Aarti Naik, once a slum school dropout, now leads SAKHI for Girls Education, enhancing girls’ literacy in slum areas with initiatives like Girls Book Bank and Girls Reading School since 2011.

Her transformation into a passionate advocate for girls’ education marks her as a central figure in empowering slum-dwelling girls through learning.

Her initiatives, including Girls Book Bank, Girls Reading School, and My Reading Bag, significantly boost literacy and reading passion among slum-dwelling girls, promoting education as a tool for holistic community development.

These efforts have led to an increase in reading engagement within communities, underlining literacy’s role in fostering positive societal change.

Aarti Naik has been honored with notable awards like the Most Influential Women in Education by BW Businessworld, the Karmaveer Chakra Award, and recognition from the International Literacy Association. She received a scholarship from Women Deliver, the “Giving Women of the Year Award” in the USA, and participated in UC Berkeley’s “Tell Her Story” program, further highlighting her impactful work in girls’ education.