November 30, 2024: Study Hall Educational Foundation (SHEF) organized a powerful rally under its annual girls’ rights campaign – India’s Daughter Campaign to advocate for the safety of women and girls. The event was led by students of the Veerangana group, a student-led social action initiative at Prerna Girls School and Prerna Boys School. Over 700 students participated, reaching out to more than 3,000 community members across the villages of Digdiga, Gwari, and Ujariyaon in Gomti Nagar, Lucknow.

Speaking at the event, Rakhee Panjwani, Principal of Prerna Girls School, emphasized the importance of collective action. She said, “Ensuring the safety of women and girls is a societal responsibility. Change begins with each one of us. I urge men and boys to stand with us in the fight to end violence against women and create a safe world for everyone.”

The rally featured vibrant posters, impactful slogans such as “Educate Men to Ensure Women’s Safety,” and street plays aimed at raising awareness. Students engaged community members in signature campaigns, encouraging them to pledge their commitment to fostering safe, respectful spaces for women at home, in society, and at the workplace.

The event witnessed participation from heads of SHEF schools including Roli Saxena, Vice Principal of Prerna Girls School; Pratima Srivastava, Principal of Prerna Boys School; Monica Chandra; Shibani Sahni; and Priyanka Saxena, the lead for the India’s Daughter Campaign. Surabhi Kashyup representing the Global Shapers Lucknow Hub, also lent her support to the initiative.

The rally is part of SHEF’s ongoing efforts to promote gender equality and empower communities to take a stand against violence and discrimination.

Lucknow: Vidyasthali organised its Annual Track & Field Day, Parakram 2024, on Tuesday, 12th November 2024. Mr Ahsan Khan, chairman of Nagar Panchayat, Malihabad presided as the honourable chief guest on the occasion.

The lighting of the torch kickstarted the proceedings, followed by a march-past by students of each house. Little ones joined the parade dressed as animals from the wild who wanted to be a part of this journey of grit and courage. 

Ashan Khan said, “I’m thrilled to see such remarkable sportsmanship on display. The children of Vidyasthali have truly made us proud. My heartfelt congratulations to the students, teachers, and parents. This achievement is inspiring, and I hope it sets an example for other schools to follow.”

Shipra Verma, Principal of Vidyasthali, said, “Parakram is a celebration of our children’s hard work and dedication. This sports day is their achievement, and they are at the heart of every moment presented here today.”

Events like Shakti Vandana, a call to the divine; Umbrella Drill, Yoga, Kalaripayattu (a martial art from Kerala), Balloon Drill, Bohemian Drill, and Mizo Dance marked the day. 

Children presented great athletic moves as the finalé ended with a song of salutation to the mothers by all students coming together. Principal Ms Shipra Verma proposed the vote of thanks. A teaser for next session’s Annual Day was also presented. 

Parents were delighted to give their views in a video interview to students. They also wrote their comments and wishes on the memory wall before they bid adieu to one of the most happening congregations in Malihabad.

Study Hall School recently hosted its Career Fest 2024, attracting over 700 students from 7 esteemed schools. Professional career counsellors from organisations like IDP, Pratham, Princeton Review, Plymouth Morjan, CCA, Prep Guru, UPES, IIAD, and CLAT Possible provided insights into the admissions process for various private and international universities.

The counsellors also guided students on fee waivers, scholarships, academic and extracurricular requirements, and how to craft a compelling letter of recommendation.

Priyanka Chopra, a counsellor from IDP, remarked, “Our goal is to help students confidently navigate their future. We’ve met many talented students here who aspire to study abroad, and our counsellors are ready to assist with visa support and guidance throughout the process.”

Anagha Ramady, a student of class 12th at Study Hall, shared, “The counsellors broadened my perspective and gave me clarity about my future aspirations.”

Another student of class 10th, Uplabdhi Sachan, added, “I gained a clear understanding of my future plans, and the counsellors resolved all my doubts.”

The event was a resounding success, with active participation from students, teachers, and parents alike.

