<a href="https://www.soschildrensvillages.in" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SOS Children&#8217;s Villages India</a> on Friday organised an immersive art workshop for 50 children from vulnerable communities, held at the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art in New Delhi in a bid to encourage creativity, emotional expression and holistic development.



The one-day workshop, led by the <a href="https://www.knma.in" target="_blank" rel="noopener">KNMA Education team,</a> brought together children aged 8 to 15 from SOS Children&#8217;s Village Greenfields, Faridabad, and the surrounding local community, offering participants a transformative experience in an interactive art gallery setting.



The two-hour session opened with a guided tour of the museum, where children were introduced to the significance and stories behind artworks on display. Guided activities and creative exercises followed, designed to encourage imagination, storytelling and emotional expression. Through painting and hands-on engagement, participants were encouraged to interpret what they observed and explore their own ideas and perspectives.



&#8220;At SOS India, we believe every child deserves opportunities that help them discover their potential and express themselves freely,&#8221; said Sumanta Kar, Chief Executive Officer, SOS Children&#8217;s Villages India. &#8220;The art workshop with KNMA created a joyful and enriching space where children could explore their creativity, communicate their emotions and build confidence in their abilities.&#8221;



Kar added that such experiences play an important role in supporting the holistic development and well-being of children.



The workshop provided children with an opportunity to engage with art beyond conventional classroom settings. SOS Children&#8217;s Villages India said the initiative reflects its commitment to creating inclusive spaces that promote creativity and emotional well-being while empowering children to express themselves and thrive.

SOS Children&#8217;s Villages India holds are workshop 50 vulnerable children at Kiran Nadar museum

<a href="https://www.hclfoundation.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HCLFoundation </a>has invited applications from non-profit organisations across India for Edition XII of the<a href="https://www.hclfoundation.org/hcltech-grant" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> HCLTech Grant</a>, Rs 24 crore initiative targeting transformative rural development across four themes — water, biodiversity, health and education.



The corporate social responsibility arm of global technology company HCLTech is accepting submissions at <a href="http://www.hclfoundation.org/hcltech-grant" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.hclfoundation.org/hcltech-grant</a> until June 30, 2026, the Foundation said in a statement on Thursday.



Four winning organisations, one from each theme, will receive Rs 5 crore each. Eight additional NGOs will receive Rs 50 lakh each for proposed projects across the same categories.



&#8220;Some of the most transformative solutions emerge from grassroots organisations deeply connected to the communities they serve,&#8221; said Dr Nidhi Pundhir, Director, HCLFoundation. 



&#8220;Through this edition of HCLTech Grant, we aim to provide a platform for NGOs to unleash their potential, scale innovative ideas and create sustainable change.&#8221;



The HCLTech Grant has to date reached 2.3 million lives across 61,000 villages in India. Funded initiatives have resulted in the planting of more than three lakh saplings, rejuvenation of over 68,300 hectares of land and a reduction of more than 67,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions. Total commitments under the programme now exceed ₹203 crore.



Winners of Edition XI included Gramin Vikas Vigyan Samiti from Rajasthan, Live Foundation from Jharkhand, Goodwill Foundation from Mizoram and Mahila Jan Adhikar Samiti from Rajasthan, each receiving Rs 5 crore for projects spanning water harvesting, biodiversity conservation, healthcare access and gender equality through education.



HCLFoundation also announced the HCLTech Grant Edition XII Pan India Symposiums 2026, scheduled in Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Nagpur and New Delhi, to bring together NGOs, government bodies, corporates and policymakers on the role of CSR in nation building.



HCLFoundation has positively impacted over 8.4 million lives through long-term programmes in education, health, sanitation, skill development, environment and disaster risk reduction.

HCLFoundation seeks NGO applications for Rs 24 Crore HCLTech Grant Edition XII

<a href="https://www.marutisuzuki.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Maruti Suzuki India Limited </a>hosted a series of cricket matches with visually impaired players under its employee volunteering CSR initiative, &#8216;<a href="https://www.marutisuzuki.com/corporate/csr" target="_blank" rel="noopener">eParivartan</a>&#8216;, bringing together corporate employees and athletes from the <a href="https://www.cricketassociationforblind.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cricket Association for the Blind, Delhi (CABD) </a>in a bid to champion social inclusion.



