Milaan Foundation

We recently visited Sonbhadra district, where we had the privilege of attending the Sathi Leaders Baithak led by Sapna, a remarkable Girl Icon from the region. Sapna's story is one of growth, courage, and empowerment. When she first joined the Girl Icon Program, she was shy and lacked confidence, often staying silent during training. But with the support of her Program Coordinator and Peer Assistant, Sapna slowly started to speak up, and the transformation was incredible! Today, Sapna is not only speaking up but leading impactful discussions with her fellow Sathi Leaders on topics like self-awareness, aspirations, periods, gender equality, and patriarchy. Her confidence has soared, and now, she’s a role model for her peers. Even more inspiring? Sapna and her fellow leaders have all been securing over 80% in their board exams! This is the power of education, leadership, and community. We’re beyond proud of Sapna and her dedication to becoming the change she wishes to see! #MilaanFoundation #GirlIconProgram #SathiLeaders #Empowerment #GirlsEducation #Leadership #Transformation Ayati Girl Rising Echidna Giving The Hans Foundation Info Edge India Ltd Egon Zehnder Paytm State Street Sony Music Entertainment

Last month, we came together for a vibrant, three-day residential training that was equal parts learning, reflection, and inspiration. It was a chance to look back at our journey, celebrating wins and unpacking challenges from two cohorts. From mock sessions to brush up on facilitation skills, to a heartfelt storytelling workshop that taught us how to better capture the impact we see every day—it was a whirlwind of growth and creativity. We dug deep into child protection, renewing our promise to keep children safe, and dove into M&E training, learning how to make data work harder for our programs. More than anything, it was about reigniting our fire for change and walking away with stronger skills, sharper focus, and bigger dreams for the future. Here’s to many more moments like this! #TeamUnmukt #LearningTogether #ImpactMatters Durga . Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies

We are thrilled to share that the U-GO Convening 2024 has been featured in both ANI News and Business Standard, shining a spotlight on the incredible journey of 199 first-generation women scholars. These young women, who gathered at the summit, are taking bold steps toward shaping their futures and creating lasting impact in their communities. It was an unforgettable experience to witness these inspiring scholars come together, share their stories, and empower each other. Their passion, determination, and vision for the future truly set the tone for a transformative event. Check out the articles and event photos below to learn more about this amazing gathering: https://lnkd.in/g8ZA5bT9

In India, malnutrition continues to hinder the growth and potential of millions of adolescent girls. According to the Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey (CNNS), 24% of adolescent girls are underweight, and many face deficiencies in vital nutrients. These issues affect their ability to concentrate, grow, and thrive. At Swarachna hostel, our collaboration with Feeding India is a beacon of hope. Through this partnership, our girls now receive well-balanced, nutritious meals every day. These meals provide essential vitamins, minerals, and energy needed for their overall development—physically, mentally, and academically. Thanks to Feeding India these girls now have the nourishment they need to overcome hunger, embrace learning, and build a future filled with possibilities. #GirlsNutrition #FeedingDreams #HealthyFutures #EmpowerThroughNutrition #GirlsEducation #EndMalnutrition

We are thrilled to announce that Milaan Foundation is now officially Great Place to Work® Institute (India)® Certified! This recognition reflects our commitment to creating a workplace where every team member feels valued, supported, and inspired to do their best. A heartfelt thank you to our incredible team for making this possible. Your passion and dedication make Milaan more than just a workplace—it’s a place where ideas thrive, and impact begins. Here’s to celebrating this milestone and building an even stronger future together! #GreatPlaceToWork #MilaanFoundation #TeamMilaan #WorkplaceExcellence #EmployeeEngagement #WorkplaceCulture #CertifiedGreatPlaceToWork #MilaanImpact #CelebratingTeamwork #StrongerTogether #BuildingTheFuture

