Hyderabad’s iconic Chowmahalla Palace hosted the Community Pure Water Annual Fundraiser 2026, a transformative charity dinner that brought together philanthropists, business leaders, CSR executives, and government officials committed to safe drinking water as preventive health infrastructure in rural India.



 Race2Win Foundation served as title sponsor, reinforcing the urgent need to address water contamination that hinders education, economic progress, and gender equity.



Founded by Ravi Reddy under the Community Development Foundation, Community Pure Water operates over 550 ISO-certified community water centres, delivering more than 9 lakh litres of purified water daily to 1.2 million people across villages and schools with 97% uptime. These micro-utilities combine technology, automation, and community ownership to eliminate health hazards from polluted water and support stronger nutrition and livelihoods.



Under the leadership of Mrs. Pratiksha Prashant, Chairperson of the Fundraising Committee, the event achieved its goal of providing safe water to 25 additional rural schools through generous support from attendees, including Chief Guest Mrs. Pinky Reddy, Special Guest Speaker Ms. Nandita Das, and distinguished figures from defence, police, government, and civil society.



The fundraiser underscored safe drinking water as a powerful catalyst for community development. By prioritising clean water, Community Pure Water empowers healthier, more resilient, and thriving rural communities, advancing sustainable progress across India.

Community Pure Water Annual Fundraiser 2026: Safe Water Triumph

<a href="https://www.resustainability.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Re Sustainability Limited</a>, a leading integrated waste management firm, and <a href="https://www.janyutechnologies.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Janyu Technologies</a> have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to pioneer transformative robotics waste management solutions across India.



The strategic partnership combines Re Sustainability&#8217;s three-decade expertise in handling hazardous, bio-medical, and industrial waste with Janyu Technologies&#8217; advanced, remotely operated robotic systems.



The collaboration targets high-risk areas such as sludge removal, confined-space cleaning, and hazardous waste handling, significantly reducing human exposure while boosting operational efficiency, consistency, and traceability.



India&#8217;s waste management industry, valued at over <a href="https://www.ibef.org/industry/waste-management-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">USD 20 billion</a>, is experiencing rapid growth amid stricter regulations, heightened compliance demands, and rising <a href="https://www.sebi.gov.in/legal/circulars/jul-2023/business-responsibility-and-sustainability-reporting-by-listed-entities_730.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ESG priorities.</a>



This alliance accelerates the deployment of automation and deep-tech innovations to tackle complex challenges in regulated waste operations.



Leveraging Re Sustainability&#8217;s extensive nationwide network, regulatory knowledge, and execution prowess alongside Janyu&#8217;s indigenous robotics tailored for hazardous environments, the partners aim to deliver scalable, safety-first models that align with India&#8217;s circular economy and sustainability goals.



&#8220;Safety, compliance, and operational excellence are core to Re Sustainability,&#8221; said Masood Mallick, Managing Director &amp; Group CEO.



&#8220;This partnership with Janyu Technologies marks a transformative leap in integrating advanced robotics into high-risk waste management, minimizing human exposure and elevating efficiency, consistency, and traceability.&#8221;



Abhimanyu Raja, Managing Director of Janyu Technologies, added: &#8220;India&#8217;s industrial progress must prioritize worker safety and dignity. Our human-enabling robotic systems for hazardous tasks like sludge handling and confined-space cleaning shift workers to safer, skilled roles while generating data for AI-driven analytics. Together with Re Sustainability, we are building safer, more competitive industrial infrastructure through Indian innovation.&#8221;



The partnership establishes a foundation for next-generation, human-safe, technology-enabled waste and environmental infrastructure, promoting safer workplaces, robust compliance, and enduring environmental benefits.

Re Sustainability, Janyu ink MoU for transformative robotics waste management

Ease of doing business got a major green upgrade in southern India, with Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh emerging as trailblazing models, according to the Economic Survey 2025-26.



The pre-Budget document presents clear evidence that these states have dramatically improved ease of doing business by slashing environmental clearance timelines under the Business Reform Action Plan (BRAP) — while smartly weaving sustainability right into their industrial and economic strategies. This shows that faster approvals and stronger environmental protection can — and do — coexist.