The matches, held at the fully accessible <a href="https://www.sportscube.in" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SportsCube Center </a>for Excellence in Sector 70, Gurgaon, saw two 10-over games played between Maruti Suzuki staff and CABD cricketers. The visually impaired cricket CSR event followed official blind cricket guidelines, incorporating audible balls and adapted rules for batting, bowling, and fielding. CABD won both matches.



The initiative, part of the company&#8217;s broader eParivartan employee volunteering program, is designed to foster empathy, respect, and cross-community teamwork among corporate employees.



&#8220;Playing alongside these remarkable cricketers reminded our team of their incredible talent, determination, and spirit,&#8221; said Rahul Bharti, Senior Executive Officer, Corporate Affairs, Maruti Suzuki India in a statement. 



&#8220;Such interactions help us nurture empathy, embrace the spirit of equality, and inspire us to grow as more holistic human beings.&#8221;



Maruti Suzuki also presented cricket kits to the CABD as part of the event.



The visually impaired cricket CSR drive is one of more than 30 community activities logged under eParivartan in FY 2025–26, during which over 1,100 employees volunteered more than 2,600 hours, positively impacting upwards of 8,700 individuals across health, education, and youth engagement programmes.



The Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI), with which CABD is affiliated, governs blind cricket nationally and has been instrumental in expanding opportunities for visually impaired athletes across the country.

Visually impaired Cricket CSR: Maruti Suzuki&#8217;s eParivartan drive hits the pitch

<a href="https://www.iiflhomes.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">IIFL Home Finance</a>, a leading affordable housing finance company, has expanded its corporate social responsibility (CSR) drive by launching a mobile education bus in Delhi and providing wheelchair-accessible vehicles in Mumbai to boost access for vulnerable groups.



The company handed over a fully equipped air-conditioned mobile education bus to<a href="https://salaambaalaktrust.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Salaam Baalak Trust </a>at its Tis Hazari Centre in Delhi.



The vehicle, fitted with digital learning facilities and internet connectivity, will deliver education and skill-building opportunities directly to children in underserved East Delhi communities.



The initiative is expected to benefit over 600 children and their families.



In Mumbai, IIFL Home Finance partnered with <a href="https://swayamsiddha.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Swayam Siddha</a> Industrial Co-operative Society for the Handicapped Ltd. to launch a wheelchair-accessible Tata Magic vehicle and two electric scooters at the Rabale Centre in Navi Mumbai. The vehicles will help persons with disabilities access skill development centres, employment, and essential services.



“Inclusion is not a programme for us, it is a conviction,” said Mrs. Aarti Marwaha Upadhyay, Chief Human Resource Officer, IIFL Home Finance.



“When a child in East Delhi steps onto a mobile classroom, or a person with disability in Mumbai can independently access a skill centre or a job, something fundamental changes in their world.”



The moves underscore IIFL Home Finance’s commitment to using its CSR platform for sustainable, equitable community development beyond housing finance.

IIFL Home Finance CSR: education bus, wheelchair vehicle launched

One of India&#8217;s most iconic monuments became a canvas for conservation on World Environment Day as the story of the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard, known locally as Godawan, was projected onto Delhi&#8217;s Qutub Minar. The large-scale installation highlighted the bird&#8217;s gradual revival amid decades of decline.



Once a contender for India&#8217;s national bird, the Godawan had faded from public consciousness as its numbers dwindled across the country&#8217;s grasslands. Recent developments, however, signal growing recognition and renewed hope for the species&#8217; survival.



Prime Minister Narendra Modi spotlighted the Godawan in the 133rd episode of Mann Ki Baat, praising India&#8217;s wildlife conservation efforts. In May, Rajasthan observed its first state-level Godawan Day on May 21 to boost awareness.



A public tribute supported by Godawan Estuary Premium Water aimed to enhance ecological literacy around one of the world&#8217;s rarest birds and its revival. The event brought together conservationists, local communities, private partners and government agencies.



“What makes this effort encouraging is the coming together of multiple stakeholders with a shared commitment towards conservation,” said Kedar Shrimal, president of Gramodaya Samajik Sansthan in a statement.



“This growing spirit of collaboration is helping build greater awareness, stronger ecosystems, and renewed hope for the future of the species.”



Conservation efforts have intensified through scientific intervention and community participation. Initiatives include restoring native grasslands, fencing nesting sites, improving water availability, captive breeding programmes and predator management. Local Bishnoi community members have played a key role in monitoring and protecting breeding grounds.



