JagPaavani, offered by The Art of Living - Sri Sri Naisargik, is a fermented plant-based extract designed to support plant nutrition, enhance soil fertility, and improve crop productivity. Enriched with beneficial microorganisms, essential nutrients, organic acids, and bioactive metabolites, it supports soil biological activity and plant growth. By encouraging efficient nutrient utilisation and reducing dependence on chemical inputs, JagPaavani aims to support resilient farming systems and the gradual restoration of soil vitality.

From Chemical Inputs to Natural Growth: JagPaavani Empowers Farmers, Revives Soil, and Nurtures Tomorrow’s Harvests

Modern agriculture has significantly improved crop productivity, but prolonged dependence on synthetic fertilisers and chemical inputs has raised concerns about soil health and long-term farm sustainability. Repeated chemical applications can affect soil organic carbon, beneficial microorganisms, and natural nutrient cycles, gradually increasing farmers’ dependence on external inputs to maintain yields.

JagPaavani by Sri Sri Naisargik: Reviving Soil, Nourishing Plants, Enriching Harvests Naturally

Healthy soil is a living ecosystem that depends on organic matter, balanced nutrition, and microbial diversity. As awareness of sustainable agriculture grows, natural farming solutions are gaining attention for their potential to restore soil vitality, improve nutrient availability, and support resilient crop production.

JagPaavani, a fermented plant-based formulation offered under Sri Sri Naisargik, is designed to support plant nutrition, enhance soil fertility, and promote crop growth through natural biological processes. Rich in beneficial microorganisms, essential nutrients, organic acids, and bioactive metabolites, the formulation serves as a natural fertiliser and plant growth promoter, supporting farmers seeking sustainable approaches to cultivation.

Supporting Plant Growth Through Soil Biology

JagPaavani’s effectiveness lies in its biologically active composition, which supports multiple processes involved in plant development. Natural growth-promoting substances, including auxins, gibberellins, and cytokinins, play important roles in root development, flowering, and fruit formation.

Beneficial microorganisms help improve nutrient availability by supporting processes such as atmospheric nitrogen fixation and the solubilisation of minerals, including phosphorus, potash, and zinc. Organic acids contribute to soil structure, moisture retention, and microbial activity, while enzymes support the decomposition of organic matter and composting processes.

Together, these biological mechanisms help create favourable conditions for plant growth and contribute to soil fertility. Such formulations can complement balanced nutrient management practices, particularly for farmers looking to gradually reduce their dependence on synthetic agricultural inputs.

Strengthening Soil Vitality and Crop Resilience

Regular use of JagPaavani as part of an appropriate crop nutrition programme can support nutrient absorption, root development, and overall crop vigour. By encouraging beneficial microbial activity, the formulation supports natural nutrient cycling and the long-term improvement of soil quality.

Improved soil structure and moisture retention can also help create better growing conditions, while healthy root systems support more efficient nutrient uptake. These benefits are particularly relevant as farmers face challenges associated with changing climatic conditions, water availability, and declining soil fertility.

Biological inputs also play a role in supporting ecological balance by encouraging natural soil processes. Their integration into farming practices can contribute to more sustainable nutrient management and help farmers transition towards cultivation methods that prioritise soil health alongside crop productivity.

Integrating Natural Solutions into Farming Practices

JagPaavani can be incorporated into existing farming systems as part of a balanced soil and crop management approach. Its application across cereals, pulses, fruits, and vegetables offers farmers a natural biological input that can complement other sustainable farming practices.

Under Sri Sri Naisargik, JagPaavani forms part of a broader approach to promoting agricultural solutions rooted in natural processes and an understanding of soil biology. The initiative focuses on improving soil vitality, supporting nutrient availability, and encouraging cultivation practices that work in harmony with nature.

By integrating biological formulations with appropriate agronomic practices, farmers can work towards improving soil health while maintaining productive agricultural systems. Results may vary depending on crop type, soil conditions, climate, and application practices.

Building a Sustainable Agricultural Future

Sustainable agriculture begins with recognising soil as a living resource that requires continuous care. Restoring microbial diversity, strengthening soil organic matter, and improving nutrient cycling are important steps towards building resilient farming systems.

Through JagPaavani, Sri Sri Naisargik seeks to support this transition by promoting natural biological processes that nurture soil health and plant development. By placing soil vitality at the centre of agricultural decision-making, such solutions contribute to the broader goal of productive, environmentally responsible, and future-ready farming.

About The Art of Living – Sri Sri Naisargik

As a flagship initiative of The Art of Living, Sri Sri Naisargik is an innovation-led enterprise developing sustainable, nature-based and technology-enabled solutions for environmental protection, resource recovery, rural development and climate resilience. Its portfolio addresses land, water, air and odour pollution mitigation, along with solid waste management through practical solutions that combine innovation with measurable environmental, economic and social impact.

Web: srisrinaisargik.com 

Email: executiveoffice@projects.artofliving.org  

Phone: +91 9036 254 532

Follow: www.instagram.com/artofliving.ssn

Like: www.facebook.com/srisrinaisargikssn

Message: www.linkedin.com/company/sri-sri-naisargik

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@SriSriNaisargikSSN

Bisleri International Promotes Responsible Waste Management as Official Hydration Partner of the Purple Umbrella Festival 2026

As part of the collaboration, Bisleri created a dedicated ‘Greener Promise’ experience designed to help students see plastic waste as a resource that can be recovered, recycled and reimagined. At the centre of the experience was Wings of Change, an art installation created from 2,000 used PET bottles, using creative expression to bring the idea of circularity to life. The company also showcased its Benches of Dreams, made from recycled plastic, offering participants a tangible example of how discarded material can return to everyday use in a new form.
 

Speaking about the association, Dr Angelo George, CEO, Bisleri International, said, “It is vital to engage young people in conversations about environmental responsibility and inspire them to turn awareness into action. The Purple Umbrella Festival offers students an opportunity to learn, exchange ideas and make more sustainable choices in their everyday lives. Through Bottles for Change, we continue to build awareness of responsible plastic waste management and recycling, encouraging everyone to play their part in creating a cleaner, greener planet.”
 

Aligned with the Purple Umbrella Foundation’s larger mission of empowering one million young climate champions, the festival encouraged young people to explore climate change as creators, problem-solvers and emerging climate champions. Theatre, film, technology, innovation and dialogue were central to these interactions. The programme featured Theatre for Climate, short films and documentaries, student innovations, climate talks, a Climate, Health & Mental Wellbeing Conclave, and the Climate & Heritage Quiz.
 

Neeraj Kumar, Founder, Purple Umbrella Foundation, said, "The Purple Umbrella Festival is designed to encourage young people to think creatively about climate challenges and the role they can play in addressing them. Bisleri's participation adds an important dimension to the festival by helping students understand the importance of responsible plastic waste management and recycling through hands-on experiences."
 

Bisleri’s participation at the festival reinforced its commitment to advancing responsible plastic waste management and environmental awareness among young people. Through Bottles for Change, the company continues to promote recycling and circularity while encouraging more responsible waste-management choices at the individual and community level.

About Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd.

With a legacy of over 50 years, Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd. has grown to become one of the largest premium beverage businesses in India. Being the makers of the country's largest-selling packaged drinking water, Bisleri follows a stringent process of 90 quality tests and a 10-stage purification. It remains true to its core value of providing consumers with pure, safe and healthy water.
 

Bisleri International has a strong presence with 130 operational plants and a robust distribution network of over 6,000 Distributors and 7,500 Distribution Trucks across India and UAE market. It offers a range of beverages that are produced for all occasions. Whether it is the promise of goodness, trust, and purity with Bisleri packaged drinking water, or a daily dose of health offered through Vedica Himalayan Spring Water. Besides, Bisleri International has ventured into fun-filled refreshments with a diverse range of carbonated drinks available in multiple flavours, such as Bisleri Limonata, Bisleri Pop and Bisleri Soda. These Bisleri products are also available on the e-commerce platform - Bisleri@Doorstep. This D2C platform reassures customers that they will receive a safe and uninterrupted supply of their most trusted brand at their doorstep.
 

The core values of Bisleri International lie in yielding growth and embedding sustainability by being responsible in all aspects of the business. The organization has unveiled Sustainability 2.0 with Bisleri Greener Promise that focuses on creating greener future for all through implementing initiatives under the program of recycling, water conservation, and sustainability.

For more information on Bisleri International, our people, brands, and OSR initiatives, visit www.bisleri.com.

Max India Foundation and ISB Launch SCALE with Antara Senior Care as Founding Industry Partner to Advance Senior-Care Research

India is witnessing an increasing demand for senior care that is accessible, appropriate and sustainable. As the industry expands across senior living, healthcare, AgeTech, financing and insurance, organisations and experts are generating valuable insights through practice and innovation. But these learnings remain fragmented. The SCALE Initiative seeks to address this gap by generating evidence and translating it into insights that can assist industry stakeholders and policymakers to make informed decisions. The initiative will focus on consumer behaviour, workforce participation, social inclusion, operating and care delivery models and their financing, and technology adoption. As the founding industry partner, Antara Senior Care is supporting SCALE’s engagement with the senior care sector.

The MoU for the initiative was exchanged between Tara Singh Vachani, Managing Trustee, Max India Foundation and Executive Chairperson, Antara Senior Care, and ISB Dean Madan Pillutla, in the presence of Rajit Mehta, MD and CEO, Antara Senior Care; Ishaan Khanna, CEO, Antara Assisted Care Services; Sarang Deo, Executive Director, MIHM at ISB; Karthik Balakrishnan, Deputy Dean – Faculty and Research, ISB; and DNV Kumara Guru, Senior Director – Advancement, Alumni Engagement and External Relations, ISB.

The SCALE Initiative will bring together researchers, senior care industry stakeholders and clinicians to examine the evolving care needs of seniors and identify priority action areas. The initiative will connect real-world industry challenges with research to impact service design, operating models, technology adoption, workforce planning, investment and innovation across the sector.

Tara Singh Vachani, Executive Chairperson, Antara Senior Care, said, “India's demographic transition presents an opportunity to build a deeper understanding of how seniors can lead healthier, more independent and fulfilling lives. As lifespan improves, seniors are seeking greater health, independence, purpose, dignity and choice. Meeting these aspirations requires a deeper understanding of their diverse needs and experiences. The SCALE Initiative brings together research, practitioner insights and stakeholder perspectives to strengthen the evidence base around ageing and care. Our aim is to translate this knowledge into more effective care models, stronger support systems and better outcomes for seniors and their families. Through this initiative, we hope to contribute to the broader national conversation on how India can prepare for and respond to the opportunities and challenges of an ageing society.”

Professor Sarang Deo, Executive Director, Max Institute of Healthcare Management, ISB, said, “India is entering a phase where the growing needs and aspirations of a senior population will require us to rethink how we design systems, services and markets for seniors. SCALE brings a management and evidence-based perspective to this challenge, examining how businesses, healthcare organisations and public institutions can respond to these changes across financing, technology, workforce participation, consumer and producer behaviour, and social inclusion. Through SCALE, our objective is to build a stronger evidence base that can inform both private-sector practice and public policy to shape more effective and sustainable responses to India's growing senior population.”

SCALE at MIHM will serve as a sustained research and industry engagement platform, enabling research collaborations, data partnerships, pilots, evaluations and knowledge exchange. Over time, it aims to build an industry-level evidence base to help organisations innovate, respond to evolving consumer needs, make informed business and investment decisions, strengthen workforce strategies and scale effective approaches.

The initiative draws on Antara Senior Care’s experience of building an integrated continuum of care across senior living, care homes and services, wellness, and products and solutions for chronic disease management, bringing real-world insights to address the evolving needs of seniors and their families. This complements MIHM’s healthcare research expertise and ISB’s broader commitment to building knowledge and partnerships to address critical societal challenges.

About Antara Senior Care

Launched in 2013, Antara is the senior-care business of Max India Limited, part of the USD6.3-billion Max Group. It is an integrated ecosystem for senior care, operating in two main lines of business – Residences for Seniors and Assisted Care Services. Antara’s first senior residential community in Dehradun, comprising nearly 200 families, caters to their social, recreational, educational, wellness, and health-related needs. Its second senior living community in Noida’s Sector-150 has started welcoming families into the 340 apartments built in Phase 1. Expanding its footprint in Gurugram, Antara will manage senior living residences, dedicated spaces for senior living, and primary healthcare services at Estate 360 and Estate 361, developed by group company Max Estates. Antara’s Assisted Care Services include Care Homes and Services, AGEasy, and Antara Integrated Wellness Clinic. This line of business caters to seniors, who need more immersive interventions in their daily lives due to medical or age-related issues. With eight facilities and 485 beds across Gurugram, Noida, Bengaluru and Chennai, Care Homes provide long-term care to seniors who require constant medical and nursing supervision, and short-term care services for recuperation of seniors. Its care at home services, offered in Delhi NCR, Bengaluru and Chennai, provide well-equipped, trained professionals offering care to seniors inside their home’s comfort. AGEasy, the direct-to-consumer business arm focusing on senior-specific products and solutions for active ageing, has touched over 9 lakh lives since inception in 2023. Antara Integrated Wellness Clinic combines modern medicine with evidence-based traditional therapies through a multidisciplinary team of doctors to deliver personalised care plans.

MediaTek collaborates with ThinkStartup to launch ‘Future Minds’ CSR initiative

Powered by ThinkStartup and the Management & Entrepreneurship and Professional Skills Council (MEPSC), the initiative is designed for students in Classes 8 to 12. It will be rolled out across government and foundation-supported communities including Eklavya Model Residential Schools, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas and PM Shri Schools. 

The comprehensive program provides school students with a structured curriculum covering ideation, business fundamentals and finance. Alongside the core coursework, participants will benefit from live masterclasses hosted by IIT alumni founders, a guided TS Idea Lab, and monthly pitch days to refine their concepts. The initiative will culminate in May 2027 with a national showcase of student-led entrepreneurial ventures, coinciding with MediaTek's 30th anniversary globally. 

"MediaTek's business is built on enabling ideas to become technology that reaches a billion devices," said Anku Jain, Managing Director, MediaTek India. "Future Minds extends that same belief to 6,000 young minds from underprivileged and government schools across 30 states, giving them the tools to turn their own ideas into ventures. Nurturing young builders is what MediaTek has always stood for, and initiatives like this naturally support India’s journey toward a Viksit Bharat."

Mr. Sanjeeva Shivesh, Co-founder, ThinkStartup, added, "At ThinkStartup, we have always believed entrepreneurship is an essential life skill. MediaTek wanted an intervention that could be rolled out at a national scale, reaching youth from underprivileged backgrounds, and our eSchool platform fit perfectly with that vision. Over the next year, we will provide teenagers in Class 8 to 12 the chance to learn, build and pitch real ideas with real mentorship. We are grateful to MediaTek for backing this program, and we are hoping our youngsters will inspire the world with a slew of innovative solutions that take India forward." 

As the initiative begins its phased rollout across the country, it marks a significant step in democratizing entrepreneurship education. The MediaTek Future Minds program reinforces the company's broader commitment to digital inclusion and youth empowerment in India. 

Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in India have emerged as a significant and rapidly growing contributor to the country’s corporate philanthropy ecosystem, with GCC CSR spending increasing 6.4x over the past decade to Rs 3,661 crore in FY2024-25, accounting for approximately 9 per cent of India’s corporate philanthropy, according to a new report by Sattva Consulting and India Data Insights. 

GCCs can drive India’s development through technology, talent and global expertise, according to a new report by Sattva Consulting and India Data Insights
 

The report titled, “Rs 3,661 Crore CSR Spending is Only the Beginning”, finds that GCC CSR spending grew at a 20.4 per cent CAGR, compared with 15 per cent growth in overall CSR spending. The acceleration was driven largely by Pure GCCs, whose CSR investments increased 8.6x over the decade, while Hybrid GCC investments grew 5.5x. 

The report, based on Ministry of Corporate Affairs data from FY2014-15 to FY2024-25, analyses around Rs 24,000 crore in CSR spending across 906 confirmed GCCs. It finds that GCCs broadly mirror the wider CSR landscape, particularly in the focus on education and healthcare. 

Education remains the largest area of focus, featuring among the top CSR priorities across 11 of 13 industries and accounting for 34–52 per cent of spending across most sectors in FY23–FY25. Reflecting the talent-intensive nature of GCC operations, the emphasis remains on strengthening future pipelines through skilling, capacity building and digital education aligned with long-term workforce needs. 

Environmental interventions also feature prominently, with Rs 228 crore directed towards water management and afforestation, reflecting the growing relevance of resource management as data centre requirements and operational footprints expand.

Innovation is where the opportunity lies. While GCCs bring significant engineering, product and technical capabilities to India, only Rs 435 crore—4 per cent of total GCC CSR spending over FY23-FY25—went towards innovation-linked projects. The findings point to an opportunity for GCC CSR to leverage these capabilities more extensively and help India leapfrog development pathways through technology and innovation.

Srikrishna Sridhar Murthy, CEO, Sattva Consulting, said, “The next phase of GCC-led social impact in India will be about moving beyond capital to capability. GCCs have a unique combination of technology, talent, technical expertise and global experience that can be brought to bear on some of India’s most complex development challenges. Translational research and innovation, preparing talent for the future of work, and improving quality of life in our cities represent three important opportunities to do this. The opportunity now is to connect these capabilities more deliberately with India’s development priorities and create solutions that can scale.”

The report also highlights a strong geographic concentration in GCC CSR, with more than 65 per cent of spending deployed in Tier-1 cities such as Bengaluru, Pune, Delhi NCR, Mumbai and Hyderabad. Nashik was the only Tier-2 district among the top 10, receiving ₹104 crore during FY23-FY25. The concentration highlights an opportunity to extend GCC-led social impact beyond the country’s largest urban centres.

The full report can be accessed at www.sattva.co.in/publication/gcc-csr

About Sattva Consulting
Sattva Consulting is a global impact consulting firm from India. Since 2009, we have engaged with communities, business, and government to achieve societal impact at scale. We believe that Civil society, Business, and Government all have a critical role to play in building an equitable and sustainable world, and we actively partner with all stakeholders to enable impact through our advisory and orchestration services, knowledge and data platforms—built as public goods for the ecosystem, and collaborative solutions and partnerships. To know more, visit sattva.co.in.

About India Data Insights
India Data Insights (IDI), an initiative by Sattva Consulting, aims to empower India’s development sector with actionable, ready-to-use data insights to enable sharper decisions and maximise impact. Built as a public good, IDI consolidates public data across SDG practice areas on one, unified platform, offering insightful visualisations, interactives, blogs and ready-to-use-charts and dashboards. To know more, visit India Data Insights

Tetra Pak, in partnership with Alternative Development Initiatives (ADI), today handed over rejuvenated community ponds in Pur and Rase villages of Khed Taluka, Pune, marking a key milestone under its Integrated Water Resource Development and Management (IWRDM) Programme. The handover, held in the presence of Gajanan Patil, CEO, Zilla Parishad Pune, places the assets in the stewardship of the local communities, following a phased programme of water conservation and community-led interventions undertaken since 2024.

Gajanan Patil, CEO, Zilla Parishad Pune, joined Tetra Pak leaders at the IWRDM Programme community handover in Khed, Pune

Tetra Pak’s first social impact programme in India focused on water conservation, the initiative has enhanced the combined water-holding capacity of the rejuvenated structures to 58.89 million litres and created an estimated annual groundwater recharge potential of 73.61 million litres across Pur and Rase. The programme was developed following a landscape-level assessment of 188 villages across Khed Taluka, of which six villages were shortlisted for detailed assessment and Pur and Rase were selected for implementation. 

Commenting on the occasion, Gajanan Patil, CEO, Zilla Parishad Pune said, “Addressing resource challenges requires collective effort from communities, government and the private sector. Pur and Rase have faced challenges around water availability, and initiatives such as this can make a meaningful difference at the local level. We appreciate the efforts of Tetra Pak and ADI in working with the communities to strengthen water security and create long-term impact.”

• 73.61 million litres annual groundwater recharge potential created

• 58.89 million litres water-holding capacity established

• 61 women mobilised through six self-help groups

• 23 community awareness and capacity-building programmes conducted

• Over 830 cumulative participations recorded

• 20 drip-irrigation pilots planned for 2026-27

A phased approach to strengthening water security
Implemented in phases since 2024, the programme began in Pur, later expanding to Rase, combining water-asset rejuvenation with groundwater, and rainfall monitoring and community-led water management. The interventions have increased water-holding capacity from 11.16 to 32.13 million litres in Pur and from 11.27 to 26.76 million litres in Rase, creating an estimated annual groundwater recharge potential of 40.16 million litres and 33.45 million litres, respectively.

Cassio Simoes, Managing Director, Tetra Pak South Asia, said, “Chakan has been central to Tetra Pak’s journey in India, and with that comes a deep sense of responsibility towards the communities around us. For us, sustainability is about creating lasting value- not only through the way we operate, but also by helping strengthen the resilience of the communities and ecosystems we are part of. In Pur and Rase, we have taken a science-led, community-centred approach to water security, addressing both the availability and responsible management of this critical resource. As we hand over these assets to the community, we are reinforcing what has been fundamental to the programme from the outset: building local ownership so that the impact can endure well beyond the intervention itself.”

Building community ownership beyond infrastructure
Community participation has been integral to the programme, with interventions extending beyond water infrastructure to livelihood development and environmental awareness. To date, the initiative has mobilised six self-help groups involving 61 women, with training and guidance across livelihood skills including stitching, soap making, etc. School awareness sessions have also engaged students on water conservation, plantation, environmental awareness and responsible use of local resources. 

Overall, the programme has conducted 23 training, awareness and community activities, recording over 830 cumulative participations, helping build local capacity and ownership to support the long-term sustainability of the interventions.

Sarang Kulkarni, Hydrogeologist, Alternative Development Initiatives (ADI), said, “The IWRDM Programme has been shaped by understanding the local groundwater conditions, existing water resources and the needs of the communities in Pur and Rase. Along with rejuvenation of the village water-harvesting structures, interventions such as open-well recharge and rooftop rainwater harvesting are helping strengthen local recharge and improve the use of available rainwater. The rejuvenated structures have increased the combined water-holding capacity by more than 36 million litres, with an estimated annual groundwater recharge potential of 73.61 million litres. Regular groundwater and rainfall monitoring is helping us better understand seasonal water availability, while our work with farmers, women’s SHGs, youth and schoolchildren is building awareness, skills and local ownership. The next phase will further strengthen this through seasonal water budgeting, farmer capacity building and drip-irrigation pilots, helping communities use water more efficiently and sustain these benefits over the long term.”

The next phase: efficient agriculture and sustained stewardship
The programme will now focus on consolidating the gains made across Pur and Rase through continued groundwater monitoring, community stewardship, livelihood and school-based interventions. It will also strengthen efficient agricultural water use, with 20 drip-irrigation pilots planned for 2026–27, supported by seasonal water budgeting and farmer capacity building. 

The IWRDM Programme adds to Tetra Pak’s growing portfolio of sustainability initiatives in India, spanning climate, circularity and community impact. Through these efforts, the company continues to translate its global sustainability ambitions into locally relevant action and measurable impact in India.

About Tetra Pak
Tetra Pak is a world-leading food processing and packaging solutions company. Working with our customers and suppliers, we provide access to safe, nutritious food for hundreds of millions of people in more than 160 countries every day. With over 24,000 employees worldwide, we commit to making food safe and available everywhere, and we promise to protect what’s good: food, people and the planet.
 

More information about Tetra Pak is available at www.tetrapak.com

WARO-C6 unveiled at The Art of Living International Centre, Bengaluru

The innovation comes at a time when conventional approaches to urban air pollution management, including road sweeping and water sprinkling, are increasingly being supplemented by technologies that seek to capture pollutants before they disperse into the surrounding environment.

WARO-C6 Brings Innovative, Sustainable Air-Pollution Control Technology to Urban Hubs

WARO-C6 is designed for deployment in high-pollution zones, including roadsides, traffic corridors, industrial premises and other locations where airborne dust and particulate emissions can affect surrounding communities.