Kerala used BRAP 2024 to turbocharge ease of doing business through streamlined business registration, digitised land and tax records, and simplified environmental clearances. Simultaneously, the state accelerated renewable energy adoption, rolled out carbon-neutral gram panchayats and launched large-scale waterbody rejuvenation — delivering quicker business setup alongside meaningful ecological gains.



Tamil Nadu strengthened its ease of doing business ranking with single-window clearances, fully digitised approval processes and progressive land reforms. It is aggressively promoting massive solar parks, district-level decarbonisation plans and statewide energy efficiency programmes. 



The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board maintains rigorous oversight of industrial effluent treatment and actively facilitates Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) for pollution-intensive clusters like tanneries and textiles, ensuring treated wastewater consistently meets strict discharge standards.



Andhra Pradesh advanced ease of doing business under BRAP 2024 with single-window industrial clearances, online land registration and electronic environmental approvals. The state expanded its Online Consent Management &amp; Monitoring System, allowing businesses to apply for consents digitally, track real-time progress and significantly reduce delays — while greatly improving transparency and coordination between industries and the Pollution Control Board.



“Some evidence suggests that states streamlining processes to boost ease of doing business while embedding sustainability can cut delays, increase transparency and deliver better environmental outcomes at the same time,” the Survey notes.



These pioneering and balanced efforts send a strong signal: enhancing ease of doing business no longer means compromising on green goals — it can actually reinforce renewable energy growth, tighter pollution controls and digital-first governance.

Eco Survey: Southern states lead green ease of doing biz

Market-based tools like emissions trading — long hailed as successful in the US and Europe — can deliver big wins for cleaner air in developing nations too, the<a href="https://www.indiabudget.gov.in/economicsurvey/doc/eschapter/echap10.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Economic Survey 2025-26</a> has asserted, citing a pioneering experiment in Gujarat&#8217;s Surat city.



Traditionally, experts doubted whether pollution trading schemes could work in lower-capacity settings due to weak monitoring, limited enforcement, and low state credibility. Regulators often struggle to track emissions accurately or ensure polluters buy permits for every unit released.



But the Survey points to strong counter-evidence from the world&#8217;s first particulate matter emissions trading market, launched in Surat — a major industrial hub — and evaluated in the seminal 2023 study by Greenstone et al.



The scheme, run by the Gujarat Pollution Control Board, covered 317 large industrial plants (mostly coal-burning units in textiles and other sectors). It replaced old command-and-control rules (tech mandates and concentration limits) with a cap-and-trade system, backed by mandatory Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems (CEMS) for real-time tracking of particulate emissions.



Key findings from the randomised trial:



The market worked smoothly — active trading took place, and plants achieved near-universal compliance (99% of emissions covered by permits vs just 66% under the old regime).



Participating factories slashed particulate emissions by 20-30% compared to those under traditional regulation.



For the same pollution level, abatement costs dropped by 11-14%, thanks to firms trading permits based on their differing marginal costs.



The Survey calls this a breakthrough proof that, with credible real-time monitoring like CEMS in place, pollution trading schemes can achieve major emissions cuts at much lower compliance costs — even in challenging developing-country contexts.



&#8220;This shows market-based environmental regulations are not just for rich nations. When supported by strong tech-enabled enforcement, they offer an effective and cost-efficient path to cleaner air,&#8221; the document notes.



The Surat pilot has already inspired expansions in Gujarat (including Ahmedabad) and discussions in other states, highlighting its potential as a scalable model for tackling industrial air pollution across India.

Eco Survey 2025-26: Pollution trading schemes can be a game-changer even in developing countries, Surat pilot proves

There is no shortage of money in the world for fighting climate change — the real problem is that this cash is simply not reaching the countries that need it most, the Economic Survey 2025-26 has warned.



Tabled in Parliament by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday, the <a href="https://www.indiabudget.gov.in/economicsurvey/doc/eschapter/echap10.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pre-Budget document</a> says the core issue is not lack of capital but a deep structural misalignment between huge pools of global liquidity and extremely low risk appetite among lenders and investors when it comes to projects in developing nations.



“Global capital markets are flush with funds, yet flows to sustainable development and climate action in the Global South remain badly constrained by entrenched risk aversion built into the global financial system,” the Survey notes.



This blockage shows up most clearly in two places: the conservative lending models of Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) and tough prudential rules in rich countries.