Encouraging signs emerged in May with new hatchlings from breeding and hatchery programmes in Rajasthan, supported by specialised transport for relocating eggs and chicks when needed.

Godawan revival: Qutub Minar lights Up for India&#8217;s rare Bustard

<a href="https://www.hul.co.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL), i</a>n partnership with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), HSBC India and JSW Foundation, on Sunday inaugurated the 25th Suvidha Centres in Borivali, Mumbai, marking 10 years of the innovative urban sanitation initiative. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal formally opened the facility.



Launched in 2016, Suvidha Centres has emerged as a transformative social innovation model, delivering essential hygiene and sanitation services to over 600,000 people annually. The centres have recorded more than 10 crore service uses since inception, achieving 95% user satisfaction.



The revolutionary Suvidha Centres model reimagines community toilets into integrated hygiene hubs offering clean toilets, purified drinking water, showers and laundry facilities. Designed for inclusivity, the centres prioritise women, children, senior citizens and persons with disabilities.



Independent assessments show households using Suvidha Centres save over ₹33,500 annually through reduced medical costs and time savings. Users report a 50% reduction in diarrhoeal incidence and low Urinary Tract Infection rates.



Operationally self-sustaining within nine months, profits from Suvidha Centres maintain high hygiene standards. The centres feature solar power and water recycling systems, saving over 30 crore litres of water cumulatively while building climate resilience.



HUL is scaling the model nationally through the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs via the Centre for Hygiene and Sanitation Excellence (CHASE) and has released the Suvidha Toolkit for wider adoption.



“I am delighted to inaugurate the 25th Suvidha Centre,” said Piyush Goyal. “These centres serve as comprehensive community utility hubs providing modern sanitation, bathing, drinking water and laundry services.”



Priya Nair, CEO &amp; MD of HUL, said: “Suvidha Centres brings to life our belief that what is good for India is good for HUL. This financially sustainable model addresses urban sanitation challenges through deep insights and strong partnerships.”

HUL Opens 25th revolutionary Suvidha Centres in Mumbai

<a href="https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/hp-futures" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UNESCO </a>and the Government of Himachal Pradesh on Saturday unveiled a transformative education roadmap marking the second year of the HP FUTURES project, as the initiative shifts from research and pilots into sustained classroom reform across all 12 districts of the state.



The roadmap was presented at the Third Steering Committee Meeting of the HP FUTURES project, accompanied by new teacher resources including competency-based learning guides, green education toolkits, and a localized Hindi edition of UNESCO&#8217;s Sport Values in Every Classroom Toolkit.



The HP FUTURES education roadmap builds on a first year in which the initiative reached more than 10,000 students, 500 teachers, and nearly 200 schools while engaging over 750 education stakeholders statewide, an official statement said.



&#8220;The HP FUTURES project is not meant to be an activity or even an annual calendar — this is actually meant to be a cultural shift in the way we know and see education in our schools,&#8221; said Shri Rakesh Kanwar, Secretary of Education, Government of Himachal Pradesh.



Himachal Pradesh has risen from 21st to 5th place in national school learning outcome rankings, even as officials acknowledge that the primary challenge has shifted from awareness to implementation. A survey of 2,527 teachers across 199 schools found that 78 percent were familiar with the <a href="https://www.education.gov.in/nep/about-nep" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Education Policy 2020</a>, yet translating that policy into daily classroom practice remains the central task ahead.



A review of 34 national and state policy documents confirmed that the state&#8217;s education framework is closely aligned with India&#8217;s National Education Policy 2020 and the <a href="https://ncfhome.ncert.nic.in" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Curriculum Framework 2023</a>. Two scoping missions conducted between October 2025 and February 2026 visited ten districts, gathering firsthand accounts from teachers and students.



Under a values education initiative, 200 teachers from 56 PM SHRI schools participated in workshops held in Shimla, Mandi, and Kangra. A classroom activity called &#8220;Paper Toss,&#8221; introduced in approximately 25 schools for students in Grades 3 to 5, generated early reports of improved peer interaction and social-emotional learning.



Climate education has also gained traction. In November 2025, more than 8,500 students participated in a statewide climate awareness quiz during SWACHHOTSAV 2025. Twenty-two PM SHRI schools across 11 districts joined the Climate Detective pilot programme, which guides students to investigate local environmental challenges using Traditional Ecological Knowledge. The effort draws on a broader base of more than 14,000 Eco Clubs operating across the state under the Mission LiFE initiative.



