The Hindu Business Line : No barrier to excellence

The Ullas Trust, a charitable initiative started by Polaris Software Lab, endeavours to take education to underprivileged children through its various scholarship programmes.

The Ullas Trust, the charitable organisation founded by Polaris Software Lab and its employees as a social responsibility initiative, plans to extend the programme that has brought light into many young lives. For Shanthi, the daughter of a dhobi, and Rajasekhar, the son of a bus driver, getting the Ullas Trust award has brought new dimensions to their life.

With just 30 kids in its fold in 1997, the Ullas Trust has nurtured almost 2,000 children this year. In 2003, the Trust provided 1,991 scholarships worth over Rs 30 lakh to young achievers from 164 schools. Polaris volunteers did the entire process of testing and evaluating.

The objective of the Trust is to recognise academic excellence in underprivileged students from classes IX to XII in Corporation, Government and non-aided schools and to provide them with financial support through annual scholarships.

The pioneering force behind the venture is Madhu Jain, wife of Arun Jain, Managing Director and CEO of Polaris Software Lab Ltd.

Sitting in her comfortable and homely living room, she told Canvas, "We have to give back to society what society gave us." This has been the creed of the Ullas Trust. The vision has been to enable youth from underprivileged sections of society to achieve excellence so that they may become useful citizens contributing to the growth of the community and the nation.

As a part of its new initiatives this year, the Ullas Trust has expanded the scope of its scholarship to encourage higher education. Nine students, previous beneficiaries, were awarded further scholarships to pursue higher education. Also, a rolling trophy has been instituted to recognise schools and teachers who have contributed to the education of Ullas achievers. This year, the Trust ventured overseas and has instituted a scholarship for Aborigines at the University of New South Wales, Australia.

The Trust also provides opportunities for internship programs for Ullas achievers with the associate companies of Polaris Software Lab. It has also established Ullas chapters in local schools to support career counselling, remedial education courses and community and social activities, says Madhu. The deserving students are awarded the Rs 1,500 — You Can Do It — scholarship at a workshop.

The Trust has also entered into a tie up with the ICICI Bank to open bank accounts for recipients of the Ullas Trust scholarship. The students are introduced to banking and ATM technology and the scholarship money is credited into their accounts. Madhu says it was wonderful to watch the sense of pride and achievement the children feel when selected.

Almost 40 per cent of each scholarship is borne by Polaris' employees and the remaining by the company. "This is an ongoing exercise," she adds.

The employees of Polaris interact with the students on a regular basis and this feedback is used to develop various programmes on spoken English, confidence building, speed-reading and career counselling. Some students also get the opportunity to intern at an accounting firm as well as gain hands-on computer education.

Picture by Bijoy Ghosh

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