Cricket legends usually retire to commentary boxes or coaching gigs. Shikhar Dhawan chose classrooms instead. On August 6, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta joined Dhawan and HMD India & APAC CEO Ravi Kunwar to inaugurate a new STEM Lab at Sarvodaya Vidyalaya, Pitampura — a space set to benefit over 2,500 students with hands-on access to robotics, coding, and AI.
The lab is the latest chapter of the Shikhar Dhawan Foundation’s Digital Shiksha programme, built through a partnership with Human Mobile Devices (HMD) and backed by an MoU between the Da One Group and Delhi’s Directorate of Education. It’s a small but telling example of how sports, government, and private industry can combine to move the needle on public education.
Shikhar Dhawan: Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Sarvodaya Vidyalaya, Pitampura, New Delhi |
| Students impacted | Over 2,500 |
| Key partners | Shikhar Dhawan Foundation, HMD, Delhi Government |
| Programme | Digital Shiksha (launched 2022) → new STEM Shiksha phase |
| Focus areas | Robotics, coding, AI, hands-on science modules |
| Nationwide reach so far | Over 25,000 students benefited through Digital Shiksha |
Speaking at the inauguration, CM Rekha Gupta emphasized the Delhi government’s commitment to giving every child in its schools access to quality education alongside modern infrastructure. Dhawan echoed that sentiment, framing the initiative as an extension of his foundation’s belief that investing in children today shapes the innovators of tomorrow.
What’s notable here is the shift in scope. Since 2022, Digital Shiksha has focused mainly on digital classrooms — smart devices, interactive flat panels, and a licensed K-12 curriculum. This STEM Lab marks a pivot toward dedicated, hands-on experiential learning spaces, giving students direct access to tools and technology rather than just digital content delivery. It’s a model that echoes the growing global emphasis on STEM education as a foundation for future-ready skills.
HMD’s Ravi Kunwar pointed to the company’s broader belief that technology should widen access to quality education, framing the partnership as a natural extension of that mission. The programme is being led on the ground by Sophie Dhawan and Anshita Gupta, who continue to oversee the foundation’s education initiatives.
With this STEM Lab now live, the hope is that it becomes a template other Delhi government schools can follow — turning classrooms into genuine innovation spaces rather than just lecture halls. For more updates on sports personalities driving social impact, check out TechnoSports.
