Lucknow: Educate Girls, the organization honored with the 2025 Ramon Magsaysay Award—widely regarded as Asia’s Nobel Prize—celebrated its 18th anniversary in Lucknow on March 25, 2026. The event brought together over 300 participants, including Team Balika volunteers, field staff, senior government officials, civil society partners, and stakeholders in the education sector. The celebration reflected on the organization’s journey and reiterated its commitment to advancing girls’ education across India.
Brajesh Pathak, Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, delivered the keynote address, highlighting the state government’s sustained efforts to ensure quality education and empowerment for every girl. “From nationwide initiatives like Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao to partnerships with organizations such as Educate Girls, we are committed to providing girls access to quality education,” he said. “Since 2017, we have seen transformative changes in primary, secondary, and higher education across the state, including improved infrastructure, increased resources, and targeted efforts to reduce dropout rates. Schemes like Kayakalp and the expansion of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas have played a crucial role in bringing girls back to school and helping them continue their education. Through Mission Shakti, we empower girls with dignity, opportunity, and equality. We stand firmly with Educate Girls in every initiative to advance girls’ education and empowerment.”
Vishnu Kant Pandey, Additional State Project Director, Secondary Education Department, Uttar Pradesh, highlighted the impact of community engagement and reintegration efforts across the state. “Through sustained efforts, we have identified and reconnected girls to mainstream education in nearly 23 districts and supported at-risk students to stay in school. Under the Vidya program, Team Balika volunteers visit villages to reintegrate out-of-school girls and provide continuity through open schooling for those who have left due to social or economic reasons. Reconnecting adolescent girls to mainstream education remains a complex challenge, but Educate Girls’ strong community engagement and partnerships have played a vital role. Their field-level insights have strengthened our planning and implementation, ensuring no girl is left behind. We value this collaboration and the unwavering commitment of Educate Girls, Team Balika, and all partners to advancing girls’ education.”
Gayatri Nair Lobo, CEO of Educate Girls, emphasized the organization’s journey of translating grassroots initiatives into national impact, attributing the Ramon Magsaysay Award to the courage and dedication of frontline volunteers and field teams. She said, “Educate Girls demonstrates how strong partnerships can drive meaningful change at scale. Through programs like Gyaan Ka Pitara (remedial learning), we reach the most marginalized girls, bringing them back to school and keeping them on the path of learning. The Ramon Magsaysay Award, Asia’s highest honor, recognizes the collective effort, integrity, and grassroots leadership of those advancing our mission. Identifying out-of-school girls, challenging deep-rooted social norms, and working in communities is a testament to the extraordinary courage and commitment of our frontline teams. We are deeply grateful to the Uttar Pradesh government for their continuous support.”
The celebration also featured inspiring stories and presentations by learners and volunteers, highlighting the transformative power of education. Halima Sadiya, associated with the Bihar Progress Team, attended the event. A panel discussion led by Executive Director Vikram Singh Solanki showcased the impact of over 55,000 volunteers, working at the household level to address issues such as child marriage, domestic responsibilities, and social norms that often force girls out of school.
Among the stories shared, Sonam from Badaun spoke about how her two-year journey with Educate Girls has boosted her confidence and deepened her understanding of education’s transformative power. Pranchal Gupta from Sonbhadra highlighted the joy and sense of purpose in reconnecting dropout children to school. Ankit Maurya shared his efforts to raise awareness in his village, motivating families to prioritize girls’ education despite social and economic challenges. Nirmala Yadav’s story stood out as particularly inspiring: despite facing child marriage, opposition, and the destruction of her books, she persevered to complete her BA and MSW, becoming a role model for many.
The 18th anniversary celebration of Educate Girls in Lucknow was not just a commemoration of its achievements but a powerful demonstration of how grassroots partnerships and committed volunteers can transform the lives of girls across India, ensuring they stay in school, pursue education, and reach their full potential.
