Kotak Education Foundation has launched an impact film on Kotak Shiksha Nidhi, a pan-India education support initiative introduced in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. The film documents the resilience and transformation of students whose education was protected during a period of widespread personal and financial disruption, reinforcing the role of purpose-led initiatives in long-term social impact.
Kotak Shiksha Nidhi was conceptualised by the Kotak Mahindra Group to address the immediate risk of school and college dropouts among children who lost one or both parents, or a primary earning family member, during the pandemic. Launched as a rapid-response programme, the initiative focused on ensuring continuity of education at a time when families were facing uncertainty and emotional distress.
The programme supported more than 1,500 students across India, ranging from Class 1 to graduation and diploma courses, and covering ages between 6 and 22 years. Eligible students received financial assistance of up to INR 2.5 lakh per annum, helping them remain enrolled in formal education during a period when many were at risk of discontinuation.
From a programme design perspective, Kotak Shiksha Nidhi extended beyond financial aid. It was structured as a holistic support system that combined academic assistance with career guidance, analytical skills development, mental health and wellness counselling, and training in personality development and life skills. This integrated model aimed to address both immediate educational needs and longer-term personal development.
The impact film positions the initiative as more than a relief measure, focusing instead on sustained transformation. It highlights how students were able to rebuild confidence, re-engage with learning and plan for future careers despite experiencing significant loss. Several beneficiaries have since graduated, pursued higher education, secured internships or entered full-time employment, contributing to renewed stability within their families and communities.
From a communication standpoint, the film functions as a narrative-led impact asset. Rather than relying on statistics alone, it brings the outcomes of the programme to life through individual stories that reflect diverse geographies, age groups and lived experiences. The film acknowledges that it is not possible to represent all 1,500 journeys, and instead curates a selection of stories that collectively reflect the programme’s scale and depth.
To ensure authenticity, the Kotak Education Foundation team travelled across four states, engaging directly with students and their families. The film documents these interactions with sensitivity, focusing on lived realities rather than scripted testimonials. This approach supports credibility and emotional resonance, particularly among stakeholders evaluating long-term social investment and impact.
Commenting on the film, Jaideep Hansraj, whole time director at Kotak Mahindra Bank, said: “The Kotak Shiksha Nidhi Impact Film is a salute to courage. Behind every frame is a young learner who refused to let loss define their future. Through timely financial support and holistic care including academic guidance, mental wellness, and life skills, we worked with the families as they rebuilt hope. This film reminds us why equitable access to education matters: because when support arrives at the right time, potential becomes possibility.”
Jayasree Ramesh, coo (education) at Kotak Education Foundation, added: “At Kotak Education Foundation, we know that every child’s learning is precious and no crisis should stand in its way. Kotak Shiksha Nidhi was created with care and foresight, to protect the dreams of children facing unimaginable loss.”
The film has been produced in collaboration with a production house and directed by Sarthak Dasgupta. As an impact communication piece, it reinforces Kotak Education Foundation’s approach to education-led social change, using storytelling to underline how structured, timely intervention can create lasting outcomes.
