Cosmo Foundation provides computer education to 2500 rural students in Maharashtra

Cosmo Films a leading manufacturer of BOPP and thermal laminated packaging films has manufacturing units in Waluj and Shendra. The company has long history of philanthropic endeavors. It focuses on ethical business practice to development and wellbeing of their own human resources to responding the local need of neighboring communities of their manufacturing units in Aurangabad and Vadodara.

In Aurangabad various philanthropic initiatives were taken viz. medical support to need patients, Education support to needy children, beautification and cleanliness drive in Aurangabad city. In February 2017 Company has come up with more sustainable and aggressive approach by launching Computer Literacy Program under their CSR wing Cosmo Foundation.

Cosmo Foundation was conceived with a great passion and compassion by the promoter of the Company Ashok Jaipuria. He strongly believes that neighboring communities are our family and we may contribute for the development of lesser privileged amongst us in whatever way we can.

The major objective of launching the Computer Literacy Program is to expose and orient students to Computer operation and prepare them for digitalized world. Qualitative Computer Education will help to enhance students’ interest in education, improve their performance in mainstream education and expand opportunities for higher and technical education as well as employability. The program is designed in the backdrop of complete absence of computer education in rural schools and in this digitalized world students were isolated from technology and digital skills.

To begin with Cosmo Foundation has partnered with three Zila Parishad schools and one grant in aid school based in Ambelhol, Asegav, Gazgav and Limbejalgav villages of Gangapur block of Aurangabad District of Maharashtra. Cosmo Foundation has set up computer labs by providing 10 sets of desktop, one number of 40 inch LCD, Tables, chairs, electrification. Apart from this Cosmo has provided qualified trained computer teacher, curriculum, teaching learning material and assessment system. Schools have provided space to set up labs, class time for students during and before/after school hours and electricity.

2500 rural students are covered under this program. Majority of the students belong to the families of small and marginal farmers and some are of the parents working in MIDC. Teaches are also from local area hence they have high motivation and belongingness to work for the development of rural community. 47% stakeholders are girls. 30 % from minority communities and 70% from OBC and general category.

The program runs in partnership with Zila Parishad schools and with indepth support from school management committees, gram panchayat and parents. Ghori School Principle of Z.P Primary school Limbejalgaon says, “Students are so lucky that Cosmo Foundation has setup Computer Lab in our Village School and also providing teacher for the same. From the time Cosmo Foundation came to the school, everything has changed, student’s interest in mainstream subject has increased, absenteeism is reduced, school teachers feel more enthused with innovation, School Management Committee comes regularly to schools and helping all possible ways, Parents are coming to the school and giving feedback on children’s learning.”

During summer holidays 400 students attended computer classes, learnt basic computer operation. Out of which 174 have completed basic computer certificate course. Majority of them were women who have high aspirations for higher education and have less mobility and access. Usma, a computer teachers in village Asegav says, “In our village only two girls who did computer course after graduation. My parents encouraged me. Due to lack of transportation girls face lot of difficulty to do such courses. Now Cosmo computer centre has come to our village and 39 girls joined computer course.”

To cater to the strength of local students computer centres are operational from morning to evening and serves the students of morning and noon shifts. Cosmo has provided full time computer teachers. These teachers are from local area have high motivation and commitment to build life of their rural fraternity.

Dream of “Digital India” and “Skill India” can achieved only when organizations take forward the access to technology, digital skills with quality to the lesser privileged amongst us.