Guwahati, Jan 04: As part of its continued efforts to strengthen holistic education among tea garden communities, The Hans Foundation, in collaboration with the Department of Secondary Education, Government of Assam, has announced a large-scale music talent hunt and mentorship initiative across Model Schools in tea garden areas of the state.
The initiative covers 54 Model Schools located across the tea garden belts of Sonitpur, Tinsukia, and Dibrugarh districts, implemented in collaboration with The Hans Foundation and the Government of Assam.
The foundation is currently supporting these schools under its Uttam Xikhya programme, aimed at improving access, quality and outcomes of education for tea tribe children. The number of schools under the programme will increase to 101 by April this year.
During a review meeting held on April 4, 2025, Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma had emphasised the need to introduce structured co-curricular and vocational activities in these schools, including music education, to support the all-round development of students from tea garden communities.
Acting on the Chief Minister’s guidance, The Hans Foundation introduced formal music education programmes across all 54 Model Schools, engaging dedicated music teachers for each institution. Over the past several months, more than 14,000 tea tribe students have participated enthusiastically in weekly, bi-weekly and tri-weekly music classes conducted across these schools.
Building on this initiative, The Hans Foundation, in partnership with the Department of Secondary Education, is now organising a state-wide music competition to identify and nurture exceptional talent among these students. The initiative aims not only to recognise musical ability but also to motivate students to pursue co-curricular excellence alongside formal education.
Under the programme, auditions will be conducted over the next one month across all participating Model Schools, followed by district-level selections in Sonitpur, Tinsukia and Dibrugarh, from which 160 students will be shortlisted. A pre-state competition will be held in Dibrugarh on January 21, where the top 15 students will be selected for advanced mentorship.
These finalists will then be brought to Guwahati for intensive grooming and mentorship sessions, culminating in a grand finale on February 6, where the top five students will be announced.
“At The Hans Foundation, we believe that education must go beyond textbooks to truly empower children. Music has proven to be a powerful medium of self-expression, confidence-building and discipline, especially for children from marginalised communities.
The overwhelming participation of more than 14,000 tea garden students in our music classes reinforces our belief that talent is universal, even if opportunities are not.
Through this talent hunt and mentorship programme, we aim to provide deserving children with a platform, long-term educational support and exposure that can transform their lives,” said Jurismita Puzari, Program Manager, North East, The Hans Foundation.
The winners will receive education scholarships up to post-graduation level, an exposure visit to renowned Indian playback singer Suresh Wadkar’s music institute in Mumbai along with other awards and recognitions.
“The Government of Assam is committed to ensuring holistic development of students, particularly those from tea garden communities. The integration of co-curricular activities like music into these Model Schools reflects this vision.
The collaboration with The Hans Foundation under the Uttam Siksha programme has strengthened educational outcomes on the ground, and this initiative to identify and nurture musical talent will further motivate students to pursue excellence beyond the classroom,” said Smt. Mamta Hojai, Director, Secondary Education, Government of Assam.
Through this initiative, The Hans Foundation seeks to provide a powerful platform to showcase the hidden talents of tea tribe children, encourage sustained participation in co-curricular activities, and reinforce the role of arts education in building confidence, creativity and future opportunities.
The programme is being implemented as a joint collaboration between the Department of Secondary Education, Government of Assam and The Hans Foundation, reflecting a shared commitment to inclusive, quality education for children from tea garden communities.
