How Adani is giving kids a great start in life

‘I was terrified when I realised the next train was only eight minutes away. I knew I had to do something, or he was going to die on the tracks.’

Krupali Joshi at Adani Foundation's Vidya Mandirs school in India. Picture: Contributed

KRUPALI Joshi, a 22-year-old Melbourne woman and former student from Adani Vidya Mandir, the Adani Foundation's school for underprivileged children, is being hailed as a hero after saving a man's life when he fell on train tracks earlier this year.

"I heard a man shouting, I looked up, and then he fell from the platform onto the tracks with a loud bang. I immediately went to check on him, and that's when I saw him lying on the tracks with blood streaming from his head," Krupali said.

"I was terrified when I realised the next train was only eight minutes away. I knew I had to do something, or he was going to die on the tracks."

Within minutes, Krupali contacted the station's signal operator to stop the incoming train, and together with her colleague was able to pull the unconscious man from the tracks and to safety.

 

QMEA Students visit Adani's Rugby Run solar Farm in Moranbah, Queensland. Picture: Contributed

 

For Krupali, who is working part-time as a cleaner at the train station while completing her Masters degree, this moment is more than just a case of being in the right place at the right time.

Born into an underprivileged family in the city of Ahmedabad in India, where world-class education is a luxury few can afford, Krupali's parents enrolled her in the Adani Foundation's Vidya Mandirs.

She then went on to study a degree in commerce, and now is completing her Masters in Business Analytics at Deakin University.

Since 2008, the Adani Vidya Mandirs schools have been providing cost-free education to more than 2000 children from low income families.

 

Students in Mackay participate in a QMEA science competition called Unearthed. Picture: Contributed

 

Now Adani is extending its efforts in education to Australia, where the organisation is undertaking a number of community partnerships to ensure Queensland children get the best out of their education.

"With our mining, renewables, and infrastructure assets based in Queensland we have forged partnerships with Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy and the Cowboys Adopt-a-School programs, to ensure local kids get the benefit of our support," an Adani spokesperson said.

"The mining industry can provide so many career pathways for students, especially those who are interested in STEM subjects, and we are proud to partner with QMEA and the Cowboys to introduce students to those opportunities, just like Krupali Joshi received in India."

For more information on Adani's education partnerships visit www.adaniaustralia.com

Originally published as