Abby Lighting partners with CRY to bring STEM education to rural students in Palghar

Abby Lighting & Switchgear Ltd, in partnership with CRY, has inaugurated a STEM center at TL Patil Aided Secondary Ashram School in Padghe, Palghar, aimed at improving access to science and technology education for rural students.

The facility will benefit around 250 students from Classes 6 to 9, many of whom have had limited exposure to practical science learning and digital tools.

The center is designed to move beyond textbook-based instruction and promote hands-on, application-driven learning through experiments, problem-solving, and interactive modules.

Equipped with more than 100 curriculum-aligned models across physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, and technology, the center follows NCERT guidelines for Classes 6 to 10.

Students will engage with models such as Newton’s Cradle, solar eclipse simulations, DNA structures, human anatomy, and geometry kits.

The technology section introduces tools like 3D printing, virtual reality, robotics, and sensor-based automation to build familiarity with emerging fields.

The initiative comes as schools in regions like Palghar continue to face gaps in laboratory infrastructure and access to quality learning resources.

Organizers said the program also focuses on increasing participation of girls in STEM subjects and addressing gender disparities in science education.

“At CRY, we believe that access to quality education is not just a right but a powerful enabler of change. In regions like Palghar, where children often lack access to even basic learning infrastructure, initiatives like this STEM Center can fundamentally transform how students experience education,” said Kreeanne Rabadi, Regional Director, CRY West.

“By making science and mathematics interactive, engaging, and accessible, we are nurturing curiosity, confidence, and aspiration, especially among girls who are often left out of such opportunities. This is about creating equal opportunities and ensuring that every child has the tools they need to build a better future,” added Rabadi.

“At Abby Lighting & Switchgear, science and technology lie at the core of everything we do. We see STEM education as a powerful way to nurture that same spirit of inquiry and problem-solving among young minds. Palghar isn't just where we manufacture. It's where we belong,” said Rachna Bajaj Joshi, Director, Abby Lighting & Switchgear.

“Abby has been rooted here from the very beginning. That comes with a responsibility we don't take lightly. Not as a one-time gesture, but as a commitment we renew, year after year. Through this initiative, we are not just creating infrastructure but building an environment where students can explore, experiment, and develop a scientific mindset from an early age,” added Joshi.

“We are particularly committed to ensuring that girls have equal access to these opportunities so they can actively participate in shaping the future of science and technology. This STEM center reflects our commitment to building a more inclusive, skilled, and future-ready generation,” said Joshi.

The inauguration event was attended by CRY representatives, including Dinesh Kakkoth, Shweta Bhalerao, Shilpa Dehad, and Siddhant Jadhav, along with local leaders, village sarpanches, and school trustees.

The project is part of the company’s broader CSR initiatives focused on education, inclusion, and community development.