Press Release
On the occasion of International Youth Day (12 August), ‘Dhara Shakti Foundation’ (DSF) has taken the initiative to distribute smartphones to the youth of Rajasthan. As a first pilot initiative, the foundation has undertaken ‘Spreading Smiles’ in which 25 smartphones have been distributed to adolescent girls and they equate it with a virtual classroom for life skills training. The program aims to deliver life skills and leadership training to sensitize the selected group to recognize underlying social issues and empower them to spread awareness among their communities. ‘Dhara Shakti Foundation’ founded by young Jaipurite Ms. Devika Shekhawat has launched with the aim to provide opportunities, support, and mentorship to aspiring minds around India and particularly in Rajasthan.
On the occasion Founder, DSF, Ms. Devika Shekhawat said that digitisation will bring the youth of India to the forefront in addressing the challenges we face today. We are proud to partner with BG Foundation and Bhajan Global Impact Foundation in an endeavor to ensure that they adolescent youth are physically distant but not alone. We will be training these adolescent girls so that they can in turn reach and nurture as many young girls and youth in their communities. We need to provide them a safe space to thrive and a medium to interact and grow into their potential in this digital world and that is the reason I have chosen this initiative to start with, she said.
During the lockdown, Ms. Shekhawat has also distributed over 1000 hygiene kits which included sanitary pads, reusable masks and soaps to families across Jaipur and Khuri, Sikar. She plans to continue that initiative in different parts of the State.
About Dhara Shakti Foundation
Dhara Shakti Foundation based in Rajasthan, aims to be a catalyst and force multiplier for collective action to achieve sustainable and equitable development. This is not just an organisation, it is a force to bring together people from all aspects of life who are eager to bring about a positive change- to support the underprivileged, to empower youth and women and to uplift each other through dialogue and collaboration.
The foundation was set up with the objective of providing, opportunities, support, and mentorship to aspiring minds around India. The foundation believes in a collaborative approach and seeks to leverage a strategic network effect to scale collective impact and share best practices. The main focus areas are Sustainable Development Goals 4,5,6 and 11; Quality Education, Gender Equality, Clean Water and Sanitation and to promote Sustainability in cities and communities.
About Devika Shekhawat
Devika Shekhawat was born and raised in Jaipur, Rajasthan, where she completed her schooling from Maharani Gayatri Devi Girls School. Devika went to college at Symbiosis Centre of Management Studies, Pune, and graduated with a Business Administration degree.
She is committed to social upliftment and inclusion and has intensively worked with various organisations and led various initiatives focused on inclusive and sustainable development. She also gained first-hand experience in relief work after the devastating earthquake in Nepal. Devika has worked with The Global Education and Leadership Foundation (tGELF) for 5 years on various high impact entrepreneurial ventures. A few included working with the Government of Rajasthan and UNICEF on a rural education initiative in Rajasthan. She then went on to be a founding member of the Global Citizen India movement, (a community of more than 500,000 individuals united to use their collective voices for social good), as well a founding member of Shuruaat Bus (a joint initiative with NITI Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission) and subsequently working on the Entrepreneurship World Cup in Riyadh.