Addressing pollution where it originates

Air pollution is a complex environmental challenge arising from multiple sources, including vehicle emissions, industrial activity, construction, road dust and the burning of fuels and waste. Fine particulate matter, particularly PM2.5, is a significant concern because its small size allows it to penetrate deep into the respiratory system.

While citywide emission controls remain essential to reducing pollution, technologies that capture airborne pollutants at or near their source may provide an additional tool for managing localised pollution hotspots.

WARO-C6 has been developed around this approach. Rather than relying on conventional filtration systems, the device uses a proprietary, software-controlled mechanism designed to draw in polluted ambient air and capture particulate matter.

According to the company, the system operates without traditional physical filters, ionisation, ultraviolet light, magnetic fields or high-voltage components. Its operating mechanism uses static principles, internal air pressure and kinetic energy, managed through a low-voltage electronic chip.

The company positions this filterless approach as a way to reduce dependence on replaceable filter consumables and minimise routine maintenance requirements.

How the technology works

WARO-C6 is designed to draw polluted air into the device, capture particulate pollutants and release treated air back into the surrounding environment.

The company states that each unit can process approximately 30 litres of air per second, equivalent to a claimed capacity of up to 300,000 litres per hour. The system is designed to capture particles across different size categories, including PM1.0, PM2.5 and PM10, along with dust and smoke.

These performance figures describe the volume of air processed, rather than the amount of pollution removed. Actual air-quality improvement in an open environment depends on factors such as pollutant concentration, wind speed, atmospheric conditions, device placement and the rate at which new pollution enters the area.

A low-energy, water-free approach

One of the stated features of WARO-C6 is its low-voltage power requirement. The device is designed to operate on 12V DC power, with solar energy, batteries or grid electricity serving as potential power sources.

The company also refers to a 14-volt solar-powered configuration.

Its dry-operation model is intended to avoid water consumption, distinguishing it from water-based dust suppression methods commonly used on roads and construction sites.

The combination of solar compatibility, low-voltage operation and filterless design could make the system relevant to locations where access to conventional power infrastructure is limited or where recurring operational costs are a concern.

Turning captured pollutants into usable materials

A central element of WARO-C6's proposed design is its circular-economy approach.

Instead of treating captured dust and particulate matter solely as waste, the company says the system is designed to collect pollutants for potential reuse in construction materials such as paver blocks and bricks.

This approach seeks to connect air pollution management with resource recovery, potentially reducing the amount of material requiring disposal while creating opportunities for reuse.

AI and real-time environmental monitoring

WARO-C6 also incorporates artificial intelligence and Internet of Things (IoT) capabilities, according to the company.

The system is equipped with environmental sensors intended to monitor parameters such as particulate matter, rainfall and temperature. GPS tracking and a live dashboard are designed to provide information about device locations and operating conditions.

These features could help operators track equipment performance, monitor local environmental conditions and identify locations requiring additional pollution-control measures.

For municipal authorities and industrial operators, the availability of location-specific monitoring data may support more informed decisions about deployment and maintenance.

Multiple deployment possibilities

The WARO technology platform is designed for different operating environments. The company identifies pole-mounted systems, road-divider installations and higher-capacity industrial configurations among its deployment models.

These include STR-101 for pole mounting, DVR-101 for road-divider applications, and THOR-101 and IG-101 for heavy industrial environments.

Such configurations are intended to allow pollution-control equipment to be positioned closer to potential emission sources rather than relying exclusively on centralised infrastructure.

Technology as part of a wider pollution-control strategy

The development of WARO-C6 reflects growing interest in technologies that combine localised pollution capture, energy efficiency and digital monitoring.

Its filterless design, solar compatibility and proposed pollutant-recovery model distinguish it from conventional air-purification systems. Its potential application in open environments also raises a different set of questions from indoor air purification, where air movement and treatment conditions can be more controlled.

Independent evaluation of its performance under varied outdoor conditions will be important in determining how effectively the technology can contribute to ambient air-quality improvement.

Ultimately, devices such as WARO-C6 are not substitutes for reducing pollution at its source through cleaner energy, transport, industrial processes and construction practices. Their potential role lies in complementing those measures by capturing pollutants that are already airborne.

As cities and industries explore additional ways to manage pollution hotspots, technologies that combine targeted capture, low-resource operation and transparent monitoring may become part of a broader portfolio of environmental solutions.

For WARO-C6, the next phase of its journey will depend on demonstrated performance across real-world settings, the safe handling of captured pollutants and the ability to deliver measurable, sustained improvements in local air quality.

About The Art of Living – Sri Sri Naisargik

As a flagship initiative of The Art of Living, Sri Sri Naisargik is an innovation-led enterprise developing sustainable, nature-based and technology-enabled solutions for environmental protection, resource recovery, rural development and climate resilience. Its portfolio addresses land, water, air and odour pollution mitigation, along with solid waste management through practical solutions that combine innovation with measurable environmental, economic and social impact.

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As awareness around cardiac emergencies and the importance of timely intervention continues to grow in India, the initiative reflects the organization's belief that life-saving skills should not be limited to healthcare professionals alone. Through Mission Prafulla, Volkswagen Group Digital Solutions India is equipping employees with the knowledge and confidence to respond effectively during critical medical situations, both inside and outside the workplace, making difference to families around the neighborhood.

Mission Prafulla was initiated in memory of Prafulla, a colleague who suffered a cardiac arrest. The incident served as a powerful reminder of how timely intervention can save lives and inspired the organization to create a structured program focused on emergency preparedness and life-saving response capabilities.

Sidharth Yadav, Group CEO, Volkswagen Group Digital Solutions, said, “By making our workforce cardiac emergency-ready, we are creating waves that extend far beyond our organization. Every employee trained in CPR has the potential to save a life, whether at work, at home, or anywhere in the world. We view this initiative as a meaningful contribution to society, empowering individuals with life-saving skills and helping build safer, more resilient communities for the future.”

Soumi Alphons, Chief People Officer, Volkswagen Group Digital Solutions India, said, “This initiative was born from a tragedy that touched us deeply, the loss of our colleague, Prafulla. It made us realize how critical the first few minutes of a medical emergency can be and inspired us to ensure that our employees are equipped to respond when it matters most. Over the past two years, we have worked tirelessly to provide practical CPR training to every employee. Through this initiative, we aim to create a culture of care, preparedness, and potentially life-saving action, both within and beyond the workplace.”

The impact of the initiative has already extended beyond the workplace. At Mumbai Airport, employees returning from a business trip responded when an individual suffered a cardiac arrest. Drawing on their BLS training, they administered CPR, used an AED, and coordinated emergency assistance until professional medical responders arrived. Their timely intervention contributed to saving the individual's life.

In another instance, an employee used the training to assist an individual experiencing a severe seizure while alone at home, providing critical support during the emergency until additional help arrived. With India witnessing increased conversations around preventive healthcare, emergency response, and cardiac awareness, Mission Prafulla is helping create a broader community of trained first responders. By empowering employees with life-saving skills, Volkswagen Group Digital Solutions India is demonstrating how organizations can contribute meaningfully to society by building emergency preparedness capabilities that extend beyond office premises and into communities.

The organization has completed training of 100% of its workforce in BLS and will continue the program for all new employees, ensuring emergency response preparedness remains an ongoing capability across the organization.

Mission Prafulla demonstrates how workplace learning can transcend professional development, equipping individuals with the ability to act when every second counts. The initiative reinforces Volkswagen Group Digital Solutions India's commitment to building a culture of care, preparedness, and social responsibility while contributing to greater awareness of emergency response and public health preparedness in India.

About Volkswagen Group Digital Solutions India

Volkswagen Group Digital Solutions India is the Global Capability Center for technology and digital innovation for the Volkswagen Group, driving digital transformation across all customers, products, and enterprise domains. With more than 4,500 technology professionals, the organization develops AI-powered products, digital platforms, and scalable solutions that support some of the world's most iconic automotive brands, including Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, Lamborghini, Skoda, Bentley, MAN, Scania, TRATON, Ducati, CUPRA, SEAT, and other Volkswagen Group enterprises.

Volkswagen is India’s Top 100 Great place to work, Top 50 Workplaces for Health and Wellness and Top 100 Best Place to work for Women in 2026.

Bisleri International, through its flagship ‘Bottles for Change’ CSR initiative, showcased its approach to responsible plastic waste management and resource recovery at the World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) 2026 held on September 15^th to 18^th. The 10th edition of the global forum was inaugurated by Shri Bhupender Yadav, Hon’ble Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, and Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Gujarat, in the presence of government officials, policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, innovators and sustainability practitioners from 62 countries.

Bisleri Showcases Plastic Circularity Through Its Bottles for Change CSR Initiative at World Circular Economy Forum 2026

The Bottles for Change stall was visited by Shri Arjunbhai Modhwadia, Hon'ble Minister for Forest, Environment and Climate Change, Government of Gujarat; Shri Pravinbhai Mali, Hon'ble Minister of State for Forests and Environment, Climate Change, Government of Gujarat, International Delegates; representatives from the Ministry of Environment Forest & Climate Change, Central Pollution Control Board and Gujarat Pollution Control Board; and senior officials from State Pollution Control Boards across Maharashtra, Odisha, Kerala, J&K and Chhattisgarh. During their visit, Bisleri showcased its sustainability and responsible waste management initiatives. The discussions focused on improving plastic waste collection, promoting recycling, and reusing resources efficiently to create a cleaner, more sustainable environment. It highlighted the importance of source segregation and collective participation in strengthening a circular economy for plastics.

Government officials and delegates visit the Bisleri Bottles for Change stall at the World Circular Economy Forum 2026

Speaking about the participation, Mr. K. Ganesh, Director – Sustainability & Corporate Affairs, Bisleri International, said, "Advancing a circular economy requires collaboration across governments, businesses, institutions and citizens. Platforms such as the World Circular Economy Forum create opportunities for meaningful dialogue and knowledge exchange around scalable solutions for resource efficiency and waste management. Through Bottles for Change, we continue to promote awareness and action around responsible plastic waste management and recycling, while helping create pathways to strengthen the circular economy for plastics."

About Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd.

With a legacy of over 50 years, Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd has grown to become one of the largest premium beverage businesses in India. Being the makers of the country's largest-selling packaged drinking water, Bisleri follows a stringent process of 90 quality tests and a 10-stage purification. It remains true to its core value of providing consumers with pure, safe and healthy water.

Bisleri International has a strong presence with 130 operational plants and a robust distribution network of over 6,000 Distributors and 7,500 Distribution Trucks across India and UAE market. It offers a range of beverages that are produced for all occasions. Whether it is the promise of goodness, trust, and purity with Bisleri packaged drinking water, or a daily dose of health offered through Vedica Himalayan Spring Water. Besides, Bisleri International has ventured into fun-filled refreshments with a diverse range of carbonated drinks available in multiple flavours, such as Bisleri Limonata, Bisleri Pop and Bisleri Soda. These Bisleri products are also available on the e-commerce platform - Bisleri@Doorstep. This D2C platform reassures customers that they will receive a safe and uninterrupted supply of their most trusted brand at their doorstep.

The core values of Bisleri International lie in yielding growth and embedding sustainability by being responsible in all aspects of the business. The organization has unveiled Sustainability 2.0 with Bisleri Greener Promise that focuses on creating greener future for all through implementing initiatives under the program of recycling, water conservation, and sustainability.

For more information on Bisleri International, our people, brands, and OSR initiatives, visit www.bisleri.com.

Bisleri Bottles for Change engages students at the Gomti Book Festival, promoting plastic recycling and responsible waste management
 

Bisleri set up a Bottles for Change stall at the venue, showcasing a range of products made from recycled plastic. Through simple, interactive displays, students will discover how used plastic bottles can be collected, recycled and upcycled into a variety of everyday products, highlighting the many innovative ways plastic can be given a new life.
 

On the occasion, Mr. K. Ganesh, Director – Sustainability & Corporate Affairs, Bisleri International, said, “Our collaboration with the National Book Trust at the Gomti Book Festival reflects our belief that environmental awareness should start at an early age. Through ‘Chhota Bheem & Vidya – Big Green Mission’, we are using storytelling to make responsible plastic waste management simple, engaging and relatable for children. We hope this initiative encourages young readers to understand the importance of responsible post-consumer plastic disposal and embrace simple everyday actions that can contribute to a greener and more sustainable future.”
 

Mr. Yuvraj Malik, Director, National Book Trust, India, said, “We are delighted to continue our collaboration with Bisleri on plastic awareness. Books have the power to shape how children understand the world around them. Through the Gomti Book Festival and the distribution of ‘Chhota Bheem & Vidya – Big Green Mission’, we hope to make environmental responsibility engaging for children and encourage them to adopt simple practices like plastic segregation and recycling.”
 

Bisleri’s Bottles for Change stall at the Gomti Book Festival showcases products made from recycled plastic
 

The nine-day Gomti Book Festival showcase a diverse selection of books across genres and age groups, with more than 120 publishers from across India presenting their publications across over 200 book stalls. Visitors will also have an opportunity to explore the Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya, India’s national digital library, which offers free access to more than 3,000 e-books across genres and Indian languages. Besides books, the festival offers a range of literary and cultural experiences, including interactions with authors, panel discussions, book launches, cultural programmes and activities for children.

About Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd.

With a legacy of over 50 years, Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd. has grown to become one of the largest premium beverage businesses in India. Being the makers of the country's largest-selling packaged drinking water, Bisleri follows a stringent process of 90 quality tests and a 10-stage purification. It remains true to its core value of providing consumers with pure, safe and healthy water.
 

Bisleri International has a strong presence with 130 operational plants and a robust distribution network of over 6,000 Distributors and 7,500 Distribution Trucks across India and UAE market. It offers a range of beverages that are produced for all occasions. Whether it is the promise of goodness, trust, and purity with Bisleri packaged drinking water, or a daily dose of health offered through Vedica Himalayan Spring Water. Besides, Bisleri International has ventured into fun-filled refreshments with a diverse range of carbonated drinks available in multiple flavours, such as Bisleri Limonata, Bisleri Pop and Bisleri Soda. These Bisleri products are also available on the e-commerce platform - Bisleri@Doorstep. This D2C platform reassures customers that they will receive a safe and uninterrupted supply of their most trusted brand at their doorstep.
 

The core values of Bisleri International lie in yielding growth and embedding sustainability by being responsible in all aspects of the business. The organization has unveiled Sustainability 2.0 with Bisleri Greener Promise that focuses on creating greener future for all through implementing initiatives under the program of recycling, water conservation, and sustainability.

For more information on Bisleri International, our people, brands, and OSR initiatives, visit www.bisleri.com.

Bisleri International, through its flagship ‘Bottles for Change’ CSR initiative, collaborated with the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) for the Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar (Clean Coast, Safe Sea) campaign and cleanup drive. The week-long initiative was held from 12th to 19th September 2026, with the final day marking International Coastal Cleanup Day. During the period, Bisleri supported coastal cleanliness and plastic waste management activities across35 beaches in 9 States & 2 Union Territory with 8,235 volunteers. Collected 21,418 kgs of used plastic and channeled for recycling  promoting circular economy.

Bisleri engages with students on waste management during the Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar coastal clean-up campaign

At the heart of Bottles for Change is the belief that plastic is not waste, but a valuable resource when responsibly segregated and recycled. This is particularly important for coastal ecosystems, where mismanaged land-based waste threatens marine ecosystems, biodiversity, and coastal livelihoods. In this context, the campaign brought together citizens, government, institutions, stakeholders, volunteers and other partners to promote cleaner beaches, responsible waste disposal, source segregation and recycling. The initiative also echoed this year’s International Coastal Cleanup Day theme, “Clean Seas for Resilient Communities,” by linking cleaner coastlines with stronger and more resilient coastal communities.

Volunteers with collected waste during the Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar coastal clean-up drive

Speaking about the collaboration, Mr. K. Ganesh, Director – Sustainability & Corporate Affairs, Bisleri International, said, “Healthy marine ecosystems and biodiversity are lifelines for coastal communities. Tackling the growing waste disposal problem in these ecologically sensitive areas is therefore a priority. Our collaboration with the Ministry of Earth Sciences addresses plastic waste pollution by initiating collective action in coastal regions of the country. Through Bottles for Change, we have consistently focused on proper waste management to curb pollution and create a circular economy for plastics. As part of this campaign, we aim to encourage citizens and communities to adopt waste segregation and collection with an goal of sending used plastic responsibly for recycling.”

A spokesperson from the Ministry of Earth Sciences said, "Marine plastic pollution has emerged as a critical environmental challenge. Our two-year partnership with Bisleri for the Swachh Sagar: Surakshit Sagar campaign has added an important focus on responsible plastic waste management and recycling. As part of this collaboration, Bisleri has undertaken coastal clean-up activities across 35 beaches, helping connect coastal cleanliness with everyday waste-management practices. Such partnerships are important in building greater awareness, encouraging sustained citizen participation, and strengthening collective efforts towards protecting our marine and coastal ecosystems."

About Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd
With a legacy of over 50 years, Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd has grown to become one of the largest premium beverage businesses in India. Being the makers of the country's largest-selling packaged drinking water, Bisleri follows a stringent process of 90 quality tests and a 10-stage purification. It remains true to its core value of providing consumers with pure, safe and healthy water.

Bisleri International has a strong presence with 130 operational plants and a robust distribution network of over 6,000 Distributors and 7,500 Distribution Trucks across India and UAE market. It offers a range of beverages that are produced for all occasions. Whether it is the promise of goodness, trust, and purity with Bisleri packaged drinking water, or a daily dose of health offered through Vedica Himalayan Spring Water. Besides, Bisleri International has ventured into fun-filled refreshments with a diverse range of carbonated drinks available in multiple flavours, such as Bisleri Limonata, Bisleri Pop and Bisleri Soda. These Bisleri products are also available on the e-commerce platform - Bisleri@Doorstep. This D2C platform reassures customers that they will receive a safe and uninterrupted supply of their most trusted brand at their doorstep.

The core values of Bisleri International lie in yielding growth and embedding sustainability by being responsible in all aspects of the business. The organization has unveiled Sustainability 2.0 with Bisleri Greener Promise that focuses on creating greener future for all through implementing initiatives under the program of recycling, water conservation, and sustainability. For more information on Bisleri International, our people, brands, and OSR initiatives, visit www.bisleri.com.

Bisleri International and Dr. M.G.R. Fisheries College partner to promote plastic recycling and circular economy
 

As part of the collaboration, National Service Scheme (NSS) students from the colleges will work closely with Bisleri’s “Bottles of Change” team to conduct awareness programmes, plastic waste collection, and recycling initiatives, and activities aimed at encouraging responsible waste management.
 

Highlighting the role of the youth in creating lasting change, Mr K. Ganesh, Head of Corporate Affairs & Sustainability, Bisleri International, said, “Young Champions can play an important role in driving lasting behavioural change around plastic waste management. Through Bottles for Change, we aim to equip students with the awareness and opportunities to participate in responsible plastic collection and recycling. Our collaboration with Dr M.G.R. Fisheries College and Research Institute will help extend these efforts beyond the campus and encourage more sustainable practices within the wider community.”
 

Speaking about the collaboration, Dr S. Balasundari, Dean, Dr. M.G.R. Fisheries College and Research Institute, said, “Through the collaboration with Bisleri, we aim to strengthen awareness around plastic recycling, responsible waste management and environmental conservation among our students, staff and the wider community. The active involvement of our NSS students is a great opportunity to translate environmental awareness into meaningful action and contribute to more sustainable practices.”
 

Bisleri International and Dr. M.G.R. Fisheries College sign a Letter of Association on plastic recycling and environmental awareness
 

The partnership seeks to engage students as active participants in environmental conservation while also building greater awareness within surrounding communities about the importance of segregating, collecting and responsibly recycling used plastic.
 

An integral part of Bisleri’s Greener Promise vision for a more sustainable future, Bottles for Change focuses on promoting responsible plastic management through awareness, collection and recycling. The initiative works with educational institutions, communities and other stakeholders to encourage behavioural change and strengthen systems that help channel used plastic towards recycling.
 

The collaboration with Dr. M.G.R. Fisheries College and Research Institute extends this effort by engaging students in hands-on sustainability initiatives and enabling them to promote responsible waste management practices within the campus and surrounding communities.

About Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd.

With a legacy of over 50 years, Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd. has grown to become one of the largest premium beverage businesses in India. Being the makers of the country's largest-selling packaged drinking water, Bisleri follows a stringent process of 90 quality tests and a 10-stage purification. It remains true to its core value of providing consumers with pure, safe and healthy water.
 

Bisleri International has a strong presence with 130 operational plants and a robust distribution network of over 6,000 Distributors and 7,500 Distribution Trucks across India and UAE market. It offers a range of beverages that are produced for all occasions. Whether it is the promise of goodness, trust, and purity with Bisleri packaged drinking water, or a daily dose of health offered through Vedica Himalayan Spring Water. Besides, Bisleri International has ventured into fun-filled refreshments with a diverse range of carbonated drinks available in multiple flavours, such as Bisleri Limonata, Bisleri Pop and Bisleri Soda. These Bisleri products are also available on the e-commerce platform - Bisleri@Doorstep. This D2C platform reassures customers that they will receive a safe and uninterrupted supply of their most trusted brand at their doorstep.
 

The core values of Bisleri International lie in yielding growth and embedding sustainability by being responsible in all aspects of the business. The organization has unveiled Sustainability 2.0 with Bisleri Greener Promise that focuses on creating greener future for all through implementing initiatives under the program of recycling, water conservation, and sustainability.

For more information on Bisleri International, our people, brands, and OSR initiatives, visit www.bisleri.com.

Bisleri International Partners with State Bank of India to Drive Responsible Plastic Waste Management Under its ‘Bottles for Change’ Initiative
 

“Bottles for Change” is an initiative from Bisleri – India’s leading packaged water brand, through which the company engages institutions, housing societies, corporates, and communities to create awareness on responsible plastic waste management. This partnership between SBI and Bisleri is also aimed to support India’s transition towards a circular economy by fostering sustainable change through responsible plastic waste management and achieve its goal of net zero emissions by 2070.
 

Speaking on the partnership, Shri. Ravi Ranjan, Managing Director (Risk, Compliance & SARG), State Bank of India, said, "Our collaboration with Bisleri under the “Bottles for Change” initiative is a step towards embedding sustainable practices into our everyday workplace culture. We believe that when employees are empowered to make responsible choices, that awareness extends well beyond our offices and into the communities that we serve and are a part of. Sustainable development and climate-conscious initiatives are important pillars in India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047, and partnerships such as this can help translate that larger vision into meaningful action on the ground.”
 

Commenting on the collaboration, Dr. Angelo George, CEO, Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd., said, “Responsible plastic waste management begins with awareness and collective action. Our partnership with State Bank of India brings together the reach of one of India’s largest institutions and Bisleri’s experience through Bottles for Change to encourage responsible segregation, collection and recycling of used plastic. By engaging employees across SBI offices, we aim to build responsible practices at the workplace that can extend into homes and communities. We believe this collaboration can become a scalable model for corporate participation in advancing a circular economy for plastics.”
 

The partnership reinforces SBI’s commitment to responsible growth and environmental stewardship, while promoting sustainable practices across its operations and achieve its goal of Net Zero (Scope 1,2 &3) by 2055 - its Centenary Year. By encouraging responsible plastic waste management and recycling, SBI and Bisleri aim to foster greater awareness and contribute to a more resource-efficient and sustainable future for India.