In year two, the HP FUTURES education roadmap will target six core competencies outlined in the National Curriculum Framework — critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and digital literacy — while piloting a new teacher professional development model combining workshops, classroom mentoring, and peer-learning networks across 12 schools in 12 districts.



Curriculum, textbooks, and assessments reviewed in the first phase will be more closely aligned with competency-based learning goals, while Eco Clubs and the Value Education through Sport pillar will be expanded and connected to local ecosystems and community knowledge.



&#8220;HP FUTURES represents a holistic vision for education — anchored in competency-based learning, value education through sport, and greening education,&#8221; said Joyce Poan, Chief of Education, UNESCO Regional Office for South Asia. &#8220;What makes this initiative truly significant is how it brings global evidence, national priorities and state-level leadership into one coherent agenda for transformation.&#8221;



The HP FUTURES — Foundation for Upskilling, Teacher Excellence, Understanding, Readiness, Equity, and Sustainability — project is jointly led by the Government of Himachal Pradesh and UNESCO, with the Pratham Education Foundation serving as coordinating agency.

HP Futures launches transformative education roadmap in Himachal Pradesh

<a href="https://www.devisansthan.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">DEVI Sansthan</a> (Dignity Education Vision International), a 33-year-old not-for-profit organisation focused on foundational literacy and numeracy, is set to make a landmark entry onto the <a href="https://www.bseindia.com/markets/MarketInfo/SocialStockExchange.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bombay Stock Exchange&#8217;s Social Stock Exchange (SSE)</a>, with its public issue scheduled to open on June 29, 2026.



The Social Stock Exchange listing marks a significant milestone for the Ranchi-based organisation, positioning it among a small group of social enterprises to access transparent, impact-aligned public funding through India&#8217;s regulated capital markets framework.



Funds raised through the issue will be channelled into foundational literacy and numeracy programmes, teacher training, learning outcome assessments, accelerated learning interventions, and school-based education models aimed at improving learning outcomes at scale across underserved communities.



Founded in 1992 by educationist and former World Bank economist Dr. Sunita Gandhi — who also serves as Chief Academic Advisor of <a href="https://www.cmseducation.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">City Montessori School</a>, recognised as the world&#8217;s largest school — DEVI Sansthan operates through its proprietary ALfA (Accelerating Learning for All) methodology. The model deploys peer-learning-based approaches to help children acquire foundational reading, writing, and arithmetic skills in a significantly compressed timeframe.



&#8220;For decades, we have seen millions of children move through education systems without acquiring basic reading and arithmetic skills,&#8221; Gandhi, Founder and CEO of DEVI Sansthan said in a statement. 



&#8220;The Social Stock Exchange listing is an important step towards strengthening transparency, expanding collaborations, and taking foundational learning interventions to communities that need them the most.&#8221;



Nixon Joseph, Group Executive Director of DEVI Sansthan and former President of SBI Foundation, said foundational literacy and numeracy represented one of the most critical challenges within the education ecosystem today.



&#8220;The Social Stock Exchange listing reflects our commitment towards transparency, accountability, and long-term impact,&#8221; Joseph said. &#8220;It will help us strengthen our outreach, deepen collaborations, and expand access to quality foundational learning for underserved communities across geographies.&#8221;



The organisation&#8217;s work currently spans foundational learning interventions, educator capacity-building programmes, learning outcome assessments, and large-scale literacy campaigns targeting children, youth, and adults across the Ranchi district. DEVI Sansthan collaborates with government agencies, schools, and private stakeholders to build what it describes as sustainable learning ecosystems at scale.



The<a href="https://www.bseindia.com/markets/publicIssues/IPOMain.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> BSE Social Stock Exchange</a> was established to connect social enterprises with mainstream capital markets investors seeking measurable social impact alongside financial accountability.

DEVI Sansthan to list on Social Stock Exchange to scale foundational learning

<a href="https://www.balrampurchini.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Balrampur Chini Mills Limited (BCML) </a>formally launched Bioyug Green Command 2026 on Friday, marking World Environment Day with a first-of-its-kind platform aimed at accelerating India&#8217;s bioplastics revolution and reducing the nation&#8217;s dependence on conventional petroleum-based plastics.



