Tribute to Savitri Bai Phule:-

Savitri Bai Phule was an Indian social reformer, educationalist, and poet from Maharashtra. She is regarded as the first female teacher of India. Along with her husband, Jyotirao Phule, she played an important role in improving women's rights in India. Savitri Bai Phule and her husband founded the first Indian girls' school in Pune, at Bhide Wada in 1848.

But even today especially in rural areas dropout rate of girl students from school is increasing. The condition of girls is harsh due to lifestyle, geographical location, social stigma, partiality behavior between boy and girl. As a tribute to Hon. Savitri Bai Phule CFTI wishes to bring them back to school.

The Bicycle Pledge

• Project initiated to reduce the drop out rates
• In rural Maharashtra (India) there is high-dropout rate of girl students. As schools & colleges are located far-off distances from villages, parents of underprivileged children don't have financial capacity to pay for their children transportation.
• During monsoon some students shift their residence to their farms for farming. To reach school they have to either cross the river which is indeed a dangerous task or to take very long route to reach schools.
• During winter and monsoon it becomes dark early. So it becomes difficult for these girls to commute on foot.
• Frequency of public transport is very poor in these villages.
• Girls have to walk through lonely road or jungle to reach schools and back home.
• There is a danger of wild animal attacks.
• While doing their mapping and research one of these girls mentioned, “We are more frightened of rapes & human attacks than attacks of ferocious animals”, which is, unfortunately, the harsh reality of India. Especially in the rural areas where homes are far away and girls cross long distances to reach from one place to other place it makes them all the more vulnerable to sexual assaults.
• They can use this saved time for various activities.
• CFTI is planning to distribute bicycles across Maharashtra by giving these girls their own bicycles; we can help them stay in schools & colleges. This will also serve as motivation for these girls.
• Bicycle will help these girl students to commute easily to schools.

Impact:-

• Dropout rate of students is 2.9% which can be reduced by giving bicycles to them
• Bicycles are environment-friendly mode of transport.
• Safe to commute, the risk of girl child abuse is lowered as they commute on their own.
• Helps in health & fitness.
• Students can reach school and back home in time. They don’t have to opt for public transportation.
• Money spent on transportation can be used for purchasing their study materials.
• Since the selection criteria depends on their academic record as well, it will encourage them to study more in order to get a free bicycle.
• It is difficult for the students to walk to school during summer as the temperature reaches its highest level in some of the regions. This project will save them from a sun-stroke and other diseases caused by heat.
• Raigad is a high rainfall district even during the monsoon students have to cross narrow bridges and rivers to reach the school. The bicycle will help these girls to take a safe route to reach the school.
• Commuting by cycle will bring down the fear and prevent them from dog bites, snake stings, etc.
• Number of beneficiaries till date inclue 700 girl students. 

How it is done:-

• CFTI gives a detailed application forms to all girl students.
• This form is duly signed by the Principal of the school and the Principal attests academic record filled in the form.
• With a form, they have to attach an income certificate of parents. CFTI also provides support to those who are unable to produce these documents.
• During the home visits CFTI's representatives prepare a Home Visit Report.
• Based on collective report of duly filled application form, documents, and home visit report candidates are selected for receiving the bicycle.

1. To bring back drop-out girl students to school.
2. To empower girls through education.
3. To spread awareness amongst parents about the importance of education, demerits of early marriages etc. during the home visits

Centre for Transforming India is registered non-profit Trust under Indian Trusts Act, 1882. This trust is run by young profound, dynamic trustees that consist of MD of newspaper, business men, foreign educated graduates.

Centre for transforming India aims to bring opportunities to people in rural India by empowering them through education, health care & economic opportunities.Their aim is to create social harmony & further the growth of India through Education, Poverty alleviation, Women Empowerment, Disaster Relief, Medical aid, Art & Culture ,supporting rural sports and sportspersons etc.

Aims and Objectives

• To empower rural population of India through education & poverty alleviation schemes.
• To provide modern educational facilities to villages & ensure that it creates positive impact on current & future generations.
• To promote health awareness, implement health care schemes, provide food, medicines, and other support to economically-challenged people suffering from curable or incurable diseases.
• To work towards women empowerment and gender equality and help them attain economic self-sufficiency.
• To promote sports, help with training & equipment and promote rising sporting stars from rural India.
• To raise awareness about art and culture from rural India and bring it to the mainstream. To promote local artists and art from indigenous communities.
• To support rural sports and sportsperson.