By Anjali Hegde | Executive Director
Udayan Care
Udayan Care is a trusted non-profit organization that empowers vulnerable children, youth, and women by making young lives shine. Anchored in family strengthening as its core philosophy, Udayan Care ensures that every individual grows up in a safe, nurturing environment that fosters dignity and self-reliance.
With operations across 16 states and 40 cities in India, Udayan Care runs diverse, impact-driven programs delivered under three key work verticals:
Together with committed individuals and institutions, Udayan Care continues to champion the right of every child and youth to a life of opportunity, protection, and belonging.
Udayan Shalini Fellowship Program (Education)
Udayan Shalini Fellowship program (USF) of Udayan Care is a unique academic excellence and personality development program for deserving and talented girls from weak socio-economic backgrounds aiming to turn them into empowered and dignified women or Shalinis.It is unique because it goes beyond being a usual scholarship program by not only supporting higher education but also providing regular mentoring and leadership development and inculcating a sense of social responsibility in them. Udayan Care initiated the Udayan Shalini Fellowships (USF) program in 2002 in Delhi, initially supporting 72 girls. Since its inception, USF has provided assistance to over 16,500 girl beneficiaries from financially constrained backgrounds. Presently, USF operates in 36 chapters across 14 states in India, significantly expanding its reach and impact.
In the past three months, the Shalinis actively engaged in both in-person and virtual sessions and events organized by USF, fostering academic and extracurricular growth. Face-to-face mentor interactions and workshop participation have created a sense of togetherness among Shalinis. The program consistently supports Shalinis and their families, guiding them in skill development and preparation for professional life. These Workshops covered various topics like Positive Language, Career Awareness, and Communication, equipping Shalinis to pass on their knowledge, etc. Additionally, practical exposure to the corporate world was offered through visits to various companies and institutions. New mentors, including dedicated alumnae, are joining the program, further enhancing the mentoring process. Donors and partners have played a crucial role in supporting the Shalinis, and their continued assistance is vital for advancing girls' education and expanding outreach.
Workshops with Shalinis.
Month #Participants Topic
Aug '24 22 Aligning Passion and Career
Sept '24 19 Group discussions and Mock Interviews
Oct '24 31 Teamwork
Nov '24 56 Foundation - Planning and Goal Setting
49 Foundation - Emotional Intelligence
58 Digital Skills - Alternate uses of the Internet
45 Communication - Assertiveness
Jan '25 61 Foundation - Values
54 Exploring Popular Career Options
Feb '25 58 Management of Personal Finances
Mar '25 56 Foundation - Emotional Intelligence
13 Women's rights in the workplace
31 Workplace Readiness - Initiative and Enterprise
Shalinis gained valuable skills through a series of workshops focused on personal and professional development. They enhanced their self-awareness, emotional regulation, and communication abilities, which boosted their confidence and interpersonal relationships. The workshops encouraged them to set clear, achievable goals, align their passions with career paths, and develop resilience in adapting to challenges. By exploring digital tools, they learned to leverage online resources for learning, professional development, and collaboration, improving their digital literacy and preparing them for future opportunities. The sessions fostered a sense of financial responsibility, teaching budgeting, savings, and investment strategies, which empowered them to make informed decisions for long-term stability. Through teamwork and assertiveness training, they improved their ability to work collaboratively, resolve conflicts, and take initiative in both personal and professional settings. The overall experience contributed to their personal growth, equipping them with the skills and mindset needed to navigate diverse environments, take ownership of their careers, and advocate for their rights in the workplace.
Recipient Feedback:
The "Foundation - Values" workshop was an insightful and enriching experience. The session focused on core values such as integrity, responsibility, and respect, and how they play a significant role in both personal and professional life. The facilitator did an excellent job of breaking down complex concepts into easy-to-understand lessons, and the group discussions were engaging. I found the activities very interactive, helping me connect the values to real-life scenarios. Overall, the workshop has given me a stronger understanding of foundational values, and I feel more confident in applying them in my daily life.
