Nandan Nilekani commits $200,000 to Nudge Foundation

Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani has committed a grant of $200,000 (Rs 1.3 crore) in the Nudge Foundation, a non-profit initiative launched by former InMobi executive Atul Sathija to improve skills among poor people so that they get jobs.

The Global Mobile Internet conference contributed $ 50,000 in a fund raiser held on Thursday. InMobi, Sathija's former employer contributed $75,000 and Paytm contributed $ 40,000.

“We are looking at raising a $1 million in a year,” said Sathija. The foundation plans to open two gurukuls, residential schools that can teach them basic jobs that generate employment in Bengaluru by November. It plans to open gurukuls in Mumbai and Delhi early next year.

India will continue to add one million to its workforce every month for the next 15 years, most of whom will come from impoverished backgrounds. A growing economy with a massive skill-deficit provides real opportunity for people to escape the cycle of poverty, through gainful employment. However,  imparting livelihood training is proving to be insufficient.

“The Nudge Foundation focuses on sustainable poverty alleviation by building a strong 360-degree life, learning and economic foundation for poor in residential “Gurukuls”, along with lifelong support system. Our goal is to pull one million people sustainably out of poverty by 2020,” the foundation said on its website.