The Board of Trustees of the BCAS Foundation are pleased to present the Annual Report of the activities of the Foundation during the Financial Year 2024-2025.
The year witnessed many activities during the financial year, with the help of volunteers and joint initiatives with the Human Resource Development Committee of the Bombay Chartered Accountants’ Society (BCAS Foundation). The list of activities and their impact analysis is given below:
1.0 CHILDREN’S EDUCATION
1.1 Science Laboratory and Books Library at M.M. High School, Umbergaon, Gujarat
BCAS Foundation has donated a Book Library, Science Laboratory and Four Smart Classrooms to M. M. High School, run by the Umbergaon Education Society, Umbergaon, Gujarat. The school has 125 years of glorious presence and history and has 2300 plus students.
On 9th August, 2024, the team of BCAS Foundation visited and inaugurated these facilities. President, CA Anand Bathiya; Trustees of the BCAS Foundation and Past Presidents – Dr CA Mayur Nayak and CA Deepak Shah; Chairman of the Human Resource Development Committee and the Past President CA Mihir Sheth; Chairman of the Seminar, Membership and Public Relation Committee and the Past President CA Chirag Doshi, Ms. Silky Anand Bathiya (First Lady of the BCAS), and other volunteers graced the occasion. CA Prakash Mehta, member of the BCAS and an ex-student of the M. M. High School 50 years ago, was also present at the inauguration ceremony.
The planning, designing and execution of the making of the Science Lab, Modern Library and the Smart Classes are worth appreciation.
The inauguration on 9th August coincided with “Adivasi Divas” and “Book Lovers Day”. Adivasi Students performed various dances and skits to celebrate the Adivasi Divas, followed by motivational speeches by eminent dignitaries and teachers.
At the end, the dignitaries and teachers planted a tree in their mother’s name in the school compound and participated in the movement called “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” – “एक पेड मा के नाम” by the Government of India.
These initiatives will benefit 2300-plus students every year. The impact was instant as within a couple of months, four science projects of the school were selected at the District Level, first time in the history of the school.
Ceremonies were diligently planned and executed meticulously.
1.2 Digital Classrooms at Talasari
BCAS Foundation continued its initiative to empower tribal and poor children of Talasari, Maharashtra, Umbergaon, Gujarat and surrounding areas with digital learning.
BCAS Foundation, with the help of Rushabh Foundation, sponsored 7 digital classrooms in two schools in the Talasari area.
Each digital classroom comprises a TV Screen and preloaded content of the curriculum of standards 1 to 10 of the SSC Board, Maharashtra. In the absence of teachers, students learn on their own with the help of digital classrooms.
1.3 Distribution of Notebooks to Children at Govandi-Mankhurd
BCAS Foundation distributed 4000 notebooks to needy children studying in Municipal Schools in the Govandi – Mankhurd areas, Mumbai, with the help of Dharma Bharati Mission (DBM).
Along with DBM, the Foundation has also been supporting an initiative of “Chalo English Sikhaye” to the students at Vernacular Medium Schools of Govandi – Mankhurd areas.
1.4 Support to the Balvatika Language Programme for Grades 1 and 2 at ARCH Foundation, Valsad, Gujarat
ARCH has been working for the past seventeen years in developing early childhood education processes for children in preschool and Balvatika age groups. It has also conducted focused programs for language and mathematics in Grades 1 and 2 of Balvatika. Based on this extensive experience, regular training sessions for supervisors and teachers under this project are organised at Dharampur.
This year, BCAS Foundation funded the material and training costs of this project, which was undertaken in collaboration with Nachiketa Trust in Balvatika, grades 1 and 2 of the Government Schools. The entire project was coordinated and supervised by teachers appointed by the Arch Foundation. In all, 292 students from six schools have benefited from this project so far.
2.0 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES JOINTLY WITH RANGOONWALA FOUNDATION (INDIA) TRUST
Rangoonwala Foundation (India) Trust-[RF(I)T] is a Mumbai based people-centric public charitable Trust, committed to empowering underprivileged communities in the slums of Mumbai through various programmes on capacity building, skill development and health.
During the FY 2024-2025 BCAS Foundation actively supported RF(I)T on capacity building and education related initiatives for marginalised women and children, in the slums of Mumbai.
During these joint initiatives, BCAS worked with RF(I)T in Mumbai’s ‘bastis’ through eight Community Centres in Premnagar- Andheri Plot, Subhash Nagar – Gumpha Road and Shivtekdi in Jogeshwari-east; Mahakali and Pump House in Andheri- east; Anandwadi and Pathanwadi in Malad east and Damunagar in Kandivali east.
Overall, 1735 women and youth from the above areas benefited. Fifteen skill development programmes were conducted benefiting more than 1300 women. More than 275 youth benefitted from the Aptitude Test and Career Guidance sessions conducted at various centres.
