Shima Modak Biography 
Shima Modak is a social worker and educator from the eastern state of Meghalaya. She came to limelight for the first time when she used her own earnings to educate and empower impoverished people in Shillong, Meghalaya. She drew funds from her own earnings to start her NGO, SPARK, which now provides education to many underprivileged people. Her first small setup was done in 2010. Shima is a recipient of Women Transforming India Awards 2017, launched by NITI Aayog, in association with the UN in India and MyGov, to recognize the transformational impact of work undertaken by women across India. Modak has been working relentlessly towards the welfare of the deprived and distressed which helped to receive this honour.
Shima Modak hails from Shillong, Meghalaya. Since young she got easily drawn by the sufferings of poor. Moved by the plight of underprivileged people, she drew funds from her own earnings to start her NGO, SPARK aimed to educate underprivileged people of the society. Started as an educational centre in 2010 with 73 children, it gives education to kids who can’t afford the expenses. Today it has five such centres staffed with 16 teachers across Shillong. They are paid 2000 rupees per month and catering to nearly 450 students mostly belonging to cowherds, ragpickers and domestic workers who work to financially support the family.
Basic education from nursery to class 10 is provided free who can’t afford it, and those who never dreamt to study or go to school. Later they are linked to a formal school, where they can continue their studies. A group of students were trained in animation and film-making and sent to the Chicago Film Festival 2015. Till now SPARK managed to educate more than 3000 students. It also organises evening classes for women in Anjali, Shillong.
Published: February 03, 2019
Updated: February 03, 2019