About State Bank of India

State Bank of India is the largest commercial Bank in terms of assets, deposits, branches, customers, and employees. It is the largest mortgage lenders in the country which has so far fulfilled the home buying dreams of over 30 lakh Indian families. The home loan portfolio of the Bank stood at Rs. 9.59 lakh crore mark as of June 30, 2026. The Bank has a deposit base of over Rs. 60 lakh crore with CASA ratio of 39.24% and advances of more than Rs. 50.47 lakh crore, as of June 30, 2026. Adjudged as the World’s Best Consumer Bank for two consecutive years - in 2025 & 2026, by Global Finance magazine, SBI commanded a market share of 28.1% and 18.7% in home loans and auto loans, respectively, at the end of FY26. SBI has the largest network of over 23,000 branches and 65,200 ATMs/ADWMs in India along with around 79,600 business correspondent outlets, as of June 30, 2026. The number of customers using internet banking stood at 12.6 crores, by the end of Q1 FY27 on June 30, 2026. With SBI’s digital strategy right on track, the Bank witnessed 27.1 lakh of new savings accounts being opened through the integrated digital and lifestyle platform YONO in the period between April 2026 to June 2026. YONO, which now has 10.5 crore registered users, also witnessed over 5 crore New YONO registrations as of June 30, 2026 – revamped Yono 2.0 since its launch in December 2025. In terms of digital lending, the Bank disbursed pre-approved personal loans worth Rs. 1,314 crores through YONO during April-June, 2026. As on June 30, 2026, SBI has 27 million followers on Facebook, 4.3 million followers on Instagram, 4.7 million followers on X and 20.9 million subscribers on YouTube. State Bank of India is the most followed Bank globally on Facebook, Instagram & X.
 

About Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd.

With a legacy of over 50 years, Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd. has grown to become one of the largest premium beverage businesses in India. Being the makers of the country's largest-selling packaged drinking water, Bisleri follows a stringent process of 90 quality tests and a 10-stage purification. It remains true to its core value of providing consumers with pure, safe and healthy water.
 

Bisleri International has a strong presence with 128 operational plants and a robust distribution network of over 6,000 Distributors and 7,500 Distribution Trucks across India and UAE market. It offers a range of beverages that are produced for all occasions. Whether it is the promise of goodness, trust, and purity with Bisleri packaged drinking water, or a daily dose of health offered through Vedica Himalayan Spring Water. Besides, Bisleri International has ventured into fun-filled refreshments with a diverse range of carbonated drinks available in multiple flavours, such as Bisleri Limonata, Bisleri Pop and Bisleri Soda. These Bisleri products are also available on the e-commerce platform - Bisleri@Doorstep. This D2C platform reassures customers that they will receive a safe and uninterrupted supply of their most trusted brand at their doorstep.
 

The core values of Bisleri International lie in yielding growth and embedding sustainability by being responsible in all aspects of the business. The organization has unveiled Sustainability 2.0 with Bisleri Greener Promise that focuses on creating greener future for all through implementing initiatives under the program of recycling, water conservation and sustainability.

For more information on Bisleri International, our people, brands, and OSR initiatives, visit www.bisleri.com.

Yes Madam, India's leading at-home salon and wellness platform, has announced 0% commission for its network of over 10,000 service partners on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan. As part of the initiative, every Yes Madam service partner will retain 100% of their earnings from bookings completed on Raksha Bandhan.

Yes Madam Service Partners

The decision draws from the cultural significance of Raksha Bandhan and Yes Madam's predominantly women service partner network, with women comprising around 90% of its partner community. As these professionals have become an integral part of the company's journey, Yes Madam sees supporting them not just as a business commitment, but as a larger responsibility. On an occasion that celebrates the bond of care and support, the company aims to extend that same spirit to its service partners, particularly women such as single mothers and those who may not always have immediate family support. 

To translate this thought into a tangible benefit, Yes Madam will charge a 0% commission from its entire service partner network for the day. Till now, only the high performing partners who meet defined performance benchmarks operate at 0% commission but this Raksha Bandhan, this benefit will be extended to every service partner, irrespective of their existing category or how recently they joined the platform.

Beyond the additional earning opportunity, it serves as a gesture of recognition for their contribution to the company's growth. Through the initiative, Yes Madam aims to make its partners feel valued for the role they play in the company's journey, while also highlighting the importance of greater recognition and support for service professionals across the gig economy.

Commenting on the initiative, Aditya Arya, Co-Founder and CEO, Yes Madam, said, “Our service partners are at the heart of what we have built at Yes Madam, and Raksha Bandhan holds a special significance for us given that a majority of our partner community comprises women. For us, this initiative is not about the business impact of foregoing commission for a day. It is about recognising that many of our service partners will step out and continue delivering services on the festive day. We wanted to acknowledge that commitment by ensuring that the day creates greater value for them and their families. We hope more brands consider initiatives that put their partners' earnings and long-term well-being at the centre.” 

The initiative builds on Yes Madam’s broader approach towards supporting its gig workforce through measures focused on earnings, financial security, well-being and recognition. Over the years, the company has introduced measures including 0% commission for pregnant service partners, free health check-ups, interest-free loans, education support, accidental term insurance, lower commission categories, experiential events and more.

Together, these efforts reflect Yes Madam’s continued focus on supporting service professionals beyond earning opportunities alone, while challenging conventional approaches to how gig platforms engage with and support their workforce. 

About Yes Madam
Founded in 2016, Yes Madam is an at-home beauty and wellness platform offering salon and spa services through trained professionals using hygienic, single-use product formats. Operating across 55+ cities in India, the brand focuses on convenience, transparency, and high-quality personal care experiences delivered at home.

Naina Subberwal Batra, CEO at AVPN
 

Over three days, the flagship Conference moved beyond dialogue to action. It made a bold call to shift Asia’s impact conversations from why Asia must lead to how leadership needs to happen - through blended finance, catalytic capital, and cross-sector partnerships that unlock capital at scale. More than 2,400 delegates from 52 markets, as well as over 350 speakers across more than 140 sessions, worked to align capital with solutions, reduce fragmentation and accelerate deployment across borders.
 

Anchored by the theme “A Blueprint for Action in Asia”, the Conference delivered tangible outcomes, with key partnership and capital commitments such as:
 

• Financing Women’s Economic Empowerment: A Continuum of Capital in Action. Unlocking women’s economic empowerment (WEE) at scale requires bold capital, stronger collaboration, and smarter pathways to action. This session brought together leaders across the continuum of capital to explore how philanthropy, corporate foundations and impact-driven organisations are reshaping capital flows to women across Asia. The session also launched the WEE feature on AVPN’s ImpactCollab platform, a dedicated space connecting funders to high-quality organisations that have undergone due diligence to advance gender equality and accelerate capital towards impactful WEE solutions.

• ASEAN CSR Working Group Official Launch and Meeting. The ASEAN Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Working Group marked its official launch and meeting at the AVPN Global Conference 2026, with participating members taking part in an official capacity for the first time since the platform was established in May 2026 with a mandate by ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC). The working group brought together corporate, CSR and foundation leaders alongside and aims to connect private sector practice with regional policy dialogue, align corporate capital with ASEAN priorities and strengthen cross-sector collaboration across Southeast Asia.

• Sangam Collaborative. As India advances towards its development ambitions for 2047, the challenge is no longer defining the vision. The Sangam Collaborative brings together government, philanthropy and ecosystem partners to strengthen public systems in education and health across five high-need Indian states, with an ambition to improve outcomes for 70 million people. The launch was officiated by Ajay Piramal (Chairman, Piramal Foundation), Mark Suzman (CEO, Gates Foundation) and Amit Chandra (Chairperson, Bain Capital India Office and Co-founder, A.T.E Chandra Foundation).

• Global Mental Health Consortium. Mental wellbeing is increasingly recognised as a critical determinant of health, education, livelihoods, and social outcomes. Yet, funding and action remain fragmented across Asia. The Global Mental Health Consortium brings together cross-border experts, policymakers and practitioners to strengthen collaboration and advance better approaches to youth mental health.

• AVPN–Erth Zayed Philanthropies Memorandum of Understanding. AVPN and Erth Zayed Philanthropies formalised their collaboration through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding at the AVPN Global Conference 2026. The partnership will strengthen connections between philanthropic communities across Asia and West Asia, bringing together knowledge, networks and resources to support greater social impact. It also creates new opportunities to connect UAE-based philanthropy with AVPN’s wider regional network and deepen collaboration across the two regions.

A dedicated Impact Investing Day further advanced strategies to align the full continuum of capital, with particular emphasis on catalytic capital, domestic capital mobilisation, and scalable financing models.

Hosting the Conference in India for the first time reflected the country's growing importance in Asia's broader impact agenda. Beyond being a fast-growing economy, India is increasingly shaping new approaches to digital public infrastructure, healthcare, livelihoods, climate resilience and social innovation that are finding relevance well beyond its borders. As the country advances its Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, the Conference provided a timely platform to connect these homegrown models with a wider regional ecosystem, reinforcing India's role not only as a destination for capital, but as a source of ideas, partnerships and scalable solutions for Asia.
 

“We cannot afford incremental actions when the challenges before us are systemic, urgent and deeply interconnected. The real message from New Delhi is that Asian leaders are ready to lead, not only in ambition, but also in execution. We now need the confidence to build frameworks that reflect our region’s realities and align capital more intentionally to back solutions built by and for our communities. AVPN is committed to turning that ambition into a shared regional movement that delivers a more inclusive, resilient and prosperous future,” said Naina Subberwal Batra, CEO at AVPN.
 

As delegates depart New Delhi, the momentum from AVPN Global Conference 2026 carries forward in the form of sharper priorities, stronger partnerships and a clearer regional blueprint for action. The work ahead is not only to sustain dialogue, but to translate collaboration into measurable outcomes for communities, markets and systems across Asia.

About AVPN

AVPN is Asia’s largest platform for social impact, where over 700 resource providers, innovators and intermediaries from across 43 markets collaborate to mobilise capital. Grounded in deep regional expertise and partnerships, AVPN is building a thriving ecosystem that accelerates measurable progress toward inclusive growth, empowering Asia to lead the way in global impact. AVPN’s mission is to translate intent into impact by bringing together people, ideas, and resources for Asia. We do this by strengthening partnerships, fostering open collaboration, and enabling the coordinated flow of resources across markets and borders. Together with our community, AVPN is building a thriving impact ecosystem that drives a prosperous and inclusive Asia.

For more information about AVPN and our work, please visit our website and read our latest Annual Review.
 

About AVPN Global Conference 2026

The AVPN Global Conference, the largest annual networking event for resource providers active in Asia, brings together leaders from Asia and beyond to collectively envision an impactful future that is inclusive, equitable and sustainable. The Conference is an opportunity to build trust between resource providers, philanthropists and community impact leaders on priorities shaping Asia’s impact landscape which forms the Conference’s 12 interconnected tracks. Alongside the Conference is a dedicated AVPN Impact Investing Day, the first-of-its-kind large-scale impact investment-focused convening in Asia, featuring global and Asian investors, funders as well as Limited Partners including asset managers, family offices, and institutional investors.

M3M Foundation’s plantation drive across Gurugram

Of these, 700 trees have been planted in honour of seven Commonwealth Games 2026 para medallists, with 100 trees dedicated to each athlete, while another 1,000 trees have been planted in honour of the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI).

This special tribute forms part of M3M Foundation’s larger monsoon commitment to plant over 1 lakh trees across 11 Panchayats in Gurugram and Tauru Block. Through this community-led campaign, the Foundation aims to strengthen green cover while taking the message of ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ to villages, schools and local communities—encouraging collective responsibility towards a greener and more sustainable future.

The initiative reflects the vision of Dr. Payal Kanodia, Chairperson, Paralympic Committee of India and Chairperson & Trustee, M3M Foundation, to take the celebration of para-sport beyond the podium and create meaningful community impact. By connecting sporting excellence with environmental action, the initiative seeks to turn moments of national pride into a legacy that continues to grow.

The seven athletes honoured are Sharmila Dhankar, Shilpa Shyla, Jhandu Kumar, Soman Rana, Shubham Juyal, Dilip Manadu Gavit and Mohammed Basil. The 100-tree tributes have been planted in Kadarpur, Ullawas, Ghata, Shikhopur, Ramgarh, Jhund Sarai and Bajghera, respectively. Sharmila Dhankar won Gold in Women’s Shot Put F57; Shilpa Shyla won Bronze in Women’s Shot Put F57; Jhandu Kumar secured Bronze in Para Powerlifting; Soman Rana won Gold in Men’s F57 Shot Put; Shubham Juyal won Silver in Men’s F57 Shot Put; Dilip Manadu Gavit secured Gold in the Men’s 100m T47; and Mohammed Basil won Silver in the Men’s 100m T47.

The plantations saw participation from Sarpanches and local leaders, government officials, government school students and teachers, Gaushala pandits, grassroots athletes and community members. Their participation transformed the drive into a collective celebration of India’s para champions while creating shared responsibility towards the environment.

Dr. Payal Kanodia, Chairperson, Paralympic Committee of India and Chairperson & Trustee, M3M Foundation, said, “Our para athletes have shown the nation that determination can overcome barriers and create extraordinary possibilities. Their Commonwealth Games achievements are moments of immense pride, but their journeys carry a message that reaches far beyond sport."

“My vision is to ensure that the achievements of our para athletes inspire greater inclusion, participation and possibility across society. By planting 100 trees in honour of each of our seven medallists, along with 1,000 trees in honour of PCI, we are taking their stories beyond the podium and creating a living legacy within communities."

“As India moves towards Viksit Bharat 2047, progress must be inclusive and sustainable. ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ gives us an opportunity to turn that vision into action—celebrating those who inspire the nation while creating something meaningful for future generations.”

As India moves towards the centenary of its Independence, nation-building is also about the legacy we leave behind. These 1,700 trees bring together sporting excellence, inclusion, community participation and environmental responsibility—honouring the India we are today while contributing to the India we aspire to build by 2047.

M3M Foundation will continue to expand this vision through initiatives that connect sport, inclusion, environmental action and community development, ensuring that achievements continue to inspire meaningful action on the ground.

Because a medal celebrates a moment. A tree keeps the legacy growing.
 
About M3M Foundation
M3M Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the M3M Group, working across education, health, livelihoods, sports, and environment. With a reach across 22 states and over 1,300 villages, the Foundation has positively impacted more than 5 million lives, driven by a vision of inclusive, sustainable, and transformative nation-building.

Mpowered Voices at in good co in Delhi

Mpowered Voices, the lived experience platform of Mpower, an initiative of Aditya Birla Education Trust (ABET), is exploring that question through ‘Coffee & Conversations’ at in good co’s flagship café in GK2, Delhi. Bringing together diverse voices for an intimate exchange around emotional wellbeing, mental health and experiences that are often difficult to articulate, they explore how something as everyday can create space for conversations that matter.

Built on the belief that lived experiences can change the way we understand mental health, Mpowered Voices brings personal stories into the mainstream, fostering empathy, challenging stigma and making conversations around mental wellbeing more open and relatable for anyone going through similar experiences, helping people acknowledge what they may be experiencing and feel more comfortable seeking support.

Speaking about Mpowered Voices and the idea behind ‘Coffee & Conversations’ Amit Gupta, CFO, Mpower, Aditya Birla Education Trust said, “One of the biggest barriers to seeking help is the stigma that continues to surround mental health. At Mpower, we have seen how conversations rooted in real experiences can help challenge that stigma by making people realise that what they may be experiencing is not something they have to navigate alone. Lived experiences can make conversations around mental health more human, challenge assumptions and, importantly, help make seeking support feel more acceptable. Taking these conversations into an everyday space such as a café is another step towards making mental health part of the conversations and not something we discuss only when there is a crisis. We are pleased to bring Mpowered Voices to in good co, creating safe space for these conversations to happen naturally, through listening, sharing and connection.”

Udai Pinnali, CEO, Aditya Birla New Age Hospitality, further added, “At in good co, we see ourselves as a space that brings young India together. Coffee, for us, is more than a beverage - it is a catalyst for connection, conversation and culture. Progressive Indianness is a core belief of our brand. To us, that means being open to new ideas, creating stronger communities of support as well as making it easier to talk about things that have traditionally been difficult to discuss. Normalising conversations around mental health and making it easier to ask for help are part of the progressive India we believe in.

Mpower’s Mpowered Voices has built a credible platform for bringing these conversations into the mainstream. Through this association, in good co hopes to play a natural role in creating an inclusive, everyday space where young people can come together, connect, and begin conversations that might otherwise be difficult to have. Because sometimes, meaningful conversations can start with something as simple as a cup of coffee, in good company.”

The Coffee & Conversations gathering at in good co represents this approach in practice, a conversation that begins in an everyday space, is grounded in lived experience, and creates room for people to listen, connect and perhaps start a conversation of their own.

About Mpower

Mpower, an initiative of Aditya Birla Education Trust, is one of South Asia’s largest private mental-health initiatives, with a distinctive focus on mental-health literacy, capacity building, community outreach and access to care. Through its work across awareness, advocacy, prevention, intervention and support, Mpower has touched. Its work spans clinical services, mental-health awareness and outreach programmes, capacity building, and school, workplace and community interventions, with a focus on making mental-health support more accessible and creating greater openness around conversations on mental wellbeing.

Mpowered Voices is Mpower’s platform for lived experiences, creating spaces for individuals to share their personal journeys and perspectives around mental health, while encouraging empathy, reducing stigma and making conversations around mental wellbeing more relatable.

About in good co

in good co is a modern Indian café brand built around a simple idea: good coffee is about good company. The brand opened its first café at GK2, Delhi. Designed as a distinctive, contemporary social space for India to come together – in good co is progressively Indian in its design and rooted in neighborhood familiarity, while carrying a globally relevant point of view. in good co, is a part of Aditya Birla New Age Hospitality (ABNAH).

As part of its ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability and community development, Group Legrand India has successfully completed the construction of a Check Dam in Shastrinagar village, Nashik district in partnership with BharatCares (CSRBOX Group). The project has been implemented under the company's social responsibility to address water scarcity, strengthen groundwater resources, and improve the resilience of farming communities in the region. The intervention is expected to benefit residents of both Shastrinagar and Gangamhalungi villages, where water availability has historically been a challenge, particularly during the dry season. The inauguration ceremony was led by Mr. Deepak Patil, COO, Group Legrand India, and Ms. Abida Aneez, CSR Head, Group Legrand India, and was attended by senior representatives from local governance bodies, community leaders, implementation partners, and members of the local community.
 

Group Legrand India representatives at the newly completed Shastrinagar Check Dam, Nashik
 

Located in a drought-prone area where declining groundwater levels and irregular rainfall patterns have increasingly impacted agricultural productivity and household water access, the newly completed structure has created over 94 lakh litres of water storage capacity approximately filled twice a year and an estimated groundwater recharge potential exceeding 8.32 lakh litres annually. The check dam is expected to ensure greater water availability for drinking, livestock, and irrigation needs, ultimately supporting more secure livelihoods and enabling farming families to withstand seasonal water stress more effectively. The project is expected to positively impact more than 3,650 beneficiaries across the two villages.
 

The initiative reflects Group Legrand India's long-term vision of creating sustainable community assets that generate lasting environmental and social impact. Beyond the construction of the water conservation structure, the project also included engagement with local stakeholders and capacity-building efforts to support responsible water management and long-term maintenance of the asset through community participation and Gram Panchayat involvement.
 

Commenting on the project's completion, Abida Aneez, Head – CSR & Sustainability, Group Legrand India, said, "Water is one of the most critical resources for communities, livelihoods and ecosystems. At Legrand, we believe that sustainable development begins with securing access to essential resources and creating infrastructure that can serve communities for generations. The completion of this check dam is more than a water conservation intervention; it is an investment in agricultural resilience, environmental stewardship and the future prosperity of rural families. We remain deeply committed to supporting initiatives that strengthen climate resilience, conserve natural resources and create meaningful impact at the grassroots level."
 

For the local community, the project represents more than infrastructure; it represents hope for greater stability and improved agricultural outcomes. Chhagan Dive, a farmer from Gangamhalungi village, shared, "Every year, water becomes scarce after the winter months, making it difficult for us to manage our farms and livestock even though we get heavy rainfall due to water runoff. During summer, many families had to travel up to 5 km to fetch water. This Check Dam has been a blessing for us by providing reliable water for our fields and reducing the uncertainty many families face. We are grateful for this support and the positive difference it will make to our village."
 

The project forms part of Legrand India's broader efforts to promote responsible water stewardship and environmental sustainability. Over the years, the company has initiated several programmes focused on water conservation, natural resource management, groundwater recharge, and sustainable rural development. Recognising that water security is fundamental to community well-being and economic development, Legrand continues to support interventions that conserve water resources while strengthening local resilience to climate-related challenges.
 

The completion of the Shastrinagar Check Dam marks another important milestone in the company's sustainability journey. By creating a durable water conservation asset capable of storing and recharging millions of litres of water annually, Group Legrand India is contributing not only to improved water availability but also to enhanced agricultural productivity, stronger rural livelihoods, and a more sustainable future for the communities it serves.
 

About Group Legrand India

Group Legrand India is a leading specialist in electrical and digital building infrastructure. Through its CSR initiatives, the company supports programmes in education, healthcare, skill development, environmental sustainability, water conservation, and community development, creating long-term positive impact across India.

Industry leaders and policymakers engaged in strategic discussions on strengthening food security in India at the workshop convened by Tetra Pak in collaboration with ICCE and Primus Partners

The event commenced with a keynote address by Shri Siraj Hussain, Former Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries and Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare. Asking the audience a pertinent question - “How can we bring innovation and technology to build a more resilient, efficient and much more sustainable supply chain in India?”- he highlighted that India’s food security challenge extends beyond increasing production to minimizing food losses through improved preservation, processing and supply-chain systems. He stressed the importance of leveraging innovation and technology to strengthen the resilience, efficiency and sustainability of India’s food systems.

Dr. Rajbir Singh, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Extension), ICAR, then took the stage and spoke about how the growth in food production is a testament to the resilience of India’s agricultural system. Going forward, the focus must be on reducing post-harvest losses from the current 15–20% to around 5% by 2047, while improving nutrient-use efficiency, mechanization and water-use efficiency. “At present, overall post-harvest losses are around 15–20%, and we want to reduce them to around 5% by 2047,” he added.

Strengthening the ‘critical middle’

A central theme emerging from the discussions was the need to strengthen the ‘critical middle’ of the food value chain- the infrastructure and systems connecting agricultural production with consumption, including aggregation, processing, packaging, storage, logistics and distribution.

The discussions underscored the importance of strengthening integrated food systems through better coordination across stakeholders, improving farmer access to technology and markets, adopting digital solutions for supply chain efficiency, promoting circular economy approaches to food systems, and scaling evidence-based interventions that simultaneously address food security, climate resilience, and food loss and waste reduction.

Other key priorities emerging from the roundtable included:

• Strengthening food security and resilience across India’s food systems.

• Reducing food loss and waste through improved post-harvest management, processing, packaging, and logistics.

• Investing in processing and packaging infrastructure and innovative technologies to extend shelf life, improve food availability, and reduce losses across the food value chain.

• Leveraging food processing, sustainable packaging, and digital technologies to improve supply chain efficiency and minimize losses.

Building a stronger evidence base for action

From a policy perspective, participants highlighted the need for agencies to collect more granular, ground-level data on food loss and waste to enable better identification of hotspots, inform targeted interventions, and track progress. The discussions also emphasized that, without specific and measurable targets for reducing Food loss and Waste (FLW)efforts to address the issue are likely to remain only partially successful. It was therefore underscored that the need to consider the inclusion of FLW reduction targets in India’s NDCs, alongside greater recognition of innovative technologies in food processing and packaging that can help India achieve these targets.

Tetra Pak and NIFTEM research on the climate impact of food loss and waste (Link: Food loss and waste | Tetra Pak India)

A key highlight of the event was the launch of the NIFTEM - Tetra Pak report on ‘GHG Emissions from Food Loss and Waste,’ which presents research on the environmental implications of food loss and waste in India and reinforces the importance of reducing FLW as a pathway to improving food security while advancing climate action

The session concluded with a shared commitment to deepen collaboration across sectors, strengthen evidence-based policymaking and data collection, promote investment and innovation across the critical middle of the food value chain, and identify actionable next steps to improve food security, reduce food loss and waste, and build a more sustainable food ecosystem for India.

About Tetra Pak
Tetra Pak is a world-leading food processing and packaging solutions company. Working with our customers and suppliers, we provide access to safe, nutritious food for hundreds of millions of people in more than 160 countries every day. With over 24,000 employees worldwide, we commit to making food safe and available everywhere, and we promise to protect what’s good: food, people and the planet.

