DISHAM Foundation

Welcome to the official website of DISHAM Foundation ("the Foundation"), a registered non-profit organization dedicated to transforming lives through education, empowerment, and sustainable development in underserved communities across India. DISHAM Foundation operates with a core commitment to direction and guidance, ensuring that marginalized and underprivileged populations have equitable access to educational opportunities, skill development, and sustainable livelihood solutions.

Please read these Terms and Conditions carefully before accessing or using this website. By accessing, browsing, registering on, or using this site in any manner, you agree to be fully bound by the following Terms and Conditions ("Terms"). These Terms are governed by the laws of India, including the Information Technology Act, 2000; the Copyright Act, 1957; the Trade Marks Act, 1999; the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023; the Consumer Protection Act, 2019; the Societies Registration Act, 1860; and the Indian Penal Code, 1860.

In this document:

"DISHAM Foundation", "We", "Us", "Our" refer to DISHAM Foundation, a registered non-profit society organized under the laws of India, and all its officially designated branches, regional offices, implementing departments, and authorized partners engaged in the Foundation's mission of education, empowerment, and sustainable development.

"Mission" refers to DISHAM Foundation's core commitment to transform lives through education, empowerment, and sustainable development in underserved communities, with emphasis on direction and guidance toward lasting social and economic change.

"User", "You", "Your" refer to any individual, organization, corporate entity, government agency, NGO, educational institution, or any other legal entity accessing this website for informational, transactional, collaborative, or beneficiary-related purposes.

"Website" refers to the official DISHAM Foundation portal and all its subdomains, alternate URLs, mobile applications, social media pages, and successor domains operated by the Foundation.

"Community Partner" refers to individuals, organizations, government agencies, educational institutions, or community-based organizations formally affiliated with DISHAM Foundation through partnership agreements, beneficiary programs, or collaborative frameworks.

"Beneficiary" refers to individuals or households identified, assessed, and enrolled in DISHAM Foundation programs for education, skill development, livelihood support, healthcare, or other development interventions.

"Content" encompasses all materials on the website including text, photographs, videos, infographics, educational modules, training materials, beneficiary stories, research publications, impact reports, and all creative works.

This website is managed by DISHAM Foundation for the following purposes:

Mission-Aligned Information Dissemination

Communicating DISHAM Foundation's mission, programs, and impact across education, empowerment, and sustainable development initiatives. Publishing progress reports, achievement milestones, beneficiary success stories, and program outcomes. Providing access to educational resources, training modules, skill development guides, and learning materials. Sharing research findings, evaluations, and evidence on effective development interventions.

Community Engagement and Participation

Enabling communities, beneficiaries, and stakeholders to connect with Foundation programs and opportunities. Facilitating volunteer engagement and community mobilization for social development initiatives. Creating channels for feedback, grievances, and community input into program design and implementation. Fostering peer-to-peer learning and knowledge sharing among beneficiaries and program participants.

Partnership and Collaboration

Facilitating partnerships with government agencies, corporate organizations, NGOs, and educational institutions. Enabling CSR collaborations and philanthropic engagement aligned with DISHAM's mission. Supporting academic and research collaborations for impact evaluation and learning. Creating opportunities for organizations to contribute to sustainable community development.

Transparency and Accountability

Maintaining transparent communication regarding program implementation, fund utilization, and outcomes. Publishing annual reports, financial statements, and impact measurements. Demonstrating accountability to beneficiaries, partners, donors, and the broader public. Responding to inquiries and building trust through open communication.

Digital Inclusion and Access

Providing digital access to development resources and opportunities for marginalized communities. Bridging the digital divide through accessible website design and multilingual content. Supporting rural communities' engagement with Foundation programs through technology platforms.

The website operates as a non-profit, mission-driven platform. DISHAM Foundation reserves the right to evolve website purposes in alignment with organizational mission expansion and community needs.

Binding Agreement: By accessing this website, you agree to be fully bound by these Terms and Conditions. Your use of the website constitutes acceptance of all provisions herein.

No Partial Acceptance: These Terms must be accepted in their entirety. If you have concerns about any provision, you must cease website use immediately.

Continuous Updates: DISHAM Foundation may revise, amend, or modify these Terms at any time. Material amendments shall be posted with a clearly visible updated date. Your continued website use after amendments indicates acceptance of revised Terms.