sharing glimpses from the grand finale of the U-Go Convening 2024—what an incredible way to wrap up an unforgettable journey! Day 3 began with an energizing start that set the tone for a day full of inspiration. Our Mulaqaat sessions featured phenomenal speakers, including Deepthaa Kumar from Haqdarshak, Meenu Bhambhani from State Street Corporation, Gauri Menon from HSBC, Rima Pande from Bahaar Foundation, Anjali Chalisgaonkar , an HR professional and consultant, and Aarti Mohan from Sattva Consulting. Their advice and life lessons were nothing short of transformative, leaving our scholars with a wealth of wisdom to carry forward. A powerful moment of the day was the Pledge for Change, where our scholars committed to being agents of change, vowing to apply the lessons learned during the convening. The event culminated with Forest of Enchantments—a stunning collective art installation reflecting the scholars’ three-day journey of growth and discovery. Tom Monroe closed the event with heartfelt hopes and advice for these young changemakers. And what better way to end than with a rocking band session that had everyone celebrating the energy and inspiration of these past three days! Here's to more learning, growth, and empowerment. Lets go U-GO!!!! #UGOConvening2024 #MilaanFoundation #Leadership #Empowerment #ChangeMakers Rati Misra Javed Abbas Tripti Srivastava Monika P. @priya

Sharing a few glimpses of Day 2 of the UGO Convening 2024! The day began on an inspiring note as our young scholars connected with Mr. John Wood, the visionary founder of U-Go. During a dynamic Q&A session with over 200 scholars, John answered thoughtful questions with insights that encouraged them to dream big and challenge societal norms. One statement in particular, "Talent is universal, opportunity is not," resonated deeply, leaving our scholars empowered to envision a future where their potential knows no bounds. The Mulaqaat sessions were a major highlight, with exceptional women leaders mentoring our scholars on navigating societal expectations and gender roles as adolescent girls. These discussions delved into the impact of gender stereotypes in the workforce, how they influence career choices and practical ways to overcome these biases. We were honored to have Shalini Gupta from The Art Sanctuary; Aishwarya Shetty from Capco; maria preethy from Oracle; Manjuu Rangarajan from BrandiT Communications; Sandhya Ranganathan from Hewlett Packard Enterprise; Ruchika Kashyap from SHC; and Kalyani Subramanyam from the Maitrayana Charity Foundation. Their stories and guidance sparked meaningful conversations, inspiring the scholars and leaving them eager for more. The day also featured a deeply reflective session with the Enfold India - Creating Safe Spaces team, where the girls participated in a sharing circle designed to foster self-awareness, resilience, and a sense of community. The day ended on a joyful note with a vibrant talent show, where our scholars showcased their creativity and confidence through dancing, singing, and stand-up comedy. It was a heartwarming celebration of their talents, with an energy that was truly contagious. Day 2 was a perfect mix of inspiration, learning, and joy—we can’t wait to see what Day 3 holds!

At just 19 Pravati has transformed her pain into a source of power—not just for herself, but for every girl in her community. When Pravati was just six, a devastating fight between her parents ended with her mother’s tragic death. In the wake of this, her father, unable to care for her and her sister, abandoned them. Pravati felt like her world had crumbled. With no one to turn to, she was sent to live with her aunt, a place that was far from home and love. But Pravati’s spirit wasn’t easily broken. She moved to a shelter home where, for the first time in years, she felt safe. It was here that she rediscovered her love for learning and found a sense of purpose. When she turned 18, Pravati returned to her aunt’s home, but this time, with a fire inside her to make a difference. She joined the Girl Icon Program in 2019, vowing to fight for the girls in her village who, like her, were at risk of losing everything. In her village, Pravati saw how child marriage stole away the futures of countless girls. It was heart-wrenching, but it also lit a spark in her. Pravati began to reach out to the community, teaching them about the power of education and the importance of fighting for the rights of young girls. Her voice became the voice for so many others. She gave mental and emotional support to over 120 girls, helping them confront their struggles and rise above them. She even guided 20 girls to start making money from their craft and manage their earnings, giving them a sense of financial independence and pride. Through Milaan Foundation’s Girl Icon Program, Pravati learned to become a true leader. The training and mentorship she received gave her the confidence to speak out, to lead, and to be the change she wanted to see. Today, Pravati is pursuing a diploma in Textile and Technology, and her dream is to become an entrepreneur in the fashion industry. The fight against gender-based violence is not just for a few, it is a collective responsibility for all. Each of us has the ability to make a difference—whether it's supporting a friend, standing against injustice, or challenging harmful norms. Just like Pravati, every one of us can be a catalyst for change. Today, as we wrap up our 16 Days of Activism, we honour Pravati and so many other girls like her. This journey might be ending, but the fight against gender-based violence and for girls' rights continues. Every girl deserves the right to live without fear, to grow without limits, and to choose her own future. As we said, there is #NoExcuse for any form of violence, may it be against any gender. #HumanRightsDay #16DaysOfActivism #NoExcuseForViolence #GirlsRights #GirlIconProgram #MilaanFoundation #EndGenderBasedViolence #EmpowerGirls #UGoScholarship

