EducateToSave Receives Social Impact Award at VISTAR 2.0 for Transforming Rural Education
Quick Answer
EducateToSave, the child sponsorship initiative of The Kalgidhar Trust (The Kalgidhar Society), Baru Sahib, received the Social Impact Award at VISTAR 2.0 organised by Sikhs for Business in Ludhiana.The recognition celebrates EducateToSave's efforts to connect compassionate individuals, NRIs, philanthropists, and CSR partners with deserving children from rural India, ensuring that financial hardship never becomes a barrier to quality education. The award was presented as part of the Hidden Gems Business Awards at VISTAR 2.0, which recognised organisations creating meaningful social impact.
Recognition That Belongs to Every Child, Donor, and Teacher
Awards are often seen as milestones.
For us, this recognition represents something much more meaningful.
Every child who stayed in school because someone chose to sponsor their education.
Every donor who believed that education can transform lives.
Every teacher who encouraged a child to dream beyond the limits of their circumstances.
Every volunteer, supporter, and well-wisher who became part of this mission.
We are deeply honoured that EducateToSave has received the Social Impact Award at VISTAR 2.0, organised by Sikhs for Business in Ludhiana.
While the award bears our name, it truly belongs to the thousands of people who have helped make this educational movement possible.
About VISTAR 2.0
VISTAR 2.0 is a flagship gathering organised by Sikhs for Business, bringing together entrepreneurs, professionals, business leaders, innovators, and social organisations from across India.
The event celebrates leadership, innovation, entrepreneurship, and organisations creating meaningful social impact through the Hidden Gems Business Awards. The 2026 edition was held at Sterling Resort, Ludhiana, bringing together more than 1,500 businesses from across India.
Among the organisations recognised this year was EducateToSave for its contribution to rural education and educational sponsorship.
A Recognition for Rural Education
The recognition reflects EducateToSave's commitment to ensuring that financial hardship does not prevent deserving rural children from accessing quality education. Through individual sponsorships, scholarships, NRI support, and CSR partnerships, the initiative helps children remain in school while receiving quality CBSE education, values-based learning, and opportunities to build brighter futures.
Since its inception, EducateToSave has pursued one simple mission:
No child should lose the opportunity to study because of financial hardship.
Through the initiative, compassionate sponsors from India and around the world support deserving children studying in Akal Academy schools operated by The Kalgidhar Trust.
The sponsorships help children access:
- Quality CBSE education
- Experienced teachers
- Value-based learning
- Digital education
- STEM and Future Skills programmes
- Safe and nurturing school environments
Today, more than 33,000 students receive free or subsidised education through scholarships and donor support across the Akal Academy network, while thousands more continue to await sponsorship.
Across its network of 130 Akal Academy schools, The Kalgidhar Trust has been serving rural communities since 1986, making it one of India's largest value-based rural education movements.
The Social Impact Award recognises this ongoing commitment to making quality education accessible to rural children.
A Mission That Began Long Before the Award
The work being recognised today did not begin with EducateToSave.
It began nearly four decades ago.
Since 1986, The Kalgidhar Trust has been transforming rural education by establishing institutions where children from villages receive opportunities often associated only with urban schools.
Today the Trust operates:
- 130 Akal Academy schools
- Two universities
- Healthcare institutions
- Women empowerment initiatives
- Rural development programmes
Education has always been viewed not simply as academic achievement, but as a means of creating compassionate, responsible, and confident citizens.
EducateToSave extends that mission by ensuring financial circumstances do not prevent deserving children from accessing these opportunities.
Recognition That Inspires Greater Responsibility
"This award belongs to every child who continued their education despite financial hardship, every sponsor who believed in their potential, and every teacher who worked tirelessly to help them succeed. It inspires us to continue expanding educational opportunities across rural India."
Awards are encouraging.
They are also reminders of the responsibility that still lies ahead.
Across rural India, thousands of children continue to face financial barriers that threaten their education.
Many come from farming families.
Daily-wage labourers.
Single-parent households.
Economically vulnerable communities.
Every new sponsorship means another child remains in school.
Every donor becomes part of that story.
For us, this award is not a finish line.
It is motivation to reach many more children.
Thank You to Our Supporters
We extend our sincere gratitude to Sikhs for Business for recognising the importance of educational transformation and for creating a platform that celebrates organisations working for the greater good.
We also thank:
- Our generous donors
- Child sponsors
- CSR partners
- Volunteers
- Teachers
- School leaders
- Alumni
- Well-wishers
Most importantly, we thank the students whose determination continues to inspire everything we do.
Looking Ahead
Recognition strengthens resolve.
The coming years will see EducateToSave continue expanding educational opportunities through:
- Child sponsorships
- Future Skills education
- STEM learning
- AI and Robotics programmes
- Digital classrooms
- Value-based education
- Scholarships for deserving children
Together with our supporters, we hope to ensure that every deserving child has the opportunity to remain in school and realise their potential.
How You Can Become Part of This Mission
While this award celebrates an important milestone, thousands of deserving rural children still await educational support.
Through EducateToSave.com , individuals, families, NRIs, philanthropists, and organisations can help ensure that financial hardship never forces a child to leave school.
For approximately ₹88 a day, you can sponsor a child's education and become part of this growing movement.
We also look forward to strengthening partnerships with corporates through CSRforChange.com , enabling greater investment in rural education, STEM learning, digital classrooms, AI & Robotics Labs, and scholarships for deserving children.
Frequently Asked Questions
What award did EducateToSave receive?
EducateToSave received the Social Impact Award at VISTAR 2.0, organised by Sikhs for Business in Ludhiana, recognising its contribution to rural education and child sponsorship.
What is EducateToSave?
EducateToSave is the child sponsorship initiative of The Kalgidhar Trust (The Kalgidhar Society), helping deserving rural children access quality, value-based education through the Akal Academy network.
Why was EducateToSave recognised?
The initiative was recognised for helping connect donors, NRIs, philanthropists, and CSR partners with deserving rural children, ensuring financial hardship does not prevent access to education.
What is VISTAR 2.0?
VISTAR 2.0 is a business and leadership gathering organised by Sikhs for Business that celebrates entrepreneurship, innovation, and social impact through the Hidden Gems Business Awards.
How can I support EducateToSave?
Individuals can sponsor a child, while organisations can partner through CSR initiatives to strengthen rural education, helping more deserving children continue their educational journey.
An Award That Belongs to Everyone Who Believes in Education
Every child who stays in school changes a family.
Every educated child strengthens a community.
Every sponsor becomes part of that transformation.
The Social Impact Award presented at VISTAR 2.0 is not only a recognition of what EducateToSave has achieved—it is a reminder of what is still possible when individuals, businesses, educators, and communities come together with a shared purpose.
As thousands of children across rural India continue their educational journey, we remain committed to ensuring that opportunity is determined by potential—not by financial circumstances.
This recognition belongs not only to EducateToSave but to every donor, teacher, volunteer, CSR partner, and child who has believed that education can transform lives. Together, we can ensure that many more deserving children remain in school, realise their potential, and build a brighter future for themselves, their families, and India.
