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
Sweet 16 Gala: Live life as a celebration!
Sahasra Deepika held a Sweet 16 Gala at Tysons Corner in celebration of our 16th anniversary! Thank you to everyone who came to visit and helped Sahasra Deepika, as well as the one one-hundred and fifty guests that gathered for a fabulous night filled with foods,...
Founders Honored at IIFA Rocks
T.V. and Vijaya Ramakrishna, founders of Sahasra Deepika, have reached another milestone as they were honored as Tampa Bay Unsung Heroes by the Indian International Film Academy at the glamorous IIFA Rocks program in Tampa, Florida, on April 24. The Ramakrishnas were...
5th Annual Spelling Bee Contest
After tutoring 1500 students from 14 government high schools around Bangalore, Sahasra Deepika's 5th annual Outreach Program came to a close on February 8, 2014 with our Spelling Bee Contest. Shivani GD, a 9th standard student from Honnaganna Hatti High School,...
Founders Named 2013 Purpose Prize Fellows
The founders of Sahasra Deepika, T.V. and Vijaya Ramakrishna, have been named 2013 Purpose Prize Fellows by Encore.org. "Purpose Prize fellows are using their passion and experience to help solve some of society's toughest problems," said Marc Freedman, founder and...