More information about Tetra Pak is available at www.tetrapak.com.

Applications for the 10th N.S. Hema Memorial Awards, instituted by APD, are open until August 20, 2026

Carrying that vision forward, APD has announced that applications for the 10th edition of the N.S. Hema Memorial Awards are now open until August 20, 2026. The awards recognise organisations advancing disability inclusion across South India and Maharashtra.

Over the years, the awards have recognised organisations such as People with Hearing Impaired Network (PHIN), Saadhya Trust for Social Development, Sri Arunodayam Charitable Trust, and Atchayam Trust, showcasing innovative, community-led models in disability inclusion.

This year introduces two award categories:

• Disability Inclusive Health

• Disability Inclusive Livelihood

With a total prize pool of Rs. 2.5 lakh, the awards go beyond financial recognition. Winners and selected high-potential organisations will gain access to strategic co-funding opportunities, capacity-building cohorts, and peer-learning networks designed to strengthen organisational resilience and amplify long-term impact.

“Organisations closest to the communities they serve often bring a deep understanding of what inclusion looks like in practice. Their work is shaped by lived realities, local needs and the aspirations of the people they work alongside. The N.S. Hema Memorial Awards are an opportunity to recognise this leadership and create pathways for organisations to access the resources, networks and opportunities they need to strengthen their impact,” said Sukanto Aich, CEO, Association of People with Disability (APD).

Applications are open to legally registered non-profit organisations (Trusts or Societies) that hold valid 12A, 80G, and CSR-1 registrations, have 3–10 years of active field operations, an annual budget of up to Rs. 2.5 crore depending on the award category, and an active presence in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, or Maharashtra.

Entries will be evaluated by an independent jury on the basis of:

• Impact evidence

• Community-led model

• Innovation and scaling potential

• Governance practices

Nominate until August 20, 2026.

Apply here: events.apps.apd-india.org

For detailed guidelines and eligibility criteria, visit www.apd-india.org.

About the Association of People with Disability

APD is a pioneering non-profit organisation, established in 1959 by the late Ms N. S. Hema. APD has impacted over 6 lakh People with Disabilities from underprivileged communities from remote, rural, and poor socioeconomic backgrounds. Various programs by APD cover 18 out of 21 disabilities stated in the RPWD Act 2016. With a diverse and inclusive team of over 230 members (45% Women and 30% PwD’s), APD reaches out to over 60,000 direct and indirect beneficiaries annually. APD is managed by a professional team of developmental and technical experts overseen by an eminent Board of Governors and Trustees. The Association maintains the highest standards of governance, has been acknowledged by multiple donors and is accredited by independent agencies like the TISS, Credibility Alliance, RCI, and NIPMAN Foundation.

As India commemorates its landmark 80th Independence Day, EuroKids Preschool, India's leading preschool, brought together 1,25,000+ young learners with 15,000+ educators across 2,000+ centres in 550+ cities for one of the country's largest preschool Independence Day celebrations. Through a specially curated experiential learning program, children explored the values of unity, diversity, pride and responsible citizenship in ways that were engaging, age-appropriate and deeply meaningful.

Proudly dressed in their little patriotic spirit, EuroKids children celebrated Independence Day with pride and unity

For EuroKids, the milestone carried a message closer to home. Just as India's 80-year journey has been built one formative step at a time, a child's own journey towards independence, confidence and self-reliance begins far earlier than most parents realise. Early childhood research suggests that nearly 90% of a child's brain development takes place between the ages of two and six, making these years the most receptive window for building language, social skills, emotional regulation and a sense of identity. It is a belief central to EuroKids' philosophy: that starting structured, play-based learning at age 2, rather than waiting for formal schooling to begin, gives children the strongest foundation to grow into confident, independent individuals.

At a time when educators and parents alike are placing greater emphasis on nurturing character alongside academics, EuroKids transformed the national celebration into an immersive learning experience where children didn't just celebrate Independence Day, they experienced its values through storytelling, movement, collaborative play and hands-on exploration. Designed as part of the brand's month-long Awesome August initiative, the celebrations reflected the evolving role of early childhood education in helping children build empathy, confidence, respect, and a sense of belonging from an early age.

Across EuroKids centres, children participated in a vibrant Tricolour Kite Festival, sending colourful kites carrying messages of hope, unity and freedom into the skies. Younger learners, some as young as two, discovered the significance of the national flag through interactive tricolour sensory play, while a specially designed patriotic obstacle course featuring saffron hoops, a green tunnel and an Ashoka Chakra spin, combined physical activity with purposeful learning, encouraging teamwork, resilience and confidence, even in the very youngest of EuroKids' toddlers.

The celebrations also featured a Mini Patriotic Parade, where children proudly marched with the national flag, and the 'Unity in Diversity' Ramp Walk, where they represented different Indian states in traditional attire, celebrating the country's rich cultural heritage. Through these collaborative experiences, children developed a deeper appreciation of India's diversity while understanding that unity remains one of the nation's greatest strengths.

KVS Seshasai, CEO, Pre-K Division, Lighthouse Learning (EuroKids), said, “As India celebrates 80 years of Independence, we have a unique opportunity to help the next generation understand the values that have shaped our nation. Children begin developing their understanding of identity, empathy and belonging as early as the age of two, making these formative years the ideal time to introduce them to the importance of unity, respect and responsible citizenship. At EuroKids, we believe these values, and the quiet confidence to think and act independently, are best nurtured not through instruction alone, but through joyful, immersive experiences that encourage children to observe, participate, question and connect with the world around them, right from their very first years at preschool.”

The celebrations formed part of Awesome August, EuroKids' flagship month-long learning initiative that brings together key cultural, environmental and social occasions, including Friendship Day, Independence Day, Sustainability Week and Raksha Bandhan, to help children develop life skills through meaningful experiences. By integrating these celebrations into everyday learning, EuroKids enables children to build empathy, collaboration, curiosity and social awareness while creating lasting memories with their peers, teachers and families.

Rooted in Heureka – The Visible Thinking Curriculum, inspired by Harvard University's Project Zero and aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Independence Day celebrations reflected EuroKids' commitment to experiential learning that nurtures cognitive, emotional and social development from the toddler years onward. Rather than viewing national festivals as standalone events, the curriculum transforms them into opportunities for children, from age 2, to think critically, express themselves confidently and develop a lifelong appreciation for India's culture, diversity and shared values.

As the nation celebrated 80 years of Independence, EuroKids reaffirmed its commitment to giving children the Right Start to their own journey of independence, one that begins as early as age 2 and prepares them not only for school, but for life. By bringing together children and their families in one of India's largest preschool Independence Day celebrations, the brand continues to create meaningful learning experiences that inspire young learners to grow into confident, compassionate and responsible citizens of tomorrow.

To mark this historic milestone, EuroKids is offering parents a festive Independence Day fee benefit on new enrolments for toddlers as young as two years old, giving them the Right Start to their learning journey. Visit your nearest EuroKids centre to know more.

About EuroKids Preschool

EuroKids, India's Leading Preschool Brand, has revolutionised early childhood education for over 25 years across 2,000+ preschools in 550 cities and three countries. With the launch of its latest 8th curriculum, ‘Heureka’, EuroKids introduces the Visible Thinking Curriculum, based on Harvard University’s Project Zero and aligned with NEP 2020. Heureka empowers children with critical and creative thinking skills through 20 structured Thinking Routines, nurturing holistic growth across Emotional, Physical, Intellectual, Creative, and Spiritual dimensions. Supported by the Buddy’s World app, which supports balanced cognitive development, EuroKids remains at the forefront of early childhood education, helping children develop essential life skills from as early as age 2. Its successful franchise model also enables aspiring entrepreneurs to thrive in the education sector, expanding access to quality education.

The Group

Lighthouse Learning Group, formerly known as EuroKids International, is India's leading Early Childhood & K-12 Education group, backed by global investment firm KKR. Driven by its purpose to unlock human potential by igniting the love for learning through its institutions, which include leading brands like EuroKids Preschool, Kangaroo Kids Preschool, EuroSchool, Billabong High International, Centre Point Group of Schools, Heritage International Xperiential School, Heritage Xperiential Learning School and Finland International School Maldives. Nurturing over 200,000 students every day, Lighthouse Learning emphasises a 'Child First' philosophy, innovative pedagogy, and child safety. With 2,000 Preschools and 60 K-12 Schools, it empowers 1,850 women entrepreneurs and employs a direct and indirect workforce of over 25,000 people.

M3M Foundation planting over 1 lakh trees this monsoon taking forward ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’

The Foundation aims to plant 1 lakh+ trees, engaging 11 Panchayats across identified areas of Gurugram and Tauru Block with local communities, including locations in and around the Aravalli landscape.

The initiative will begin across Ghata, Kadarpur, Ullawas, Ramgarh, Bahrampur and Bailyawas, bringing local communities together around a shared vision for greener and more sustainable villages. Local leaders Govardhan from Ghata, Satbir from Ullawas, Sanjeet from Kadarpur and Giriraj from Bahrampur are supporting the initiative and helping mobilise residents to participate in the plantation and take collective responsibility for the trees. Their involvement reflects Sankalp’s belief that lasting environmental change is strongest when it is led and nurtured at the community level.

The initiative is designed to make the most of the monsoon season while ensuring that plantation translates into sustained environmental action. Communities and Panchayats will be mobilised not only to participate in planting but also to take responsibility for the subsequent care, protection and nurturing of the trees, creating a stronger foundation for their long-term survival.

The campaign builds on M3M Foundation’s experience of connecting environmental conservation with an emotional sense of responsibility. Inspired by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign, Sankalp introduced “Ek Ped Ghar Ke Bachche Ya Bachchi Ke Naam” across villages of Tauru Block in Nuh, Haryana. The initiative encourages families to dedicate a tree to every son or daughter, creating an emotional bond between the family and the tree and encouraging them to nurture it as it grows.

Taking this philosophy forward, the new plantation drive will bring 11 Panchayats and communities together in a wider stewardship effort, extending responsibility beyond the day of plantation and making local participation central to sustaining the green cover created through the campaign.

Dr. Payal Kanodia, Chairperson & Trustee, M3M Foundation, said, “The monsoon gives us the opportunity to put thousands of saplings into the ground, but the real responsibility begins once they are planted. A tree needs more than soil and rain, it needs people who are willing to care for it. ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ has shown us the power of connecting environmental action with emotion, and through Sankalp we are turning that connection into community stewardship. With 1 lakh+ trees being planted across 11 Panchayats in Gurugram, we want every sapling to have a story, a community behind it and the opportunity to grow into a lasting green legacy. Our aim is not simply to plant more trees, but to inspire more people to take ownership of the environment around them.”

The initiative adds to the significant environmental footprint of Sankalp, which has facilitated the plantation of more than 6.7 lakh trees across six states, including over 1.70 lakh trees across 54 Panchayats. The programme has also undertaken Miyawaki forests, orchard-based agroforestry, restoration of degraded landscapes, biodiversity enhancement and groundwater recharge, reflecting an integrated approach to ecological restoration.

The latest campaign will contribute to strengthening green cover across Gurugram while supporting the ecological landscape around the Aravallis. By involving communities directly, it also seeks to foster everyday environmental stewardship and reinforce the principles of Mission LiFE and the broader vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

With the monsoon planting season underway, 1 lakh+ trees targeted and 11 Panchayats across identified areas of Gurugram and coming together, M3M Foundation aims to turn a seasonal opportunity into a lasting environmental commitment, creating greener spaces today and communities that continue to nurture them tomorrow.

Through Sankalp, M3M Foundation believes that the strongest green legacy is one that communities plant, protect and pass on.

About M3M Foundation

M3M Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the M3M Group, working across education, health, livelihoods, sports, and environment. With a reach across 22 states and over 1,300 villages, the Foundation has positively impacted more than 5 million lives, driven by a vision of inclusive, sustainable, and transformative nation-building.

Bisleri's Bottles for Change volunteers assemble for waste collection during the Pune Wari Pilgrimage, 2026

The campaign reached over two lakh devotees across key locations within the PCMC jurisdiction, including Akurdi, Pimpri, Dapodi and other stretches along the Wari route. Through on-ground information, education and communication (IEC) activities, volunteers encouraged devotees to adopt responsible waste-disposal practices, segregate plastic waste at source, and understand the importance of recycling. Around 300 volunteers participated in cleaning a 15 km stretch during the three-day campaign, helping collect approximately 6 metric tonnes (MT) of plastic waste, all of which will be channelled for recycling, supporting the circular economy. The initiative helped create a cleaner and safer pilgrimage experience for an estimated 2 lakh + devotees.

Bottles for Change volunteers collected 6 MT of plastic waste for recycling during the 3-day pilgrimage

Commenting on the initiative, Mr. K. Ganesh, Director - Sustainability & Corporate Affairs Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd., said, "The Wari is not only a celebration of faith but also an opportunity to inspire collective action towards environmental responsibility. Through Bottles for Change, we continue to work with local authorities, volunteers and citizens to demonstrate that large public gatherings can successfully adopt responsible plastic waste management practices. Our focus is on creating long-term behavioural change while ensuring that recyclable plastic is brought back into the circular economy."

Hon'ble Shri Ravi Babasaheb Landge, Mayor, Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, said, "The 'Nirmal Wari, Swachh Wari' initiative which conveys the message of cleanliness through action amidst the sacred atmosphere of Jagadguru Santshreshtha Tukaram Maharaj’s Palkhi procession is highly commendable. The efforts undertaken by Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd. and 300 volunteers will certainly help keep the city of Pimpri-Chinchwad clean. Cleanliness is a collective responsibility, and such social initiatives will foster greater awareness among citizens regarding the conservation of Mother Earth.”

The Pune Wari campaign builds on Bisleri's long-term commitment to strengthening plastic circularity in Maharashtra. Under its association with PCMC, Bottles for Change has collected and sent over 310 metric tonnes (MT) of plastic waste for recycling between April 2024 and June 2026. The initiative has also sensitised more than 40,000 citizens on responsible plastic waste management and installed 25 Benches of Dreams across the city.

Bisleri's Bottles for Change initiative has reached over 12.4 lakh citizens through awareness programmes and enabled the collection and recycling of 13,905 MT of plastic waste through its CSR initiatives across Maharashtra. The Pune Wari campaign reinforces Bisleri's commitment to make responsible recycling and plastic circularity a community-led movement.

About Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd.

With a legacy of over 50 years, Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd has grown to become one of the largest premium beverage businesses in India. Being the makers of the country's largest-selling packaged drinking water, Bisleri follows a stringent process of 114 quality tests and a 10-stage purification. It remains true to its core value of providing consumers with pure, safe and healthy water.

Bisleri International has a strong presence with 128 operational plants and a robust distribution network of over 6,000 Distributors and 7,500 Distribution Trucks across India and UAE market. It offers a range of beverages that are produced for all occasions. Whether it is the promise of goodness, trust, and purity with Bisleri packaged drinking water, or a daily dose of health offered through Vedica Himalayan Spring Water. Besides, Bisleri International has ventured into fun-filled refreshments with a diverse range of carbonated drinks available in multiple flavours, such as Bisleri Limonata, Bisleri Rev, Bisleri Spyci Jeera, Bisleri Pop and Bisleri Soda. These Bisleri products are also available on the e-commerce platform - Bisleri@Doorstep. This D2C platform reassures customers that they will receive a safe and uninterrupted supply of their most trusted brand at their doorstep.

The core values of Bisleri International lie in yielding growth and embedding sustainability by being responsible in all aspects of the business. The organization has unveiled Sustainability 2.0 with Bisleri Greener Promise that focuses on creating greener future for all through implementing initiatives under the program of recycling, water conservation and sustainability.

For more information on Bisleri International, our people, brands, and OSR initiatives, visit www.bisleri.com.

Signify's Jagmag Pathshala benefits over 18,200 tribal children across Andhra Pradesh

The project enhanced learning environments across the district's tribal welfare schools through the installation of energy-efficient ceiling fans, tube lights, and outdoor lighting systems. These upgrades have created brighter, more comfortable, and safer spaces for learning, improving classroom visibility, student well-being, and overall school functionality.

Better-lit, well-ventilated classrooms have contributed to improved attendance, higher student engagement, and greater participation in both academic and sports activities. Enhanced outdoor lighting has further strengthened campus safety, ensuring students and staff benefit from a more secure, inclusive, and enabling environment throughout the day.

Speaking on the initiative, Nikhil Gupta, Head of Strategy & Marketing, Signify, Greater India said, "Every child deserves a classroom that is safe, comfortable, and conducive to learning. Through this CSR initiative, we have been able to address an essential but critical need in tribal welfare schools across Parvathipuram Manyam. Bringing reliable lighting and ventilation to these schools reflects our continued commitment to using innovation for brighter lives and a better world, especially for communities that need it the most."

The initiative reinforces Signify's commitment to harnessing the power of light to create brighter, safer, and more inclusive communities. As part of the company's growing portfolio of CSR initiatives across India, it reflects Signify's continued focus on advancing education, enhancing community well-being, and enabling meaningful social impact through innovative and sustainable lighting solutions.
 

About Signify  
Signify (Euronext: LIGHT) is the world leader in lighting for professionals and consumers. We proudly bring to market the world’s best lighting brands, from Signify, Philips, Philips Hue, Signify Interact, Philips Dynalite, Color Kinetics and many more. Our advanced products, connected systems and services unlock the extraordinary potential of light for brighter lives and a better world. In 2025, we had sales of EUR 5.8 billion, approximately 27,000 employees, and a presence in over 70 markets. We are in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index and hold the EcoVadis Platinum rating.  News and updates from Signify can be found in the Newsroom, on LinkedIn and Instagram. Information for investors is located on the Investor Relations page.

Fortis Mumbai launches ‘Har Ghar Hero’ initiative to build CPR-ready Mumbai with (L-R) Dr Gore, Dr Gaikwad, Dr Singh, Hon. Ms. Hemangini Patil, Dr S. Narayani, Dr Gore & Dr Nabar

The initiative was inaugurated by Hon. Ms. Hemangini Patil, Regional Transport Officer, Thane Region, and Dr. S. Narayani, Business Head – Fortis Hospitals, Maharashtra. They were joined by Fortis Mumbai's leadership team and emergency medicine specialists — Dr. Sandeep Gore (Director, Emergency Medicine, Fortis Hospital Mulund), Dr. Amit Nabar (Director, Emergency & Community Medicine, S. L. Raheja Hospital, Mahim - A Fortis Associate), Dr. Preetam Gaikwad (Head, Emergency Medicine, Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi - A Fortis Network Hospital) and Dr. Sudhir Gore (Head, Emergency Medicine, Fortis Hospital Kalyan), who spoke about the importance of building CPR preparedness beyond hospital settings. The launch was also supported by Dr. Manjeet Singh Arora, Senior Consultant-General Physician, Fortis Hospital Mulund, who has spearheaded CPR trainings in the community for the past two decades, and won multiple accolades for his contribution to community preparedness.

In a sudden cardiac emergency, the first few minutes are often decisive. Through 'Har Ghar Hero', Fortis Hospitals Mumbai aims to bring CPR awareness and training closer to communities, building a wider network of people who are prepared to act until professional medical help arrives. What sets the initiative apart is its scale and reach; it is designed to unite residents from every corner of the city, from South Mumbai to the far suburbs, in a single, sustained movement toward a common goal - a CPR-ready Mumbai.

As part of the initiative, Fortis Hospitals Mumbai will partner with civic bodies, utility and service providers, transport operators, quick-commerce platforms, housing societies, corporate hubs, educational institutions and other community groups to expand CPR awareness across the city. The focus for the coming year would be on equipping 2 lakh Mumbaikars of all ages and backgrounds with essential CPR skills, and building a growing base of trained first responders who can act swiftly in a cardiac emergency, before EMS teams arrive.

Fortis Mumbai will also launch a community perception survey to gauge current levels of emergency preparedness among Mumbaikars, and awareness about application of Basic Life Support (BLS), CPR and use of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs). These insights that will help identify gaps and shape future training efforts.

Speaking at the launch, Dr. S. Narayani, Business Head – Fortis Hospitals, Maharashtra, said, "With 'Har Ghar Hero', Fortis Mumbai is taking an important step towards making CPR preparedness a community priority. In a cardiac emergency, the first responder is often not a healthcare professional but a family member, colleague, neighbour or passer-by. Our aim is to build a culture where every household has at least one person who knows what to do when it matters most. Through sustained partnerships and community-led training, we hope to create a city that is better prepared to respond to emergencies."

Over the past few years, emergency medicine specialists from Fortis Hospitals Mumbai have collectively trained and certified 1.5 lakh Mumbaikars in CPR, and engaged with 1,000+ housing societies, 350+ corporate set-ups, 300+ colleges and schools, 100+ government bodies and civic institutions, and 600+ NGOs and community groups. Through 'Har Ghar Hero', Fortis Mumbai aims to build a sustained movement around CPR awareness, growing a network of trained citizens who can act as 'Heroes' in the moments when immediate action makes the difference.

To get your workplace or housing society trained and certified, call 022 4111 4111.

About Fortis Healthcare Limited  

Fortis Healthcare Limited is a leading integrated healthcare delivery service provider in India. The healthcare verticals of the company primarily comprise hospitals, diagnostics, and day care specialty facilities. Currently, the company operates 36 healthcare facilities (including JVs and O&M facilities) across 12 states and union territories. The Company’s network comprises over 6,000 operational beds (including O&M beds) and 400 diagnostics labs.

For more information, please visit www.fortishealthcare.com/

About IHH HEALTHCARE (“IHH”)

IHH is a leading multinational healthcare provider shaping the future of care. Driven by our aspiration to Care. For Good., we unite medical excellence and innovation, pushing boundaries through our trusted brands such as Acibadem, Gleneagles, Fortis, Island, Mount Elizabeth, Pantai, Parkway and Prince Court. Across 10 countries, including Malaysia, Singapore, Türkiye, India and Greater China, our 70,000-strong team delivers world-class excellence every day, within and beyond our 140 healthcare facilities, including more than 80 hospitals. Our comprehensive services span the full healthcare continuum, from primary and ambulatory to quaternary care, complemented by diagnostics, imaging, rehabilitation, telehealth and home care. In partnership with our stakeholders, IHH is advancing value-based care, building a sustainable healthcare ecosystem and creating meaningful impact, as we work towards our vision to become the world’s most trusted healthcare services network.

For more information, please visit  www.ihhhealthcare.com

The report, A Decade of Green Spending: What Rs. 17,000 Crores of Environmental CSR Reveals About Corporate India, lands at a moment when India, ranked the 9th most climate-vulnerable nation in the Climate Risk Index 2026, is under growing pressure to align corporate giving with climate resilience goals under Viksit Bharat 2047 and its 2070 Net Zero commitment.

Environmental CSR spending fell to a post-pandemic low of 4.4% of total CSR outlay in FY2020-21, as companies redirected funds towards health and relief efforts. It has since recovered, stabilising at 8.4% of total CSR spend in FY2023-24, still well behind enduring priorities such as education and health. The report notes that with an estimated $2.5 trillion needed to meet India's Nationally Determined Contributions by 2030, and $10 trillion required to build a climate-resilient economy by 2047, CSR capital has a distinct role to play in bridging gaps where public systems face capacity or resource constraints.

While environmental CSR is growing, corporate philanthropy is not yet fully aligned with India's highest climate risks, especially sectors with the greatest environmental footprint.

A Concentrated Funding Base

Just one out of five companies that report CSR spending direct any of it towards the environment. Less than a fifth of smallest CSR spenders allocate funds towards climate action. In contrast, nearly all of the companies with CSR budgets over Rs. 50 crore reserve a portion of their outlay for environment-related projects.

European-headquartered MNCs operating in India show markedly higher participation (about two-thirds) than Indian companies (54%), a gap the report links to the influence of stringent European regulatory frameworks, including the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).

Growth Without Scale

The growth in environmental CSR is being driven almost entirely by a rising number of small and mid-sized projects rather than larger, systemic investments.