Zoha Azeem, a recent graduate of Study Hall, has achieved the extraordinary feat of scoring a perfect 800 out of 800 in the Central University Entrance Test (CUET) exams. This result sits within the broader framework of the school’s commitment to nurturing top-tier academic talent, especially for girls, with 3 more students, Urja, Ridhi and Harshita, scoring 794, 788 and 786 respectively.
Meenakshi Bahadur, principal of Study Hall said, “Ours students have once again made us all proud. They have proved that if you put your heart and mind to it, your efforts will surely bear fruit. Many congratulations to all the students who have cleared CUET 2024.”
“It took me some time to register the result,” she recounted. “My parents and sisters had gotten me a mini cake and flowers along with the advice of remaining humble no matter what.” Zoha’s parents, Sameena Akhtar Siddiqui and Azeem Khan, also expressed their immense pride and joy. “I am absolutely overjoyed”, they remarked, that “her hard work has brought her fruit”.
Sharing her insights into her meticulous organisation and preparation strategies, Zoha claimed that she “tried to identify that pattern in every subject I studied” and relating these with “real life experiences…helped me the most.” Zoha attributes much of her success to the environment and teaching style, unique to Study Hall, emphasising the techniques she employed in her preparation. Additionally, “It emphasized as much on co curriculars as it did on bookish knowledge”, which helped her employ “critical thinking skills while studying instead of just blind memorization”.
Zoha now aspires to study History at College. It’s been her favourite subject since the 7th Grade and she would love to pursue an academic career in history itself, but ultimately, it is storytelling which really inspires her. “Whatever I do in life”, she remarked, “I would want it to be a medium for storytelling.”
Zoha Azeem’s journey exemplifies how a combination of hard work, innovative study techniques, and the nurturing environment at Study Hall has led to exceptional academic success.

Lucknow, July 26, 2024 – Study Hall Educational Foundation (SHEF) organized the ‘Art With Heart’ exhibition at Lalit Kala Academy, Aliganj, showcasing the remarkable artistic talents of students from all its units. The exhibition was inaugurated on July 26 by the esteemed Padmashri Dr Vidya Vindu Singh. The event commenced with the traditional lighting of the lamp, accompanied by a harmonious performance on the harmonium and vocals by Dr. Biju Bhagwati.

The ‘Art With Heart’ exhibition features an impressive array of artwork, including paintings, murals, lino art, and illustrations. Padmashri Dr Vidya Vindu Singh, while appreciating the artwork, remarked, “Art is a powerful tool for emotional well-being, offering a healthy outlet for emotions and alleviating stress. I am truly impressed by the beautiful artworks created by the students of SHEF. Their immense talent promises a bright future ahead.”

Dr Urvashi Sahni, Founder and CEO of SHEF said, “Study Hall integrates arts into school curriculums. It enhances the learning process by fostering creativity, critical thinking, and emotional well-being among students. Artistic activities such as painting encourage students to express themselves uniquely, develop problem-solving skills, and build cultural awareness.”

The opening ceremony was graced by the presence of Meenakshi Bahadur, Principal of Study Hall, Meenakshi Shah, Vice Principal, Rakhee Panjwani principal of Prerna Girls School, Pratima Srivastava principal of Center For Learning, Anand Chitravanshi – Chief Operating Officer at SHEF and Heads of various SHEF units. A captivating dance performance by Study Hall students added an extra touch of charm to the evening. SHEF integrates various art forms into its curriculum, recognizing the value of art in enriching the learning process. Through cultural appreciation, fostering empathy, promoting mental well-being, and holistic development, SHEF ensures a comprehensive educational experience for its students. 

The exhibition is open to the public from Saturday, July 27, to Thursday, August 1, from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm daily at Lalit Kala Academy, Aliganj.

Lucknow: Prerna Girls & Boys School and Center For Learning School (CFL), units of the Study Hall Educational Foundation (SHEF), organised their convocation ceremony to celebrate the successful results of their students. The chief guest for the occasion was Ruchita  Chaudhary, AGD, 1090 Police (W.C.S.O) and the guest of honour was Gary Everett, Principal of La Martiniere Boys College.

The event started with Ganesh Vandana. The principal of Prerna Girls School, Rakhee Panjwani, and principal Pratima Srivastava, principal of CFL, addressed the parents to thank them for their support and congratulated the students for their achievements. Dr Urvashi Sahni, founder and CEO of SHEF congratulated the graduating students, she said, “Every aspect of education at Prerna — the teachers, the curriculum, the culture of the school, is focused on helping the girls build a sense of themselves as equal persons worthy of being respected by themselves and their communities. We don’t just focus on academic excellence, but to empower them and to build a capacity to aspire, to take charge of their lives, and to flourish.”

