About - The Gyaan Project

Toward the end of 2019, we launched an initiative to support both education and craft, with a
line of limited edition marble plates created by inlay artisans in Agra. Christened The Gyaan
Project, the funds we raised from their sale and auction went toward the construction of the
CITTA Foundation's Rajkumari Ratnavati Girls School in Jaisalmer.

The design plates were either 18" in diameter or cut in an 18"x18" square and each designer
was requested to create a print accordingly. These were translated into marble inlay pieces in
Agra, providing over a year's worth of employment to an artisan family. Each design was issued
in a limited edition of ten plates; while nine were sold, the tenth was reserved for auction, which
took place on December 21, 2019. Hosted by Sonam Kapoor Ahuja and Isha Ambani Piramal,
the proceeds benefited the construction of the school in Jaisalmer.

The CITTA Foundation established its Jaisalmer Gyaan Center for women on 22 bighas of land
near the village of Kanoi in Rajasthan; it includes not only the school, but a women's
cooperative and market and exhibition space as well. The state's female literacy rate ranks
lowest in India; in rural areas like Jaisalmer, it is an abysmal 32 percent. Additionally, there are
also the pressing issues of child marriage and female infanticide to grapple with, resulting in a
skewed sex ratio favouring men. It is hoped that the Rajkumari Ratnavati Girls School, which
will be offering underprivileged girls the chance to an education, will serve to bring change to the
region. Running a state-based curriculum, the facilities will include classrooms, a library, a
computer centre and a bus facility. In addition to literacy, the school will also be helping the
children hone traditional crafts unique to the region, and providing a mid-day meal to them so as
to ensure nutrition and ease their families' financial burden.

The award-winning Rajkumari Ratnavati Girls school will open its doors in 2021 to families
challenged with poverty in rural Jaisalmer. By sponsoring a student, you allow CITTA to provide
education for nearly 150 students anticipated to enroll this spring. Students will be added each
year until we reach capacity at 400 students!

Against odds both economic and societal, many of our students will be attending school for the
very first time. Thank you supporting the vision for GYAAN Center.

Sponsorship allows Citta to provide students with daily classes, transportation, a uniform, lunch
and supplies for success.

Fashionista Sonam Kapoor Ahuja and entrepreneur Isha Ambani hosted The Gyaan Project
charitable auction, collaboration between Rooshad Shroffs design studio and Citta Foundation,
that aimed to benefit the Rajkumari Ratnavati School in Jaisalmer.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.vogue.in/fashion/content/rooshad-shroff-the-gyaan-project-
marble-plates-home-ware-collection-anamika-khanna-abu-jani-sandeep-khosla-sabyasachi/amp

Architecture|Design|Art

21
Architecture
09
mins. read
STIR SEE FEATURES
Architecture that nurtures, heals, protects: the Gyaan Center in Jaisalmer
Architect Diana Kellog tells STIR about the use of elliptical forms and symbols, and the coming
together of her entire career in the creation of The Rajkumari Ratnavati Girl's School complex.
by Meghna Mehta
Published on : Jan 23, 2021
The Gyaan Center is a unique example of architecture meeting noble intent to directly impact
the lives and well-being of inhabitants – in this case, women and children. The Gyaan Center in
Rajasthan is a complex of three buildings: The Rajkumari Ratnavati Girl's School, The Medha
(performance and art exhibition space/ library/ museum) and The Women's Cooperative
(embroidery, weaving and marketplace). Initiated by Rooshad Shroff with Michael Daube of the
CITTA organisation in 2018, the space has been created with a goal to educate young girls and
empower women in an otherwise imbalanced demographical ratio in the state. The project
involved 12 designers from across the world to design coffee-tables and help in the fund-raising
for this school for girls. Designed by New York-based architect Diana Kellogg, the Rajkumari
Ratnavati School is now open while the other spaces are under construction.

https://www.stirworld.com/see-features-architecture-that-nurtures-heals-protects-the-gyaan-
center-in-jaisalmer2

A good information link

https://www.borgenmagazine.com/female-empowerment-in-india-citta/