Shikshagraha, a voluntary group improving public schools in India, has launched the Shikshana Nava Chetana Award. This district-level initiative aims to recognise and encourage "low-cost, context-driven" improvements in schools in Mysuru and Kodagu. The award was unveiled by Mysuru MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar at Shikshana Samvaada on December 21. This event gathered educators, school leaders, community members, and policy makers. The award is open to those working with children from early education to Grade 10, such as school leaders, teachers, anganwadi workers, and youth or women leaders. Shikshagraha says, "The initiative seeks to nurture a culture of continuous improvement by enabling schools and educators to identify focused areas of change and design practical solutions rooted in their local context." Speaking at the event, Mr. Wadiyar said Mysuru has the history and leadership to create an education ecosystem where every child can learn and succeed. He added, "We need to move beyond isolated efforts and work together with a shared sense of responsibility." Khushboo Awasthi of Shikshagraha said, "The Shikshana Nava Chetana Award is grounded in a simple belief — that educators and schools already carry the wisdom to improve learning when they are trusted, recognised, and supported. Through this initiative, we want to surface and celebrate small, low-cost innovations that are deeply rooted in local realities." The award submissions will be open for one month. The Shikshana Samvaada event ended with a shared commitment to build a "cradle to career" vision for Mysuru and Kodagu. Stakeholders agreed on priority areas including early childhood learning, school education, sports, and future skills, pushing for lasting teamwork to improve education in both districts.