3.0 TREE PLANTATION DRIVE – MIYAWAKI FOREST
BCAS Foundation and Keshav Srushti Collaborate for Miyawaki Forest Project – 2024
On Sunday, 4th August 2024, the Bombay Chartered Accountants’ Society (BCAS Foundation), in collaboration with the NGO Keshav Srushti, launched the Miyawaki Forest Project – 2024 at Ismail Yusuf College, Jogeshwari (East), Mumbai. The initiative aims to contribute to environmental restoration and urban afforestation using the acclaimed Miyawaki plantation technique, developed by Japanese botanist Dr Akira Miyawaki.
Under this initiative, 1,000 native trees—including species such as Mango, Bakul, Kaner, Bel, Kadi Patta, and Neem—were planted in a compact 3,000 sq. ft. area. These trees are expected to grow 10 times faster and 30 times denser than traditional plantations, thereby fostering a self-sustaining urban ecosystem.
In his inaugural address, CA Anand Bathiya, President of BCAS Foundation, highlighted the significance of the event, citing BCAS Foundation’s 15-year-long commitment to environmental and community-centric initiatives, including captive plantations and rural upliftment programs in Dharampur, Gujarat.
Keshav Srushti, known for its extensive environmental initiatives, has planted over 1.25 lakh trees across Maharashtra and established 43 Miyawaki forests in urban and rural areas. Representatives, including Dr CA Mayur Nayak (Trustee, BCAS Foundation), CA Meena Shah and CA Utsav Shah (Active volunteers of the BCAS Foundation), Ms. Silky Anand Bathiya (First Lady of the BCAS), CA Rashmin Sanghvi (BCAS Member), CA Mihir Sheth (Chairman of the Human Resource Development Committee), Mr Sateesh Modh (President, Keshav Srushti), and Mr Vinay Nathani (Secretary), along with other BCAS Foundation volunteers and office bearers, graced the occasion.
This initiative aligns with BCAS Foundation’s continued commitment to sustainability, member engagement, and social responsibility.
4.0 BLOOD DONATION CAMP AND PLATELET AWARENESS DRIVE
On Friday, 16th May 2025, the BCAS Foundation, in collaboration with the Seminar, Membership & Public Relations (SMPR) Committee of the Bombay Chartered Accountants’ Society (BCAS Foundation), organised its annual Blood Donation Drive with the active support of Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH).
Notably, individuals with conditions such as controlled cholesterol, thyroid imbalances, or blood pressure were also considered eligible to donate, provided they fulfilled the requisite medical criteria. A total of 54 units of blood were successfully collected from eligible donors, which included the President of the BCAS – CA Anand Bathiya, the SMPR Committee Chairman – CA Chirag Doshi, members, and BCAS Foundation staff.
To foster awareness and dispel common myths surrounding platelet donation, a Platelet Donation Awareness Drive was also organised simultaneously.
As a token of appreciation, all donors were honoured with a “Life Saver” medal, along with a copy of the BCAS Calendar and a publication from the BCAS Book Mela, which was also held on the same day.
5.0 INTERNATIONAL YOGA DAY CELEBRATIONS
The BCAS Foundation, with the help of the Human Resource Development Committee, Organised “International Yoga Day Celebrations” on 21st June, 2025. The event was jointly organised with MaBap at Andheri East, Mumbai. The session was conducted both for Physical and online participants.
Mr. Pradeep Thakkar, the accredited Yoga Trainer, conducted the session.
The takeaways from the workshop are briefly given below:
1. Participants were guided to do various exercises and were explained the benefits of doing the exercises.
2. The exercises dealt with Asanas and tips for Osteoarthritis, Knee Pain, Blood Pressure, Diabetes and a lot more.
3. Also, breathing exercises, along with their benefits, were explained to the participants.
4. The benefits of yoga for digestion, Bloating, Chest and Lung congestion were explained.
5. The benefits of yoga for Flexibility, Strength and overall health were explained in detail.
Mr Vinayak Yadav, Founder of Aham Yog Institute, was a special guest and gave a talk for 5 Minutes on the importance of Yoga, not just for the body but for the mind also. He demonstrated exercise for Sciatica.
CA Mayur Nayak – assisted in the presentation and ensured the smooth conduct of the yoga. CA Gracy Mendes and CA Vinod Jain coordinated this event.
A Group Photo of Yoga Day Participants
This year, BCAS Foundation got recognition as a registered participant of the YOGA SANGAM, an initiative by the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India.
6.0 Other Activities
During the year, the Foundation extended medical and educational help to needy students and family members of the BCAS Foundation staff.
BCAS Foundation donated 350 sets of Steel Plates, Vati and Spoons to Prathmik Shala, Bhathi-Karambeli, Umbergaon, Gujarat.
During the CA-Thon Marathon, the Foundation donated Sewing Machines to needy women to enable them to earn their livelihood.
We take this opportunity to thank all our donors, volunteers, sister NGOs, office bearers of schools, Office Bearers and the Staff of BCAS, participants of all conferences/seminars at BCAS, for their continued support and encouragement to carry out some noble work to make a positive difference to the world. We also thank all beneficiaries and students / children for giving the opportunity to BCAS Foundation to serve them.
We welcome suggestions and volunteering. Kindly send volunteering requests to om1@bcasonline.org or bcasfoundation@bcasonline.org.
Best Regards,
For BCAS Foundation
Trustees