MDBs still prefer safe, sovereign-guaranteed loans to protect their AAA ratings. This limits their ability to recycle balance sheets and pull in large-scale private money. High capital charges under Basel III and Solvency II make long-term infrastructure bets in emerging markets unattractive for banks and insurers in developed nations.



On top of that, big institutional investors want standardised, easy-to-trade securities — while climate projects in poorer countries are usually custom-made, small and illiquid.



The Survey calls the situation urgent and demands big-ticket reforms to fix it:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Recapitalisation of MDBs</li>



<li>Shift to “originate-to-share” model using guarantees, insurance and blended finance</li>



<li>Recalibration of global regulations</li>



<li>Strong governance to protect public money</li>
</ul>



It points to a recent game-changer example: In 2025, the Inter-American Development Bank and Brazil’s Central Bank set up a mechanism that unlocked up to $3.4 billion in long-term forex hedging. This tackles currency risk without piling more debt on governments — making projects far more attractive to private investors.



Without such active risk-sharing and a move away from pure risk avoidance, the Survey warns, energy poverty and climate vulnerability will keep rising in the developing world despite trillions sitting idle in global markets.

Eco Survey 2025-26: No Capital shortage, but huge climate finance gap

SOS Children’s Villages India, in collaboration with Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital, conducted a one-day free eye check-up camp that screened 137 children and caregivers from its Family Like Care and Family Strengthening Programmes.



In an era when myopia (near-sightedness) and hypermetropia (far-sightedness) are increasingly prevalent among children in India—with studies showing myopia rates rising with age and affecting learning—early detection is essential to prevent issues like reduced concentration and impaired academic performance.



Vulnerable children often face limited access to basic healthcare, including eye screenings, making initiatives like this vital for their development.



Sumanta Kar, CEO of SOS Children’s Villages India, emphasized the importance of the partnership: “Children today are more vulnerable to eye-related issues, and at their young age, they often struggle to articulate challenges they face. Our core commitment is the overall well-being of children and mothers in our care. This collaboration with Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital has enabled timely screening and preventive care, helping participants address vision concerns effectively.”



The transformative camp focused on early diagnosis of conditions such as weak eyesight, colour blindness, and lazy eye (amblyopia). A team of qualified doctors and staff from Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital provided screenings, basic consultations, and preventive guidance to children and caregivers. For cases requiring further treatment, recommendations for additional diagnosis were offered.



Dr Karthikeya, Senior Consultant – Vitreoretina, Uvea &amp; ROP at Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital, highlighted the impact: “Many eye problems in children remain unnoticed without regular screening. Early identification prevents these issues from hindering studies and daily activities. Through outreach camps like these, we deliver quality eye care to underserved children who might otherwise miss timely help.”



This collaboration underscores the shared goal of both organizations to advance children&#8217;s healthcare, providing empowering basic medical services to support the holistic growth of vulnerable youth.

SOS India holds free eye check-up camp for 137 kids

The <a href="https://www.adanifoundation.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adani Foundation</a> is empowering youth in Gangavaram, Andhra Pradesh, by nurturing sporting talent via the Adani Coaching &amp; Fitness Centre, a transformative initiative launched in 2022.



The centre offers structured training in Kabaddi, Kho-Kho, Shuttle Badminton, and fitness programmes, enabling aspiring athletes from fisher folk communities to pursue sports ambitions alongside education.



Success stories highlight the programme&#8217;s impact. Sixteen-year-old Yeripalli Komali and Badi Divya, both from fisher folk families, have progressed from school-level to representing Andhra Pradesh in national Kabaddi tournaments. Similarly, 20-year-old Perla Divya has competed for Andhra University in the All-India Kabaddi tournament and now serves as a Physical Education teacher, earning ₹7,000 monthly.



The <a href="https://www.csrvoice.com/post/news/adani-group-commits-rs-60-000-crore-for-csr/387" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adani Foundation</a> provides professional kits, mentorship, and competitive exposure. Leading the centre is 23-year-old Nolli Theja, a national-level Kabaddi player from Gangavaram who has participated in 14 national tournaments. Having overcome financial challenges himself, Theja now coaches and inspires the next generation.



To date, the centre has trained over 72 players, including 30 girls, turning sports into a pathway for empowerment, confidence, and community pride in Gangavaram.