The number of environmental CSR projects grew 20% over the past three years, while aggregate spending grew only 6% in the same period, leaving the average project size flat at Rs. 45 lakh. Only 29 projects in FY2024 carried budgets of Rs. 10 crore or more, barely up from 22 such projects in FY2020-21.

Divergence In Environmental Footprint And Funding

The report finds a marked disconnect between industries' environmental footprint and their environmental CSR behaviour. Sectors with some of the largest environmental footprints, including Energy, Mining, and Oil, Gas, Coal & Petroleum, show relatively low participation in environmental CSR. Even where companies in these sectors do undertake environmental initiatives, they allocate only 5-7% of their CSR budgets towards environmental causes, well below several consumer-facing industries. By contrast, consumer-facing sectors such as FMCG, Food and Beverages, and Automotive, despite a comparatively lighter environmental footprint, allocate over 10% of CSR spend to environmental causes, a pattern the report attributes to brand positioning and consumer-facing ESG commitments rather than direct impact alignment.

Climate-Vulnerable Districts Underfunded

 The report's starkest finding concerns geography. Nearly 45% of environmental CSR funding is directed to pan-India or multi-state programmes, and a further 22% flows to Tier-1 cities, leaving just over a third of funding for more localised, place-based interventions.

States including Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Mizoram, and Arunachal Pradesh, all classified as highly climate-vulnerable, receive less than Rs. 25 per capita in environmental CSR. The pattern sharpens at the district level: among India's 50 most climate-vulnerable districts, 30 of them received only 1% (Rs. 106 crore) of total environmental CSR spending over the past three years, with a handful of districts in Assam alone accounting for 60% of what little vulnerable-region funding exists.

Traditional Themes Dominate

Among high-value environmental CSR projects (Rs. 50 lakh and above) in FY2023-24, Water Management (15%), Renewable Energy (12%), and Biodiversity (11%) together account for 38% of all high-value project funding. Air quality, despite its acute public health relevance, received just Rs. 14 crore, around 5% of the high-value project pool reflecting the longer gestation periods and more complex measurement frameworks associated with system-level environmental interventions.

The report identifies Rs. 243 crore directed over the past three years towards emerging themes such as public transport and climate.

Among high-value environmental CSR projects (Rs. 50 lakh and above) in FY2023-24, Water Management (15%), Renewable Energy (12%), and Biodiversity (11%) together account for 38% of all high-value project funding. Air quality, despite its acute public health relevance, received just Rs. 14 crore, around 5% of the high-value project pool reflecting the longer gestation periods and more complex measurement frameworks associated with system-level environmental interventions.

The report identifies Rs. 243 crore directed over the past three years towards emerging themes such as public transport, climate governance and carbon MRV, and circular economy alongside nearly Rs. 500 crore embedded within Health, Livelihoods, and Education CSR programmes that integrate water, clean energy, and climate-resilience programmes.

What This Means For Corporate India

"India's climate ambitions will require every form of capital to work more strategically. As climate risks increasingly affect business operations, supply chains and communities, CSR has an opportunity to evolve from project-based philanthropy into catalytic capital, supporting climate-vulnerable regions, strengthening ecosystem resilience, and complementing broader sustainability and ESG efforts," said Srikrishna Sridhar Murthy, Co-founder and CEO, Sattva Consulting.

Looking Ahead

The report's authors argue that as ESG disclosure norms tighten and climate risk becomes more immediate for business operations, CSR has an opportunity to evolve from a fragmented, theme-led funding mechanism into a more targeted, catalytic lever for climate resilience. It should align more closely with industry's environmental footprint, channel funding towards India's most climate-vulnerable geographies, and complement existing project-led giving with longer-horizon, systemic interventions in areas such as air quality, circular economy, and climate governance. Realising this shift, the report notes, will require coordinated, collective action across corporates, philanthropy, and ecosystem actors, rather than standalone funding approaches.

The report is based on an analysis of CSR disclosures filed with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) for FY2014-15 to FY2023-24, covering ₹17,377 crore in spending across Environmental Sustainability, Conservation of Natural Resources, and Agroforestry.

The full report is available at www.sattva.co.in/quick-read/environmental-csr-in-india-lessons-from-%e2%82%b917000-crore-of-investments/.
 

About Sattva Consulting

Sattva Consulting is a global impact consulting firm from India. Since 2009, we have engaged with communities, business, and government to achieve societal impact at scale. We believe that Civil society, Business, and Government all have a critical role to play in building an equitable and sustainable world, and we actively partner with all stakeholders to enable impact through our advisory and orchestration services, knowledge and data platforms—built as public goods for the ecosystem, and collaborative solutions and partnerships.

To know more, visit sattva.co.in.
 

About India Data Insights

India Data Insights (IDI), an initiative by Sattva Consulting, aims to empower India’s development sector with actionable, ready-to-use data insights to enable sharper decisions and maximise impact. Built as a public good, IDI consolidates public data across SDG practice areas on one, unified platform, offering insightful visualisations, interactives, blogs and ready-to-use-charts and dashboards.

To know more, visit indiadatainsights.com.

DS Group introduces ‘Pallu Protection Equipment’ Awareness Campaign in Uttar Pradesh

As part of the initiative, DS Group has introduced its Pallu Protection Equipment (PPE) filter, an advanced washable nano-fibre filter designed to be stitched into a saree pallu or dupatta, transforming it into a protective barrier during agricultural work. Offering protection against pesticide particles, dust and harmful chemicals, including PM2.5 pollutants, the solution has been developed as a practical and culturally relevant intervention for women engaged in farming activities. The nano-fibre filters, integrated into saree pallus, dupattas and similar coverings, will be made readily available, free of cost, through identified tailor shops, pesticide outlets and chemist stores across the seven villages in Baghpat district.

DS Group introduces ‘Pallu Protection Equipment’ Awareness Campaign in Uttar Pradesh

The ongoing initiative has engaged rural communities through mobile awareness vans, traditional puppet shows, nukkad nataks (street plays in local language), free health check-up camps and door-to-door educational outreach. Conducted with the support of local authorities as well as local communities, the programme has encouraged conversations around the hidden health risks associated with pesticide exposure and the importance of adopting safer agricultural practices. Health camps have offered blood pressure and blood sugar screenings, basic health counselling and the distribution of the PPE protective masks to women farmers. Additionally, every woman participating in the programme has received mirrors and calendars carrying messages that reinforce the importance of safe farming practices.

Mr Rajeev Jain, Senior Vice President, Corporate Marketing, DS Group, said, “Women farmers play a vital role in India’s agricultural economy, yet awareness of the occupational health risks they face remains limited. Our field research revealed that the saree pallu and dupatta are often used as informal protective coverings during pesticide-intensive agricultural work, despite offering inadequate protection. This highlights the urgent need for simple, practical and culturally appropriate solutions that women farmers can seamlessly adopt. Through the Pallu Protection Equipment’ Awareness Campaign, DS Group combines awareness with action, providing accessible solutions that can help make agricultural work safer and healthier for women.”

This initiative forms part of DS Group’s broader FarmHER programme, which recognises and supports the contributions of women farmers across India. By making essential health and safety information accessible, practical and culturally relevant, the programme seeks to bridge the gap between awareness and action, empowering women farmers to adopt safer and more sustainable agricultural practices. The PPE kit can also be used by male farmers, as a special version has also been designed that’s integrated into the gamcha (cloth used on the shoulder to wipe sweat/ dust, etc) that the male farmers use.

About DS Group

The DS Group (Dharampal Satyapal Group) is a one of the leading FMCG conglomerates and a Multi-Business Corporation with a strong Indian and International presence. Founded in the year 1929, it is an inspiring and successful business story that blends a remarkable history and legacy with visionary growth. It has an extensive and diverse portfolio with presence in Food and Beverage, Confectionery, Mouth Freshener, Hospitality, Agri, Luxury Retail businesses, and other investments. Catch, Pulse, Pass Pass, Silver Pearls, Ksheer, Rajnigandha, Ovino, L’Opera, Le Marche, Birthright, LuvIt, Chingles, Golmol, Namah are some of the leading brands, the Group proudly shelters today.

As a corporate, DS Group is guided by a clear set of values that are built on a strong foundation of collective good to give back to society and protect the planet. The DS Headquarters has been awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification, under the USGBC (US Green Building Council) existing building O&M (Operation and Maintenance) program version 4.0. The DS Headquarters has also received LEED Zero Carbon Certification, by the USGBC. DS Group has aligned its financial performance with global ESG priorities with the launch of a pioneering Double Materiality Assessment across all businesses. Further demonstrating its environmental leadership, the DS Group has a water positivity index at 1.8 across its business units in 30 locations of India.

For details, log onto www.dsgroup.com.

Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated the newly constructed Indoor Sports Complex at the Government Arts & Science College, Tiruchuli on 18 July. Developed under SBI Foundation’s sports programme, the facility will provide students and local youth with modern multi-sport and fitness infrastructure to promote healthy lifestyles and nurture grassroots talent.

Hon'ble FM Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated the Indoor Sports Complex at Govt. Arts & Science College, Tiruchuli, under SBI Foundation's sports programme with SSRDPT

The Indoor Sports Complex has been developed in response to an identified need for quality sports infrastructure at the Government Arts & Science College, Tiruchuli, as highlighted by the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA), Virudhunagar. The facility comprises a multipurpose indoor hall with turf adaptable for a range of sports, including basketball, volleyball and badminton. There are also a fully equipped gymnasium and a dedicated board games room. Designed for inclusivity and accessibility, the complex is intended to serve both college students and nearby community members through scheduled open-access hours and outreach activities.

“This is an important milestone for State Bank of India and SBI Foundation as this state-of-the-art sports facility is dedicated to the youth of Tiruchuli. We are truly honoured by the gracious presence of Hon’ble Finance Minister, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, which adds great significance to this memorable occasion,” said G.S. Rana, DMD (HR) & CDO, SBI.

The project aims to directly benefit more than 500 college students annually and to reach over 1,000 youth from surrounding villages each year through community engagement and open-access programming. By creating long-term and sustainable infrastructure, the initiative seeks to increase regular participation in sports and fitness, developing holistic life skills, and create pathways for talented individuals to pursue competitive sports and related opportunities.

“SBI Foundation extends its gratitude to everyone whose support has brought this Indoor Sports Complex to life. This facility is designed to encourage youth participation, nurture grassroots talent, and strengthen the health, confidence and leadership potential of students, youth and athletes from nearby villages. We are glad to partner with the Government of India and local stakeholders on this initiative, which aims to help promising young athletes to develop the skills and exposure needed to compete on national and international stages.” said Swapan Dhar, Managing Director, SBI Foundation.

The project is being implemented in partnership with Sri Sri Rural Development Programme Trust (SSRDPT). The facility is already functioning, with students using the spaces for physical training, recreational activities and organised coaching sessions.

Through its wider sports programme, SBI Foundation is working with both para and able-bodied athletes to help them prepare for national and international events, including the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, as well as major national competitions such as the Khelo India Games. In the same spirit, the Indoor Sports Complex at Tiruchuli is expected to strengthen grassroots sports in the region by enabling students and young athletes from nearby villages to access quality training infrastructure and pursue sporting aspirations in a more structured manner.

To date, SBI Foundation has supported over 300 athletes, who have collectively won more than 650 medals at national and international levels, including the Paralympic Games and Para Asian Games. Notably, over 40% of these medals have been won by para-athletes.

About SBI Foundation

SBI Foundation is the CSR arm of the State Bank Group. True to the Bank’s tradition of ‘Service Beyond Banking’, the Foundation engages with communities in various focus areas, including rural development, healthcare, empowerment of PwDs, sports, education, sustainability and environment, livelihood and skill development, and more. Operating across 28 states and 8 union territories in India, the Foundation undertakes initiatives to provide resources to vulnerable sections of society through strategic partnerships with impactful entities in the social sector. The Foundation believes in reflecting the ethos of the State Bank Group in running interventions that are ethical, promote growth and equality, and improve the socio-economic well-being of the society. www.sbifoundation.in.

M3M Foundation Empowering India's Youth with Skills through the Kaushal Sambal initiative

It can replace uncertainty with confidence, dependence with dignity, and transform a job seeker into a job creator. More importantly, it creates a ripple effect, uplifting families, strengthening communities, and contributing to the nation's progress.

Hajrat's journey is a testament to this transformation.

Raised in a modest village, Hajrat dreamed of pursuing higher education and building a better future for his family. But when his father's health deteriorated and financial responsibilities mounted, those dreams slowly gave way to uncertainty. Like countless young people across rural India, he wasn't short of ambition; he simply lacked access to the opportunities that could help him realise it.

That changed when M3M Foundation's iMpower Academy for Skills, under its flagship Kaushal Sambal initiative, reached his village. Encouraged to enrol in the Two-Wheeler Service Technician course, Hajrat stepped into a classroom that would redefine the course of his life.

The programme offered much more than technical training. Alongside practical skills, Hajrat gained digital literacy, workplace discipline, communication skills, entrepreneurial exposure, and most importantly, the confidence to believe in himself.

After completing the course, he had the opportunity to take up employment. Instead, he chose to build something of his own.

With continued support from M3M Foundation, Hajrat established iGarage, his own automobile workshop. Today, the business generates nearly Rs. 50,000 every month, allowing him to support his family with dignity and financial stability. He has expanded his livelihood by purchasing a vehicle attached to a taxi service, creating an additional source of income while generating employment for another individual.

Yet, perhaps the greatest measure of Hajrat's success is not the business he built, but the opportunities he has created for others. Having once searched for a path forward himself, he has trained 12 young people, equipping them with skills that have enabled them to build independent careers and brighter futures.

Hajrat's story is inspiring, but it is far from unique.

Across villages and underserved communities, thousands of young people are rewriting their futures through Kaushal Sambal, M3M Foundation's flagship skill development and livelihood initiative. Guided by the vision of Dr. Payal Kanodia, Chairperson and Trustee, M3M Foundation, the programme is helping bridge the gap between aspiration and opportunity by equipping youth with industry-relevant skills, entrepreneurial capabilities, and the confidence to pursue sustainable livelihoods.

Since its inception in 2019, Kaushal Sambal has expanded across 7 states, 12 districts, and 19 training centres, reaching more than 1,300 villages. Through a holistic approach that combines technical training with digital literacy, life skills, entrepreneurship development, and placement support, the initiative has now skilled over 15,000 young people, preparing them to thrive in an evolving economy.

Its impact is reflected not only in the number of youth trained, but in the lives transformed.

Today, more than 9,000 young professionals have entered the workforce across sectors including healthcare, hospitality, information technology, construction, retail, logistics, renewable energy, fashion, and manufacturing. With an impressive 76% placement rate and an average monthly income of Rs. 14,585, these young professionals collectively generate over Rs. 160 crore in annual earnings, strengthening household incomes, stimulating local economies, and contributing meaningfully to India's economic growth.

The initiative is equally committed to ensuring that opportunities reach those who need them most. Women account for 56% of all trainees, while youth from Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes, minority communities, and other underserved sections are empowered with skills that enable them to achieve financial independence. Beyond employment, more than 2,400 aspiring entrepreneurs have established their own enterprises through Kaushal Sambal, creating livelihoods not only for themselves but also for others in their communities.

Hajrat's journey finds reflection in countless others.

Amanpreet, who lost his father at a young age, watched his mother work as a daily wage labourer to support the family. Through training at iMpower Academy for Skills, he acquired professional expertise and the confidence to establish his own beauty business. Today, he earns approximately Rs. 20,000 every month, becoming the primary source of support for his family.

Similarly, Deepika, a young woman from a financially constrained farming family, overcame social and economic barriers through Kaushal Sambal's skill development programme. Equipped with digital and professional competencies, she secured employment as a Data Entry Operator in Gurugram, earning a CTC of Rs. 16,000 per month. Her journey demonstrates how the right opportunity can empower young women to transform not only their own lives but also those of their families.

Behind every number is a story of resilience. Behind every skill acquired is a dream reclaimed. And behind every success story is the belief that when young people are empowered with the right opportunities, they don't just transform their own futures, they create a lasting impact on families, communities, and the nation.

This World Youth Skills Day, M3M Foundation celebrates the limitless potential of India's youth and reaffirms its commitment to equipping them with the skills, confidence, and opportunities they need to thrive. Because when one young person succeeds, the impact extends far beyond an individual achievement, it becomes a step towards building a stronger, more inclusive, and self-reliant India.

About M3M Foundation
M3M Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the M3M Group, working across education, health, livelihoods, sports, and environment. With a reach across 22 states and over 1,300 villages, the Foundation has positively impacted more than 5 million lives, driven by a vision of inclusive, sustainable, and transformative nation-building.

During the 1000-Ton recovery milestone announcement of Allianz’s CSR initiative ‘Plastic Waste-Free Rivers Project Thiruvananthapuram’

Since its launch in 2022, This four-year journey has been entirely funded by Allianz Services India and Allianz Technology India, who have together invested more than INR 5 crores (EUR 500,000) from CSR funds in the project.

"Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in Kerala are not merely engines of economic growth – they are responsible corporate citizens who invest in the communities and ecosystems that sustain them. This milestone also reinforces a powerful message to global investors: Kerala's industrial growth is inseparable from its commitment to environmental excellence,” said P K Kunhalikutty, Minister for Industries, IT, AI and Startups.

“What makes the Plastic Waste-Free Rivers Project particularly commendable is its sustained, systematic approach,” said Adv. Mons Joseph, Minister for Water Resources. “I urge corporates, local bodies, and citizens alike to draw inspiration from this model,” he added.

“I call upon our Panchayats, Municipalities, and the Corporation of Thiruvananthapuram to draw inspiration from this model and deepen their collaboration with initiatives of this nature,” said K.M Shaji, Minister for Local Self Government. 

“Reaching the 1,000 ton milestone is incredibly meaningful for Allianz – every piece of plastic removed from rivers is one less harming the ocean. It reflects a clear conviction: to protect biodiversity and ocean health, we must act upstream.  This is about more than cleanup – it’s about lasting change: creating jobs, raising awareness, and transforming how communities manage waste. But we are only at the beginning. Preventing plastic pollution at scale requires deeper collaboration, systemic solutions and long-term commitment – because caring for tomorrow means protecting the ecosystems that sustain life today,” said Barbara Karuth-Zelle, Member of the Board of Management (Responsible for Allianz Services and Allianz Technology) and Group COO, Allianz SE. 

The Plastic Waste-Free Rivers Project deploys low-cost floating barriers called TrashBooms to intercept plastic waste in rivers and urban waterways. Today, 15 TrashBoom systems operate across critical sites – including Thampanoor thodu, Ulloor thodu, Pattom thodu, Thekkinakara canal, Amayizhanchan thodu, Karamana river, Killi river, Kariyil thodu, and Thettiyar canal – collecting and removing plastic waste daily. Allianz Services India and Allianz Technology India run this initiative in association with NGO partners Thanal Trust and Sustera Foundation, deploying technology from Plastic Fischer, Germany. The project provides local employment and is supported by three Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) at Injakkal, Venpalavattom and Vallakadavu, managed by Plastic Fischer's team of 23 professionals responsible for recovery, transportation, segregation and shipping. Collected non-recyclable plastic is transported to the Thiruvananthapuram MRFs and subsequently co-processed at the plants of Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Limited in Tamil Nadu, while recyclable plastic is repurposed locally, including into TrashBins now installed at Veli Beach.  

Globally, nine million tons of plastic reach the oceans every year. In Thiruvananthapuram, 79% of debris on major water banks is plastic, and the Karamana and Killi rivers have the highest microplastic densities in the region. Without intervention, plastic is projected to outweigh fish in the world's oceans by 2050 – a stark reality that makes this milestone all the more significant. 

In 2025, Allianz Services India and Allianz Technology India launched grassroots-level programs in Puthenthope, Kadinamkulam and Veli, in association with NGO partners Thanal Trust and Sustera Foundation, marking a strategic shift towards preventive waste management by extending impact from interception to behaviour change and early intervention. The initiative encourages visitors, local merchants, and residents to dispose of waste responsibly. Employees regularly collaborate with NGO partners to undertake beach cleanup drives and awareness campaigns, while close collaboration with the Corporation of Thiruvananthapuram and the Government of Kerala (Departments of Local Self Government and Water Resources) ensures the initiative complements local governance efforts.

This achievement demonstrates that Thiruvananthapuram-based GCCs are driving environmental initiatives with measurable outcomes through corporate citizenship. The 15 sites span critical urban waterways surrounding Technopark and key industrial zones, and by removing massive plastic blockages, this industry-led initiative helps local authorities mitigate urban flood risks, protecting tech infrastructure and enhancing the liveability index that attracts global talent to the city. The project has also earned endorsement from the UN Ocean Decade. What began in Thiruvananthapuram is now being replicated by others in Mangaluru, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Kanpur, and Varanasi – demonstrating that structured, long-term action backed by strong partnerships can deliver real, scalable impact.

Allianz established its Global Capability Centers (GCCs) as one of the early tenants of Technopark, Thiruvananthapuram. They are among the first GCCs in Kerala and today employ over 6,600 professionals, making Thiruvananthapuram Allianz's largest GCC location by headcount globally. Allianz Services is the AI-powered value accelerator for Allianz Group, one of the world's leading insurers and asset managers and, Allianz Technology India is a key delivery center for Allianz Technology and a strategic hub within the Allianz Group's global IT and digital transformation strategy.

Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan launching the PRAGATI initiative

The programme is backed by a coalition of institutions including the PepsiCo Foundation, State Bank of India Foundation, Gates Foundation, IDH, Heifer International, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), Global Agri Entrepreneurship Academy, Sustainable Agriculture Foundation's International Association (SAFIA), Agri Entrepreneur Growth Foundation (AEGF), and Transform Rural India Foundation (TRIF).

Building on an existing network of 26,000-plus agri-entrepreneurs that already supports 2.6 million farmers, PRAGATI aims to add 20,000 more entrepreneurs and reach over 2 million additional smallholders across Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Rajasthan. The initiative targets a 30% rise in farmer incomes and a 15-20% yield boost in paddy, maize and potato, with regenerative practices adopted by at least a fifth of participating farmers. Entrepreneurs will run 20,000 village-level kiosks offering agronomy advisory, soil health services, mechanization, credit linkages and market access, alongside a push for financial and digital inclusion.

Speaking at the launch, Chouhan said "the vision of Viksit Bharat cannot be achieved without a developed agricultural sector and prosperous villages," adding that the government's focus extends beyond output to cutting cultivation costs, raising incomes, and promoting value addition and agri-entrepreneurship. He cited horticulture, livestock, fisheries and beekeeping, along with drones and digital advisory tools, as key levers for the sector's future, stressing that traditional farming alone will not be enough for small and marginal farmers.

Industry and philanthropic partners echoed that sense of urgency. Monica Bauer, Senior Vice President, Global Social Impact at PepsiCo and President of the PepsiCo Foundation, said farmers are "at the heart" of the company's business and that supporting their livelihoods is "essential to building a more resilient food system." Jagrut Kotecha, CEO of PepsiCo India and South Asia, called PRAGATI "a much needed intervention" bringing together partners with shared intent, reflecting the company's "Partnership of Progress" philosophy.

For SBI Foundation, the initiative marks a shift in banking's role in rural India. Its MD & CEO, Swapan Dhan, said PRAGATI is "not just about creating agri-entrepreneurs" but about building "a nationwide movement of local changemakers who will drive farmer prosperity, climate resilience, and financial inclusion".

International partners framed PRAGATI as a scalable model for the Global South. Alan Johnson of the Global AE Academy and IFC (World Bank Group) said the programme scales "a proven agri-entrepreneurship model" that turns rural youth and women into "catalysts of economic growth, innovation, and sustainable agricultural transformation." Hisham Mundol, Chief Advisor-India at EDF, said it places "farmers and local entrepreneurs at the center of climate-smart, efficient solutions," combining data-driven insights with last-mile delivery. Dr. Simon Winter of SAFIA called it "a bold step towards enabling a new generation of rural changemakers to accelerate the transition to regenerative and climate-resilient agriculture."