Sharing the glimpses of Day 1 of our UGO Scholar Convening 2024—it was nothing short of phenomenal! The atmosphere was filled with energy, inspiring speakers, and invaluable insights. We kicked things off with a warm welcome from Rati Misra, who set the stage for an incredible day. Our chief guest, Swayta Murarka, Head of Global Banking at HSBC GSC . Swayta shared her remarkable journey, emphasizing the importance of overcoming obstacles and defying expectations. As she said, "What defined my journey is not the situation, the circumstances, the challenges, or the expectations of me, but what people didn’t expect me to do." Her words truly resonated with everyone, reminding us that sometimes, the most significant breakthroughs come from defying the odds. We were also thrilled to have Manmeet Sandhu, Chief People Officer at PhonePe, as our keynote speaker. Her engaging talk about overcoming workforce challenges left the room buzzing with excitement and wisdom. A special highlight was when Tom Monroe, Director of Programs at U-Go , shared the inspiring vision behind the UGO Scholarship, making a tangible difference in the lives of many young individuals. Moving forward, we unveiled the Unmukt Evaluation Report and the Girl Icon Program Evaluation Report—two documents that highlight the remarkable findings of our ongoing work. These reports are available for anyone to read on our website. We were also joined by incredible women leaders for the Mulaqaat sessions, where they shared guidance and mentorship with our scholars, helping them take the next step into their professional lives. A big thank you to Divya Narayanan (Jhatkaa.org), Laboni Mukherjee (Capco), Shruti Sagar (Smart Joules), Namrata Agarwal (QUEST Alliance), Sharu (Idorsia Pharmaceuticals Ltd), Gitanjali Rajamani (The/Nudge Institute), Shelly Mittal (Stealth), Malavika Natu (Snowflake), and Lavanya KR (Belden Inc.) for their time and support. Ramakka and Murali from Samvada also led insightful introspective activities, helping our scholars identify their strengths, values, and aspirations. We’re incredibly grateful for all the speakers, scholars, and everyone who contributed to making this day so impactful. Our scholars left the event buzzing with excitement, and we can’t wait for the next two days of the convening! #MilaanFoundation #Leadership #Inspiration #Empowerment #Education #UGOScholarship #WomenInLeadership Dhirendra Pratap Singh Sharat Goswami Javed Abbas

Day 15 of our 16 Days of Activism shines a light on Prachi, a Girl Icon from the 2022 batch, whose commitment to education has transformed lives. Coming from a small village in Meerut, where her father worked in a factory and her mother managed the household, Prachi knew what it meant to struggle. Yet, in the midst of hardship, she believed education was her escape, her future. Despite financial challenges, she managed to score 65% in her 12th-grade exams, keeping her dreams alive with every step. But Prachi’s journey didn’t stop with her own success. As a Girl Icon, she met Preeti, a bright young girl who had been forced to leave school due to her family’s financial strain. Prachi couldn’t just stand by and watch. She knew how much education mattered, and she was determined to make sure Preeti’s dreams wouldn’t be buried under the weight of poverty. With courage in her heart, Prachi fought to get Preeti re-enrolled in school, ensuring that her friend’s future would not be stolen by circumstances. But Prachi didn’t stop there. When Prachi received a scholarship for her hard work, she didn’t keep it all for herself. Instead, she gave half of it to Preeti, helping her attend a top-tier private school, with the books and uniform she needed. The rest? Prachi saved for her own dreams, knowing that both of them deserved a future full of possibilities. Prachi reminds us that education is not a privilege—it's a right. There is #noexcuse to hold back anyone from the power of learning. Education changes everything, and no girl should ever be left behind. #16DaysOfActivism #GirlsEducation #EmpoweredGirls #NoExcuseForEducation #MilaanFoundation #LiftEachOther #PowerOfDreams