The launch, held in collaboration with the Lucknow Cantonment Board, was presided over by <a href="https://x.com/i/status/2062855942639952176">Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh </a>as chief guest, signalling growing government support for bio-based indigenous manufacturing as a strategic national priority.



The event formalised a landmark collaboration between Balrampur Bioyug and the Lucknow Cantonment Board following an earlier memorandum of understanding and BCML&#8217;s first institutional order for compostable polylactic acid (PLA)-based products. PLA, derived from sugarcane, is a fully organic bioplastic that breaks down within 180 days and converts into compost rather than waste.



Speaking at the launch, BCML Chairman and Managing Director Vivek Saraogi said India stood at a defining moment where economic growth and environmental responsibility must advance together.



&#8220;Through Bioyug Green Command 2026, we are bringing together government, industry, institutions and communities to accelerate this transition and demonstrate how innovation-led solutions can contribute meaningfully to a cleaner, greener and more self-reliant India,&#8221; Saraogi said.



Executive Director Avantika Saraogi framed the shift to biomaterials as an economic opportunity as much as an environmental necessity.



&#8220;The last century belonged to oil and petrochemicals; the next can belong to farmers and fields,&#8221; she said. &#8220;The materials of the future will not only be mined from beneath the earth but cultivated above it, through the power of agriculture.&#8221;



Addressing the gathering, Defence Minister Singh drew attention to the accelerating public health toll of microplastics, citing scientific research indicating that approximately 350,000 people die globally each year due to microplastic exposure, with plastic particles now detectable in the blood of newborns.



Singh highlighted the national security dimension of the transition to bioplastics, noting that India&#8217;s existing 20% ethanol blending programme had shielded the domestic economy from supply chain disruptions triggered by recent West Asian geopolitical turbulence.



&#8220;By generating resources from our sugarcane, rice, and organic waste, we will strengthen our security framework,&#8221; Singh said. &#8220;While fulfilling our environmental obligations, we can become a self-reliant, bio-based economy.&#8221;



Two high-level panel discussions formed a centrepiece of the programme. The first, titled &#8220;Mandate to Market: Unlocking the Bioplastics Value Chain in Uttar Pradesh,&#8221; examined policy support and market opportunities required to scale bioplastics adoption. The second, &#8220;From Mess to Mission: Bioplastics for Defence,&#8221; explored sustainable material integration within defence establishments.



A parallel highlight was the felicitation of meritorious ITI girl students from Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh, participating in the &#8220;Building Skills. Transforming Futures&#8221; initiative — a women-focused 3D printing training programme using Bioyug PLA, run by Balrampur Foundation in partnership with ITI Mohammadi.



BCML, one of India&#8217;s largest integrated sugar companies, is currently developing the country&#8217;s first PLA plant with a capacity of 80,000 tonnes per annum. The company operates ten sugar factories across Uttar Pradesh with an aggregate crushing capacity of 80,000 TCD.



The event drew participation from over 2,000 stakeholders spanning government, industry, academia, defence, and civil society.



Bioyug Green Command 2026 is anchored in the proposition that &#8220;the future of materials is grown, not drilled,&#8221; positioning India&#8217;s agricultural base as the foundation of its emerging circular bioeconomy.

Balrampur Chini launches Bioyug Green Command 2026 to drive India&#8217;s bioplastics revolution

HCLTech awards USD 1 million under its <a href="https://americas-grant.hcltech.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HCLTech Climate Grant </a>to three nonprofit organizations in the Americas for innovative climate resilience projects, with Guatemala’s CISP taking the top prize.



CISP will receive USD 500,000 to enhance water security and sustainable land management in Guatemala’s dry corridor through rainwater harvesting benefiting 200 families, the company said in a statement.



Runners-up Aves Argentinas (Argentina) and Lluvia para Todos (Mexico) will each get USD 250,000 for biodiversity conservation in the Atlantic Forest and community rainwater systems serving 2,300 people, respectively.



The third edition of the HCLTech Climate Grant saw applications from 10 countries across the Americas, a 41 percent increase from previous years. A jury of HCLTech leaders and external experts selected the winners based on scalability and local relevance.



“We are inspired by the ingenuity and commitment demonstrated by this year’s recipients,” said Nidhi Pundhir, Senior Vice President, Global CSR, HCLTech.



Launched in 2023 with a USD 5 million commitment over five years, the program has so far supported ecological restoration, planted over 360,000 trees and mangroves, and empowered more than 1,400 young people in climate leadership.