Bhavna Malhotra

An Indian social entrepreneur who pioneered accessible education technology for underprivileged communities in rural India.

About Bhavna Malhotra

Bhavna Malhotra is the founder of Ezhiksha Foundation, a nonprofit launched in 2021 that delivers free digital education to India's marginalized populations. Growing up in a small village, she witnessed how lack of resources perpetuated educational inequality. Her platform uses AI-driven adaptive learning to provide personalized education through low-cost tablets and community learning centers.

Innovative Delivery

Ezhiksha's flagship program reaches over 500,000 students in 20 states, with a special focus on girls' education and vocational training. Their 'Digital Bus' initiative travels to remote areas, providing internet-enabled tablets preloaded with curriculum materials in local languages. By 2024, 85% of their students achieved grade-level proficiency in math and literacy.

Partnerships & Impact

Malhotra's work has partnered with organizations like Sesame Workshop to develop culturally relevant content. During the pandemic, she pivoted to a mobile app model, reaching 2 million users through partnerships with telecom companies offering zero-rated data access. Her 'Girls Lead' program trains female educators, creating 3,000+ community teachers by 2023.

Awards & Vision

Malhotra received the 2022 Cartier Women's Initiative Award and was named one of India's Top 50 Social Entrepreneurs by Economic Times. She aims to expand Ezhiksha's reach to 10 million students by 2025, emphasizing STEM education and digital literacy. Her vision of 'Education for All' is redefining equity in India's education landscape through technology and community empowerment.