Rina Soni, Executive Director of Passing Gifts Pvt. Ltd., a Heifer International subsidiary, said the platform treats farmers "not as passive beneficiaries" but as "entrepreneurs, leaders, and changemakers," with the potential to make farming "a profitable, sustainable, and aspirational choice for the next generation."

With its scale and multi-stakeholder design, PRAGATI is set to become India's largest privately led agri-entrepreneurship programme, positioning local entrepreneurs as central agents in building a more inclusive and climate-resilient rural economy.

Advanced diagnostics, timely care, healthier communities

The project marks the commissioning of a state-of-the-art Revolution™ Aspire Select CT Scanner, significantly expanding the hospital's capacity to diagnose critical conditions across specialties including neurology, cardiology, oncology, trauma care and emergency medicine. The transformative upgrade is expected to benefit thousands of patients every year, particularly those facing life-threatening conditions such as stroke, trauma and cancer - where every minute counts.

Access to advanced diagnostic imaging continues to be a challenge for many communities in Odisha. Patients often travel long distances or endure extended waiting periods for CT scans, delaying diagnosis and treatment. In emergencies, such delays can have serious consequences, making timely access to advanced imaging an essential component of quality healthcare. By strengthening diagnostic infrastructure at SSCASRH, Project SWASTHYA KIRAN addresses this critical gap, ensuring that advanced diagnostic services are available closer to the communities that need them most.

Project SWASTHYA KIRAN is the outcome of a partnership between Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Ltd. (HURL) and The Art of Living Social Projects, formalised through an MoU signed at the Art of Living International Center, Bengaluru, in the presence of Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Guided by Gurudev's vision of compassionate service and holistic well-being, the partnership brings together advanced technology and selfless service to make quality diagnostic healthcare more accessible to underserved communities.

The initiative will:

• Improve timely access to diagnostics by reducing travel and waiting time, ensuring patients receive critical imaging faster - especially during emergencies such as stroke and trauma.

• Make advanced diagnostics more affordable by providing high-quality CT scanning services closer to home, easing the financial burden on rural and underserved communities.

• Strengthen emergency care by enabling quicker, more accurate diagnosis, supporting earlier medical intervention and improving patient outcomes.

Beyond emergency medicine, the enhanced diagnostic capability will strengthen the hospital's ability to deliver more effective care across a range of clinical specialties. Faster, more precise imaging will help clinicians make informed treatment decisions, improve continuity of care, and reinforce SSCASRH's role as an important healthcare institution serving Cuttack and surrounding communities.

Project SWASTHYA KIRAN is more than the commissioning of advanced medical technology - it is an investment in healthier communities. By bringing timely diagnosis, quality healthcare and renewed hope closer to home, the initiative reflects the shared vision of HURL and The Art of Living Social Projects to ensure that quality healthcare reaches those who need it most.

About The Art of Living Social Projects

The Art of Living, founded by humanitarian and spiritual leader Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, is committed to transforming lives through community-centred initiatives. Working across healthcare, conservation of water resources, education, women empowerment, and environmental restoration, it partners with governments, NGOs, corporations, and local communities to bring meaningful change. Through its compassionate, service-driven approach, The Art of Living continues to strengthen well-being and nurture a culture of peace and responsibility worldwide.

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The Rs. 2.6 crore humanitarian relief package announced by UAE-Based Indian entrepreneur Dr Shamsheer Vayalil for families affected by Dubai’s Emirates Road tragedy has reached the homes of deceased workers in India’s Telangana and Uttar Pradesh.

Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil’s representatives hand over support to the parents of late Thirupathi Gollapally in Telangana

The relief initiative follows a road accident that occurred in Dubai in June, when a minibus carrying workers collided with a stationary truck, leaving seven dead and nine injured. The victims were later identified as migrant workers, and the accident prompted grief and support efforts across the UAE and India.

Family of late Abdul Rasheed at their home in Kopaganj, Uttar Pradesh

Representatives from Dr. Shamsheer’s office visited the families of the six Indian workers who died in the accident. They traveled across rural Telangana and Uttar Pradesh to meet the bereaved families, convey their condolences and support, and hand over the financial assistance. A representative also visited the family of the Sri Lankan worker who lost his life in the accident.

Under the humanitarian recovery program, the family of each deceased worker is receiving Rs. 26 lakh. Further education support for children from the affected families is being assessed and will be coordinated directly with the families.

Support Reaches Rural homes in Telangana

The three workers from Telangana were Saleem Sayyed Hussain, 51, from Namilikonda in Jagitial district, Abdul Rafiq Abdul Raheem, 37, from Kaddam in Nirmal district, and Thirupathi Gollapally Chandraiah, 23, from Thakkallapalle in Jagitial district.

Saleem is survived by his wife, Sayyad Goreebee, and three children. Family members said he had gone to the UAE around two-and-a-half months ago to build a better home and support his children’s education. One of his children has health-related challenges, while marriage discussions had begun for his elder daughter.

Thirupathi’s parents spoke about the hopes they had placed in their son, who had gone to the UAE for the first time around seven months ago. He would call home and speak about adjusting to work and life abroad, including the challenges of outdoor work.

Abdul Rafiq is survived by his wife, Raziya Begum, and their young daughter, Rida Fathima. His family and villagers remember him as a warm and helpful person. His father, Abdul Rahan, who had lost two other children in a road accident in Telangana in 2015, said the latest tragedy has left the family struggling to rebuild life once again.

Families in UP Recall Unfinished Dreams

In Uttar Pradesh, the visits covered the families of Abdul Rasheed Zakir Husain, 38, from Kopaganj in Mau district, Markandey Chauhan Bhajjan Chauhan, 39, from Khurahat in Mau district, and Mohammad Saqib Liyaqat Ali, 31, from Sahaspur in Bijnor district.

In Khurahat, Mau, Markandey’s family recalled his long years of work in the Gulf and his dreams for his children. He is survived by his wife, Sarswati Devi, and three children, including 17-year-old Ankita Chauhan, who recently completed Grade 12.

During the visit, Dr. Shamsheer, Founder and Chairman of VPS Health, connected with the family over a video call. When Ankita shared that she wished to pursue BSc Nursing, Dr. Shamsheer said, “We will support you to complete your education. Study well and complete the course. We will be happy to bring you here after that. Markandey ji will be remembered every day through you.”

At Kopaganj, Abdul Rasheed’s family said he had left home exactly two months before the news of the accident reached them. He is survived by his wife, Farida Khatoon, and three young daughters.

“He had told us this would be his last journey abroad to find a job, and that once he returned, he would not go again,” said Mohammed Aamir, his wife’s brother.

The family said Abdul Rasheed wanted to educate his children and improve the small house in which they currently live.

In Sahaspur, Bijnor, Mohammad Saqib’s family said he had gone to Dubai for the first time around eight months ago after working as an aluminium fabricator. He hoped to support his mother and sisters and stayed on despite challenges, hoping the UAE would help him build stability for the family.

The support also reached Sri Lanka, where a representative from Dr. Shamsheer’s office traveled from Colombo to Mullaitivu district to meet the family of Samuvel Rengasami, 34, the sole breadwinner of his family. He is survived by his wife, Rajarathnaraja Jeevarani, and a young daughter.

Nine Injured Workers Also Receive Financial Assistance

Financial support has also been extended to the nine injured survivors in coordination with the workers’ employer, with the amount distributed based on the severity of their injuries and recovery needs. Among the injured survivors, eight are Indian nationals, including three from Uttar Pradesh, two from Rajasthan, and one each from Kerala, Telangana, and Bihar. One injured worker is a Nepali national. Four of them received the amount in the UAE, while three others who are currently in India have had the support transferred to their accounts. Two critically injured workers, who are still undergoing treatment at a hospital in Dubai, have also received the support in their accounts.

Shri Tejpal Tanwar, MLA, Gurugram, Dr. Aishwarya Mahajan, Managing Trustee and President, M3M Foundation, Shri Narayan Bhadana, Councillor, Health Dept, and village Sarpanch

The recognition was presented during a programme organised by the Health Department in the presence of Shri Tejpal Tanwar, MLA, Gurugram, as the Chief Guest. The event was Englishattended by Shri Lokveer Singh, Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Gurugram, Shri Narayan Bhadana, Councillor, Gurugram, doctors, healthcare professionals, frontline health workers, community members and representatives of M3M Foundation.

The Health Department acknowledged the Foundation's continued support in strengthening public healthcare infrastructure and complementing government efforts to improve healthcare delivery at the grassroots. As part of its recent interventions, M3M Foundation renovated the Sub Health Centre, helping create a better-equipped and patient-friendly healthcare facility. The Foundation also distributed nutritional dry ration kits to 90 tuberculosis (TB) patients, supporting their treatment journey and contributing to the collective effort towards a TB-free India.

Further strengthening healthcare services, the Foundation provided essential infrastructure and medical equipment to the health centre, including a freezer, washing machine, almirah, water cooler, haemoglobin analyser, blood pressure monitoring machine, glucometer, height-weight machine and other diagnostic equipment, enabling healthcare professionals to deliver improved patient care.

These interventions have been undertaken through M3M Foundation's flagship Kartavya Programme, which focuses on preventive healthcare, community well-being and occupational health. As part of the initiative, the Foundation has reached over 2 lakh individuals through healthcare interventions and, during 2025-26 alone, organised 102 health camps, benefiting more than 14,280 people through medical consultations, health screening, medicines and preventive healthcare awareness.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Tejpal Tanwar, MLA, Gurugram, said, "Strong healthcare systems are built through collective responsibility. M3M Foundation's contribution towards strengthening health infrastructure and supporting community healthcare reflects the positive impact of partnerships between the government and responsible institutions. On National Doctors' Day, I extend my sincere appreciation to every doctor and healthcare professional for their dedicated service."

Shri Lokveer Singh, Chief Medical Officer, Gurugram, appreciated the Foundation's continued collaboration with the Health Department, said, "Quality healthcare becomes more effective when institutions work together. M3M Foundation has consistently supported the Health Department through infrastructure development, preventive healthcare and community outreach. Such collaborations help us strengthen healthcare services and reach more people."

The Appreciation Letter was received by Dr. Aishwarya Mahajan, Managing Trustee and President, M3M Foundation, on behalf of Dr. Payal Kanodia, Chairperson and Trustee, M3M Foundation. 

Commenting on the recognition, Dr. Payal Kanodia said, "This recognition is a reminder that meaningful healthcare begins with strong partnerships and reaches its true purpose when quality services become accessible to every community. Through Kartavya, we remain committed to strengthening primary healthcare, promoting preventive care and supporting the public health system. As we move towards the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, healthier communities will be the foundation of a stronger and more resilient nation."

On National Doctors' Day, M3M Foundation also paid tribute to doctors, nurses, frontline health workers and medical professionals whose unwavering commitment continues to strengthen India's healthcare system and improve countless lives.

The recognition further reinforces M3M Foundation's commitment to working alongside the Health Department to strengthen primary healthcare infrastructure, expand community health initiatives and improve access to affordable, quality healthcare, contributing to the shared vision of a healthier and Viksit Bharat.
 

About M3M Foundation

M3M Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the M3M Group, working across education, health, livelihoods, sports, and environment. With a reach across 22 states and over 1,300 villages, the Foundation has positively impacted more than 5 million lives, driven by a vision of inclusive, sustainable, and transformative nation-building.

Climekare Sustainability Private Limited Signs Strategic MoU with European Business and Technology Centre to Accelerate India's Low-Carbon Transition

Climekare Sustainability is a climate and sustainability solutions company that partners with businesses, industries, and institutions to guide them through their sustainability transformation journey. By combining advisory expertise, digital solutions, and implementation support, the company enables organizations to measure, manage, and reduce their environmental impact while building resilient and future-ready operations.

Over the years, Climekare Sustainability has built a strong portfolio of clients across the climate, energy, sustainability, and environmental commodities ecosystem. The company has partnered with several leading organizations, including Tata Power Trading Company Limited, EKI Energy Services Limited, Transport Corporation of India Limited, Clean Max Enviro Energy Solutions Limited, ReConnect Energy Solutions Limited, Customized Energy Solutions India Private Limited, Climera Carbon Private Limited, Saxon Renewables Pte. Ltd., AFS Energy BV, Stellapps Technologies Private Limited, ESDC Software Solutions Pvt. Ltd., and several other organizations, supporting them in their sustainability, carbon management, ESG, renewable energy, and decarbonization initiatives.

The partnership with EBTC comes at a time when sustainability has evolved from a compliance requirement into a strategic business priority. Across the globe, governments, investors, and supply chains are increasingly demanding greater transparency in climate risk management, greenhouse gas emissions, ESG performance, and decarbonization commitments. Regulatory developments such as the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), and India's growing emphasis on Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) are accelerating this transition and creating an urgent need for credible sustainability frameworks and implementation partners.

Against this backdrop, the collaboration between CSPL and EBTC aims to facilitate knowledge exchange, promote the adoption of clean technologies, and support organizations in developing practical and scalable decarbonization pathways aligned with global sustainability expectations. By leveraging EBTC's strong Europe-India ecosystem and Climekare's expertise in climate advisory and sustainability implementation, the partnership will enable industries to access innovative solutions that deliver measurable environmental and business outcomes.

The collaboration is expected to benefit a wide range of sectors, including manufacturing, infrastructure, energy, real estate, logistics, and export-oriented industries, all of which are increasingly required to align with evolving global sustainability standards and investor expectations. Through this partnership, organizations will be better equipped to navigate regulatory complexities, improve operational efficiency, strengthen ESG performance, and enhance their competitiveness in international markets.

Speaking on the partnership, Saurabh Sainger, Founder of Climekare Sustainability Private Limited, said, "Our collaboration with the European Business and Technology Centre marks a significant milestone in our mission to help businesses accelerate their sustainability transition. Sustainability is no longer just about compliance—it has become a strategic imperative for long-term competitiveness, resilience, and global market access. Through this partnership, we aim to bridge sustainability ambition with practical implementation by bringing together European expertise, clean technologies, and actionable climate solutions that create measurable environmental and business value for Indian industries. We believe this collaboration will empower organizations to confidently navigate the evolving global sustainability landscape while contributing meaningfully to India's Net Zero aspirations."

Poul V. Jensen, Managing Director, European Business and Technology Centre (EBTC), said, "India’s sustainability journey is one of the most dynamic transformations of our time. With its vast industrial base, growing economy, and ambitious climate commitments, the country presents tremendous opportunities for innovation, technology collaboration, and responsible growth. At EBTC, we see this as a pivotal moment to strengthen bridges between Europe and India, ensuring that sustainable solutions are not only envisioned but also implemented at scale.

Our newly announced collaboration with Climekare Sustainability reflects this shared commitment. Climekare is an emerging player dedicated to advancing practical climate solutions, and EBTC brings decades of experience as a trusted facilitator of Europe-India partnerships in clean technologies, green innovation, and sustainable business practices."

The partnership also reflects the growing momentum of Europe-India cooperation in addressing shared climate challenges and accelerating sustainable economic growth. By connecting businesses with innovative technologies, international best practices, and implementation support, CSPL and EBTC aim to contribute to India's Net Zero ambitions while strengthening industrial competitiveness in a rapidly evolving global economy.

Commenting on the development, Sushil Sharma, Chairman of Marwari Catalysts Group, said, "We are delighted to see Climekare Sustainability taking this strategic step with EBTC. As businesses worldwide accelerate their sustainability commitments, collaborations such as these will play a critical role in enabling innovation, clean technology adoption, and scalable climate solutions. We are proud to support Climekare in its journey towards creating lasting environmental and economic impact."

As organizations continue to navigate increasing climate risks, evolving regulations, and rising stakeholder expectations, the CSPL-EBTC partnership is poised to serve as a catalyst for sustainable business transformation, empowering industries to transition towards a more resilient, responsible, and low-carbon future.

About Climekare Sustainability Private Limited

Climekare Sustainability Private Limited is a climate and sustainability solutions company dedicated to helping organizations accelerate their sustainability transition. The company provides advisory, digital, and implementation support across carbon management, ESG and sustainability reporting, decarbonization strategy, environmental and energy commodities, climate resilience, renewable energy markets, and sustainable business transformation. Climekare works with leading organizations across India and international markets to develop practical, technology-driven sustainability solutions that deliver measurable environmental and business impact.

About European Business and Technology Centre (EBTC)

The European Business and Technology Centre is an India-EU collaboration platform that facilitates business partnerships, technology transfer, and sustainable innovation between Europe and India. EBTC works across sectors including sustainability, climate action, clean technologies, circular economy, and international business cooperation.

A joint initiative by APD and ABB India, launched in November 2022, RoW was started to address critical gaps in access, affordability, and awareness of rehabilitation services, particularly in last-mile regions.
 

APD’s Rehab on Wheels team reaches communities with on-ground rehabilitation support, bringing services closer to PWDs
 

Operating through a transdisciplinary approach, RoW provides physiotherapy, medical consultations, assistive device assessments, audiology services, and caregiver training through both fixed centres and mobile units. By delivering services directly within communities, the initiative reduces dependence on urban healthcare facilities and ensures continuity of care.
 

During FY 2022–26, the initiative has also:

• Conducted 6,000 plus awareness and sensitisation activities

• Delivered 300 plus assistive device assessments and distributions

• Organised 12 medical camps, exceeding planned targets

• Strengthened early identification and intervention through engagement with ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers, and local stakeholders
   

Marking the fourth year of Rehab on Wheels, GNV Subba Rao, Global Head of Operations, Center - Automation & Head of ABB Innovation Center, India, said, “Over the past three years, Rehab on Wheels has evolved into a critical last-mile intervention that is bridging gaps in access, affordability, and awareness of rehabilitation services. Today, we are seeing tangible outcomes in terms of improved mobility, reduced pain, and stronger community participation. More importantly, the initiative is enabling early identification, strengthening referral systems, and building local capacity, making rehabilitation more sustainable at the community level.”
 

A rehabilitation session underway as community members participate in exercises and receive support
 

Dr. N.S. Senthil Kumar (PhD Rehabilitation), President of APD Futures at The Association of People with Disability (APD, India), added, “Rehab on Wheels today stands as a strong example of how innovation and partnerships can address the inherent gaps in healthcare access. The scale it has achieved, along with the outcomes on the ground, reinforces our belief that such models can be expanded to reach many more underserved communities.”
 

What began as a single mobile unit is now scaling into a fleet of 3 buses, thanks to many other corporates showing interest in supporting Rehab on Wheels, an innovative, time-tested program helping APD to expand its reach across Bangalore and surrounding regions, demonstrating a scalable model for inclusive, community-based rehabilitation in India.
 

About The Association of People with Disability (APD)

APD is a pioneering non-profit organisation, established in 1959 by the late Ms N. S. Hema. APD has impacted over 6 lakh People with Disability from underprivileged communities from remote, rural, and poor socioeconomic backgrounds. Various programs by APD cover 18 out of 21 disabilities stated in the RPWD Act 2016. With a diverse and inclusive team of over 230 members (45% Women and 30% PwDs), APD reaches out to over 60,000 direct and indirect beneficiaries annually. APD is managed by a professional team of developmental and technical experts overseen by an eminent Board of Governors and Trustees. The Association maintains the highest standards of governance, has been acknowledged by multiple donors, and is accredited by independent agencies like the TISS, Credibility Alliance, RCI, and NIPMAN Foundation.

To learn more, visit www.apd-india.org.
 

About ABB

ABB is a technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. The company’s solutions connect engineering know-how and software to optimize how things are manufactured, moved, powered, and operated. Building on more than 130 years of excellence, ABB’s ~105,000 employees are committed to driving innovations that accelerate industrial transformation. 
 

ABB has been present in India for more than a century and has been manufacturing for more than 75 years. ABB India has more than 8000 employees across manufacturing, R&D, design and business services, with a pan-Indian presence. ABB India is working closely with partners and customers to electrify, automate, and digitalize energy-efficient solutions to partner with India’s net-zero journeys.
 

ABB is a pioneering technology leader that works closely with utility, industry, transportation and infrastructure customers to write the future of industrial digitalization and realize value.

To learn more, visit ABB Group | Helping industries outrun – leaner and cleaner | ABB.

M3M Foundation facilitates HPV Vaccination for adolescent girls in Nuh, Haryana

Supporting the vision at the grassroots level, M3M Foundation, in collaboration with the Health Department, Haryana, has been driving an extensive HPV awareness campaign across Tauru Block in Nuh district to promote cervical cancer prevention and encourage HPV vaccination among 14-year-old girls.

Taking a pioneering approach towards health communication, M3M Foundation became one of the first CSR organisations in Haryana to design and deploy dedicated HPV awareness Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials, developed by SYImpact Consulting. These innovative tools, including interactive Snake & Ladder and Ludo games, flip books, quiz cards, HPV awareness songs, informative reels and AI-powered storytelling modules, have helped make conversations around preventive healthcare more engaging and accessible.

What began as an awareness initiative has now translated into meaningful action. Through sustained mobilisation and community engagement, the campaign has facilitated the vaccination of more than 600 adolescent girls, surpassing its initial targets.

Spread across 84 villages and 54 Gram Panchayats of Tauru Block, including M.P. Ahir, Rathiwas, Khori Kalan, Charora, Padheni, Kalwari, Jaurasi, Shikarpur, Raheri, Chahalka and Jafrabad, among several others, the initiative has conducted over 90 awareness sessions and reached more than 60 government schools. More than 3,000 stakeholders, including school children, mothers, teachers, ASHA workers, health officials and community members, have been mobilised through the campaign.

At the beginning of the initiative, misinformation and social apprehensions posed significant challenges. Concerns regarding infertility, fears of adverse side effects, misleading narratives on social media and religious misconceptions often influenced community perceptions surrounding HPV vaccination.

However, continuous engagement and open dialogue gradually helped build trust among families. While some community members remained hesitant, many others responded positively after understanding the importance of cervical cancer prevention and early vaccination.

Dr. Nihal Singh Solanki, Senior Medical Officer, CHC Tauru, Haryana said, "Community awareness is key to the success of preventive healthcare initiatives. Our collaboration with M3M Foundation has helped strengthen acceptance of HPV vaccination and reach families more effectively at the grassroots level."

Sharing the experience, one of the beneficiary said, "Initially, we had many doubts after hearing different things from people and social media. But after attending the awareness session, we understood why the vaccine is important. After getting vaccinated, I feel more confident and now encourage other girls to learn about it and make informed decisions for their health."

Their stories reflect a larger shift taking place across communities, where awareness and dialogue are helping families move beyond fear and make informed healthcare decisions for their daughters.

Commenting on the initiative, Dr. Payal Kanodia, Chairperson and Trustee, M3M Foundation, said, "Inspired by Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's vision of preventive healthcare, we are committed to ensuring that girls in underserved communities receive the right information and access to timely healthcare. Awareness has the power to transform communities and secure a healthier future for the next generation."

Through its continued partnership with the Health Department, Haryana, M3M Foundation remains committed to strengthening community health systems and ensuring that awareness translates into action, protecting the health and future of young girls across underserved communities.
 

About M3M Foundation
M3M Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the M3M Group, working across education, health, livelihoods, sports, and environment. With a reach across 22 states and over 1,300 villages, the Foundation has positively impacted more than 5 million lives, driven by a vision of inclusive, sustainable, and transformative nation-building.

CSR Partnership for Upskilling Youth between BD India and Hope Foundation

Under this initiative, BD India team in collaboration with the HOPE Foundation, celebrated the successful completion of the 8th year program by felicitating 264 youth on their graduation in the 2 skill-based courses - Nursing Assistant and Tally. Students were awarded certificates and trophies in acknowledgment of their hard work and dedication.

Atul Grover, Managing Director, BD India and KS. Wungchipem (Apem), Director, Hope Foundation

BD and HOPE Foundation have committed to continue with this partnership for the 9th year with the intent to train 320 youth across Nursing Assistant, Tally, and a new Advanced Excel + SQL course, thereby expanding pathways to employability. 

Commenting on the initiative, Atul Grover, Managing Director, BD India/South Asia said, “We are extremely proud of our partnership with the HOPE Foundation where we are working with a like-minded partner to upskill the youth and enable them to earn sustainable livelihoods.  At the graduation ceremony, it was inspiring to witness the journeys of the students and hear first-hand the positive impact this program has had on enhancing their employability and confidence. As a global corporate social citizen, we are immensely proud of creating a better tomorrow for the youth of today, aligned with our objective of advancing together.”

