Ms. Seema Malhotra

An Essay on International women's day took me to a path ….my mother (MA Sanskrit IP College Batch) researched and forced me to write a ten-page essay on International Women's Day. I got 9.5 out of 10 in 1975. I was made to read out the essay in my class. My first ever experience in public speaking. I was a sports person and a good student, but I could hardly speak in front of audience. The teacher Mr. Rao, Our Vice Principal and Mr. Ved Prakash (Popular Hindi News Reader of DoorDarshan DD) our English Teacher of Central School Gole Market guided me to a path where there was no looking back.

I joined Lady Irwin College, Sikandra Road, New Delhi. I took part in NSS National Social service in first year and became secretary and then President in the final year. In 1978 I did my first ever relief work with Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital during Delhi floods. In 1979 as the President of NSS I got an opportunity to organise the popular Fete of Lady Irwin college. I was 19 years old dealing with various stake holders and sponsors.

One of the lecturers guided me to do master's in social work. My field work in Barwala Village on outskirts of Delhi and St. Columba's School, Ashoka Road gave me insights into urban rural and Public school students. While doing my master's I got engaged and was married three days after final Examination.

Schools I was coordinating were struggling to find unlettered students. I thought of Kiran Bedi and reforms in Tihar Jail. I met her and offered services of public schools in Tihar education program. She was very happy and invited the schools to help. Schools joined with Gusto. Students and teachers came forward to donate Television to stationery and their precious time in adult education program of Tihar inmates.

After being awarded Magsaysay award she thanked me for strengthening her efforts in school speeches. Her Charismatic personality attracted many more schools. First time I met her was in 1977 as a student in Lady Irwin college. Since 1996 the NGO I founded has been working closely with Tihar inmates and Tihar staff.

She had just retired from Springdale as the Principal. She was the Chairperson of Patel Education Society. Though my job was to assist her she gave me full freedom. I got lots of exposure to work with politicians, community leaders, Principals, Vice Principals, teachers, social workers, sports teachers. Drama, poem and debate and other cultural programs were part and parcel of Literacy program. Theatre personalities like Mr. M. K. Raina, V.K Dadi Padam ji and many other artists of repute. Met Shubha Mudgal also.

I share my birthday with her. 26th August. For me it was a god sent moment when National Literacy DG selected me to go to Calcutta to invite her for International Literacy Day. A hug from her and a photograph with her are my most cherished moment and possession.

Highlight of my life was coordinating this event. My daughter was a participant. We worked with senior officers from Defence Ministry and other departments. Walking on Rajpath during December January winter for rehearsal and then early morning participation on 26th January 1996 will remain etched on my heart.

Within a month, I joined as a Consultant Adult Education and Income Generation for CASP Plan, a national-level organization. This resulted in starting of SCOPE Plus. I founded this organisation in 1996 with my family and friends. We completed 27 years on 15th July 2023.

Founder NGO, SCOPE Plus — The association with CASP plan guided me to start an organisation SCOPE Plus. The organisation is volunteer based. Coordinating all the volunteers has been my sole responsibility. Since 1996 it is officed in our residence. This way I could manage my family responsibility in a better way.

Consultant Computer Literacy for school dropouts, Indira Gandhi Open University

The adult education was for the illiterates. Semi-literate youth were missing out on the digital revolution. I had started Computer Literacy classes in Tihar Jail. This was inspired by my husband who was the Editor in Chief of Cyber media. I was engaged by Indira Gandhi Open University by my Ex-Colleague Dr. Anita Dighe who was the Director. My job was to encourage computer centres to enrol school dropouts in Computer courses. Challenge was lack of English knowledge. So, I started English module with help of another colleague Saloni Mathur.

Secretary KIDAVRI, a network of NGOs working for the youth.