Muscat – Focus Oman, part of the India-based NGO Focus International, announced a plan aimed at spreading education among backward communities in four Indian states – Assam, Bihar, West Bengal and Jharkhand – at an event in Golden Tulip Hotel in Muscat on Friday.

Called Nirmal 2023, the programme will fund monthly scholarships as well as set up schools in the four states. The organisation has also adopted ten villages in Assam as part of its education drive.

Speaking during the event, UP Yahyakhan, CEO of Focus International, said, “We started first in Qatar in 2005, while Oman was included in 2019. We have great support from our compatriots in the Gulf region. Our work doesn’t extend to only India but also in the region.”

According to Yahyakhan, at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the group extended its support to not only Indian, but also Egyptian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan expatriates.

“Over the years, we have built houses and toilets in villages, and empowered people with education by providing scholarships to children in these four states.”

Yahyakhan claimed that over the years, many backward communities have been benefited from Focus International programmes.

The event on Friday also discussed the challenges that Focus International deals with and the contribution of its Oman chapter.

The trailer of a short film, titled Jyoti, produced by Focus International, was also screened at the event. The film showcases the plight and challenges of backward communities in Assam.