Udaipur, March 7 (Daily Kiran): Zurich Kotak General Insurance, along with the Z Zurich Foundation, distributed bicycles to out-of-school adolescent girls from remote villages in Rajasthan to support their access to education and help them continue learning without barriers.
The initiative was undertaken as part of Zurich Kotak’s broader Women’s Day programme and was conducted in association with Plan International (India Chapter), also known as Plan India, a nationally registered not-for-profit organisation dedicated to advancing children’s rights and promoting equality for girls. The effort complements the Balika Shivir programme, which supports school dropouts in attending learning centres and completing their education.
Since 2022, Plan India, with support from the Z Zurich Foundation, has implemented the Balika Shivir: Accelerated Learning Centre for Girls project in Rajasthan’s Udaipur and Bikaner districts and in two districts of Jharkhand. The project focuses on reducing vulnerabilities among adolescent girls aged 13–18 who have dropped out of school by helping them complete their education through the National Institute of Open Schooling or other distance education options.
Young women aged 19–24 who left school are also supported in gaining vocational skills that can help them generate income. In addition to academic support, the Balika Shivir project promotes community participation through Sakhi Sangam groups, which work to challenge social and gender norms and encourage recognition of the importance of girls’ education.
Commenting on the initiative, Vinayak Jayaram, CHRO, Zurich Kotak General Insurance, said that school dropout rates among girls in India remain high due to socio-economic challenges, especially in remote areas where access to basic infrastructure is limited. He said bicycles often become a critical mode of transportation in such communities and can significantly improve access to schools.
“Through this initiative, we aim to support girls in continuing their education by addressing a practical barrier to school attendance. At Zurich Kotak, we are committed to enabling access to education, which plays a vital role in supporting long-term socio-economic progress and advancing equity and inclusion,” he said.
Barbara Jordan, representative of the Z Zurich Foundation in Asia Pacific, who visited Udaipur to meet the Balika Shivir girls, said the foundation works towards building a more inclusive society where everyone gets the opportunity to succeed.
“For the Balika Shivir girls, bicycles are much more than a means of transport. In many cases they represent safety, time saved and reduced expenses — all of which can otherwise prevent girls from continuing their studies. Zurich Kotak employees also contributed generously to this fundraising initiative to support the girls’ learning journey,” she said.
Mohammed Asif, Executive Director of Plan International (India Chapter), said the initiative reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that every girl and young woman gets the opportunity to build a secure future.
He said that over the past three years, in collaboration with Zurich Kotak General Insurance and the Z Zurich Foundation, the programme has supported 4,441 out-of-school girls to return to and complete their education. Additionally, 3,745 young women have been helped to gain vocational skills and move towards sustainable livelihood opportunities.
He added that recognition received from local government stakeholders highlights the importance of investing in girls’ education and its transformative impact on families and communities, as well as India’s journey towards a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
The bicycle distribution drive is part of the organisation’s broader commitment to community development, gender equity and educational support. The initiative also aligns with the Z Zurich Foundation’s global focus on creating social impact through education and resilience-building programmes.
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