Testimonials

My childhood in Nasrullahpora village of Budgam district, Jammu & Kashmir, was marked by tragedy. In 1992, my family lost my father, grandfather, maternal uncle, and several neighbours in a violent firing incident, leaving us without an earning member. My mother and uncle struggled to support the family while ensuring our education continued. In 1995, my sister and I were selected for the INTERACT scholarship program of the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, which played a crucial role in sustaining our schooling during difficult years and reducing financial strain. With this support and family determination, I completed my graduation and later joined the education department, where I now serve as an Accounts Officer, remaining deeply grateful for the Foundation’s support.

The support I received from the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation through Project INTERACT played a defining role in my educational journey. Growing up in Bongaigaon, Assam, financial constraints posed significant challenges to continuing my studies. With the Foundation’s support from 2006, I was able to complete my schooling and pursue higher education with confidence. After graduating in Biotechnology in Assam, I aspired to gain wider exposure, and the Foundation facilitated my admission to Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Jaipur, where I completed an MBA with full support. Today, I work as an educator, environmentalist, and author, leading the Explorica Educational Development Society to promote innovation and environmental awareness among youth, for which I remain deeply grateful.

The support I received from the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation came at a difficult phase in my life. After my father’s passing in 2006, continuing my education became uncertain due to financial constraints, though my mother remained determined that her daughters would study. The Foundation’s scholarship enabled me to continue my schooling without interruption and focus on my academic goals. With this support, I later secured admission to a B. Tech program on a merit scholarship. During my second year, when financial pressures resurfaced, the Foundation again assisted with my tuition, allowing me to complete my degree. Today, I work as an Associate Developer in Hyderabad and support my family, remaining deeply grateful for this support.

I grew up in Gabber village in Budhal, Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir. In 2005, my father was killed by unknown gunmen at our home, just a day after my younger brother was born, leaving our family without its only source of income. My mother took on both emotional and financial responsibilities, working first as a sweeper and later as a Special Police Officer. In 2008, the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation provided scholarship support to me and my brother, helping us continue our education during a difficult time. The assistance covered essential school expenses and allowed us to focus on our studies. With this support, I completed my schooling and pursued higher education in science, for which I remain deeply grateful.

The support extended by the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation during one of the most difficult phases of my life helped me continue my education and rebuild hope for the future. I lost my father in a terrorist attack in Telangana in 2006, when I was still in kindergarten, leaving our family in severe financial hardship. In 2007, the Foundation supported my education through its scholarship program, providing both financial stability and encouragement. I completed my schooling with strong academic results and later pursued a Bachelor of Physiotherapy at Suresh Gyan Vihar University, followed by an internship at Yashoda Hospitals, Hyderabad. I then completed my Master of Physiotherapy in Obstetrics and Gynaecology Physiotherapy, aiming to contribute to women’s health and maternal care.

राजीव गांधी फाउंडेशन के उम्मीद कार्यक्रम के तहत खेत तालाब बनवाने से मेरी खेती में बहुत बड़ा बदलाव आया। पहले मेरी 6–7 बीघा जमीन असिंचित थी और केवल एक फसल ही मुश्किल से हो पाती थी। तालाब में बारिश का पानी एकत्र होने से अब मेरी जमीन 2–3 बार सिंचित हो जाती है और मैं साल में तीन फसलें ले पा रहा हूँ, साथ ही सब्जियों की खेती भी करता हूँ। इससे मेरे परिवार की आर्थिक स्थिति बेहतर हुई है और मैं अपने बच्चों की अच्छी पढ़ाई का खर्च उठा पा रहा हूँ।

अयोध्या, ब्लॉक नगमा, जनपद सोनभद्र, उत्तर प्रदेश के निवासी के रूप में मैं पिछले तीन वर्षों से राजीव गांधी फाउंडेशन के उम्मीद कार्यक्रम से जुड़ा हूँ। हमारे क्षेत्र में खेती वर्षा पर निर्भर थी और सिंचाई का कोई अन्य साधन नहीं था। उम्मीद कार्यक्रम के तहत खेत में तालाब बनने से वर्षा का पानी अब संचित होता है, जिससे कम से कम दो बार सिंचाई कर पाते हैं। इससे डीजल और सिंचाई पर होने वाला खर्च बचा है, फसल के बाद आय बढ़ी है और क्षेत्र का जलस्तर भी सुधरा है। इस तालाब ने हमारी खेती को पुनः जीवनदान दिया है।