108 students who excelled in the NIOS Board examinations were felicitated in the ceremony. The top three scorers in class 10th and 12th of Prerna Girls were awarded the Late Rajendra Mohini Satpal Malhotra Memorial Scholarship.

The guest of honour, Gary Everett, Principal of La Martiniere Boys College, said, “The transformation that is taking place in the lives of your children is evident. They come from a very challenging background, they know the suffering of our country. I urge all the students to dream. You will carry out the vision of your school and bridge the inequalities in this country.”

Sonal from Prerna Girls, shared her experience with the audience. “I feel proud to be a part of Prerna, we are taught that girls are equal and have every right to a life of their own choosing. This has helped me become a confident individual. This has helped me become. With my teacher’s support I was able to do well in my class 12th examination.” She also thanked her teachers and parents.

Neelu the class 10th topper at Prerna Girls said, “My school has given me dreams and opportunities to fulfil them. I am thrilled to join Study Hall. The teachers are very supportive. However I do miss my friends and teachers at Prerna but I can see them anytime because we are on the same campus.” Neelu’s outstanding performance has earned her a scholarship to Study Hall, one of Lucknow’s top CBSE schools, where she will continue her education and prepare for her NEET exams.

Shakti Mishra, a student of class 12th at CFL said, “CFL’s tailored approach to education allowed me to manage my time effectively, ensuring I could devote ample energy to both my studies and my athletic career. Balancing rigorous training sessions and competitive matches with academic responsibilities is no easy feat. And my teachers were at every step of the way supporting me.” Shakti is a tennis player who ranked at 57 in All India Ranking last year. She has won All India Tennis Association (AITA) and Universal tennis Ratings (UTR) tournaments as well as competed in International Tournaments.

The event carried enthralling musical and dance performances by the students. The ceremony was concluded with a gracious vote of thanks by the Prerna’s Vice Principal Roli Saxena and the National Anthem.

Lucknow: Ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, students from Study Hall College in Lucknow took to the streets to raise awareness about voting through Nukkad Natak. Over 1,250 community members were engaged through the plays held at prominent locations including Transport Nagar, Traffic Park Krishna Nagar, Alambagh bus, Shalimar Gateway Mall stand metro station, Smriti Upawan Chauraha, and GyanSetu- Community transformation centers in villages.

Krirandeep Kaur, a B.COM student, emphasized, “We are the largest democracy in the world and we are about to have elections. We must understand the importance of our vote and practice being a democratic citizen of our country.”

Aryan, a B.C.A student, added, “Our vote is our voice. It’s crucial for everyone to participate and make informed choices. We want our communities to go and vote, because it’s important.”

Shivani, teacher at Gyan Setu Harduiya center,said, “Initiatives like this are essential to educate the community members to understand why they should vote. Through this play my community understood the power of their vote and the students encouraged them to participate in the democratic process.”

Directed by Mr. Nitish Bhardwaj, Theatre Faculty at Study Hall College, the Nukkad Natak aims to inspire local residents to vote responsibly. Established in 2016, Study Hall College (SHC) is a high quality undergraduate degree college, affiliated to the University of Lucknow and currently offers Bachelors of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication (BA – JMC), Bachelors in Business Administration (BBA), Bachelors in Commerce (BCom), and Bachelors in Computer Applications (BCA). 

GyanSetu (Bridges for Learning) is a network of micro-education social ventures run by Study Hall Educational Foundation. Children who are out of school go through an accelerated learning program at the GyanSetu center. Upon completing the program, they are enrolled in formal schools, and are offered continuous supplementary education and support at their local GyanSetu center to ensure that they stay in school.

Lucknow: Study Hall hosted its annual concert “I THRIVE, WHEN WE THRIVE” on the 22nd of November 2023 at the Sant Gadge Auditorium, in Gomti Nagar. Through the concert, the students conveyed a message of self-empowerment and one’s connection with others and the earth.

Ms Meenakshi Bahadur, principal of Study Hall, addressed the students and parents, said “Thriving, at its core, embodies the fusion of vitality and learning—a principle which is embraced by our school. From the concert’s theme which was introduced in April to their final presentation, the students amazed us all with their creativity and innovation.”