Applicable Law: These Terms are governed by Indian law, including the Information Technology Act, 2000 (cybersecurity and digital transactions); Copyright Act, 1957 (intellectual property protection); Trade Marks Act, 1999 (brand and trademark protection); Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (personal data handling); Consumer Protection Act, 2019 (consumer rights); Societies Registration Act, 1860 (non-profit organization governance); and the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (criminal conduct prohibitions).

Age Requirement: Website use is restricted to individuals 18 years and above. Persons below 18 years are prohibited from independent registration or data submission.

Supervised Access for Minors: Minors may access public educational content under direct adult supervision. Supervised access is limited to passive content consumption; interactive features require parental authorization.

Parental Consent for Minors' Data: Under Section 9 of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, any minor's personal data collection requires documented, verifiable parental or guardian consent. This consent must be preserved in organized records.

Legal Capacity: Users warrant they possess legal capacity to enter into binding agreements and are not subject to legal restrictions prohibiting internet or digital service access.

Restricted Access: DISHAM Foundation reserves the right to deny or terminate access for users who have been convicted of cybercrimes, fraud, or criminal offenses under Indian law; have engaged in unlawful conduct on the website; misrepresent their identity or relationship to the Foundation; pose security risks or potential harm to beneficiaries or communities; or repeatedly violate these Terms or community standards.

Ownership of DISHAM Content: All original content created by DISHAM Foundation—including educational materials, research reports, photographs, videos, infographics, training modules, and publications—is the exclusive intellectual property of DISHAM Foundation.

Copyright Protection: All content is protected under the Copyright Act, 1957. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, the following copyright notice applies: "© 2025 DISHAM Foundation. All rights reserved."

Partners' and Contributors' Rights: Content from partner organizations, research collaborators, or beneficiary stories retains attribution to original creators. Specific partnership agreements govern intellectual property ownership.

Government Content: Content created in collaboration with government agencies may be subject to different copyright provisions with appropriate attribution.

License to Users: Subject to full Terms compliance, DISHAM Foundation grants users a non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to view educational and informational content for personal learning; download publicly available resources, training materials, and reports for personal use or organizational learning (where explicitly permitted); and reproduce limited portions for educational purposes with clear DISHAM Foundation attribution.

Prohibited Content Uses: Users strictly cannot engage in reproduction and distribution by copying, republishing, or distributing DISHAM content or substantial portions thereof without written permission, except where fair use applies; modification by altering, adapting, translating, or creating derivative works from DISHAM content; commercial exploitation by using content for commercial gain, selling, licensing, or commercially benefiting from DISHAM materials without authorization; unauthorized compilation by systematically aggregating or collecting DISHAM content for competitive purposes or commercial data services; misattribution by claiming authorship of DISHAM content or removing copyright notices; or deep linking and framing by bypassing website navigation or presenting DISHAM content as originating from another source.

Fair Use Provisions: Under Section 52 of the Copyright Act, 1957, reproduction for non-profit educational, research, or commentary purposes may be permitted provided reproduction is limited to excerpts, not entire works; clear attribution to DISHAM Foundation is provided; use does not substantially compete with or harm DISHAM's work or reputation; and reproduction is not for commercial advantage.

Copyright Infringement Reporting: Users identifying unauthorized DISHAM content use should report to [contact information]. Reports should include detailed description of infringing content, location and evidence of DISHAM's ownership, and reporter's contact information. DISHAM Foundation may issue takedown notices, seek judicial relief, or pursue legal remedies against infringers under the Copyright Act, 1957 and Information Technology Act, 2000.

By accessing this website, users commit to ethical conduct and agree not to engage in prohibited activities:

Unlawful and Defamatory Content: Users shall not post content that violates Indian law or constitutes criminal conduct; is defamatory or damages reputation, as defined under Sections 499-500 of the Indian Penal Code; contains false, misleading, or fraudulent statements intended to deceive; incites violence, hatred, or discrimination against individuals or groups; or violates privacy or personal dignity.

Malicious Software and Cyberattacks: Users are strictly prohibited from uploading malware, viruses, trojans, or malicious code; launching denial-of-service (DoS) or distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks; attempting unauthorized system access through hacking or intrusion; or creating vulnerabilities for malicious purposes. Such conduct violates Sections 66-67 of the Information Technology Act, 2000 and may result in criminal prosecution and imprisonment.

Intellectual Property Violations: Users shall not infringe copyrights, trademarks, patents, or other intellectual property rights; upload protected materials without authorization; or distribute pirated or unlicensed content.

Data Protection and Privacy Violations: Users agree not to harvest or scrape personal data of other users; sell or trade personal data obtained from the website; publish private information without consent; or violate the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.

