Hubli, Karnataka – August 30, 2025: In a major boost to rural education, the Association of 41 Clubs of India, in collaboration with ACSEN Agriscience Pvt Ltd, will inaugurate 100 Digital Smart Classrooms in Ranebennur.
The handing over ceremony will be held on September 4, 2025, at 10:30 AM at the Government Higher Primary School, Itagi.
The smart classrooms are provided with support from Sri Prakash Koliwad, MLA of Ranebennur.
Chief guests include 41er Pankuj Vats, President of 41 India (2024–25), and Shri Senthilnathan Sengottuvelu, CMD of ACSEN Agriscience Pvt Ltd.
The initiative is part of the nationwide Freedom Through Digital Education (FTDE) campaign, which aims to bridge the digital divide in under-resourced schools.
Guests of Honour are 41er Dilip Chandak, Chairman of Area X, and 41er Kiran Hebsur, National Treasurer, alongside 41er Dr Narayan Hebsur and 41er Riyaz Basri, representing Hubli Club 124.
This year’s inauguration follows a similar initiative in 2024, when 100 Smart TVs were installed in schools across Ranebennur.
With the addition of 100 more classrooms in Ranebennur, the total now stands at 200 digital classrooms, effectively covering every government school in the district.
Organizers say this milestone marks the complete digitization of the district’s public school infrastructure.
National FTDE Convenor 41er Prashant Hebsur shared his vision:
“Digital education is not just about screens and software—it’s about unlocking potential. With every smart classroom we install, we’re giving children in rural Karnataka the tools to dream bigger, learn faster, and rise stronger.”
41er Dilip Chandak, Area X Chairman, emphasized the long-term impact:
“This isn’t just a donation—it’s a transformation. We’re planting the seeds of digital literacy that will empower generations of students to compete, connect, and contribute on a global scale.”
The smart classrooms are equipped with interactive boards, internet-enabled devices, and curriculum-aligned software in regional languages. Teachers and students alike are expected to benefit from improved engagement, access to multimedia content, and real-time learning support.
The FTDE initiative has already impacted over 1.5 lakh students across 500 schools , with plans to reach 1,000 schools and one million students by 2026.
About Freedom Through Digital Education (FTDE)
FTDE is a nationwide campaign launched by the Association of 41 Clubs of India to bridge the digital divide in under-resourced schools.
It equips government-run and aided schools with smart classroom infrastructure, enabling students from rural and vernacular backgrounds to access modern, multimedia-based learning.
Key Objectives
- Digitize classrooms in underprivileged and rural schools
- Provide equal learning opportunities across geographic and economic barriers
- Improve engagement, retention, and learning outcomes through interactive content
What’s Included
- Smart TVs or projectors with screens and stands
- Educational software aligned with State Board and CBSE curricula (Grades 1–10)
- Content available in Hindi, Kannada, Marathi, Telugu, Bengali, Gujarati, and more
- Co-curricular modules to make learning fun and anxiety-free
- Offline functionality—no internet required
- Teacher training for effective digital instruction
Impact So Far
- ₹1.5 crore invested in community projects
- 250 schools equipped across India
- Over 1.5 lakh students benefited
- Goal: Reach 1,000 schools and 1 million students by 2026