1. BMU’s Impactful Experiential Learning on World Youth Skill Day

Founded by the Hero Group, BML Munjal University (BMU) stands as a beacon of innovation and skill development in higher education. On World Youth Skill Day, BMU reaffirms its commitment to nurturing future leaders through pioneering educational initiatives. Emphasizing hands-on learning and entrepreneurial spirit, BMU equips students with practical skills essential for global competitiveness. Initiatives like ACIC-BMU empower rural women entrepreneurs, while Sankalp engages MBA students in transformative community projects nationwide. With a focus on experiential learning and holistic development, BMU continues to redefine education by fostering a dynamic environment where knowledge meets real-world application, preparing youth to excel in a rapidly evolving world.

2. Hero Vired – Equipping Young Learners with cutting-edge skills

Hero Vired is passionate about empowering young learners and equipping them with cutting-edge skills to be globally relevant in the fields of emerging technologies. To cope with the fast-paced industry, they focus on industry partnerships to form strong alliances with leading organizations across the Gaming, Esports, and other innovative sectors. This ensures that their programs are aligned with real-world industry requirements and provide learners with up-to-date, relevant skills. Additionally, they have incorporated the latest technological advancements into their programs. They enhance their learning modules with AI and customize learning paths for each student. This personalized approach ensures that learners become proficient with cutting-edge tools and techniques. Their program offerings emphasize skill-based learning, focusing on developing technical and soft skills.’

3. Sri Madhusudan Sai Global Humanitarian Mission

Sri Madhusudan Sai Global Humanitarian Mission (SMSGHM) exemplifies a pioneering approach to education, embodying the motto ‘One World One Family.’ Spearheaded by visionary humanitarian Sri Madhusudan Sai, the mission has established a completely free system of values-based education to nurture dedicated servants of society. This initiative includes the Sri Sathya Sai Loka Seva Gurukulam Group of Institutions, the Sri Sathya Sai University for Human Excellence, and the Sri Madhusudan Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, India’s first free residential private rural medical college. Through 28 educational campuses in India and one in Nigeria, SMSGHM provides free education from grade 6 to doctorate studies, emphasizing the holistic development of over 3,600 boys and girls.

4. Leading digital lender mPokket pioneers youth empowerment

mPokket stands out as one of India’s fastest-growing digital lending platforms, dedicated to uplifting the youth through financial empowerment and skill development. Founded by Gaurav Jalan in 2026 with a vision to bridge the credit gap among young adults, mPokket offers accessible loans via its mobile app, supporting everyday needs from educational expenses to personal finances. Beyond lending, the platform is also focusing on career advancement products reflecting mPokket’s commitment to fostering financial inclusion among India’s burgeoning youth population. Additionally, through impactful CSR initiatives, such as partnerships with Swapnopuron Welfare Society and Adhigam Bhoomi, mPokket extends its commitment to providing quality education and holistic development opportunities to underserved and underprivileged children.

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PUNE: Twelve start-ups have converted innovative plastic waste management solutions into new business models, saving a whopping 124,360 tons of Carbon Dioxide emissions collectively in the last 12 months.  These startups are part of the Marico Innovation Foundation (MIF)’s plastics portfolio that was featured in the ‘Innovation in Plastics: The Potential and Possibilities’ playbook, in January 2023.  MIF released this and other data points at the Plastics Program Roundup 2023-24, a day-long event, here today. This stock-taking reviewed the impact of MIF’s focused intervention in the plastic waste management value chain providing opportunities for innovators to address the plastics problem.

According to the MIF’s playbook, India’s plastic consumption growth has been alarming, increasing from 14 million tonnes in 2016-17 to 20 million tonnes in 2019-20. During the same period, the plastic waste output also doubled. What is more disturbing is that despite generating 3.4 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, India only recycles 30%.

In this context, it is notable how MIF-supported startups have made significant strides in developing innovative solutions to address the challenge of plastic waste. For instance, Ibanss and Dharaksha have effectively managed 60 tons of agricultural waste using biocraft innovation technology and mycelium respectively. Other startups, including Ishitva, Ibanss, Ricron, Padcare, Bintix, Dharaksha, and Angirus have collectively saved 124,360 tons of CO2 emissions, validating MIF’s focus on innovations that create social, economic, and environmental impact.

