Kanyathon is a structured, student-driven social impact initiative operating under the governance of the Centre for Developmental Education (CDE), the parent body of Jagdish Sheth School of Management (JAGSoM), IFIM College, IFIM Law College and Vijaybhoomi University.
Kanyathon was initiated in 2011, when students envisioned a movement dedicated to empowering the girl child across India. The initiative focuses on strengthening access to education, safety, health awareness, and essential life skills for underprivileged girls. The term “Kanya,” meaning “girl,” reflects its central mission — creating sustainable opportunities for young women to grow with dignity, confidence, and independence.
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What began as a student-led charity marathon has evolved into a professionally governed social initiative embedded within CDE’s institutional ecosystem. It integrates student leadership with structured oversight to ensure transparency, accountability, and measurable impact. To formalise governance, CDE has constituted the Kanyathon Fund Management Committee (KFMC), ratified by its General Body and comprising institutional leaders, finance and audit members, corporate CXOs, CSR professionals, faculty advisors, and student representatives. This multi-stakeholder framework ensures financial discipline, statutory compliance, and impact monitoring aligned with corporate CSR standards. Kanyathon Fund Management Committee will be constituted through a Board Resolution of Centre for Developmental Education which will be ratified by the General Body of Centre for Developmental Education. Resolutions and Decisions of Kanyathon’s Fund Management Committee are made based on the majority voting of the members. The is documented in the minutes and the Secretary is responsible to maintain the agenda, minutes, resolutions passed etc in such meetings. The mechanism is to resolve the decision in case of a stalemate is through the casting vote by the Chairperson.
Kanyathon’s interventions are designed to promote holistic development through structured community engagement programmes focused on:
The primary goal of Kanyathon is to empower girls through education, health, and community development initiatives.
The vision is to create a sustainable model that addresses gender inequality and promote the holistic development of girls from underprivileged backgrounds.
To empower women and girls and we are achieving this through our own digital literacy center, Kanyathon Shiksha Kendra (KSK) to educate and empower the young women of rural areas.
Kanyathon was conceived by students of IFIM Business School in Bangalore, India, who were driven by a shared vision to make a tangible impact on the lives of underprivileged girls. The inaugural event in 2011 saw modest participation but laid a strong foundation for future growth. The first marathon attracted around 500 participants, including students, faculty, and local community members. Despite its small scale, the event’s success was a testament to the students’ dedication and the community’s willingness to support the cause.
Each subsequent year, Kanyathon gained momentum, attracting more participants and increasing awareness about the challenges faced by girls in India. By 2013, the event had become a fixture in the community calendar, drawing attention from local media and businesses.
This period of growth was marked by significant milestones, such as the introduction of new activities like health check-up camps and educational seminars, which complemented the marathon and broadened the event’s impact.
Kanyathon goes beyond being an extracurricular activity; it is fully integrated into the university curriculum. Students earn academic credits and develop practical skills as they manage the event, applying classroom theories in areas such as organizational leadership, project management, human resources, and finance. Structured like a corporate entity, Kanyathon has designated roles—President, Vice President, Marketing Head, Operations Manager, and Finance Head—that mirror real-world business settings. Students form a “Kanyathon company” where they are responsible for outreach, securing sponsorships, budgeting, and event planning, negotiating with individuals, corporations, and NGOs to put their academic learning into practice.
Students form a company-like structure to manage Kanyathon, reflecting a real-world corporate environment. This includes roles such as President, Vice President, Marketing Head, Operations Manager, and Finance Head. Each role comes with specific responsibilities, ensuring that students gain comprehensive experience in event management.
Integration With Student Curriculum
Kanyathon goes beyond being an extracurricular activity; it is fully integrated into the university curriculum. Students earn academic credits and develop practical skills as they manage the event, applying classroom theories in areas such as organizational leadership, project management, human resources, and finance. Structured like a corporate entity, Kanyathon has designated roles—President, Vice President, Marketing Head, Operations Manager, and Finance Head—that mirror real-world business settings. Students form a “Kanyathon company” where they are responsible for outreach, securing sponsorships, budgeting, and event planning, negotiating with individuals, corporations, and NGOs to put their academic learning into practice.
This hands-on experience culminates as the capstone project for MBA students, allowing them to translate theoretical knowledge into real-world application. Their performance is assessed at the conclusion of the event, with scores based on their achievements and contributions. For undergraduate students, Kanyathon fulfills a compulsory course on ‘Negotiation Skills,’ as they work alongside MBA students to support the event and apply classroom-taught negotiation techniques. Student teams also take on responsibilities such as ticket sales, participant registrations, and corporate networking, fully immersing in the operational and strategic aspects of event management.
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For further information, mail us at kanyathon@ifim.edu.in
