In 2016, Mr. Prasad Narayan embarked on a journey that would transform the lives of numerous students from underprivileged backgrounds. Taking a sabbatical from his demanding career in information technology, Mr. Narayan pursued his long-held aspiration of making a significant impact in the field of education. Together with his wife, Rekha, he established ‘The Power of One Educational Trust’, with a mission to sponsor the higher education of economically disadvantaged students.
Initially aiming to support eight to ten students annually, the Trust has remarkably expanded its reach, sponsoring the education of 282 students to date, and investing 24 lakhs in their futures. The Trust’s unique model, characterized by minimal operational costs and utmost transparency, has garnered widespread support and trust. In this context, we are pleased to present below an interview with Mr. Prasad Narayan, President & Managing Trustee, The Power of One Educational Trust, Balewadi, Pune & Vice President, Leapfrog Technology.
Q. What inspired the establishment of ‘The Power of One’ educational trust, and what is the significance and idea behind its name? What are the trust’s primary goals?
Mr. Prasad & Ms. Rekha with sponsored students on the occassion of Dussehra on Oct 5, 2022.
Like many, I do my bit to help the poor and the needy, but I always dreamt of doing something on a much bigger and broader scale. I wondered, with maximum funds coming from NGOs, charitable trusts, organizations, businessmen, and individuals, why can’t all taxpayers come forward and join hands in imparting education to deserving students? If taxpayers can contribute just a rupee every day and continue doing that for the rest of the year, we are talking about collecting Rs. 365 per person. According to the internet, for AY 2022-23, there were 93.7 million taxpayers in India. Even if one-tenth of these people are ready to contribute Rs. 1/day, there will be a whopping collection of Rs. 9 million/day. This is the reasoning behind the name, ‘The Power of One.’
Mahatma Gandhi’s quote, “Be the change that you wish to see in the world,” inspired me to take up this noble cause. The primary goal of the trust is to help students who want to pursue a college degree but are facing difficulties because of financial constraints.
Mr. Prasad Narayan Handing over a cheque to a sponsored student of Modern Law College, Pune.
Q. Why did you choose your focus area as Higher education? Can you describe the criteria or process you use to identify students eligible for sponsorship under your trust?
Sponsored students of Poona Night School & Jr. College on June 12, 2019.
Education is a prerequisite for the economic prosperity of any nation. It can significantly boost confidence levels, enable independent decision-making, prevent exploitation, and reduce inequality. Nelson Mandela’s quote encapsulates this perfectly: “Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world.” We focus on higher education because it often poses a significant financial challenge, especially after 12th grade when many students are forced to discontinue their studies due to lack of funds.
Candidates who have scored 70% (or equivalent CGPA) in the qualifying exam, have no backlogs, and wish to study further are eligible to apply. Preference is given to students who do not receive financial assistance from elsewhere and have a strong academic record. Candidates can pursue any stream of their choice, including Science, Arts, Commerce, Law, Engineering, or any other discipline for graduation or post-graduation. Every case received is meticulously scrutinized. We verify supporting documents such as the fee challan from the college, a supporting letter from the principal, mark sheets, the annual income statement of the parent(s), and family background.
Mr. Prasad Narayan with sponsored students of Ambedkar College, Pune.
Q. How does ‘The Power of One’ differ from other educational trusts, especially regarding operational structure and transparency, and what impact has this had on the trust’s effectiveness?
Students of Ambedkar College listening to Mr. Prasad Narayan.
‘The Power of One’ stands out from other trusts or NGOs in several key ways:
- Minimal Operational Costs: We are a two-member team operating from our home office, which keeps our operational costs minimal and allows us to support many deserving students.
- Transparency: We maintain extreme transparency with beneficiary names, fees paid, and college/course details. This transparency has been instrumental in gaining donor trust, eliminating the need to solicit contributions.
- Regular Updates: Donors receive regular updates on the progress of students, including their employment status if applicable.
- Personal Interaction: The trustees personally meet or talk with every student (and sometimes their family) and conduct reference checks before sponsoring their tuition fees.
- Merit-Based Selection: Students are chosen purely based on academic merit. No cash payments are accepted or given out.
- No Refund Expectations: We do not expect refunds when students graduate, although we welcome contributions from them once they are employed and well-settled.
- Performance Monitoring: The performance of the students is periodically monitored.
Unlike other NGOs that request contributions from people, we rely on voluntary contributions from donors year after year. The Trust exemplifies a win-win situation: donors thank us, and we reciprocate their generosity. This mutual appreciation has fostered a strong and supportive community around our cause.
The note at the bottom of the wedding card of Mr. Prasad’s niece Ms. Anusha is another testament to the trust’s effectiveness.
Q. Could you elaborate on your experience in sponsoring students’ tuition fees and how the trust has evolved since its inception?
Mr. Prasad Narayan with sponsored students on June 24, 2019.