Then, there are others in the portfolio like Padcare which has recycled 37 tons of sanitary pads, preserving 74,000 km of landfill area. Ishitva Robotics’ AI-based sorting machine has sorted 100,000 tons of plastic waste, significantly impacting energy conservation by saving 265,000 tons of oil barrels. Innovators like Ricron Panels and Angirus have recycled 1,338 tons of plastic waste through innovative construction products. Bintix, which focuses on household waste management, has collected 360 tons of plastic waste, contributing to biodiversity conservation and waste reduction while preserving 8,300 trees.

Harsh Mariwala, Founder, of Marico Innovation Foundation, said, “MIF is at the forefront of the innovation journey in plastic waste management.  Our commitment to innovation is what drives us to identify and address challenges for the short, mid, and long term. This initiative can be a game-changer for India as we move ahead in addressing the plastics problem.  I believe that by providing a nurturing environment that goes beyond capital, we can build a prototype for plastic waste management for the rest of the world to deploy.”

Amit Chandra, Honorary Chairperson of the Governing Council of Marico Innovation Foundation, added, “Our Plastics Program has supported innovative solutions poised to revolutionize the waste management sector. As consumerism continues to surge, there is immense scope for innovations to address challenges across the value chain.”  He added, “MIF is proud to support the journey of disruptive innovators and contribute to ecosystem building for sustainable innovations.”

Suranjana Ghosh, Head of Marico Innovation Foundation, highlighted MIF’s instrumental role in nurturing innovators in the plastic waste management sector. “Since the launch of the playbook, MIF has taken the lead in following its recommendations, prioritizing the support, and nurturing of startups. This commitment has led to significant strides, with our interventions resulting in multi-crore deal orders alongside other value-driven initiatives for entrepreneurs. These endeavors underscore our dedication to driving tangible outcomes and fostering a thriving ecosystem for sustainable innovation,” she remarked.

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STEAM education nurtures critical thinking and problem-solving skills essential for the 21st-century workforce. It promotes transparent evaluation and cultivates self-discovery, empowering children to create tangible solutions and become lifelong learners.

Reflecting on the success of the fest Pankaj Sharma, President, of The Lexicon Group of Institutes, Chairman & MD, Pune Times Mirror, Civic Mirror, and MultiFit, remarked, “STEAM education is essential for preparing students for the challenges of the future. With a focus on not only the ‘how’ and ‘what’, but also the ‘who’ and ‘why’, the STEAM Fest is specifically designed to develop future innovators. At The Lexicon Schools, integrating STEAM into the curriculum fosters well-rounded individuals equipped to tackle the dynamic, multifaceted challenges of the modern world, ensuring their education remains relevant and future-proof.”

Participants engaged in different projects, exemplifying the fusion of art, science, technology, and engineering. The young minds delved into math-related activities and presented projects focused on cleanliness and hygiene. Primary students delved into robotics, and environmental sustainability at the fest. Their projects on mechanical water pumps and balloon cars displayed their grasp of engineering principles, while the exploration of the water cycle and projects on thermal conductivity delved into scientific concepts. Moreover, an anatomical display of the human body provided valuable insights into biology, and the air quality monitoring project raised awareness about the pressing issue of air pollution.

Senior students engaged with advanced concepts, such as IoT and road safety. They also created kaleidoscopic displays, developed rainwater detection systems, and presented anatomical models.

STEAM education, with its integrated and holistic approach, aids students in perceiving challenging subjects from different perspectives. Through hands-on projects, students explored creative processes and utilized various methods of inquiry and investigation, cultivating a diverse set of hard and soft skills.

Nasir Shaikh, Group Chief Executive Officer, The Lexicon Group of Institutes, EduCrack, & EasyRecruit+, added, “STEAM taps into children’s natural curiosity. If you’ve ever tried to find answers to a long series of questions asked by a child, you know how inquisitive they are about the world around them. STEAM lessons focus on deep questioning and finding novel solutions rather than memorizing standard facts and figures that can easily be ‘Googled’.”

Education is not just about academic achievement; it’s about cultivating a mindset of inquisitiveness, innovation, and collaboration. The Lexicon Schools exemplified this by providing a platform for students to showcase their talents, exchange ideas, and inspire one another. By integrating STEAM-based learning, The Lexicon Schools are shaping the leaders, innovators, and problem-solvers of tomorrow.

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