The Akanksha Education Fund Inc.

08/21/2026

Who is Meher Mirza, really?
Some artists leave behind masterpieces. Others leave behind secrets.
On September 12th, step inside Meher’s world – where every brushstroke hides a truth someone wants buried.
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Join Akanksha Education Fund and Funusual for an evening of art, intrigue, and storytelling in Dallas, TX-- for a good cause!
Set against the backdrop of an exclusive art exhibition in Mumbai, the evening unfolds with the sudden disappearance of a priceless artifact. Guests will step inside the gallery, interact with intriguing characters, and piece together clues to uncover the truth—leading up to a stunning final reveal.

Attendees will enjoy an interactive English-language performance starring local professionals, alongside a vibrant culinary experience featuring traditional Mumbai-style chaat and street foods, followed by a delightful dessert buffet with wine service.

All proceeds benefit Akanksha Education Fund's work to empower underserved youth in India through education and opportunity.

Buy your tickets today: https://give.akankshafund.org/mehermirza?c_src=facebook

08/19/2026

What does it take to track and support a student’s journey for over 20 years? It takes both deep empathy and rigorous data.

Through our partnership with The Akanksha Foundation, we support holistic growth both inside and outside the classroom. A key part of this work is strengthening Akanksha's Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) systems to ensure every decision is driven by real-world impact.

We are thrilled to highlight Nishant Lodha, Director of Impact and Research at The Akanksha Foundation, whose expertise and leadership we are proud to collaborate with.

From evaluating learning outcomes and social-emotional growth to tracking long-term career success, Nishant bridges the gap between computer science precision and human-centered education impact. In a recent feature by The Logical Indian, Nishant shares how turning data into actionable insights helps Akanksha support students and families living through complex realities.

Key takeaway: “For Nishant, the organization’s commitment extends far beyond school education. Akanksha stays connected with every student from age 4 to 25—tracking higher education, employment, and overall progress to ensure children transition into empowered adulthood.”

Read Nishant’s full journey and insights here: https://lnkd.in/p/gM-pSw7W

The Akanksha Foundation

Feeling very grateful and a little reflective after this feature by The Logical Indian on my journey from computer science engineering to 'monitoring & evaluation' in education 🙏 I never planned this path and everything unfolded with a few conscious choices AND many well-intentioned people on the...

08/14/2026

Don’t wait to reserve your spot -- Step inside the mystery on September 12th!

Akanksha Education Fund and Funusual present Meher Mirza: Beyond the Canvas — an immersive theater experience where guests become part of the story.

Set during an exclusive Mumbai art exhibition, the evening takes a dramatic turn when a priceless artifact disappears. Follow the clues, interact with live characters, and uncover the truth in a night filled with mystery, performance, and surprises.

Enjoy Mumbai-style street food, desserts, wine, and incredible local talent — all in support of education initiatives empowering students in India.

This event will unfold at the historic Kalita Humphreys Theater in Dallas – the only existing theater designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, and an attraction on its own because of its signature aesthetic and its historically significant design.

Tickets & details:

Akanksha Education Fund is excited to present Meher Mirza: Beyond the Canvas, an immersive mystery theater experience in Dallas, TX. All proceeds from this event will go towards our mission to empo...

08/13/2026

For young people in underserved communities, limited access to resources makes the jump from the classroom to the workplace uniquely challenging.

Providing targeted support during the transition from school to a fulfilling career is essential—not only to bridge this access gap but also to unlock a powerful engine for long-term economic mobility.

To support these journeys, the Akanksha Education Fund (AEF), in partnership with Sattva Consulting, recently brought together key partners in India across two strategic sessions.

Co-Creating Impact with Grantee Partners

Recently AEF and Sattva convened grantee partners—iTeach, The Akanksha Foundation, and Avanti Fellows—to focus on shared learning and measuring student outcomes. Some important themes:

--Building the Field Together: Creating spaces to exchange insights quarterly builds a stronger field for everyone.

--Learning by Doing: Young people build skills by stepping into meaningful opportunities, even before they feel fully "ready."

--Differentiated Support: Students need support tailored to their stage, readiness, and individual needs.

Aligning Philanthropy & Employers

In Mumbai, AEF and Sattva hosted a Donor Roundtable with leading corporate and philanthropic partners—including CSF, CIFF, EMPower, Tata, DXC, Deutsche Bank, Capgemini, JPMC, and Credila Financial Services. Some important themes:

--A Shared Ecosystem: Stronger alignment across schools, employers, funders, and government can create smoother pathways from school-to-work.

--Exposure Builds Aspiration: Early workplace exposure turns aspirations into informed career choices, not just technical skills.

--Grounded in Student Realities: Hearing directly from Akanksha alumni kept the dialogue focused on lived experiences.

Investing in youth workforce development transforms individual lives while building resilient, inclusive communities for generations to come. Thank you, Sattva, for your continued collaboration in the School to Work space.

08/11/2026

Building a career is rarely about having all the answers. Sometimes, it's about having the confidence to try something new.

