VAHDAM India has unveiled plans to introduce artificial intelligence (AI)-powered learning across its TEACH ME® Digital Learning Centres (DLCs), marking a major expansion of its education-focused social initiative while opening fresh opportunities for students from India’s tea and spice-growing regions. The announcement was made in Siliguri during a ceremony where the company felicitated 20 students selected under its SPARK scholarship programme and launched applications for the ASCEND and AIM programmes for FY 2026-27.
The proposed AI-enablement programme will equip teachers with dedicated AI training, hands-on learning and AI access within Digital Learning Centres, enabling AI-assisted lesson planning and classroom teaching. The company said it plans to train every teacher across its DLC network. SPARK will provide mentorship, academic guidance and digital learning support to 20 Grade 10 students this year, while ASCEND will offer structured coaching and scholarships covering up to 100% of tuition and study materials for competitive examinations, including NEET, JEE, CAT and CLAT. The AIM programme will provide higher education scholarships of up to ₹3 lakh for eligible undergraduate and postgraduate students.
Founder and CEO BalaSarda said access to quality education increasingly means access to AI and urged families from tea, herb and spice-growing communities to take advantage of the programmes. Matigara-Naxalbari MLA Anandamoy Barman described the initiative as an important step towards empowering students with emerging technologies and quality education.
As the commercial gateway to North Bengal and the Darjeeling tea industry, Siliguri is expected to benefit from the expansion of VAHDAM India’s education initiatives. The city’s strategic location connects students from Darjeeling, Dooars and Terai, making it a key centre for outreach and talent development. Industry observers believe AI-enabled learning and scholarship support could strengthen the region’s skilled workforce pipeline while reinforcing the tea sector’s long-term social and economic sustainability.
VAHDAM India said it has invested at least 1% of its annual revenue in educating farmers’ children through the TEACH ME® initiative. Since its launch in 2018, the programme has impacted around 50,000 children and established 100 Digital Learning Centres nationwide, which the company now plans to transform into AI-powered learning hubs.
