. Shreea Saptrishi Pandey | 1 |
Program Overview and Future Vision
The Deeksha-Anand initiative demonstrates how grassroots action can transform rural education. By pairing financial aid with active mentorship, the program gives bright students in Bilaspur the support they need to succeed.
| Metric | Current Operational Status |
| Target Region | Bilaspur District, Chhattisgarh |
| Active Cohort | 2026–2028 Academic Cycle |
| Total Program Participants | 42 Mentors supporting 55 Mentees |