Small Group Workshops
Month #Participants Topic
Aug '24 49 Inspiring Growth: Embracing a culture of competence
Nov '24 100 Inspiring Change: Leading life with emotional intelligence
Dec '24 82 Workplace Readiness : Adaptability and Learning
Jan '25 116 New Year Celebration
13 Love Lines: Navigating Romance and Boundaries
Feb '25 118 Cycle of Emotion: Understanding Menstruation and Mental Health
Mar '25 165 How to be what you want to be
Shalinis participated in a diverse series of workshops and sessions designed to nurture emotional intelligence, cultural competence, and workplace readiness—key skills for thriving in today’s interconnected world. They explored how to understand and manage emotions, fostering empathy, self-awareness, and collaboration—core attributes of effective leadership. By engaging in discussions around cultural diversity, students developed greater adaptability, open-mindedness, and cross-cultural communication skills, preparing them to navigate global and inclusive environments with confidence. Practical sessions on adaptability and continuous learning equipped them with tools to embrace change and challenges in dynamic workspaces. Personal reflection activities, such as creating vision boards and setting goals for the year ahead, encouraged intentional planning and self-motivation. Sensitive yet essential topics like navigating relationships and understanding the emotional aspects of menstruation provided a safe space for open dialogue and holistic well-being. These discussions helped participants establish healthy boundaries, deepen self-respect, and support one another. Empowerment-focused sessions guided Shalinis in aligning their passions with purposeful goals, helping them define their own versions of success. Altogether, these experiences contributed to shaping resilient, self-aware, and empowered young women, ready to lead positive change in both personal and professional spheres.
Recipient Feedback:
All the key points were conveyed in sequence, so it made us grasp the key points in right way. It was a really boosting session on self-confidence. And with theory, it also contains practical implications that help me to understand it better with games.
Quarterly Workshop
Month #Participants Topic
Sept '24 148 Health, Hygiene, and Naturopathy
Oct '24 245 Light up the Mind: A Diwali reflection
Dec '24 232 Career Opportunities
Feb '25 126 Empowerment
Shalinis engaged in a series of impactful workshops and interactive sessions that significantly contributed to their personal, emotional, and career development. They learned the importance of health and hygiene, natural wellness practices, and how maintaining a balanced lifestyle through simple naturopathic remedies, yoga, and mindfulness can enhance overall well-being. Reflective activities encouraged them to develop greater self-awareness, manage stress, and adopt healthy mental habits, empowering them to prioritize mental and emotional health. Through energizing and trust-building exercises, they strengthened teamwork, confidence, and interpersonal trust. Career-focused sessions introduced them to a wide range of professions—from traditional fields to emerging sectors like artificial intelligence and renewable energy—broadening their awareness of future possibilities and encouraging them to align career choices with their passions and skills. Additionally, workshops on self-reliance, digital safety, situational awareness, and effective communication equipped them with practical life skills. Engaging role plays and interactive discussions fostered a sense of empowerment, resilience, and preparedness to navigate real-world challenges. These experiences collectively helped shape the Shalinis into confident, informed, and well-rounded individuals ready to take charge of their futures.
Recipient Feedback:
The quarterly workshop was highly engaging. It emphasized humanity and moral values through thought-provoking prompts and dynamic interactions. The facilitators fostered an inclusive and interactive environment, encouraging meaningful discussions and active participation.
Mentor-Mentee Sessions:
Number of Mentorship sessions held = 252 Sessions
Number of Mentors/Mentor Didi participated = 36
Number of Mentees participated = 227 Mentees
In the past six months, our Mentor-Mentee Program has played a crucial role in guiding and empowering 227 Shalinis to achieve their academic and personal aspirations. A dedicated team of 36 experienced mentors engaged with the Shalinis through monthly interactions, offering personalized guidance, emotional support, and motivation. These sessions have helped the overcome challenges, built confidence, and stayed focused on their goals. While we have witnessed significant progress and growth among the Shalinis, we also recognize areas for improvement and are committed to strengthening the program further. Our aim remains to ensure that every Shalini unlocks her full potential and moves forward with clarity, resilience, and purpose.
Paying it Forward
Month #Participants Topic
Dec '24 28 Social Campaign
Oct - Dec'24 180 Donating Food/Clothes/Books/Rations/Teaching underprivileged etc
22 Serving under Project Annapurna
Mar '25 78 Social Awareness Campaign - Women's Empowerment
Shalinis from the North Delhi chapter actively participated in a range of social campaigns and service initiatives, deeply enhancing their empathy, leadership, and sense of civic responsibility. Through meaningful experiences like a they developed a stronger connection to environmental care and rural life. Their consistent involvement in volunteering—distributing food, donating clothes and books, feeding animals, and tutoring underprivileged children—helped them build compassion, teamwork, and communication skills. Through their ongoing participation in food distribution drives under Project Annapurna, they demonstrated dedication to addressing hunger and supporting marginalized communities. These experiences cultivated a strong sense of purpose and community engagement. Additionally, in a campaign focused on women’s empowerment, Shalinis used creative expression through street plays, slogan writing, and poetry to raise awareness on critical social issues. These public-facing activities significantly boosted their confidence, public speaking, and leadership abilities. Overall, their efforts not only made a meaningful impact in the community but also fostered personal growth, empowering them to become socially aware and proactive changemakers.
