HPCL To Provide Digital Education Infra To Tribal Students in Rthan’s Eklavya Schools
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Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) is set to provide financial support of up to ₹16.01 crore towards strengthening digital education infrastructure at Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs) for tribal children in Rajasthan. The initiative will be implemented through the National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC).
The initiative, undertaken as part of HPCL’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts, seeks to bridge the digital divide among tribal students and enable greater access to technology-enabled learning in geographically remote and educationally disadvantaged regions.
The MoU signing ceremony between HPCL and NSTFDC was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, NSTFDC and National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS), including Smt. Ranjana Chopra, Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs; Shri Manish Thakur, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs; Shri BN Prasad and Shri Anant Prakash Pandey, Joint Secretaries, Ministry of Tribal Affairs; Shri T. Roumuan Paite, Joint Secretary and CMD, NSTFDC; Shri Bhaskar Choradia, Joint Secretary and Financial Advisor, Ministry of Tribal Affairs; and Smt. Pratima Verma, Commissioner, NESTS, along with other senior officials. Shri K. S. Shetty, Director – Human Resources, HPCL, and Shri Anupam Tiwari, Chief General Manager – CSR & PRCC, HPCL, Shri Pavan Kumar Sehgal Chief General Manager – DCO, Shri Bhargav Chauhan, and Ms Sakshi Dwivedi were also present at the occasion.
Under the project, 29 EMRSs in Rajasthan will be supported with a range of digital education infrastructure, including 116 smart boards, 584 desktop computers with four-year warranty/AMC, 584 UPS systems, 290 tablets pre-loaded with coaching material for competitive examinations, audio-visual equipment, internet connectivity, printers, air-conditioning systems and computer tables. The initiative is expected to benefit tribal students studying in Classes VI to XII and provide them with improved access to digital learning resources, technology-enabled classrooms and preparation support for competitive examinations.
Addressing the gathering, the Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, highlighted the transformative role of education in driving multi-generational progress and empowerment. The Secretary noted that Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs) are creating pathways for tribal students to pursue higher education and access diverse career opportunities. The Secretary expressed confidence that the HPCL-supported initiative would further strengthen access to digital learning and technology, while creating greater opportunities for tribal students to pursue higher education and realise their aspirations.
Speaking on the initiative, Shri K. S. Shetty, Director – Human Resources, HPCL, said, “Education is one of the most powerful enablers of social and economic progress. At HPCL, our CSR initiatives are focused on creating meaningful and sustainable opportunities for communities, particularly those in developing regions. Through this initiative, we aim to strengthen digital access for tribal students in Rajasthan and equip them with the knowledge, technology and resources needed to pursue their aspirations with greater confidence. We believe that enabling young minds today will contribute to building a more inclusive and empowered India tomorrow.”
The project is aligned with Item (ii) of Schedule VII of the Companies Act, 2013, relating to the promotion of education, as well as HPCL’s CSR focus area of Education. It is also aligned with the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) CSR themes for CPSEs, particularly the focus on innovative livelihood enhancement through equipment, infrastructure and digital learning tools.
Through this intervention, HPCL continues its commitment to supporting inclusive and equitable access to education and creating stronger educational opportunities for communities across diverse geographies. This project is part of HPCL’s continuing journey of social responsibility, particularly for commitment towards the welfare and empowerment of tribal communities.