Impersonation and Misrepresentation: Users shall not impersonate DISHAM Foundation staff or authorized representatives; falsely claim affiliation with the Foundation; use misleading credentials to deceive users; or misrepresent communications' source or authorization.

Harassment and Harmful Conduct: Users shall not engage in harassment, bullying, threats, or abusive communication; post hate speech or discriminatory content targeting protected characteristics; distribute non-consensual intimate imagery; or participate in coordinated harassment campaigns.

DISHAM's Monitoring Authority: The Foundation reserves the right to monitor user-generated content, submissions, and activities to ensure Terms compliance and legal adherence.

Consequences of Violations: Violations may result in content removal with immediate removal of violating content; warning notice providing formal warning outlining violation and required correction; temporary suspension with access suspension ranging from hours to months; permanent termination with permanent access denial and account deletion; data deletion through removal of user-submitted data; or legal action through law enforcement referral or civil/criminal proceedings.

Legal Remedies: The Foundation may pursue cease-and-desist letters for intellectual property violations; injunctive relief through courts to prevent ongoing violations; civil damages for losses incurred; or criminal prosecution referral for serious offenses.

"As Is" Basis: The website and all content are provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis without warranties or guarantees.

No Warranty of Accuracy: Although DISHAM Foundation takes reasonable efforts to verify content accuracy, the Foundation makes no warranties, express or implied, regarding completeness or timeliness of information; accuracy of program details or beneficiary information; website error-free operation; fitness for particular purposes; or non-infringement of third-party rights.

Limitation of Liability: To the maximum extent permitted under Indian law, DISHAM Foundation shall not be liable for direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or special damages; loss of profits, data, or business opportunity; emotional distress or reputational harm; third-party claims arising from user conduct; or website downtime or technical errors.

Users Assume Risk: Users access the website entirely at their own risk.

Important Exception - Data Security: The Foundation accepts full responsibility for data security breaches or negligent failure to implement reasonable safeguards required under Sections 43A and 72A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023. Users harmed by data breaches may claim full damages as provided under law.

Third-Party Integrations: The website may contain links to external websites, partner platforms, government portals, and educational resources.

Limited Responsibility: DISHAM Foundation is not responsible for accuracy, legality, or appropriateness of third-party content; security practices or privacy policies of external sites; technical issues on third-party platforms; third-party terms of service; or damages arising from third-party platform interaction.

Safe Harbour Protection: Under Section 79 of the Information Technology Act, 2000, DISHAM Foundation, as an intermediary, is provided safe harbour protection from liability for third-party content under conditions including acting only as a passive host; not initiating transmission or modifying content; observing due diligence; and expeditiously removing unlawful content upon notification.

Unlawful Content Removal: Upon receiving formal notification of unlawful content, DISHAM Foundation commits to immediately disabling access to offending content; preserving evidence for legal proceedings; and providing information to law enforcement if required.

Data Protection Framework: Personal data is processed in accordance with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023; the Information Technology (Reasonable Security Practices and Procedures and Sensitive Personal Data or Information) Rules, 2011; the Information Technology Act, 2000; and the Foundation's Privacy Policy (detailed in Part C).

Consent for Processing: DISHAM Foundation obtains explicit consent before processing personal data under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023. Consent may be withdrawn at any time.

Data Breach Notification: In case of personal data breach, DISHAM Foundation commits to notifying affected individuals without unreasonable delay; reporting to the Data Protection Board of India (DPBI) within prescribed timelines; providing information about breach nature, extent, and potential impact; and recommending protective measures.

Governing Law: These Terms are governed by Indian law, including the Information Technology Act, 2000; Copyright Act, 1957; Trade Marks Act, 1999; Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023; Consumer Protection Act, 2019; Societies Registration Act, 1860; and the Indian Penal Code, 1860.

Exclusive Jurisdiction: All disputes shall fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of courts in the location where DISHAM Foundation's principal office is registered, with users irrevocably submitting to such jurisdiction.

Dispute Resolution Process: Step 1 - Amicable Resolution: Users must first attempt amicable resolution by submitting written notice to the Foundation detailing the dispute and proposed resolution. Step 2 - Mediation (if amicable resolution fails): Parties may pursue mediation through a neutral third party mutually appointed, with costs borne equally. Step 3 - Legal Proceedings: If mediation fails, either party may initiate legal proceedings in competent Indian courts following the Civil Procedure Code, 1908.