Recipient Feedback:
The social campaign was very good; we learned a lot from it and taught others. The topic of our social campaign, which was Women's Empowerment, was very important in today's context. Through this campaign we also did extra-curricular activities like: Nukkad Natak, slogan writing, poem telling, etc. This made it easier for us to communicate our thoughts to others and people can also understand this happily. I learn lots of things, for example, teamwork, Hard work, how to speak in front of strangers, confidence building, collaboration etc. In the end I would like to say this social campaign was great.
Additional Activities
Month #Participants Activity
August 2024 - 230 - Written Exam
September 2024 -182 - Interview Process
October 2024 - 70 - Orientation & Induction Ceremony
December 2024 - 45 - Residential Camp
February 2025 - 10 - Chevening Visit
February 2025 - 18 - Desktop Distribution
March 2025 - 13 - Celebrating Change Selection Process
March 2025 - 105 - Alumnae Meet
The North Delhi chapter’s activities led to significant developmental outcomes for the Shalinis, contributing meaningfully to their personal, academic, and leadership growth. The Shalinis began their journey with increased motivation and a clear understanding of the program’s values and expectations. Through immersive residential experiences, participants developed higher self-confidence, improved emotional intelligence, stronger teamwork and communication skills, and greater clarity in decision-making and goal setting. Many Shalinis demonstrated enhanced time management, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities, which translated into better academic performance and increased participation in group initiatives. Exposure to global opportunities inspired higher aspirations, with several Shalinis expressing interest in international education and leadership roles. The provision of desktops directly improved digital literacy and access to online learning, enabling smoother academic progress and skill-building. The rigorous selection process encouraged self-reflection, helping participants better understand their strengths and areas for improvement. The alumnae meet fostered intergenerational learning, with past Shalinis offering mentorship and encouragement, reinforcing a strong sense of community and continuity. Overall, the eight months ’s interventions empowered the Shalinis to become more confident, goal-oriented, and socially responsible individuals, better equipped to navigate challenges and drive positive change in their environments.
Recipient Feedback:
Attending the alumnae meet was a truly inspiring and nostalgic experience. It was an honour to be in the presence of USF Team and senior Shalinis, whose words of wisdom reinforced the importance of mentorship and giving back. The play on mentorship and the Shalini journey, beautifully performed by Shalinis, was a highlight, reminding us of the impact USF has had on our lives. The event was filled with joy—singing, dancing, heartfelt conversations and capturing memories through photo sessions. A heartfelt thank you for such a meaningful gathering. Looking forward to more opportunities to stay connected and contribute.
SUCCESS STORY
Name of the Shalini: Shama (Name Changed)
We are proud to share the remarkable journey of Shama, a dedicated and hardworking student from the USF programme, who has demonstrated outstanding perseverance and commitment to her goals. Shama's academic journey started in 2016 when she was inducted into the USF programme. From the very beginning, her passion for learning and dedication to her studies set her apart.
Despite facing significant financial challenges, with her father working as a daily wager and her mother being a housewife, Shama remained unwavering in her pursuit of education. She shared that her mother and sister took on additional household responsibilities so that she could focus on her studies, and she never wanted to let them down. Her determination paid off when she secured an impressive 93% in her 12th board exams, marking the start of a successful academic career.
Shama went on to pursue her D.El.Ed and, simultaneously, completed her BA from IGNOU. Currently, she is working towards her Master's in Sociology, further expanding her knowledge and shaping her future. Her dedication and hard work opened doors for her, and she was offered an internship at Ernst & Young (EY), a global leader in professional services. The interviewers were impressed with her promptness and her optimistic outlook on life, and she was selected for a 4-month internship.
During her internship, Shama honed her communication and technical skills, learning how to turn challenges into opportunities. Her persistence and commitment to excellence paid off once again when she was offered a permanent role at EY as an Analyst 1 with an annual package of Rs. 4 Lakh.
Reflecting on her journey. Shama’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance, hard work, and the importance of staying focused on one's dreams. We are incredibly proud of her achievements and look forward to seeing her continue to make her family and the USF community proud.
Keep shining, Shama! Your future is as bright as your spirit.
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By Anjali Hegde | Executive Director
By Anjali Hegde | Executive Director
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