Cognizant Foundation celebrates 20 years with commemoration event in Chennai

 Cognizant Foundation India  marked a significant milestone – 20 years of transformative social impact across the country. The commemorative event, hosted at Cognizant campus, MEPZ, Chennai, brought together over 350 attendees, including partner NGOs, Cognizant leaders, associates, Cognizant Outreach volunteers, and key stakeholders to celebrate the Foundation’s enduring legacy of collaboration, innovation, and lasting social change.

 

A highlight of the event was the launch of - The Light That Lives on - a curated book, featuring real-life stories of individuals whose lives have been positively impacted through the Foundation’s initiatives in education, healthcare, and livelihoods. These narratives highlight the transformative change that can happen when communities, technology, and purposeful action join hands.

 

"As we look back on the 20 years of purposeful work across the country, every partnership and every life touched stands as a testament to Cognizant Foundation’s commitment to ensuring that access to opportunities is not defined by circumstances.” said Vinita Bali, Chairperson, Cognizant Foundation. “Moving forward, our focus will remain steadfast on scaling equitable, technology-enabled solutions that empower individuals to shape their futures.”

 “The Light that Lives On is a testament to our deep commitment to creating meaningful change through the power of collaboration and innovation,” said Deepak Prabhu Matti, Chief Executive Officer, Cognizant Foundation. “For two decades, we have worked hand-in-hand with NGOs, volunteers, and community leaders across India to address real-world challenges. This milestone is not just a celebration of our journey—it’s a tribute to everyone who has helped illuminate the path to a better future.”

 

The event also featured a panel discussion on “The Role of Assistive Technology in Promoting Inclusive Education” featuring experts and practitioners from Madras Dyslexia Association, Help The Blind Foundation, Vision Empower and Cognizant Outreach, who serve in the inclusive education sector. The discussion explored the barriers faced by students with disabilities in schools and colleges and discussed technology-enabled solutions—from accessible digital learning to teacher capacity-building, that can expand equitable learning pathways at scale.

 

The event culminated with a special ceremony honoring partner NGOs for their outstanding contributions to the Foundation’s mission of enabling access, equity, and excellence in education and healthcare. Participating organizations included IIT Madras, Madras Dyslexia Association, Sankara Eye Hospital (Pammal), Help the Blind Foundation, Vision Research Foundation (Sankara Nethralaya), The Banyan, Dhan Foundation, ICT Academy of Tamil Nadu among others.

 

Distinguished dignitaries in attendance included Rajesh Varrier, President – Global Operations & Chairman and Managing Director, Cognizant India; Lakshmi Narayanan, ex-Emeritus Vice Chairman, Cognizant, Narayanan T, General Counsel – India and APAC, Cognizant, K. Balaji, Former Managing Director, The Hindu; Dr. Nandini Rangaswamy, Managing Director, Chandra Group & Chairperson, GRG Institutions; Ranganath N. Krishna, Independent Director & Consultant. The Foundation will host similar commemorations in Delhi, Bangalore, and Pune in the coming months, continuing the nationwide celebration of collective impact that has reached millions across India.