Dr Urvashi Sahni, CEO of Study Hall Education Foundation (SHEF) said “For over 37 years we have been focusing on holistic development of our students and drama, arts and music has always been a part of our core curriculum. Even the New Education Policy (NEP) aligns perfectly with our school’s vision and plays a pivotal role in encouraging new students to take more interest in creative fields like theater, dance, and music.”
The evening commenced with performances like “Aham Brahmasmi” “Surya Vandana” “Ubuntu,” “Symphony” “Bus Chalna Hai” and Maya Angelou’s “Still I Rise” by the students.

These performances left a lasting impact on the audience and the parents were able to connect to the message that the students were trying to portray. The evening reached its end with “Mangalam,” a prayer for universal well-being, serving as a finale, with all audience members participating.

Concluding the event, the Vice Principal, Mrs. Meenakshi Shah, addressed the audience and said “The students and the teachers have worked very hard to make this concert possible. Their hard work takes all the credit and this concert is proof of how hard work and teamwork trumps all.”

Lucknow: In a bid to connect last mile artisans with business owners and promoters Study Hall Educational Foundation (SHEF) organized an artisans fair – GyanSetu Hunar Utsav 2023. Taking forward the mantle of Skill India, artisans and craftswomen from six districts of Uttar Pradesh were invited to showcase their products and build connections with promoters to ensure a steady line of business orders. More than 800 handmade items were put on display.

Notable among the promoters, Chandar Prakash, Runa Banerjee, Shurti Shandilya, Madhvi Kukreja, IB Singh, members from Lion’s Club, Ruth Chokarvarty, Vaani and many others.

The event commenced with a meeting of entrepreneurs from the city. Dr Urvashi Sahni, CEO and founder of SHEF said, “We work with the marginalized communities where talent and skills exist. We have organized Hunar Utsav to bridge the connection between artisans and craftswomen from our communities to all the entrepreneurs and businesses in Lucknow. Our goal is to economically empower women, enabling them to achieve independence and take control of their lives.”

Ms Tanmai Chaturvedi, GyanSetu program manager said, “We work with 70 distinct communities and these communities are full of skilled artisans. The Hunar Utsav is to celebrate their skills and their talents and connect them to businesses so that they can earn. ”

The Hunar Utsav showcased chikankari, zardozi, knitting, handcrafted items and many other products. In October 2021, SHEF launched its skill development program in collaboration with Laxmi Smriti Vidyadaan Sansthan and Jan Shikshan Sansthan, operating under the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship in Lucknow at Itaunja village. The skill development center was successful and five graduates from the GyanSetu Skill Development Center opened a tailoring unit in Itaunja village.

Lucknow: In a bid to connect last mile artisans with business owners and promoters Study Hall Educational Foundation (SHEF) organized an artisans fair – GyanSetu Hunar Utsav 2023. Taking forward the mantle of Skill India, artisans and craftswomen from six districts of Uttar Pradesh were invited to showcase their products and build connections with promoters to ensure a steady line of business orders. More than 800 handmade items were put on display.

Notable among the promoters, Chandar Prakash, Runa Banerjee, Shurti Shandilya, Madhvi Kukreja, IB Singh, members from Lion’s Club, Ruth Chokarvarty, Vaani and many others.

The event commenced with a meeting of entrepreneurs from the city. Dr Urvashi Sahni, CEO and founder of SHEF said, “We work with the marginalized communities where talent and skills exist. We have organized Hunar Utsav to bridge the connection between artisans and craftswomen from our communities to all the entrepreneurs and businesses in Lucknow. Our goal is to economically empower women, enabling them to achieve independence and take control of their lives.”

Ms Tanmai Chaturvedi, GyanSetu program manager said, “We work with 70 distinct communities and these communities are full of skilled artisans. The Hunar Utsav is to celebrate their skills and their talents and connect them to businesses so that they can earn. ”

The Hunar Utsav showcased chikankari, zardozi, knitting, handcrafted items and many other products. In October 2021, SHEF launched its skill development program in collaboration with Laxmi Smriti Vidyadaan Sansthan and Jan Shikshan Sansthan, operating under the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship in Lucknow at Itaunja village. The skill development center was successful and five graduates from the GyanSetu Skill Development Center opened a tailoring unit in Itaunja village.