VFL BHARAT WELFARE FOUNDATION
Pencil Beats Studio|| BlazeX Fellowship|| Taam Jham
Our FLAGSHIP: Pencil Beats Studio
Pencil Beats Studio is the Innovation Funding Grant 2025 winner, grown from 3.5 years of on-ground education intervention (2022–25), worked with 100+ marginalized students across 750+ learning sessions.
We're democratising STEAM by bringing [AI,Data,Digital Creativity,and Applied Entrepreneurship]into everyday learning.
THE CHALLENGE: The Jharkhand Education Landscape
Foundations are fragile
Learning is not future-ready
Learning is not future-ready
Only 32% of Class 5 students can read Class 2 text (ASER 2023). Learning plateaus by middle school.
Learning is not future-ready
Learning is not future-ready
Learning is not future-ready
Fewer than 40% of schools have functional science labs; exposure to AI, data, and applied STEAM is minimal (UDISE+ 2021–22).
Digital access is unequal
Digital access is unequal
Digital access is unequal
Only 18% of rural households have a computer; fewer than 25% of children access digital learning (NSSO 2020).
Aspiration drops early
Digital access is unequal
Digital access is unequal
After Class 8, disengagement rises due to low relevance and limited visibility of modern pathways.
WHY WE EXIST(PENCIL BEATS STUDIO)
Strengthen learning foundations
Enable early Future Relevant STEAM exposure
Enable early Future Relevant STEAM exposure
Strengthen foundational learning through applied, activity-led education
Enable early Future Relevant STEAM exposure
Enable early Future Relevant STEAM exposure
Enable early Future Relevant STEAM exposure
To bring future-ready STEAM (AI, Data, Digital Media, Applied Entrepreneurship) into everyday learning
Bridge digital access gaps
Bridge digital access gaps
Bridge digital access gaps
Enable equitable digital access through guided, applied learning
Restore learner aspiration
Bridge digital access gaps
Bridge digital access gaps
Build aspiration early through meaningful learning exposure
Who We Are: Our North Star — Pencil Beats Studio
Pencil Beats Studio is an Innovation Funding Grant Winner (2025), evolved from three years of grassroots intervention (2022–2025) through our earlier initiative, Pathshala. It is a structured two-year STEAM microschool model designed to rebuild foundational learning and democratise access to AI, Data Literacy, Digital Media, and Applied Entrepreneurship for underserved students in Classes 5–10 in Jharkhand.
The initiative is currently in its pilot incubation phase (Nov 2025–Apr 2026), with the first full batch of 100+ marginalised students commencing in July 2026 at an independent microschool in Ranchi. Learning is delivered through well-equipped STEAM labs and digital, activity-led classes, facilitated by trained BlazeX educators and mentored by experienced professionals.
Pencil Beats Studio is a flagship education initiative of VFL Bharat Welfare Foundation, a registered non-profit organisation with sustained grassroots experience in education and youth development.
WHAT WE DO (Pencil Beats Studio)
We design and run future-ready STEAM microschool,delivering a two-year, three-phase, activity-led pedagogical architecture built around the highest-demand, future-relevant domains to the marginalised students( Class 5-10th)
Through this structured pathway, we move marginalised students from passive learning to applied capability via the following learning blocks:
1.APPLIED AI & DATA: Mastery in prompt engineering, data visualisation & problem solving
2.DIGITAL MEDIA & CREATION: Multimedia storytelling and digital portfolio development
3..APPLIED ENTREPRENEURSHIP: Converting technical skills into market value and learner agency.
Outcome:
Students graduate with strong foundations, future-ready skills, visible portfolios, and the confidence to apply learning beyond the classroom.
Scale Vision: Designed to be replicated, ensuring every needy child in Jharkhand has access to this pathway by 2040.
The Pilot (INNOVATION Funding GRANT WINNER :2025)
Pencil Beats Studio is an Innovation Funding Grant Winner (2025), currently being validated through a focused pilot incubation phase, with mentoring, ecosystem support, and funding from The Circle India.
Pilot Phase: November 2025 – April 2026
Location: Ranchi, Jharkhand
Cohort: Marginalised students (Classes 5–10)
Format: Independent Microschool STEAM Lab.
Pilot Support
The pilot is mentored and funded by The Circle India, providing strategic guidance, implementation support, and resources to strengthen pedagogy, delivery, and evidence-building during the incubation phase.
Purpose of the Pilot
- Validate the 2-year, 3-phase pedagogy architecture
- Test activity-led learning across AI, Data, Digital Media, and Applied Entrepreneurship
- Measure shifts in foundational readiness, confidence, and applied capability
- Refine curriculum, facilitation, and assessment before scale
What Happens During the Pilot
- Foundation readiness and skill-block trials
- Baseline, midline, and endline assessments
- Student artefact creation and capstone demonstrations
- Continuous iteration based on mentor feedback and learning
What Comes Next
Insights from the pilot will inform the first full batch of 100+ marginalised students, starting July 2026, at two independent microschools in Ranchi, & lohardaga,Jharkhand with plans for responsible, evidence-led expansion.
