Srinagar, 18 Nov: M3M Foundation, has partnered with Army good will school dras supported by Indian Army, Dras to bring digital learning to one of India’s most remote and challenging regions by installing nine smart classrooms at Dras, Ladakh. Located at an altitude of 10,800 feet, Dras, often known as the “Gateway to Ladakh” and one of the coldest inhabited places on Earth, presents unique educational challenges due to its severe winters and rugged terrain. This transformative initiative, which benefits 290 students and 17 teachers, equips the school with interactive flat panels, smartboards, and digital learning content, bridging the educational divide for children in this isolated area and empowering them with modern learning tools to thrive in the 21st century.
“We are honoured to have our pro bono collaboration with the Army in Dras to extend digital learning and enhanced infrastructure to more schools in need across this region. It is truly fulfilling to see the Indian Army’s vision of transforming AGS Dras into a model digital school come to life. This initiative marks the beginning of a new chapter, bringing 21st-century learning to all Army Goodwill schools in Ladakh. I believe that organizations like ours have a crucial role in fostering effective public-private partnerships, aligning with the government’s vision of nation-building and national security,” said Dr. Payal Kanodia, Chairperson and Trustee, M3M Foundation.
“The installation of these smart classrooms marks a significant milestone for the students of Dras. This initiative will not only elevate the quality of education but also provide our students with essential digital skills to succeed in the 21st century. We are proud to partner with M3M Foundation to bring advanced learning tools to this remote and challenging region,” said AGS official. For the content, M3M Foundation is working with iDream Education, a Gurgaon based edtech organisation which has developed the iPAL and iPrep content with features of multipal tests and audio video learning tools as well for the all the grader from kindergarden to K12 in multiple languages.
Teachers expressed great enthusiasm for this initiative, and M3M Foundation announced that each teacher would receive a tablet to effectively integrate digital learning into their classrooms. The inauguration was attended by Dr. Aishwarya Mahajan, Managing Trustee and President of M3M Foundation along with Lt Col Peter, Lt Col Rajesh Bandhe and Major Harvinder Singh of Indian Army.
The ceremony was led by the students of Dras— over 300 children from kindergarten to Grade 8, who now have access to interactive learning content. The provision of tablets for 17 teachers further enhances classroom engagement and enriches the learning experience for students in this remote region.
M3M Foundation, celebrating five years of impactful work, is dedicated to supporting India’s border regions through strategic programs that align with the vision of Prime Minister Modi and the Ministry of Home Affairs. In areas where businesses often hesitate to intervene, M3M Foundation is committed to strengthening communities in geopolitically sensitive regions. Beginning with a scholarship for Shahnaz Parveen, an international Taekwondo athlete from Kargil, Ladakh, under the “Lakshay” initiative.
The Foundation has expanded its reach with the “Kaushal Sambhal” program. This pioneering project in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh is empowering Ladakhi youth from Nubra vally in Sumoor and Panamic blocks with training in Sea Buckthorn processing and entrepreneurship, promoting self-reliance and economic growth within their communities. Through this initiative, the Foundation is building a sustainable value chain around Sea Buckthorn, an ecologically significant and economically valuable plant, thereby creating livelihood opportunities and encouraging environmental stewardship, especially among youth and women. With an emphasis on sustainable development, M3M Foundation’s commitment to Border Region Development includes plans for further skill-building, such as archery training for local youth, thereby fostering resilience and empowerment in India’s frontier communities