Enforcement of Judgments: Court judgments shall be enforceable under the Civil Procedure Code, 1908 and applicable Indian laws.

Right to Modify: DISHAM Foundation may revise, amend, or supplement these Terms at any time.

Notification of Changes: Material amendments shall be posted with an updated date and highlighted notification banner for significant changes.

Continued Use as Acceptance: Continued website use after amendments constitutes acceptance of revised Terms. Users who do not accept amendments should discontinue use.

Severability: If any provision is found invalid by a competent court, such provision shall be modified minimally to make it valid, or if impossible, severed. Remaining provisions shall remain in full force.

Entire Agreement: These Terms, together with the Logo Use Policy and Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between user and DISHAM Foundation regarding website use.

No Waiver: Failure to enforce any provision does not constitute waiver of that provision.

Contact Information for Legal Matters:

📧 Email: info@dishamfoundation.org

📍 Address: 11, Padmanabhan Street, Kurinji Nagar, Chrompet, Tiruneermalai, Kanchipuram, Tambaram, Tamil Nadu, India, 600044

📞 Phone: +91 87544 71611

Last Updated: November 2025

The DISHAM Foundation logo represents the Foundation's core values of direction, guidance, empowerment, sustainability, and community-centered development. This policy establishes guidelines for authorized, compliant logo use.

Ownership and Intellectual Property Rights

DISHAM Ownership: The DISHAM Foundation logo, visual identity system, and all associated marks are the exclusive intellectual property of DISHAM Foundation, registered as a non-profit organization. Trademark Protection: The DISHAM logo is protected under the Trade Marks Act, 1999. Registration provides legal protection against unauthorized use and counterfeiting. Restricted Licensing: Usage rights are extended only to officially designated organizations through partnership agreements or written authorization. No Implied Rights: Mere program participation does not confer logo usage rights. Explicit written authorization is required.

Authorized Use - Eligible Organizations

The DISHAM logo may be used by: Community Partners and Implementing Organizations with active partnership agreements or MOUs with DISHAM Foundation, implementing NGOs engaged in joint program delivery, and community-based organizations collaborating on education or empowerment initiatives; Educational and Research Institutions conducting DISHAM-approved evaluations or studies and academic institutions publishing DISHAM-approved findings; Government Partners collaborating on education, skill development, or community development initiatives and official government programs incorporating DISHAM-funded components; Media and Communications Partners including accredited media organizations publishing approved DISHAM content and communication agencies engaged in Foundation promotion with approval; Corporate and CSR Partners contributing to DISHAM's mission through CSR commitments and companies engaged in co-branded initiatives with formal agreements; Individual Volunteers and Beneficiary Stories including beneficiaries sharing their transformation stories with appropriate context and volunteers documenting their engagement with Foundation programs.

Unauthorized Use - Strictly Prohibited

Strictly prohibited uses include Logo Modification and Alteration through changing logo color, design, proportions, or visual elements, redesigning or creating derivative versions, altering fonts or textual components, or applying effects unauthorized in original design; Misuse for Unrelated Purposes by using the logo for activities unaligned with DISHAM's mission, associating the logo with political campaigns or partisan causes, or using the logo for purposes contradicting empowerment and community values; Commercial Exploitation through using the logo for commercial gain without authorization, licensing or sublicensing the logo to third parties, incorporating the logo into commercial products or services for sale, or using the logo in paid advertising without approval; False Partnership Claims by displaying the logo to misrepresent partnership or endorsement, falsely claiming DISHAM affiliation, or suggesting financial support or institutional backing from DISHAM; Unauthorized Digital or Print Distribution through publishing the logo in media without approval, using the logo on unauthorized websites or social media, or displaying the logo on merchandise without authorization; and Deceptive Use by using the logo to mislead about content source or authenticity, using the logo in fraudulent schemes, or using the logo to gain unauthorized access to resources.

Design Standards and Technical Specifications

Organizations authorized to use the DISHAM logo must adhere to strict design standards. Color Specifications include Primary Colors: Direction Blue [specific hex code to be provided by DISHAM Foundation] and Empowerment Green [specific hex code to be provided by DISHAM Foundation]; Alternative Applications including black and white versions (for monochrome media), grayscale versions (for neutral tone applications), and reversed/negative versions (for colored backgrounds). Color Consistency requires specified colors must be accurately reproduced, with digital applications using provided hex codes and print applications using corresponding Pantone or CMYK values. Clear Space and Padding requires minimum padding equal to the height of the letter "D" in the logo around all sides to ensure visual prominence and clarity. Size Requirements mandate minimum sizes of 25 millimeters (mm) width for print and 150 pixels (px) width for digital to ensures legibility and prevents detail degradation. Background Specifications recommend white (preferred for maximum contrast), light neutral backgrounds (light gray, cream), and solid muted or earthy tones while avoiding busy or patterned backgrounds, overly bright colors reducing visibility, and backgrounds causing logo elements to merge or become indistinct.