KS. Wungchipem (Apem), Director Skill Development North & East India, HOPE Foundation said, “The partnership with BD has been instrumental in empowering youth by providing skill-based training in Nursing Assistant and Tally. This collaboration not only enhanced employability but also opened avenues for sustainable livelihoods. Through BD’s support, young individuals gained practical skills, industry exposure, and confidence to secure meaningful jobs. The initiative stands as a strong example of how partnerships can drive youth empowerment and long-term impact. Over the last 8 years of the partnership, more than 2200 youth have been trained and more than 1750 have secured jobs”

The two courses offered by Project HOPE - Nursing Assistant (NA) and Tally training are run in parallel for three months each. The criteria to offer the free courses to students is one, a 10^th class pass certificate and two, a demonstrable economic need. All the students are also trained in basic English-speaking skills, life skills and there is a provision for hands-on practical sessions for both courses. The NA students undergo additional on-the-job Training for six months in reputed public or private hospitals.

Initiated in 2018, this project has trained over 2200 students from low socioeconomic backgrounds and enabled employment for over 80% of beneficiaries, largely women.

About BD-India

BD is one of the largest global medical technology companies in the world and is advancing the world of health by improving medical discovery, diagnostics, and the delivery of care. BD helps customers enhance outcomes, lower costs, increase efficiencies, improve safety, and expand access to health care. 

Lakshya Scholar Puja Tomar; Dr. Payal Kanodia, Chairperson & Trustee, M3M Foundation, with Lakshya Scholar Tenzin Dolma

Long before medals are won and records are broken, these athletes battle circumstances, shoulder responsibilities and continue to pursue excellence with unwavering resolve. 

Recognising the extraordinary potential hidden within India's grassroots, M3M Foundation launched Lakshya to ensure that talent is supported, aspirations are nurtured and deserving athletes receive the opportunity to represent the nation with pride. 

One such champion is Tenzin Dolma, an ultra-runner from the remote Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh and a beneficiary of M3M Foundation's Lakshya Programme. 

Recently, Tenzin brought pride to the nation at the IAU Asian-Oceania 24 Hours Championship in Japan, where she broke both India's 12-hour and 24-hour National Records and helped the Indian Women's Team secure the Bronze Medal. For a woman who lost her parents at a young age, became a mother in her teens and supported her family through a modest tea stall, the achievement represents far more than a sporting milestone - it is a story of resilience, perseverance and hope. 

Tenzin's journey reflects the larger vision of Lakshya, M3M Foundation's flagship sports initiative envisioned under the leadership of Dr. Payal Kanodia, Chairperson and Trustee, M3M Foundation, who herself is an International Kettlebell Champion. Having experienced the demands of competitive sport firsthand, Dr. Kanodia believes that talent should never be limited by geography or financial circumstances. 

Today, Lakshya supports more than 100 scholars across 11 states, including Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir. 

The programme's impact extends across 36 sporting disciplines, from Athletics and Boxing to Golf, Gymnastics, Para Sports and Kettlebell Lifting, creating opportunities for talented athletes who otherwise may never have received access to structured support. 

Among them is Puja Tomar, one of India's leading mixed martial artists and another Lakshya Scholar. Hailing from Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, Puja overcame personal and financial hardships to pursue combat sports and went on to script history by becoming the first Indian woman to register a victory in the UFC. Her journey, much like Tenzin's, demonstrates the extraordinary potential that exists within India's grassroots communities. 

The achievements of Lakshya scholars are increasingly being reflected on podiums across the world. Collectively, athletes supported by the programme have secured 390 medals, including 77 international medals, reinforcing the Foundation's commitment to strengthening India's sporting ecosystem from the grassroots upwards. 

Speaking about the Foundation's vision, Dr. Payal Kanodia said, "As an athlete myself, I understand the sacrifices, discipline and perseverance that excellence demands. Through Lakshya, our endeavour is to ensure that deserving sportspersons receive the opportunities and support they need to realise their full potential. Athletes like Tenzin Dolma and Puja Tomar remind us that some of India's greatest champions emerge from the most challenging circumstances." 

For M3M Foundation, Lakshya is not merely about supporting athletes. It is about believing in dreams before the world recognises them and ensuring that talent from every corner of India gets an opportunity to make the nation proud. 

About M3M Foundation 
M3M Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the M3M Group, working across education, health, livelihoods, sports, and environment. With a reach across 22 states and over 1,300 villages, the Foundation has positively impacted more than 5 million lives, driven by a vision of inclusive, sustainable, and transformative nation building. 

Coffee Table Book Launch

The event was graced by Dr. Arun Kumar Saxena, Hon'ble Minister of State (Independent Charge), and Shri K. P. Malik, Hon'ble Minister of State, Forest, Environment and Zoological Parks Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh. Additionally, V. Hekali Zhimomi, IAS Principal Secretary, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh, and Anuradha Vemuri, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Government of Uttar Pradesh, senior policymakers, forest officials, members of the Tharu tribal community and conservation experts were also present to address challenges faced by communities residing in forest fringe areas where a host of reasons increase the vulnerability to human–wildlife encounters.

Letter of Intent

Signify Har Gaon Roshan CSR initiative updates shared during the event:

• Terai region impact: Successfully impacted over 400 forest fringe villages, since 2019

• Wider Footprint: Installed over 9000 LED streetlights across 400 villages in Uttar Pradesh (in and around Pilibhit, Dudhwa, Amangarh Tiger Reserves, Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, Nagina, Chitrakoot, and Bahraich)

• Future Expansion: Signify presented a Letter of Intent (LoI) for the installation of 1500 additional LED streetlights across 67 villages with high rate of human-wildlife conflict in the Katarniaghat landscape.

• Coffee Table book launch: focused on the impact of the recent project in Dudhwa National Park through real stories, illustrating how access to light has helped create safer public spaces and enhance community resilience.  

Addressing the gathering, Hon'ble Minister of State (Independent Charge), Dr. Arun Kumar Saxena, highlighted the growing challenge of human–wildlife conflict in forest landscapes and emphasized the need for collaborative efforts involving government departments, experts, civil society organizations, CSR initiatives and local communities to develop practical and sustainable solutions. He commended Signify for its contribution to community safety and rural development through Signify Har Gaon Roshan CSR initiative and congratulated the organization for expanding its support to forest fringe communities across Uttar Pradesh.

Through Har Gaon Roshan, Signify continues to support rural communities through innovative lighting solutions that improve safety, strengthen community resilience, and contribute to sustainable development outcomes, working in partnership with BharatCares.

About Signify  

Signify (Euronext: LIGHT) is the world leader in lighting for professionals and consumers. We proudly bring to market the world’s best lighting brands, from Signify, Philips, Philips Hue, Signify Interact, Philips Dynalite, Color Kinetics and many more. Our advanced products, connected systems and services unlock the extraordinary potential of light for brighter lives and a better world. In 2025, we had sales of EUR 5.8 billion, approximately 27,000 employees, and a presence in over 70 markets. We are in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index and hold the EcoVadis Platinum rating.  News and updates from Signify can be found in the Newsroom, on LinkedIn and Instagram. Information for investors is located on the Investor Relations page

Wings of Change - a unique art installation by Bisleri & Bhamla Foundation created from 2,000 PET bottles at Carter Road, Bandra

Dr. Angelo George, CEO, Bisleri International, said, “World Environment Day is a reminder that sustainability is a continuous journey that requires collective action. Plastic, when disposed of responsibly, can become a valuable resource that can be recycled into useful items. Through our Bottles for Change initiative, we continue to work with communities, institutions, and civic bodies to build awareness around responsible plastic disposal and strengthen recycling systems. ‘Wings of Change’, created from 2,000 used Bisleri PET bottles in partnership with the Bhamla Foundation, is a powerful reminder about how small actions, when taken together, can create meaningful impact.”

Shri Jishnu Dev Varma, Governor of Maharashtra, felicitates Dr. Angelo George, CEO of Bisleri International

Asif Bhamla, Founder, Bhamla Foundation, said, "Art has the power to move people in ways words alone cannot. With Wings of Change, we invite every person who sees this installation to reflect on their own role in the plastic journey. Formalizing our collaboration with Bisleri into a year-long partnership is something we are truly excited about. Together, we hope to reach more communities, spark more conversations, and prove that environmental responsibility is an opportunity to build something beautiful."

On-ground activations at the event reflected Bisleri's holistic approach to sustainability. Benches crafted from recycled Bisleri bottle caps were placed across the venue, while attendees and dignitaries were gifted plant pots made from recycled plastic. Together with Wings of Change, they symbolizes that single piece of plastic can lead many lives when managed responsibly. As part of the Bottles for Change initiative, collection bins were placed across the venue to divert plastic waste from landfills and channel it for recycling. Trained volunteers engaged attendees on waste segregation practices, the inherent value of plastic waste, and how to upcycle it into useful, meaningful products.

Wings of Change is part of Bisleri’ s flagship Bottles for Change programme, which is active across 52 municipal corporations and has reached over 10.09 million citizens in last eight years. Complementing awareness efforts, Bisleri's six Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) create efficient channels for collecting and processing dry waste, ensuring plastic is given not just another life, but a purposeful one.

About Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd.

With a legacy of over 50 years, Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd has grown to become one of the largest premium beverage businesses in India. Being the makers of the country's largest-selling packaged drinking water, Bisleri follows a stringent process of 114 quality tests and a 10-stage purification. It remains true to its core value of providing consumers with pure, safe, and healthy water.

Bisleri International has a strong presence with 128 operational plants and a robust distribution network of over 6,000 Distributors and 7,500 Distribution Trucks across India and UAE market. It offers a range of beverages that are produced for all occasions. Whether it is the promise of goodness, trust, and purity with Bisleri packaged drinking water, or a daily dose of health offered through Vedica Himalayan Spring Water. Besides, Bisleri International has ventured into fun-filled refreshments with a diverse range of carbonated drinks available in multiple flavours, such as Bisleri Limonata, Bisleri Rev, Bisleri Spyci Jeera, Bisleri Pop and Bisleri Soda. These Bisleri products are also available on the e-commerce platform - Bisleri@Doorstep. This D2C platform reassures customers that they will receive a safe and uninterrupted supply of their most trusted brand at their doorstep.

The core values of Bisleri International lie in yielding growth and embedding sustainability by being responsible in all aspects of the business. The organization has unveiled Sustainability 2.0 with Bisleri Greener Promise that focuses on creating a greener future for all through implementing initiatives under the program of recycling, water conservation, and sustainability.

For more information on Bisleri International, our people, brands, and OSR initiatives, visit www.bisleri.com.

Bisleri International marked World Environment Day 2026 with a series of community-led initiatives across Maharashtra. Under its Bottles for Change programme for plastic waste management, Bisleri engaged citizens, educational institutions, corporates, local communities, and civil society organisations through awareness sessions, clean-up drives, collection initiatives, and public installations.

Experiential visit to Bisleri’s Resource Recovery and Sustainability Inspiration Centre, Mira Road, for students

On World Environment Day 2026, Bisleri installed 'Wings of Change' - an artwork created using 2,000 used PET bottles at Carter Road, Mumbai, in collaboration with the Bhamla Foundation. The installation highlighted the importance of recycling and circularity in addressing the plastic waste challenge.

Bisleri conducted clean-up drives in Uttan Beach

Commenting on the occasion, Mr K. Ganesh, Director – Sustainability & Corporate Affairs, Bisleri International, said, "World Environment Day serves as a powerful reminder that meaningful environmental progress is only possible through collective action. Through Bottles for Change, we are continuously working with citizens, institutions, and communities to foster long-term behavioural change. From the 'Wings of Change' installation in Mumbai to awareness campaigns, collection drives, and experiential visits to our Material Recovery Facility, these initiatives reflect our commitment to creating impact at the grassroots and accelerating the transition towards a circular economy for plastic.”

Extensive door-to-door awareness sessions conducted across Thane, Navi Mumbai and Mira Road reached over 35,000 residents with messages on plastic segregation and recycling. To promote cleaner public spaces, awareness stalls at prominent spots on the Mira Road were set up. Awareness sessions were conducted at AB Goregaon School. Bisleri also facilitated guided experiential visits to the Resource Recovery and Sustainability Inspiration Centre at Mira Road, providing students with first-hand exposure to the journey of plastic waste from collection to recycling.

In Pune, Bisleri organised multiple awareness and collection initiatives in collaboration with corporates, educational institutions and local communities. Awareness stalls were set up at IIC Devi IT Park, Aai Garden in Dapodi, and the Pimpri-Chinchwad Football Ground, engaging over 4,500 participants. Additionally, plastic collection drives conducted with State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) and other stakeholders resulted in collection of over 750 kilograms of plastic waste.

In Nagpur, community-focused awareness activities were conducted through door-to-door outreach programmes, encouraging citizens to adopt responsible plastic waste management practices. Additionally, a Bottles for Change stall at Walkers Street was set up to raise awareness about plastic segregation, recycling, and sustainable waste disposal. The activities collectively engaged over 1,500 citizens.

In Goa, two clean-up drives were organized in Panaji and Harvalem, engaging over 200 students and citizens.

These efforts are part of Bisleri's ongoing Bottles for Change programme, which has reached over 10 million people across the country and continues to drive awareness on plastic segregation, collection, and recycling through sustained community engagement initiatives.

About Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd.

With a legacy of over 50 years, Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd has grown to become one of the largest premium beverage businesses in India. Being the makers of the country's largest-selling packaged drinking water, Bisleri follows a stringent process of 114 quality tests and a 10-stage purification. It remains true to its core value of providing consumers with pure, safe, and healthy water.

Bisleri International has a strong presence with 128 operational plants and a robust distribution network of over 6,000 Distributors and 7,500 Distribution Trucks across India and UAE market. It offers a range of beverages that are produced for all occasions. Whether it is the promise of goodness, trust, and purity with Bisleri packaged drinking water, or a daily dose of health offered through Vedica Himalayan Spring Water. Besides, Bisleri International has ventured into fun-filled refreshments with a diverse range of carbonated drinks available in multiple flavours, such as Bisleri Limonata, Bisleri Rev, Bisleri Spyci Jeera, Bisleri Pop and Bisleri Soda. These Bisleri products are also available on the e-commerce platform - Bisleri@Doorstep. This D2C platform reassures customers that they will receive a safe and uninterrupted supply of their most trusted brand at their doorstep.

The core values of Bisleri International lie in yielding growth and embedding sustainability by being responsible in all aspects of the business. The organization has unveiled Sustainability 2.0 with Bisleri Greener Promise that focuses on creating a greener future for all through implementing initiatives under the program of recycling, water conservation, and sustainability.

For more information on Bisleri International, our people, brands, and OSR initiatives, visit www.bisleri.com.

Bisleri organised plantation & cleanup drives at Sabarmati Riverfront

In Delhi, an awareness session and a painting competition were held at EDM Mall in Kaushambi. Rose Udaan Home for Girls, an NGO managed by Salam Balak Trust, also hosted a painting competition in Dilshad Garden. The activities collectively engaged over 320 participants.

Bisleri conducted awareness session at Indroda Nature Park with GEER Foundation

In Ludhiana, Punjab, a large-scale plogging drive convened in collaboration with the DC Office and more than 30 government and institutional partners, drew over 1,500 citizens onto the streets to collect and segregate plastic waste. In Chandigarh, a two-day plastic collection drive with the Market Welfare Association of Sector 19D brought together 100 residents. Additionally, an awareness-led painting competition with Yuva Stambh at Babu Dham Colony engaged 50 young participants in a creative exploration of plastic waste and its impact.

Best Out of Waste Plant Pot-Making Competition organized by Bisleri & Gram Bharti Samiti

In Lucknow, Bisleri set up an exhibition stall at the State-Level Workshop on Environment, organised by the Directorate of Environment and Climate Change, Government of Uttar Pradesh, at Indira Gandhi Pratisthan. Bisleri’s stall showcased the importance of recycling through a display of products made from different categories of recycled plastics. The team also distributed comic books and resource kits to raise awareness. To reiterate the importance of waste segregation, they conducted an interactive segregation-based game for visitors. The event was attended by around 800 officials and policymakers. Underscoring Bisleri's commitment to protecting the region's natural water bodies and green spaces, a cleanup drive was conducted at the ecologically sensitive Ekana Wetland in partnership with the Gomti Task Force, and a dedicated awareness session was held at Kudiya Ghat in collaboration with Lion Securities.

Commenting on the occasion, Mr K. Ganesh, Director – Sustainability & Corporate Affairs, Bisleri International, said, "World Environment Day is a powerful moment to initiate action, and this year we set out to make our presence felt in every corner of the communities we serve. From plogging drives in Ludhiana to plantation campaigns in Gujarat and awareness sessions at the Ekana wetland, each initiative under Bottles for Change reflects our belief that lasting change is built at the grassroots. We are grateful to the state government bodies, institutions, NGOs, and citizen who stood with us to preserve the environment."

Plantation drives, cleanup campaigns, and awareness sessions were conducted in Gujarat across five locations including Indroda Nature Park with GEER Foundation, the Sabarmati Riverfront with SRDCL, Pansar Village with Kiran Fitness Centre, RAF Camp Cantonment, and HNGU Patan. Together, these events collectively engaged over 525 participants, bringing together students, defence personnel, and local communities in a shared commitment to tackling plastic pollution. A Letter of Association was also signed with HNGU, deepening Bisleri's institutional partnerships in the state.

In Rajasthan, Gram Bharti Samiti partnered with Bottles for Change for a Best Out of Waste plant pot-making competition on June 4, followed by a Run for a Change programme on June 5 in Jaipur. Together, both events mobilized 140 participants.

These efforts are part of Bisleri's ongoing Bottles for Change program, which has reached over 10 million people nationwide and raised awareness on plastic segregation and recycling.

About Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd.

With a legacy of over 50 years, Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd has grown to become one of the largest premium beverage businesses in India. Being the makers of the country's largest-selling packaged drinking water, Bisleri follows a stringent process of 114 quality tests and a 10-stage purification. It remains true to its core value of providing consumers with pure, safe, and healthy water.

Bisleri International has a strong presence with 128 operational plants and a robust distribution network of over 6,000 Distributors and 7,500 Distribution Trucks across India and UAE market. It offers a range of beverages that are produced for all occasions. Whether it is the promise of goodness, trust, and purity with Bisleri packaged drinking water, or a daily dose of health offered through Vedica Himalayan Spring Water. Besides, Bisleri International has ventured into fun-filled refreshments with a diverse range of carbonated drinks available in multiple flavours, such as Bisleri Limonata, Bisleri Rev, Bisleri Spyci Jeera, Bisleri Pop and Bisleri Soda. These Bisleri products are also available on the e-commerce platform - Bisleri@Doorstep. This D2C platform reassures customers that they will receive a safe and uninterrupted supply of their most trusted brand at their doorstep.

The core values of Bisleri International lie in yielding growth and embedding sustainability by being responsible in all aspects of the business. The organization has unveiled Sustainability 2.0 with Bisleri Greener Promise that focuses on creating a greener future for all through implementing initiatives under the program of recycling, water conservation, and sustainability.

For more information on Bisleri International, our people, brands, and OSR initiatives, visit www.bisleri.com.

Bisleri International marked World Environment Day 2026 through a series of on-ground activities with citizens and communities across South & Central India. Under its Bottles for Change programme for plastic waste management, Bisleri mobilised communities, government departments, defence establishments, educational institutions, and civil society organisations across Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala, and Chhattisgarh. Collectively, the campaign recovered over 18 metric tonnes of plastic waste, turning responsibility into shared action.

Bisleri conducted plantation and plastic collection drives across South and Central India on World Environment Day 2026

Mr K. Ganesh, Director – Sustainability & Corporate Affairs, Bisleri International, said, "Managing plastic waste demands grassroots solutions. Through Bottles for Change, we have always sought to raise awareness and create pathways for communities to adopt responsible plastic use and disposal. From cleanup drives in Pondicherry to awareness campaigns in Kerala, we remain committed to scaling this mission and are grateful to every partner who continues to make it possible."

150 saplings were planted under tree-plantation drives by Bisleri

In Pondicherry, Bisleri partnered with Sri Venkateshwaraa College of Engineering and Technology for a rally advocating a plastic-free society. Alongside this, a collection drive was conducted at Sri Venkateshwaraa Dental College during which 520 kg of plastic waste was collected. Both activities together engaged 250 participants.

Bisleri conducted clean-up drives in the national wildlife parks

The campaign’s geographic reach was the widest in Tamil Nadu. A total of 150 saplings were planted around local ponds as part of a tree plantation campaign conducted in partnership with the Tiruvallur Urban local Bodies and clean-up drives were initiated at Pulicat Bird Sanctuary in partnership with Forest Department and Pollution Control Board, Tiruvallur. Cleanup drives in Ooty from Kallar check post to Barliyar Brigde and Vellingiri Hills recovered over 850 kg of plastic waste.

In Coimbatore, a Climate Corridor event at AIC-Rise, in partnership with the Rathinam Group of Institutions, drew 200 participants. In Trichy, Bisleri partnered with the City Corporation and YI-CII to install waste collection bins. A similar initiative was carried out in Dindigul in collaboration with the Pollution Control Board and the District Administration to promote responsible plastic waste management.

In Karnataka, A large-scale cleanup drive in partnership with CII and Mysore Corporation mobilised 2,000 citizens and recovered 15,000 kg of plastic waste. A collection drive at the Karnataka Police Academy engaged 300 personnel. Cleanup and plantation drives at Hoodi Lake and Nexus Mall resulted in the collection of 600 Kg of plastic waste and planting of 100 saplings, respectively.

In Chhattisgarh, in collaboration with the Chhattisgarsh Forest Department set up a Bottles for Change exhibition stall at Nandanvan Jungle Safari in Raipur, attracting around 2,000 visitors. At the same venue, a cleanup and plantation drive engaged 100 participants, who collectively planted 100 saplings.

Hyderabad and Vizag anchored the campaign across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. A door-to-door awareness campaign in partnership with Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Hyderabad reached 5,000 households, while a Bottles for Change exhibition stall at Aparna RWA engaged 500 residents. A collection drive conducted with Samprabhav Foundation and Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University recovered an impressive 2,000 kg of plastic waste.

In Calicut, Kerala, the campaign concluded with a seminar and rally on plastic waste management. Organised in partnership with Farook College and NSS, the event saw the participation of 250 students and community members.

The World Environment Day activities by Bisleri are a part of Bisleri's ongoing Bottles for Change programme reaffirming the organisation’s commitment to a cleaner, greener and more sustainable future. Thus far, Bottles for Change has reached over 10 million people nationwide and raised awareness about plastic waste segregation and recycling in a bid to promote effective plastic waste management.

About Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd.

With a legacy of over 50 years, Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd. has grown to become one of the largest premium beverage businesses in India. Being the makers of the country's largest-selling packaged drinking water, Bisleri follows a stringent process of 114 quality tests and a 10-stage purification. It remains true to its core value of providing consumers with pure, safe, and healthy water.

Bisleri International has a strong presence with 128 operational plants and a robust distribution network of over 6,000 Distributors and 7,500 Distribution Trucks across India and UAE market. It offers a range of beverages that are produced for all occasions. Whether it is the promise of goodness, trust, and purity with Bisleri packaged drinking water, or a daily dose of health offered through Vedica Himalayan Spring Water. Besides, Bisleri International has ventured into fun-filled refreshments with a diverse range of carbonated drinks available in multiple flavours, such as Bisleri Limonata, Bisleri Rev, Bisleri Spyci Jeera, Bisleri Pop and Bisleri Soda. These Bisleri products are also available on the e-commerce platform - Bisleri@Doorstep. This D2C platform reassures customers that they will receive a safe and uninterrupted supply of their most trusted brand at their doorstep.

The core values of Bisleri International lie in yielding growth and embedding sustainability by being responsible in all aspects of the business. The organization has unveiled Sustainability 2.0 with Bisleri Greener Promise that focuses on creating a greener future for all through implementing initiatives under the program of recycling, water conservation, and sustainability.

