In the development realm, where challenges often overshadow recognition, the Junoon Awards are a tribute to passion-driven impact and to inspire innovations and collaborations in the development sector. Derived from the Hindi word for “passion,” these awards celebrate the courage, innovation, and resilience of organizations that dare to push boundaries for the greater good.

More than just an accolade, the Junoon Awards recognize those who turn challenges into opportunities and redefine the possibilities of change, ensuring that these unsung heroes of the development sector receive the recognition they deserve.

The inaugural Junoon Awards in 2023 celebrated resilience during the pandemic, recognizing individuals and organizations with remarkable perseverance and innovation. Amid the challenges of COVID-19, these changemakers adapted, found new ways to continue their work, and made a lasting impact. Their efforts stood as a testament to human strength and ingenuity, making the awards a tribute to determination and progress in the face of adversity.

Among them, Vidyadhan stands out for its deep-rooted commitment to making higher education accessible for students from economically challenged backgrounds. Anchored in the belief that education can catalyze generational change, the program focuses not just on scholarships, but on long-term mentorship, alumni engagement, and community building.

By leveraging technology for transparency and scale, and centering human relationships in every stage of its work, Vidyadhan has built a replicable and evolving model of support. Its efforts go beyond financial aid—nurturing a cycle of giving back, enabling social mobility, and proving how sustained investment in youth can reshape the future of entire families and communities.

In 1999, the Sarojini Damodaran Foundation (SDF), under the Shibulal Family Philanthropic Initiatives (SFPI), began a quiet but determined journey with just two students in Kerala. What started as a small step toward educational access has now become Vidyadhan, an expansive, pan-India higher education scholarship program that has supported over 50,000 students across 20 states/UTs. With a goal to reach 1,00,000 students by 2030, Vidyadhan is steadily building one of India’s most impactful education ecosystems.

The program focuses on students from economically disadvantaged families with an annual income of less than ₹2-4 lakhs. Special emphasis is placed on reaching those with disabilities, those from remote locations, and children of single parents. Students are selected after a rigorous screening process, and once enrolled, are supported not just with funding but with consistent mentoring, training, and handholding until they complete their graduation.

Vidyadhan’s model is driven by a robust, tech-enabled platform that ensures transparency, scalability, and efficiency. 100% of the sponsor contributions go directly to students. The program has also created a unique cycle of giving back, where alumni who have completed their education and become financially stable return as mentors, and in many cases, as sponsors. This approach creates a community of changemakers who not only rise individually but pull others up alongside them.

The philosophy is simple: when one child accesses quality education and employment, an entire family’s trajectory can shift. And when that child gives back, the impact multiplies. A study by IIM-Kozhikode supports this: families of Vidyadhan scholars report exiting poverty within 1–2 years of their ward’s graduation, with students earning nearly three times the amount they received as scholarships in their first job alone.

Vidyadhan stands out not just for its scale, but for its low dropout rate of 0.4%, and the deeply human relationships it fosters over the years. Volunteers, donors, alumni, and staff form a close-knit network of support, ensuring that no child is reduced to just a beneficiary number. Today, Vidyadhan alumni include doctors, engineers, civil servants, and researchers—many of whom are the first in their family to graduate.

At its heart, Vidyadhan is not just about scholarships. It’s about trust, continuity, and creating ripples of change that last far beyond a degree.

The Logical Indian’s Perspective

At The Logical Indian, we believe stories like Vidyadhan’s and platforms like the Junoon Awards are vital reminders of the transformative power of collective action, empathy, and innovation. In a world where challenges often overshadow recognition, celebrating those who uplift others is essential for building a kinder, more equitable society.

As we witness the ripple effects of such initiatives, we encourage our readers to reflect: How can we each contribute to nurturing the next generation of changemakers in our communities? Share your thoughts, stories, and ideas below—let’s inspire change together.