In Odisha’s Gopalpur, where fishing is a way of life and classrooms once struggled with necessities, the social welfare and development arm of the Adani Group, is bridging the gap between shoreline and school. Through learning kits, digital classrooms, clean water and sports, the Foundation is helping children from fisherfolk families access quality education, infused with dignity, aspiration, and opportunity.

In the coastal belt surrounding Gopalpur Port, where generations of families have relied on the sea for sustenance, a quiet transformation is taking place this time, on land. The Adani Foundation, the social welfare and development arm of the Adani Group, is leading a series of education-focused interventions that are bringing meaningful measurable changes to government schools serving the fisherfolk community.

Educational dignity & inclusion

At the heart of this initiative is a commitment to educational dignity and inclusion. Over 2,700 students across 24 government schools have received customised learning kits, each containing a durable school bag and essential academic tools. For many children, these kits have replaced makeshift or worn-out bags, allowing them to carry their books, and their dreams with pride.

“To see the smile on a child’s face when they receive their first real school bag, it’s a small gesture with a big emotional impact,” said a spokesperson from Adani Foundation.

Digital classrooms

To further enrich the learning environment, the Foundation is equipping 12 educational institutes including schools, colleges, and ITIs with digital classrooms featuring 75-inch interactive panels. These smart classrooms aim to bridge the digital divide and offer students exposure to modern, interactive methods of learning.

“Digital access in rural classrooms is no longer a luxury, it’s a necessity,” the spokesperson added. “Our goal is to make education engaging and future-ready, even in the remotest of regions.”

High salinity levels

In an area where high salinity levels have long compromised access to safe drinking water, the Foundation has also installed RO (reverse osmosis) water purification units in 9 schools, ensuring children can focus on learning without worrying about waterborne illnesses.

Recognising the importance of holistic development, sports kits have been distributed to schools and local youth clubs. These kits promote physical activity, teamwork, and self-confidence, crucial to a well-rounded education.

Sustainable growth

Together, these initiatives reflect Adani Foundation’s mission to create inclusive and sustainable growth across its areas of operation. In Gopalpur, that mission is already bearing fruit, giving children from the fisherfolk community the tools, support, and inspiration to envision a future beyond traditional livelihoods.
Because when a child learns with dignity, they dream without limits.