What We Do
Sahasra Deepika Institute
Our core program focusing on girls’ education
Sahasra Deepika Institute provides a stable, caring environment and well-rounded education for 65 girls in Bangalore from kindergarten to 10th standard. The majority of girls in our care come from single-parent households; most of their mothers work as maids, laborers or in the garment industry. Our four-acre campus includes a residential facility for girls, library, state of the art school, organic garden and playground.
Deeksha High is the school located on our campus for students from kindergarten through 10th grade. It is the result of our partnership with Academic Center for Excellence. This bold venture provides the girls at Sahasra Deepika Institute the opportunity to attend an academically challenging school in the safety of our campus, with peers from middle-class families.
Women’s Empowerment
“Women’s empowerment means social rights, political rights, the economic stability of the country itself.”
–Justice Ram Mohan Reddy.
It’s Her Turn: Bringing Women Together
In July 2018, as part of the 20th anniversary commemoration, Sahasra Deepika hosted a discussion by and for women empowerment program entitled, “It’s Her Turn: Forging a New Path for Women in India.” Panelists included Dr. Sunita Maheshwari, a noted physician and entrepreneur; Tanvi Gandhi, an Executive Producer at Phantom Films; and Preeti Gandhi, editor of Houzz India. The discussion was moderated by Monika Samtani, founder of Ms. Media and The Fem Word. Women of all ages shared their experiences as they strive to integrate tradition, family, opportunity and individuality. Future discussions will be conducted in 2019. All are welcome to join the conversation!
Helping Teachers in the Community
Sahasra Deepika’s Women’s Empowerment Program is focused on fostering a dialogue around a very important issue: the high drop-out rate for girls in India. By bringing together teachers from government schools, community leaders, and other educators in a collaborative forum, we strive to: develop a deeper understanding of the problem; make teachers aware of their unique position as a role model for the girls in their classrooms; and stimulate the development of creative approaches to the problem.
Our second biennial Women’s Empowerment Seminar was held on November 19th, 2016, with over 30 teachers and distinguished guest speakers: Justice Ram Mohan Reddy, formerly of the High Court of Karnataka; Divya Narayanappa, District Child Protection Officer, Bangalore Urban District; Kathyayini Chamaraj, freelance journalist and Executive Trustee, CIVIC Bangalore; and advocate and journalist Anjali Ramanna.
We are planning for our next Women’s Empowerment Seminar. Please contact us if you would like to participate.
Latest News
A Musical Visit to Sahasra Deepika
Over the past 12 years, my parents have been strong supporters and well wishers of Sahasra Deepika Foundation. I have memories of visiting the ashram as a child, and my family has instilled in me the practice of keeping connections alive and making efforts to visit....
Staying Calm Through the Surge
"Take a deep breath and know that things will get better." COVID-19's second wave has led to havoc in India's health care system. The steep rise in cases last month created a great strain on the country's hospitals. Schools that were reopening prior to the surge had...
COVID-19 Support to Local Clinic
As the number of COVID-19 cases increases, Medical Officer Dr. Latha from the Government Primary Health Center in Jigani, Karnataka, requested Sahasra Deepika co-Founder, Mrs. Vijaya Ramakrishna, to provide medicine for home isolation kits for patients and PPE to...
SD In Solidarity with BLM
"In order for there to be a brighter future for all, we must be points of light for those in need." From Minneapolis to Los Angeles, Washington D.C. to Istanbul, demonstrations around the world has taken place in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement. ...
