MUMBAI: The Godrej Foundation, an independent philanthropic trust, today announced the launch of Tomorrow Makers, a national platform designed to identify and support high-potential students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Tomorrow Makers is built on the belief that while talent is widely distributed across India, access to opportunity is not. The platform will identify high-potential students – from Classes 6-12 as well as graduates – and connect them to organisations, educators, mentors, competitions, and peer communities that can help them realise their potential. 

Through programmes run by eight partner organisations, Tomorrow Makers offers four different pathways – STEM, Invention and Making, Arts and Defence –for high-potential students from different age groups. 

Omar Momin, Chief Executive Officer, Godrej Foundation, said, “India is home to one of the world’s largest school-going populations, yet access to structured mentorship, advanced learning opportunities, and talent acceleration ecosystems remains uneven, particularly for students from underserved communities. Through Tomorrow Makers, we aim to help bridge this gap by building pathways that identify and nurture high-potential young people from across regions and socio-economic backgrounds. Through this platform, we hope to build a pipeline of future innovators, researchers, artists, entrepreneurs, soldiers, and public leaders whose success can create multiplier effects by transforming families, strengthening communities, and contributing to India’s long-term leadership and progress.”

For those in Class 10-12 with a strong aptitude in science and mathematics, and who aspire to careers in engineering, medicine or technology, Tomorrow Makers has partnered with organisations Dakshana and Avanti Fellows, who provide free coaching for JEE and NEET preparation.  For younger students in Class 6-7, organisations like Genwise and MakerGhat offer summer camps and workshops for advanced learning in robotics, computing, and higher mathematics, as well as opportunities to compete in national and global robotics competitions. 

In the arts pathway, Tomorrow Makers has partnered with Slam Out Loud, which provides mentorship, skill development, and performance opportunities for children with an aptitude for music, drama, writing, and other forms of creative expression. 

Commenting on the launch, Jigyasa Labroo, founder of Slam Out Loud, said, “When we think of who the cultural curators of India are, we don’t think of what most of our country looks and lives like. There is no dearth of artistic talent in India, but the arts – particularly performing arts – are not an easy field to establish oneself or build a career in. Through our partnership with Tomorrow Makers, we have created a programme for gifted young artists from less privileged backgrounds across India to get the right kind of training, mentorship, and exposure. We’re excited to build the next generation of creative leaders and have their voices represent our country’s stories!“

For graduates, Tomorrow Makers supports two pathways: professional theatre training through Drama School Mumbai, and defence exam preparation through Delta Squad Foundation and Yuvatejas. Need-based scholarships are available for eligible candidates.

Students across India can apply through the website or WhatsApp bot and undergo assessments to identify potential in sciences, invention, arts, and endurance. Successful candidates will be placed in specialised programmes run by Godrej Foundation’s non-profit partners. Tomorrow Makers is part of the Godrej Foundation’s broader mission to promote economic growth, inclusion, innovation, and talent development in India

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MUMBAI: Hitachi Payment Services, India’s leading payments and commerce solutions provider today launched its financial inclusion business to redefine access to financial services for the underbanked and unbanked sections of society. Through this strategic launch, the company has added a critical extension to its existing bouquet of services and will further drive inclusive growth.

The list of services includes – Aadhaar Enabled Payment Services, Micro ATM Services, Domestic Money Transfers, Mobile & DTH Recharges, and Bill Payments

For the initial launch, Hitachi Payment Services has partnered with YES BANK, demonstrating its commitment to collaborative efforts for financial inclusion. The partnership leverages YES BANK’s strong banking expertise and Hitachi Payment Services’ extensive network and technology infrastructure to provide reliable and secure financial services to the underserved.

The financial inclusion business will be operated under the brand ‘Hitachi Money Spot Plus’ through a network of retailers called Hitachi Partners and will have a strong focus in Tier 3 to Tier 6 towns across the country. Driving financial empowerment and innovation, the array of services under the financial inclusion business has been made available through its comprehensive app ‘Hitachi Money Spot Plus’ on Google Playstore. The app provides a convenient one-stop platform for financial services and this digital approach complements the Hitachi Partners network, ensuring accessibility and seamless service delivery across the country.

On the launch of the financial inclusion initiative, Anuj Khosla, Chief Executive Officer – Digital Business, Hitachi Payment Services, said, “The remarkable growth of internet penetration and financial literacy in India, especially in our rural communities, presents an urgent call for a resilient payment infrastructure that can keep pace with this rapid expansion. Retailers and merchants are the last mile touchpoints, enabling easy access to finance for customers. Recognizing this, we are extending our services to include financial inclusion initiatives. In essence, we are not just building a payment infrastructure; we are building bridges to financial empowerment and contributing to the nation’s progress.”

Naveen Chaluvadi, Chief Digital Officer at YES BANK, said “YES BANK has partnered with Hitachi Payment Services to launch Hitachi Money Spot Plus as part of our commitment to promote financial inclusion. This initiative is aimed at enabling financial transactions at hinterlands, focus on taking digital benefits to the last mile in an assisted digital mode”.

Anuj Saraswat, Business Head, Financial Services & Inclusion, Hitachi Payment Services, stated “At Hitachi Payment Services, innovation and financial empowerment are the guiding principles that drive everything we do. We believe that everyone should have access to the financial tools and resources that they require to progress, and we are committed to using technology to make that a reality. Our mission is to bridge the financial divide to empower individuals and communities to thrive. With ‘Hitachi Money Spot Plus’ we have embarked on a transformative journey to build a more inclusive financial ecosystem in India.“

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