The Light of Life Trust marks 20 years in lifting the lives of 400,000 people
On Friday, September 19, 2025, the Jamshed Bhabha Auditorium at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Mumbai will host a musical evening of profound cultural and philanthropic significance.
Organised by the Light of Life Trust, the event will honour the centenary of Raj Kapoor, one of Indian cinema's most revered figures.
Musical Maestros take the stage
The evening will feature performances by some of India's most distinguished musical talents. Suresh Wadkar, whose mellifluous voice has graced countless film soundtracks and devotional albums, will lead the ensemble. His ability to evoke emotion through classical and contemporary styles has earned him a place among the nation's most beloved vocalists.
Sanjeevani Bhelande, known for her versatility and lyrical finesse, will be another singing celebrity at the concert. Her renditions blend tradition with modernity, offering audiences a rich auditory experience.
Mukhtar Shah, renowned for his soulful tributes to Mohammed Rafi, will bring nostalgic charm to the evening. At the same time, Chirag Panchal, a rising star in the world of retro Bollywood music, will add youthful energy and reverence to the centenary celebration.
Together, these artists will pay homage to Raj Kapoor's musical legacy, reviving melodies that once defined an era and continue to resonate across generations.
Born in 1924, Kapoor's legacy as an actor, director and producer continues to shape the contours of Indian storytelling. His films, rich in emotion and social commentary, captured the aspirations and struggles of post-independence India. From the poignant innocence of Awara to the romantic idealism of Bobby, Kapoor's oeuvre remains timeless, bridging generations and geographies.
His centenary is not merely a milestone in cinematic history; it is a moment to reflect on the enduring power of art to inspire empathy and unity.
Transformative Impact
The musical evening will mark a significant milestone for the Light of Life Trust, which is celebrating 20 years of dedicated service in the social sector.
Since its inception in 2005, the organisation has worked tirelessly to address the educational disparities faced by underprivileged children in rural India.
Through its flagship initiative, Project Anando, the Trust has reintegrated thousands of out-of-school children into the formal education system, offering them not just academic support but also life skills, emotional counselling and holistic development.
The Trust has thus far transformed the lives of more than 398,000 people across almost 1500 villages, established 93 centres for educational and community development, and supported nearly 193,000 students through secondary education programmes. Its commitment to nurturing both the minds and bodies of young learners is evident in its provision of sports training, yoga sessions and regular health check-ups.
The Trust hosted the International Virtual Run (Run for Education) from August 15 to 17, 2025.
Timed to coincide with India's Independence Day weekend, the initiative invited participants from across the globe to walk or run distances ranging from 2 to 21.1 kms. The goal was clear and compelling: to send 1000 rural children back to school.
The Marathon, though virtual, was deeply personal for many. Participants chose their own routes -- be it a quiet street, a local park or a treadmill and submitted their run details to receive personalised e-certificates. The campaign underscored a powerful message: while they ran, children learned. Every step taken contributed to a child's journey back to the classroom, making the event not just a physical challenge but a collective act of compassion.
Why Education Matters
The urgency of the Trust's mission is underscored by sobering statistics. Each year, approximately 42 million children in rural India drop out of school. Despite improvements in primary school enrolment, the transition to secondary education remains fraught with obstacles.
According to the Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) 2023-24, the national dropout rate at the secondary level has risen to 14.1%, with only 45.6% of students completing their education from Class 1 to 12.
States such as Bihar, Assam and Karnataka have reported dropout rates exceeding the national average, revealing stark regional disparities. In Jharkhand's Palamu District alone, over 2250 students were identified as dropped out or non-enrolled in government schools for the 2024-2025 academic year. Contributing factors include seasonal migration, economic hardship, disease outbreaks and systemic issues such as fraudulent midday meal reporting.
A complex interplay of socio-economic and infrastructural challenges drives the dropout crisis.
Economic pressures compel many families to rely on child labour, while gender disparities often curtail girls' educational journeys due to early marriages and domestic responsibilities. Inadequate infrastructure, such as understaffed schools and a lack of basic amenities, further diminishes the quality of education. Health and nutrition also play a critical role, with malnourished children struggling to maintain attendance and academic performance.
A Blueprint For Change
To address these challenges, a multi-pronged approach is essential. Enhancing school infrastructure, ensuring adequate staffing and providing essential amenities can create a more conducive learning environment. Community engagement is equally vital; when local communities value and support education, enrolment and retention rates improve significantly.
Policy interventions targeting child labour, early marriage and gender inequality must be rigorously implemented and monitored. Health and nutrition programmes integrated within schools can mitigate absenteeism and improve overall well-being. Finally, technological integration -- such as personalised learning platforms and remote mentorship can bridge educational gaps, particularly in remote and underserved areas.
The Light of Life Trust exemplifies how targeted, compassionate interventions can yield transformative results. By combining academic support with emotional and physical well-being, the organisation offers a holistic model for educational development. Its success is not merely measured in numbers but in the stories of resilience, aspiration and achievement that emerge from the villages it serves.
As the Trust enters its third decade, its commitment to bridging the education gap remains unwavering. The forthcoming musical evening is not only a tribute to Raj Kapoor's legacy but also a celebration of the countless children whose futures have been reshaped through education. It is an invitation to join a movement where art, philanthropy and purpose converge, where melodies uplift, and missions endure.