For more information on Bisleri International, our people, brands, and OSR initiatives, visit www.bisleri.com.

(L-R) Sudarshan Suchi, Reliance Foundation; Poonam Muttreja, PFI; Rajesh Tandon, PRIA; Subodh Mishra, Cohesion Foundation Trust; Sivakumar Surampudi, ITC

Distinguished voices contributing to the day’s discussions included Dr. Rajesh Tandon (PRIA), who spoke on the state of government-civil society collaboration; Prof. Bina Agarwal (University of Manchester), on women’s land rights as the foundation for economic agency and intergenerational change; Mr. Gagan Sethi, on the lessons of 25 years of community-centred practice and what the next chapter demands; Mr. Sudarshan Suchi (Reliance Foundation), on how philanthropic capital can be aligned with public systems to reach the last mile; Ms. Saranya Pradhan (McCain Foods India), on how private sector engagement with women and youth in agriculture builds both livelihoods and supply chain resilience; Mr. Biraj Patnaik (National Foundation for India), on resourcing the civil society ecosystem and sustaining organisations that hold the long view; and Mr. Sivakumar Surampudi (ITC Limited), on market-linked models that connect rural women and youth to economic opportunity.

The Outcome Report 2020–25 captures a period of significant growth and impact for the organisation. Over the last 5 years, Cohesion supported more than 15,000 women farmers, reached 67,409 children through education and early childhood development programmes, linked over 43,000 individuals to government welfare schemes, strengthened more than 150 community-based organisations, and enabled community-led water management initiatives that created 259,188 kilolitres of additional water storage across 78 villages.

Speaking at the event, Rajesh Kapoor, Chief Executive Officer, Cohesion Foundation Trust, said, “25 years ago, we began with a belief that communities themselves hold the knowledge, resilience and leadership needed to drive lasting change. Our journey has reinforced that belief time and again. Whether it is women farmers strengthening livelihoods, families accessing essential entitlements, or communities managing natural resources, meaningful development happens when people are empowered to lead it. As we look ahead, our ambition is to help transform a million lives by 2030 through community-owned development.”

The Outcome Report also sets out Cohesion's strategy for the next 5 years, the organisation's stated goal is to transform 1 million lives by 2030 through community-owned development. Building on its ‘Model, Replicate and Scale’ approach, the strategy will focus on climate-resilient livelihoods, women’s leadership, youth empowerment, stronger community institutions and evidence-driven engagement with public systems and development partners.

About Cohesion Foundation Trust

Cohesion Foundation Trust was set up in 1996 by a multi-disciplinary team of professionals. The team equipped with the experience of different facets of development, started as a support body, providing professional services to other organizations. The support included services like community organization; project finance & management services including planning, monitoring & evaluation; designing & maintenance of Impact assessment and Management Information Systems; research, capacity building, democratization of development process & empowerment; advocacy works etc. As a strategic move in the year 2000-01, Cohesion initiated its implementation units, with a view to enrich the exchange of learning through support activities.

SOCOMEC and IFCCI Launch Multi-Faceted CSR Initiatives Promoting Education, Clean & Green Energy, and Zero Plastic Waste Management

Reflecting SOCOMEC’s strong commitment to social and environmental responsibility, Project Edu-Sustain has effectively integrated education, renewable energy, and environmental conservation to deliver long-term and scalable impact.

Key Focus Areas:

• Clean & Green Energy: Installation of solar panel systems in seven government schools – 2 In Chennai, Tamil Nadu and 5 in Noida and Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh across Chennai and Delhi-NCR, generating approximately 35,000–50,000 kWh of renewable energy annually. This intervention has significantly reduced carbon emissions while enabling energy-efficient learning environments.

• Education for Underserved Communities: Ongoing educational centres established in 2024, and successful continue operations supporting over 80 primary-level children from high-risk and underserved communities. These centres have provided structured after-school academic support, mentoring, and creative learning spaces, contributing to improved learning outcomes and reduced dropout rates which aims to ensure that the children complete their schooling successfully.

• Zero Plastic Waste Management: Adoption of Prabhadevi and Dadar beaches in Mumbai under a comprehensive Zero Plastic Waste Management initiative, resulting in the collection and recycling of over 15,000 kg of marine plastic waste annually. The initiative has also supported upcycling efforts, creating livelihood opportunities for local waste pickers.

• Awareness & Employee Engagement: As part of the project launch, over 35+ employees from SOCOMEC Group and IFCCI actively participated in engagement activities at the educational centres in Dwarka, Delhi, and at Prabhadevi Beach in Mumbai. These initiatives, along with continued community outreach and sustainability awareness programs, have fostered environmental consciousness among students, employees, and local communities.

Leadership Speak-

Mr. Meenu Singhal, Regional Managing Director, SOCOMEC Greater India, stated, “At Socomec, sustainability is not just a commitment, it is a responsibility we actively live by. Through Project Edu-Sustain, we are proud to create meaningful impact by integrating clean energy, education, and environmental stewardship in the communities we serve. What truly makes this initiative special is the enthusiastic participation of our Socomec team volunteers, whose passion and dedication have brought these efforts to life on the ground. We remain committed to building a cleaner, greener, and more inclusive future for generations to come.”

Ms. Nida Khanam, Head of Human Resources, SOCOMEC Greater India, stated, “Recent volunteering drive by our colleagues for Beach Clean-up drive and visit to education center at Mumbai and New Delhi showed personal commitment towards CSR. Through our meaningful partnership with IFCCI, we were able to bring our corporate values to life. From removing waste on the shoreline to engaging with minds at the education center, this proves that sustainable change starts with collective vision and passion people bring together as team.”

Ms. Payal S. Kanwar, Director General, Indo-French Chamber of Commerce & Industry (IFCCI), added, “Education and sustainability are key drivers of long-term social transformation. Through Project Edu-Sustain, alongwith Socomec Group, we are working towards creating meaningful impact by integrating quality education, environmental responsibility, and clean energy solutions within communities. These initiatives are empowering communities while building a more sustainable future.”

About SOCOMEC

Established in 1922, Socomec is a globally renowned specialist in Low Voltage (LV) Power Switching, Monitoring, and Power Conversion products, dedicated to managing power and safeguarding people, equipment, and installations. Offering 24/7 Expert Services, Socomec ensures the reliability and optimization of end-users' equipment.

With a workforce of 4400 employees, 12 production sites, and over 30 subsidiaries spanning five continents, Socomec Group is a key player in the industry. In India, we have a strong presence with 12 branch offices and operate a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Gurugram, Haryana, designed with a flexible structure and advanced technology to support lean manufacturing and continuous improvement.

Leveraging over a century of expertise, the Group is committed to constant innovation, enhancing energy performance in Data Centres, Healthcare, Infrastructure, as well as industrial and commercial sites. As a recognized expert, Socomec delivers state-of-the-art solutions, ensuring the highest availability of electrical power supply to critical and non-critical facilities. Tailored to customer needs and fully compliant with international standards, the company consistently upholds excellence in power management.

About IFCCI

Established in 1977, the Indo-French Chamber of Commerce and Industry is one of the most active bilateral chambers in India. IFCCI represents a dynamic business platform of over 800 members companies, and 17 Sector & Function led Committees offering an extensive range of business services and giving access to people and information.

The Chamber belongs to a global network of 126 French Chambers spread across 95 countries with over 37,000 companies with the mission:

• To facilitate business and networking opportunities between Indian and French companies

• To develop trade relations between our members and the Indo-French business community

• To encourage economic, commercial and investment relations between France and India

CSMT lights up red as Ujaas drives conversations on menstrual dignity, awareness and period equity on World Menstrual Hygiene day 2026

Through “Trash Out the Myths,” participants were encouraged to identify and challenge common misconceptions surrounding menstruation and menstrual hygiene. “Period Pulse” created an interactive platform for commuters and passersby to exchange perspectives and assess awareness around menstrual hygiene management, helping spark more informed and open conversations on the subject. Meanwhile, the “Period Rights Map” invited individuals to express support for dignity, awareness, accessibility and inclusivity in menstrual hygiene across schools, workplaces, public spaces and communities. By bringing these conversations into one of the country’s busiest public spaces, the initiative aimed to normalise discussions around menstruation and foster more informed, supportive and stigma-free attitudes towards menstrual hygiene in everyday life.

The initiative comes at a time when menstrual health and hygiene management is increasingly being recognised as an issue of dignity, equality, education, and public health. This momentum was further reinforced by the Supreme Court’s recognition of menstrual health and hygiene as intrinsically linked to the fundamental rights to dignity, equality, education, and health under Articles 14, 15, and 21 of the Constitution.

While India has made progress in menstrual hygiene awareness, significant gaps continue to persist. National data indicates that nearly one in four young women in India still does not have access to hygienic menstrual products and practices. Studies have also shown that many adolescent girls remain unaware of menstruation before experiencing their first period, while menstruation-related stigma, misinformation, and lack of supportive environments continue to impact confidence, mobility, and school attendance and participation in everyday life.

The disparities are often more visible within underserved communities and urban informal settlements, where girls continue to navigate challenges around privacy, access to menstrual hygiene products, awareness, and social stigma despite living within large metropolitan cities. Research across urban settlements has also highlighted that school absenteeism during menstruation can reach close to 38%, reinforcing the need for sustained awareness and community engagement around menstrual health and hygiene management

By bringing the conversation to one of India’s busiest public landmarks and transport hubs accessed by millions every day, Ujaas and Central Railway sought to encourage more visible, mainstream conversations around menstrual hygiene management and challenge the silence that continues to surround the subject.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms Advaitesha Birla, Founder, Ujaas an initiative of Aditya Birla Education Trust, said, “For many girls and women, menstruation still impacts confidence, mobility and everyday participation due to the silence and misinformation surrounding it. Real change requires more than awareness alone — it calls for supportive ecosystems and open conversations across schools, communities, families and public institutions. We thank Central Railway for partnering with us to amplify awareness around menstrual health. Through this initiative, we hope to bring the conversation into public spaces and encourage greater openness, dignity and normalisation around menstrual health.”

Adding further, Dr  Swapnil Nila, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO), Central Railway said, “As one of the country’s largest public service networks, carrying millions of people every day, Indian Railways believes that public institutions and public spaces can play an important role in driving social awareness and inclusion. Through this collaboration with Ujaas, we hope to encourage more open conversations around menstrual health and hygiene, and contribute towards building a more informed and supportive environment for women and girls, for better realisation of their potential”.

To date, Ujaas has impacted over 1.2 million beneficiaries and distributed more than 4.8 million menstrual hygiene products across India. Programme assessments indicate measurable behavioural change, including a 48 percentage-point increase in rejection of menstrual myths among girls, a 38 percentage-point improvement in menstrual health awareness, and a 44 percentage-point increase in puberty awareness among boys — reinforcing the importance of inclusive, community-led menstrual health education that engages both girls and boys in building supportive attitudes around menstruation.

As conversations around menstrual equity continue to evolve nationally, the initiative highlights the importance of sustained awareness, education, and collaborative action in ensuring menstruation is addressed not through silence or stigma, but through dignity, confidence, and equal opportunity.

About Ujaas

Ujaas, a transformative initiative under the stewardship of the Aditya Birla Education Trust, is committed to fostering positive change and empowerment in the space of menstrual health and hygiene management. With an unwavering focus on driving awareness, breaking stereotypes and myths and contributing to social development in the space of menstrual health and hygiene, Ujaas epitomizes the Aditya Birla Education Trust ethos of contributing meaningfully to society.

Driven by a relentless pursuit of excellence, Ujaas leverages the values, resources, and expertise of the Aditya Birla Education Trust to create lasting impact. By implementing awareness workshops distribution of free pads, Ujaas serves as a beacon of progress and inclusivity.

Guided by the visionary principles of the Aditya Birla Education Trust, Ujaas embodies the belief that sustainable change begins at the grassroots level. Through collaborative efforts, strategic partnerships, and a deep-rooted commitment to uplift communities, Ujaas aspires to make a significant difference in the lives of underprivileged girls and society at large.

Ms Yamini Kumar Jaipuria championing the values of integrity, respect and inclusion through the global Fair Play movement, reinforcing the spirit of ethical and value-driven sport

The initiative also sought to advance Fair Play education across schools and universities with recommendations for integrating Fair Play into the National Education Policy (NEP 2020). Experts also discussed fostering international cooperation and encourage the integration of values such as respect, solidarity and ethical conduct into youth development and community programmes. Further, establishment of a National Fair Play Committee of India to coordinate Fair Play programmes, research, education, and policy advocacy was a key discussion.

The initiative was conceptualised with the support of Ms Yamini Kumar Jaipuria, Managing Trustee, Cosmo Foundation, who has been actively associated with international Fair Play initiatives. This was then organised in collaboration with the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Sports Foundation and endorsed by the International Fair Play Committee (CIFP). The symposium marked one of the first large-scale World Fair Play Day celebrations in India and aimed to deepen India’s engagement with the global Fair Play movement while encouraging stronger collaboration among educational, sporting and social institutions.

In her special address, Ms Yamini Kumar Jaipuria, Managing Trustee Cosmo Foundation and Whole-time Director (Corporate Strategy, ESG and CSR), Cosmo First said, “Fair play is a universal language. Fair play is more than a game; it is a way of life. It is not about how you win, but how you play. By promoting values such as dignity, justice, respect and togetherness, we can create a better world not only through sport, but also in everyday life.”

In his keynote speech, Mr Sunil Sabharwal, President of CIFP, acknowledged the contribution of Ms Yamini Kumar Jaipuria and the invaluable support by Cosmo Foundation towards advancing the Fair Play movement in India and globally. He further emphasised the global responsibility to uphold ethics, integrity and respect in sport, while highlighting the importance of international cooperation in strengthening values-driven sports ecosystems. 

The symposium featured panel discussions on ethics in sports governance, the role of education in fostering sportsmanship, and the cultural significance of Fair Play in building peaceful and inclusive societies. Discussions focused on ethical leadership, transparency and accountability in sport, anti-doping frameworks, value-based education for youth, and the role of traditional sports in promoting community bonding, cultural preservation and social harmony. The event also included a Fair Play Pledge Ceremony and participation from national and international institutions associated with sports, education and Olympic values.

As the community outreach initiative of Cosmo First, Cosmo Foundation works across education, environment and empowerment initiatives, with programmes spanning multiple states and communities across India. Through its support for World Fair Play Day, the Foundation helped strengthen India’s leadership in the global Fair Play movement and reinforced international cooperation for ethical and value-driven sport. The symposium also helped catalyse conversations around expanding Fair Play education and building stronger collaborations among Indian and global institutions working in sports, education and social development.

About Cosmo Foundation
Cosmo Foundation was established in 2008 as the community outreach initiative of the Cosmo First Ltd, the largest manufacturers of BOPP worldwide. The Foundation works closely with less developed communities around its manufacturing units at the Karjan in the Vadodara District and Gangapur in the Chatrapati Sambhajinagar District as well as in Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, and tribal district Chhindwara of Madhya Pradesh. The organization works on several development programs aimed at Computer operation and digital skill building, Foundational Literacy, Numeracy, Life skills and English Communication, health and hygiene, Environment and Empowerment of women.

About Cosmo First Limited
Established in 1981 by Mr Ashok Jaipuria, Cosmo First Limited is an over four-decade-old global conglomerate. Its consumer vertical comprises Cosmo Consumer, which is into Window Films, Paint Protection Films & Ceramic Coatings for automobiles, and Zigly Pet Care, which provides a digital-first omni channel pet care ecosystem. Its industrial vertical includes Cosmo Films for specialty films for packaging, labels, lamination, and industrial applications; Cosmo Speciality Chemicals for coatings, adhesives and masterbatches, and Cosmo Plastech for rigid packaging. With sustainable innovation, development, and research embedded in its core values, Cosmo First serves customers in 100+ countries.

Thane Institute Inauguration

Established as part of Group Legrand India’s social commitment towards skill development and youth empowerment, the institute aims to strengthen industry-ready technical talent and enhance employability across the electrical and allied technology sectors.

Developed in collaboration with SkillSonics, an NSDC-accredited implementation and knowledge partner, the 8,000 sq. ft. world-class standalone facility has been designed to provide industry-oriented technical training for ITI students, diploma and engineering students, technicians, and electricians. The institute will offer completely free-of-cost training programs with a strong emphasis on practical learning, industry exposure, and employability enhancement aligned to evolving technological and market requirements.

The initiative is expected to train and upskill more than 1,000 students and electricians annually, creating a stronger pipeline of skilled talent for India’s growing infrastructure, energy, and electrical ecosystem. The initiative further strengthens Group Legrand India’s broader CSR framework, which is built on five key pillars: education, healthcare, environment, skill development, and disaster relief; through impactful interventions across communities nationwide.

Speaking on the occasion, Tony Berland, CEO & Managing Director, Group Legrand India, said, “The inauguration of our training centre in Thane marks a significant milestone in Legrand’s journey of empowering youth through skill development and enhancing employability. Through this initiative, we aim to provide accessible, high quality technical education that equips students and electricians with future ready capabilities while contributing meaningfully to India’s skilled workforce development.”

Speaking on the occasion, Shri. Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra said, “Maharashtra has been actively focusing on strengthening skill development and creating employment opportunities for youth through industry partnerships and practical learning initiatives. The Legrand Institute for Training & Education aligns well with the State’s vision of building a future-ready skilled workforce and will contribute meaningfully towards Maharashtra’s larger skill development mission and industrial growth.”

Abida Aneez, VP – CSR & Sustainability, Group Legrand India, shared, “The Legrand Institute for Training & Education has been developed as a first-of-its-kind advanced technical training facility with modern labs and the latest technologies in electrical and UPS systems. The customised curriculum, designed jointly by Legrand’s subject matter experts and SkillSonics’ technical specialists, aims to equip students and electricians with practical skills and industry-ready capabilities aligned to current and future technological needs.”

The inauguration of the training centre marks another important step in advancing Group Legrand India’s long-term vision of inclusive growth through accessible skilling and community development.

About Group Legrand India

Legrand is a global specialist in electrical and digital building infrastructures, dedicated to supporting technological, societal, and environmental change around the globe. Legrand’s core purpose is to improve lives by transforming the spaces where people live, work and meet, with electrical and digital infrastructures and connected solutions that are simple, innovative and sustainable.

For over two decades, Group Legrand India has maintained its leadership position in power protection business, utilizing its global expertise to tailor the offering to local market needs. The Group has strategic acquisitions which further solidified its commitment to delivering complete solutions, making it the preferred partner across diverse market segments.

 Group Legrand India has several brands under its umbrella who are leaders in their respective product domain, namely IndoAsian, Numeric, Valrack, Adlec and NetRack. With a diverse workforce of 5000+ employees across India, Group Legrand India has 7 state of the art manufacturing facilities, 3 R&D centres and a wide distribution network with over 870 distribution partners and 19000+ retailers.

Legrand's purpose guides its responsible commitments to a more sustainable world for all. Legrand's CSR commitments actively contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals set out by the UN for a better and more sustainable future.

Legrand has laid out its CSR /Sustainability commitments in 4 main areas of actions to improve lives:

• Promote diversity and inclusion

• Reduce its carbon footprint

• Develop a circular economy

• Be a responsible business

Legrand has set the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 throughout the Group’s value chain.

NEEV Foundation launches ‘Iss Garmi, Farq Nazar Aayega’ summer relief campaign across six states

NEEV Foundation is deploying 60 relief vans to distribute clean, cold drinking water at high-footfall public areas and directly to those working long hours in the open, including traffic police personnel, delivery executives, construction workers, street vendors and autorickshaw drivers. Alongside water, the vans will distribute ORS pouches and protective caps to counter heat exposure and help replenish minerals lost to excessive perspiration.

Acknowledging that the crisis extends beyond human welfare, the Foundation has installed water tanks for stray animals and placed bird feeders and water trays across multiple locations. The campaign is anchored in a simple idea of access and empathy. As the foundation describes it: “The thirsty always come to the well. This summer, we decided to take the well to the thirsty.”

Speaking on the initiative, Mr. Vivek Patni, Director – Wonder Cement and Founder of Neev Foundation said, “India’s summers are becoming increasingly harsh for people who spend most of their day outdoors. Through this campaign, we wanted to create immediate, accessible relief for those who keep our cities functioning despite extreme weather conditions. Sometimes the most meaningful interventions are also the simplest, whether it is offering a glass of water, a moment of shade or basic support during difficult conditions.”

He added, “NEEV was founded on the belief that social responsibility begins with showing up for people when they need support the most. We hope this campaign also encourages citizens to participate in small acts of care, from keeping water outside homes for birds and stray animals to supporting delivery personnel and outdoor workers during peak summer hours. Collective action often begins with individual awareness. Sometimes, a small beginning brings a big change and starts a revolution.”

The campaign carries a deliberate public mobilisation intent, seeking to deepen community participation in heat relief at a time when rising temperatures are emerging as a sustained challenge across urban and rural India.

The seasonal effort is part of a broader development mandate. NEEV Foundation’s Rural Development Centre in Nimbahera anchors its long-term work, which spans skill development for women under the Hunar programme, community infrastructure through Sanrachna, educational support under Udaan, healthcare outreach through Arogyam and sustainability initiatives under Eco Green.

With temperatures breaching 45°C across large parts of India, NEEV Foundation has mounted a large-scale summer relief campaign, “Iss Garmi, Farq Nazar Aayega,” targeting outdoor workers, the general public, stray animals and birds bearing the brunt of this season’s extreme heat. The initiative is being rolled out across six states including Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Maharashtra.

NEEV Foundation is deploying 60 relief vans to distribute clean, cold drinking water at high-footfall public areas and directly to those working long hours in the open, including traffic police personnel, delivery executives, construction workers, street vendors and autorickshaw drivers. Alongside water, the vans will distribute ORS pouches and protective caps to counter heat exposure and help replenish minerals lost to excessive perspiration.

Acknowledging that the crisis extends beyond human welfare, the Foundation has installed water tanks for stray animals and placed bird feeders and water trays across multiple locations. The campaign is anchored in a simple idea of access and empathy. As the foundation describes it: “The thirsty always come to the well. This summer, we decided to take the well to the thirsty.”

Speaking on the initiative, Mr. Vivek Patni, Director – Wonder Cement and Founder of Neev Foundation said, “India’s summers are becoming increasingly harsh for people who spend most of their day outdoors. Through this campaign, we wanted to create immediate, accessible relief for those who keep our cities functioning despite extreme weather conditions. Sometimes the most meaningful interventions are also the simplest, whether it is offering a glass of water, a moment of shade or basic support during difficult conditions.”

He added, “NEEV was founded on the belief that social responsibility begins with showing up for people when they need support the most. We hope this campaign also encourages citizens to participate in small acts of care, from keeping water outside homes for birds and stray animals to supporting delivery personnel and outdoor workers during peak summer hours. Collective action often begins with individual awareness. Sometimes, a small beginning brings a big change and starts a revolution.”

The campaign carries a deliberate public mobilisation intent, seeking to deepen community participation in heat relief at a time when rising temperatures are emerging as a sustained challenge across urban and rural India.

The seasonal effort is part of a broader development mandate. NEEV Foundation’s Rural Development Centre in Nimbahera anchors its long-term work, which spans skill development for women under the Hunar programme, community infrastructure through Sanrachna, educational support under Udaan, healthcare outreach through Arogyam and sustainability initiatives under Eco Green.

With “Iss Garmi, Farq Nazar Aayega,” the Foundation seeks to demonstrate a point that is straightforward but easy to overlook during a crisis. Compassion can bring about tangible relief for those, most exposed to India’s harshest summer.

About NEEV Foundation
NEEV Foundation is a socially driven initiative committed to building stronger, kinder and more resilient communities through sustainable and meaningful social interventions. Guided by the philosophy of creating a strong foundation for a better tomorrow, NEEV Foundation, under the leadership of Mr. Vivek Patni, works across healthcare, education, women empowerment, infrastructure development and environmental sustainability to create lasting positive impact.