Sajida is an Akanksha alumna who currently works in the Sales department at FTS. While she has spent the last three and a half years building a successful career in sales, she's now preparing for her next challenge- exploring a future in performance marketing.

In Episode 7 of Made For More, Sajida reflects on choosing growth over comfort, navigating uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic with the support of Akanksha's Alumni Support team, and why financial independence has always been a priority before any other milestone in life.

She also shares how the conversations her parents had with Akanksha helped shape their perspective on education, empowering her to pursue her ambitions and make choices on her own terms.

Watch Sajida's story and discover how education is not just about preparing young people for a career; it's about giving them the confidence to keep learning, adapting, and creating a future they choose for themselves.

Watch here – episodes are also available on Spotify! https://youtu.be/MYZvZMWqmtY?si=5NYrvCorGM2O0kXV

The Akanksha Foundation

Building a career is rarely about having all the answers. Sometimes...

08/07/2026

Step inside the mystery on September 12th!

Akanksha Education Fund and Funusual present Meher Mirza: Beyond the Canvas — an immersive theater experience where guests become part of the story.

Set during an exclusive Mumbai art exhibition, the evening takes a dramatic turn when a priceless artifact disappears. Follow the clues, interact with live characters, and uncover the truth in a night filled with mystery, performance, and surprises.

Enjoy Mumbai-style street food, desserts, wine, and incredible local talent — all in support of education initiatives empowering students in India.

This event will unfold at the historic Kalita Humphreys Theater in Dallas – the only existing theater designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, and an attraction on its own because of its signature aesthetic and its historically significant design.

Don’t wait to reserve your spot!

Tickets & details:
https://give.akankshafund.org/mehermirza

08/04/2026

The right support at the right time can change the course of a young person's life.

Archana Gupta is an Akanksha alumna who works as a Grievance Officer with an international airline while also pursuing her entrepreneurial aspirations as a makeup artist and nail technician.

In Episode 6 of *Made For More*, Archana reflects on one of the most challenging phases of her life, the teacher who became a father figure, and the support that helped her rebuild her confidence and move forward.

She also shares how financial independence transformed her family's life—making it possible to move out of the slum they once called home—while giving her the freedom to pursue the creative career she had always dreamed of.

Watch Archana's story and discover how education, resilience, and the right support can open doors to opportunities that once felt out of reach.

https://youtu.be/g2_1_ciRQAY?si=3ruXvZMEiFVu9S57

Made for More episodes are now on Spotify! Download and listen to all the episodes.

When Archana was in school, she found herself going through one of ...

07/30/2026

Last week, our Emerging Leaders group hosted their first event in Midtown Manhattan, and it was a wonderful evening!

Young professionals from different industries gathered over sunset mimosas and small bites to connect and learn more about Akanksha’s mission and work. It was great to see everyone come together for lively conversation, fun games, and build a strong sense of community.

A huge thank you to Kirtana, Ani, Abhi, and Raunak for organizing this event! Thank you to everyone who came together to help make it a success – we look forward to the next one.

07/29/2026

"Connect, then correct."

It's a philosophy Rakib first learned as an Akanksha student, one that continues to guide his work today.

As the Operations Lead at Panaah Communities, Rakib works across 11 schools, leading initiatives that help children who have dropped out of school find their way back into education. Through the Path Makers program, he worked with 45 students last year. This year, that number has grown to 73.

In Episode 5 of *Made For More*, Rakib reflects on the teachers who first taught him the importance of building relationships before expecting results, and how that lesson continues to guide his work today. He shares why understanding a child's reality, listening before leading, and creating spaces where every student feels they deserve a second chance are at the heart of meaningful change.

Watch Rakib's story and discover how one lesson from the classroom continues to shape the lives of hundreds of young people today.

https://youtu.be/B2V1XOr6c7g?si=wiDb30QbsfO_WfM5

Made for More episodes are now on Spotify! Download and listen to all the episodes.

"Connect, then correct."It's a philosophy Rakib first learned as ...

07/24/2026

Recently, Capital hosted us for a philanthropic luncheon where we shared our mission, impact, and vision for expanding educational opportunity in India.

During the event, Akanksha Education Fund Executive Director, Sejal Desai shared the challenges facing equitable education in India, the innovative solutions Akanksha is implementing to address them, and the strategic roadmap guiding the organization's next chapter of impact.

Akanksha alumna Shruti Belitkar also shared her inspiring journey—from an Akanksha classroom to World College, and now to graduate studies at Johns Hopkins University—bringing to life the transformative power of access to high-quality education.

As a global investment firm with a long-term commitment to building sustainable growth and supporting transformative entrepreneurs, WestBridge Capital understands that investing in people is just as important as investing in businesses. That shared belief made this a meaningful opportunity to highlight the connection between long-term investment and lasting social impact.

Thank you to Sumir Chadha, Ksh*tij Shah, Manthan Shah, Ashwati Menon, Ada Grewal and Jerrilyn Wong for your warm hospitality and for creating this opportunity to deepen awareness of Akanksha's work.

We look forward to continuing this partnership and advancing our shared commitment to creating lasting impact through long-term investment in people and communities.