About the Founder: SHUBHAM KR
From Techie to ChangeMaker:Engineering Social Change
- 4+ years corporate experience as a Software Engineer at TCS, BYJU’S & Learning INC
- Hails From Ranchi,Jharkhand,Founded VFL Bharat at age 21, transitioning full-time into development work
- 5+ years in education & social entrepreneurship
- Led 1,000+ community events, 750+ learning sessions, 15+ CEP programs
- Mobilised 3,000+ young people across underserved communities
- Raised ₹5+ lakhs through social enterprise initiatives
- Founded Pencil Beats (democratising STEAM via AI, Data & Applied Entrepreneurship)
- Founded Taam Jhaam (impact-focused social enterprise lab)
- Founded BlazeX Fellowship (2-year part-time youth teaching fellowship)
- 100% Scholar at ISDM
- Featured on DD National, Dainik Bhaskar, ETV, and other platforms
- Recipient of the Innovation Funding Grant 2025, National Builders Award, and Indian School Awards
CORE TEAM & STRATEGIC ADVISORY BOARD (De-risking the Pilot)
NITI SINGH
TRIPTI RANI KACHHAP
TRIPTI RANI KACHHAP
(Lead -Resource Strategy )
UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER, MBA
TRIPTI RANI KACHHAP
TRIPTI RANI KACHHAP
TRIPTI RANI KACHHAP
(Lead -MEL: Impact, Evaluation & Learning)
IIT-P ,Data Science
Ex-IIT Guwahati, St. Xavier's Kolkata
ATISHA SHARMA
TRIPTI RANI KACHHAP
ATISHA SHARMA
(Co-Founder & Program Manager)
Educator & capacity-building professional | Researcher
5+ years of experience
RAUNAK KUMAR
RAUNAK KUMAR
ATISHA SHARMA
Blaze X Fellow ,
On Ground Operations
MADHAVI RAO
RAUNAK KUMAR
MADHAVI RAO
(Curriculum Development)
ISDM ,Ex-Teach For India Fellow,
4+ On Ground Operations Years in Education
Shatabdi M.
RAUNAK KUMAR
MADHAVI RAO
Director: Finance & Governance (VFL Bharat Welfare Foundation)
Entrepreneur–Educator , 5+ Years Cross-Sector Experience
ABHISHEK CHOURASIYA
ABHISHEK CHOURASIYA
ABHISHEK CHOURASIYA
Project Mentor( AI & STEAM PEDADOGY) Senior Software Engineer & AI Specialist ,Oracle ,EX:Amazon
Guest Speaker & Judge ,MIT ,
Feautued in NEW YORK Times Square
SAURABH RAI
ABHISHEK CHOURASIYA
ABHISHEK CHOURASIYA
Project Mentor VP(System Adoption), Medha
(20+ Years Exp. in Development Sector)
PREETI MATTHEW
ABHISHEK CHOURASIYA
PREETI MATTHEW
Project Mentor
Senior Manager, Knowledge Management & Dissemination - Rainbow Homes
( 19+ Years Exp,)
Institutional Backing & Strategic Mentorship
The Circle India – Innovation Funding & Strategic Launch
ISDM Bricloge – Continuous Support & Institutional Strength
ISDM Bricloge – Continuous Support & Institutional Strength
The Circle India
Their Innovation Funding Grant 2025 enabled our Full Pilot 1 and moved us from idea to action. Their mentorship continues to guide our scale.
“The Circle gave us the wings to fly.”
ISDM Bricloge – Continuous Support & Institutional Strength
ISDM Bricloge – Continuous Support & Institutional Strength
ISDM Bricloge – Continuous Support & Institutional Strength
We extend our gratitude to the ISDM Bricloge team for their consistent and foundational support.
Their role spans refinement, networking, strategic guidance, and problem-solving, ensuring the quality and longevity of our model.
ORGANISATION'S JOURNEY: Our Path to Pencil Beats Studio
Pencil Beats Studio is the flagship project of the VFL Bharat Welfare Foundation, built upon a foundation of established impact, legal integrity, and a proven track record of community engagement since 2020.
Legal & Governance
- Registered Entity: VFL Bharat Welfare Foundation, registered on 08 May 2023 under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA).
- Registration Details: CIN: U88900JH2023NPL020454 · Registration No.: 020454
- Mission: A registered Social Purpose Organisation, working across the high-impact domains of Microschooling & Social Enterprise
.
Our Journey & Milestones (2020–2022)
This period established our operational maturity and commitment, culminating in our dedicated education mandate.
- Program Transition: Explored multiple domains (2020–2022), successfully transitioning to a singular, high-impact education-focused mandate.
- Volunteer Base: Engaged 3,000+ youth who volunteered or interned across various social programs.
- Learning Delivery: Delivered 750+ learning sessions with children and young learners.
- Community Impact: Executed 1,000+ social events and high-impact programs.
- Talent Development: Conducted 15+ Corporate Exposure Programs (CEPs) and internship initiatives.
- The Origin: The successful launch of Pathshala (2022) directly led to its evolution into the structured Pencil Beats Studio model.
Recognition & Partnerships
Our work is validated by major partnerships and national accolades.
- Collaborations: Amazon, Hero, TCSC, Amar Chitra Katha, RFI & many more.
- Awards: Proud recipients of the Nation Builder Award, the prestigious Innovation Funding Grant 2025, and recognition from the Indian School Awards.
- Media: Featured on DD National, India Today, Dainik Bhaskar, ETV and other prominent media outlets.
Other Projects
BlazeX Fellowship — Building Future Educators
Taam Jhaam — Social Enterprise for Sustainability
Taam Jhaam — Social Enterprise for Sustainability
A paid, part-time education fellowship that equips high-potential youth to shaping classrooms & communities.
Impact: 20+ fellows in Cohort 1; Cohort 2 launching soon.
Taam Jhaam — Social Enterprise for Sustainability
Taam Jhaam — Social Enterprise for Sustainability
Taam Jhaam — Social Enterprise for Sustainability
We make. We learn. We sustain.
Taam Jhaam is a social enterprise built to fund and strengthen Pencil Beats Studio while giving students real, hands-on experience in applied entrepreneurship.
This is where learning meets the real market.
