Across many schools in India, especially those serving large student populations, aging infrastructure and limited access to enrichment opportunities continue to pose challenges to effective learning. Classrooms with deteriorating walls, inadequate sanitation facilities, and uninspiring surroundings can negatively impact student engagement, concentration, and overall well-being. 

Teachers, despite their dedication, often have to work within these constraints, which can limit their ability to deliver the best possible learning experience. At the same time, students, particularly at the high school level, frequently lack exposure to career guidance and real-world perspectives that could help them connect education with future opportunities.

Recognising these interconnected challenges, TELUS Digital India undertook a comprehensive school transformation initiative at Bihari Lal Inter College under its flagship TELUS Days of Giving (TDOG) program. The initiative combined large-scale infrastructure refurbishment with employee-led mentoring, addressing both the physical learning environment and the developmental needs of students. 

By mobilising volunteers, professional expertise, and organisational resources, the program sought to create a more inspiring, functional, and future-oriented educational setting for students and teachers alike.

Revitalising School Infrastructure to Support Learning

A core focus of the initiative was the physical transformation of Bihari Lal Inter College, aimed at creating safe, engaging, and student-friendly learning spaces. Over 750 team member volunteers from TELUS Digital India’s Noida and Gurugram offices participated in the project, reflecting one of the largest employee-led education initiatives undertaken by the organisation.

The refurbishment effort covered 36 classrooms across five buildings, addressing spaces that students and teachers use daily. Fresh coats of paint, improved finishes, and thoughtfully designed interiors helped convert worn and aging classrooms into brighter, more welcoming environments. 

In addition, six hallways and two exterior walls were revitalised, enhancing the overall look and feel of the campus. Carefully designed murals were added to selected areas, with themes that encouraged creativity, ambition, and a sense of possibility, all of which play an important role in shaping a student’s mindset.

Beyond aesthetics, the initiative prioritised critical infrastructure improvements that directly affect health, safety, and long-term usability. Skilled professionals undertook waterproofing work, addressed plumbing issues, and completed bathroom facility upgrades, ensuring that the school’s infrastructure could better withstand daily use and seasonal challenges. These improvements contributed to hygiene, safety, and uninterrupted learning.

Extending Impact Through Mentorship and Student Engagement

Understanding that education extends beyond physical infrastructure, TELUS Digital India complemented the refurbishment with a strong focus on student engagement and mentorship. As part of the initiative, 30 experienced professionals from the organisation volunteered their time to conduct structured mentoring sessions for 60 high school students.

Each mentor worked closely with two students, dedicating three hours to career-focused discussions and guidance. These sessions helped students explore a wide range of career possibilities, understand how academic subjects connect to real-world roles, and gain insight into professional skills that are increasingly important in today’s job market. For many students, this interaction represented a rare opportunity to engage directly with working professionals and learn from their experiences.

The mentoring component addressed a critical gap often present in school education, namely, limited exposure to career pathways and role models. By engaging directly with students, the volunteers helped build confidence, encourage curiosity, and broaden aspirations. 

This human connection added depth to the initiative and ensured that the impact extended beyond improved classrooms to influence students’ outlook on their own futures.

Mobilising Volunteers for Collective Social Impact

The success of the project was driven by the scale and enthusiasm of volunteer participation. More than 750 volunteers contributed their time and energy to the refurbishment effort, working collaboratively across teams and roles. This collective action demonstrated how employee engagement can be channelled into meaningful community impact when aligned with a clear purpose.

The initiative at Bihari Lal Inter College marked the fifth school refurbishment project under TELUS Digital India’s TELUS Days of Giving program. Since its inception in 2018, TDOG has grown into a sustained platform for employee-led social action, particularly in the education sector. 

Over the years, the program has benefited more than 6,300 students and teachers across India, supported by over 2,200 volunteers who have collectively contributed more than 12,000 hours to education-focused initiatives.

The continuity of these efforts highlights the organisation’s long-term commitment rather than a one-time intervention. Even during the pandemic, when in-person volunteering was not possible, TELUS Digital India adapted its approach to continue supporting education through alternative means. 

With the return of on-ground initiatives in 2023 and 2024, the organisation resumed and expanded its school transformation efforts, culminating in this milestone project in 2025.

Strengthening Local Communities Through Education

By focusing on schools within the communities where employees live and work, TELUS Digital India ensured that its efforts created local, visible, and lasting impact. Improving a school’s infrastructure has ripple effects that extend beyond students and teachers to families and the wider community. A well-maintained school encourages attendance, strengthens trust in public education, and reinforces the value of learning as a pathway to opportunity.

The refurbishment of Bihari Lal Inter College illustrates how corporate resources, when combined with employee participation, can address grassroots challenges effectively. 

The initiative aligned physical improvements with human engagement, creating a more comprehensive model of educational support. By integrating infrastructure upgrades with mentorship, the project addressed both immediate learning conditions and longer-term student development.

Impact Created

The initiative delivered meaningful outcomes across multiple dimensions. More than 2,300 students now benefit from improved classrooms, upgraded sanitation facilities, and a cleaner, safer campus that supports daily learning. Fifty-seven teachers gained access to better teaching environments, enabling them to conduct classes more effectively and with greater comfort.

The mentoring sessions provided 60 high school students with exposure to career pathways and professional guidance, helping them connect academic learning with future aspirations. At an organisational level, the participation of over 750 volunteers strengthened a culture of purpose-driven engagement and reinforced the role of employees as active contributors to social progress.

Together, these outcomes added to TELUS Digital India’s growing legacy of education-focused CSR initiatives and demonstrated how sustained volunteerism and targeted interventions can create lasting community impact.

Way Forward

As TELUS Digital India continues to expand its operations, education will remain a central pillar of its community engagement strategy. Building on the success of initiatives like the refurbishment of Bihari Lal Inter College, future efforts are expected to deepen impact through a combination of infrastructure support, student mentoring, and skills-based volunteering.

The organisation aims to further strengthen partnerships with local schools, identify evolving educational needs, and design interventions that support both learning environments and student development. By continuing to align employee passion with community priorities, TELUS Digital India seeks to create educational ecosystems where students are equipped to learn, grow, and envision broader possibilities for their future.

Through consistent action and a people-first approach, initiatives like TELUS Days of Giving reinforce the idea that meaningful social impact is built over time, one school, one student, and one volunteer at a time.