We are grateful to have the support of friends, family, acquaintances, and well-wishers, without whom we would not have reached this far. The notes of gratitude sent by sponsored students after we pay their tuition fees give us immense satisfaction. Sponsoring 282 college students with close to Rs. 24 Lakhs is a commendable feat, especially considering that the trustees work as full-time employees. Our work is driven purely by passion and a commitment to empowering education for the underprivileged.
In the initial years, the number of donors and the amount of contributions were limited. However, as transparency increased, so did the amount of donations. This growth is reflected in the number of students sponsored and the fees paid since the academic year 2017-18. To put it in perspective, in 2017-18, the trust sponsored 19 students by paying fees worth Rs. 1,76,877. Fast forward to 2023-24, the trust sponsored 45 students by paying fees worth Rs. 5,06,693.
Students of Ambedkar College listening to Mr. Prasad Narayan.
Q. How do you maintain transparency and accountability in the utilization of funds, especially regarding student sponsorship and operational costs?
At the Modern College of Arts, Commerce & Science, Pune.
I will quote what my classmate and friend, Neeraj Shrimali, wrote to me: “Transparency and utilization of funds to the maximum, keeping administrative expenses to a minimum is laudable. I have seen accounts of many big names having around 40 to 50% administrative overheads.”
I have not come across any NGO that has requested donors to contribute just Re 1/day. My wife and I have contributed to NGOs in the past, but we never knew how the amount was utilized or who the beneficiaries were. This is not to be critical of all such NGOs or to question their integrity, but simply to highlight that ‘transparency’ was often missing.
As for operational costs, they are kept to a bare minimum since the trust operates from our home office. There are no employees. My Chartered Accountant has informed me that I can write off some expenses related to property tax, but I have chosen not to.
Welcome by Ambedkar College, Pune.
Q. Can you share success stories or significant impact that ‘The Power of One’ has had on the lives of sponsored students or their families?
With sponsored students in our housing society Willows, Pune, 2023.
Many of our sponsored students are now employed with companies like Infosys, Tech Mahindra, and the Serum Institute. There are numerous success stories, and I will share a few here:
- Gangavath Kalyan (BA, HONS, Economics from Delhi University): “The foundation came to our help when my sister and I were struggling to pay our college fees. They not only paid the fees but also assured us of support until we achieved our dreams. Humble gratitude to the NGO.”
- Sanjana Parmar (Bachelor of Mass Media, Mithi Bai College, Mumbai): “This trust is truly an inspiration, and I am deeply grateful to them for helping me complete my graduation when the pandemic affected my dad’s employment.”
- Ganesh Godase (MSc Applied Geology from IIT Dhanbad): “The Trust brings a ray of hope for financially weak students who have potential and talent but are held back by financial constraints. I am one of the beneficiaries of the trust and cannot thank them enough.”
These stories highlight the significant impact ‘The Power of One’ has had on the lives of students and their families, helping them overcome financial barriers to achieve their educational and career goals.
This note of gratitude in Hindi gave us immense happiness.
Q. Could you discuss how technology can be leveraged for effective outreach and impact in education, given your IT background?
Welcome by Dr. Balasaheb B. Waphare, Principal, MIT College of Arts, Commerce, Science, Pune.
Being tech-savvy has become the norm across industries, creating numerous opportunities for teachers and students alike. With a decent internet connection, learning can take place from anywhere, at any time. A smartphone can suffice in the absence of a laptop, and recorded sessions ensure that missing a class does not hinder learning.
However, for underprivileged students, financial constraints pose significant challenges. Our trust offers tuition assistance, but many students approach us needing laptops or mobile phones. With the help of friends, I have been able to address the needs of a few students.
During COVID-19, when restrictions prevented face-to-face meetings, technology enabled me to connect with students over Zoom calls. This experience underscored the importance of leveraging technology for effective outreach and impact in education, especially for those who need it the most.
Mr. Prasad Narayan in an interaction with the staff & students of Ambedkar College, Aundh, Pune.
Q. In what ways do you envision the future growth and impact of ‘The Power of One’ in supporting underprivileged students in their educational journey?
Mr. Prasad Narayan being felicitated.
Honestly, I will be very proud if our educational trust continues to do what it has been doing since it was formed in 2016. If there is an increase in the number of donors, I will welcome that. If not, that is also fine, and God has been very kind to us. The trust will continue its journey of helping as many economically weak but academically brilliant students as possible.
Growth is a term commonly used in professional careers and businesses. We are content with how we have grown steadily over the years. When the trust was formed in 2016, our goal was to sponsor the tuition fees of 8-10 students per year. By this yardstick, we would have sponsored 80 students by now. Instead, the number stands at a staggering 282 as of May 11, 2024. Expectations, whether in terms of donors or donations, can lead to disappointments, as I have experienced.
The impact of ‘The Power of One’ has been significant, as reflected in the comments from people associated with the trust and the students. We have grown from strength to strength. Education is the key to transforming any society. Empowering a person with knowledge not only changes that individual but also helps their entire family, creating a cascading effect.
With staff & sponsored students of MIT College of Arts, Commerce, Science, Pune.