Approval and Permission Process

No Assumption of Rights: Explicit written approval is required before any logo use. Request Submission requires format via email to [DISHAM contact email] with subject line: "DISHAM Logo Use Request" and Required Information including requesting organization name, contact person details, purpose of use (publication, event, website, etc.), placement and context description, duration of authorization sought, target audience, supporting documentation (partnership agreement, MOU, etc.), and sample/mockup showing proposed logo placement. Evaluation Criteria consider organizational legitimacy and mission alignment, appropriateness of intended use, impact on DISHAM's brand and reputation, compliance with design standards, and previous organizational conduct. Approval Timeline provides response within 10-15 business days; complex requests may require extended review. Written Authorization means approval is granted only through written communication explicitly authorizing use. Verbal or implied approvals are not valid. Conditions of Approval include strict adherence to design standards, appropriate attribution and credit, compliance with all policy guidelines, use limited to specific approved purpose and duration, and no sublicensing or transfer to third parties. Denial of Requests: DISHAM Foundation reserves the right to deny logo use requests without detailed explanation. Denials are final and not subject to appeal.

Co-Branding and Multi-Logo Display Guidelines

Equal Prominence requires DISHAM logo must be displayed with equal or greater prominence compared to partner logos, logo sizes should be comparable, and positioning should not subordinate DISHAM's logo. Layout and Alignment requires arranging logos horizontally or vertically with consistent spacing, maintaining equal clear space around all logos, avoiding overlapping or obscuring logos, and using alignment guides for professional presentation. Color Coordination ensures adjacent logo colors do not clash or reduce visibility, maintains color consistency per specifications, and avoids mixing color and grayscale versions without intentional purpose. Contextual Attribution requires accompanying co-branded logos with clear textual attribution (e.g., "In partnership with...") and providing explanatory text identifying each organization's role. Prohibited Co-Branding includes not displaying DISHAM logo with organizations engaged in unlawful, unethical, or mission-contradictory activities; not co-branding with organizations promoting discrimination or exploitation; and not displaying with commercial entities without explicit approval.

Violation, Enforcement, and Legal Remedies

Monitoring: DISHAM Foundation actively monitors for unauthorized logo use through web searches, digital monitoring, stakeholder reports, and media scanning. Remedies for Unauthorized Use include Cease and Desist Notice with formal written notice demanding immediate cessation, specification of violation and required corrective action, and 7-14 day compliance period or authorization demonstration requirement; Takedown Requests including issuance of takedown requests to website hosts or social media platforms and notification to organizations of takedown actions; Civil Legal Action through pursuit of injunctive relief to prevent continued misuse, claiming monetary damages for brand harm, recovery of profits obtained through unauthorized use under Section 55 of the Copyright Act, 1957 and Trade Marks Act, 1999; Criminal Prosecution through referral to law enforcement for fraudulent or commercial misuse under Sections 63-65 of the Copyright Act, Sections 103-104 of Trade Marks Act, Sections 420, 468-469 of IPC, and Section 66 of IT Act; and Stakeholder Notification through notification of government agencies and project partners and exclusion from future partnership opportunities.

Termination of Logo Use Rights

Automatic Termination Upon expiration of specified authorization period, termination of partnership agreement, withdrawal of funding or program participation, or organizational status change affecting DISHAM affiliation. Revocation for Cause includes violation of co-branding guidelines or design standards, unauthorized, unethical, or illegal logo use, misrepresentation of partnership, damage to DISHAM's reputation or brand image, and engagement in activities contradicting DISHAM's mission. Notice and Cure Period: Termination notice specifying reasons with 7-14 day removal deadline. Post-Termination Obligations: Cease all new logo use immediately; existing materials may be used through transition period but not reprinted or reproduced.

Contact and Inquiries

For logo use requests or clarifications:

📧 Email: info@dishamfoundation.org

📍 Address: 11, Padmanabhan Street, Kurinji Nagar, Chrompet, Tiruneermalai, Kanchipuram, Tambaram, Tamil Nadu, India, 600044

📞 Phone: +91 87544 71611