Adani Foundation empowers Gangavaram youth through sports initiative

<a href="https://www.hdfc.bank.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HDFC Bank</a>, India&#8217;s largest private sector lender, on Monday announced the launch of the FY26 edition of its Parivartan Startup Grants programme, committing Rs 20 crore in non-dilutive grants to boost social impact-driven innovations.



The initiative will support 10 strategic programmes across key sectors including climate innovation, agriculture and sustainable livelihoods, manufacturing and MSME innovation, financial inclusion, gender diversity and inclusion, as well as emerging fields such as AI and deep technology.



Grants will primarily fund pilots, validation and early-stage scale-up for selected startups.



The programme operates on an incubator-led model, with partners handling outreach, evaluation, mentoring and impact reporting. FY26 emphasises deeper sector focus, with collaborations including IIT Madras Incubation Cell for deep-tech, IIM Bangalore-NSRCEL for financial inclusion, and BITS Pilani for climate innovation.



It also includes ecosystem-building efforts in Punjab and a nationwide incubator capacity programme in partnership with the Indian STEP and Business Incubator Association (ISBA).



&#8220;Parivartan Startup Grants has evolved as a benchmark in the industry that works closely with institutions to support innovation addressing clearly identified social and environmental challenges,&#8221; said Kaizad Bharucha, Deputy Managing Director, HDFC Bank.



Arup Rakshit, Group Head – Treasury, added that the programme provides structured institutional support through leading incubators.



Since 2017, Parivartan Startup Grants has backed over 500 startups via more than 130 incubators, deploying over Rs 85 crore. Nearly 40% of supported startups are from Tier II and III cities, with supported ventures raising over Rs 900 crore externally.



Applications will be handled through partner incubators.

HDFC Bank boosts Parivartan Startup Grants with Rs 20 crore

<a href="https://www.mankindpharma.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mankind Pharma Limited </a>has launched transformative digital smart classrooms in Ghaziabad as part of its flagship CSR platform KindCare, underscoring its dedication to empowering technology-driven education in government schools.



The initiative, implemented in partnership with <a href="https://www.seedimpact.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SEEDS Impact</a>, was inaugurated by Sunil Kumar Sharma, Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Minister for Information Technology and Electronics, alongside Sheetal Arora, Promoter and CEO of Mankind Pharma Limited.



This marks a significant step in Mankind Pharma&#8217;s Digital Smart Classroom Initiative, which aims to enhance access to quality education via interactive digital environments. With a community-first strategy, the program targets district-level rollout for lasting grassroots impact.



The broader effort covers 400 schools in Uttar Pradesh, with 460 digital smart classrooms now operational. These use tools like the K-Yan device for audio-visual teaching, boosting student engagement in resource-limited settings.



Teacher empowerment is central to sustainability. Over 2,400 educators have received training, including hands-on sessions, simulations, and ongoing support via helplines and digital networks.



Sharma praised the effort: &#8220;Mankind Pharma&#8217;s Digital Smart Classroom Initiative addresses key gaps in digital literacy and access, with a sustainable focus on teacher empowerment.&#8221;



Arora added: &#8220;Through KindCare, we adopt a community-first approach to empowering underserved students and teachers in a digital world, ensuring dignity and opportunity.&#8221;



R Purushotham, CEO of SEEDS Impact, said the partnership nurtures India&#8217;s youth and could scale further with continued commitment.



The Digital Smart Classroom Initiative anchors KindCare&#8217;s focus on education, alongside health, hygiene, environment, and livelihoods.



Mankind Pharma, a leading Indian pharmaceutical firm, emphasizes affordable quality products across formulations and consumer healthcare.



SEEDS is a non-profit advancing inclusive development in education, skills, farming, and health.

Mankind Pharma unveils Digital Smart Classrooms in Ghaziabad

In an era of rapid technological advancement, the alarming rise in digital dependency among youngsters and teenagers is triggering serious psychological impacts, akin to symptoms of digital dementia – a term describing cognitive decline from excessive screen time, including memory loss, reduced attention span, and impaired focus.



Dr Jaiteerth R. Joshi, Managing Director and CEO of BrahMos Aerospace, sounded this warning while inaugurating the fourth edition of Manappuram Foundation&#8217;s mental health awareness programme on digital dementia at ITC Kakatiya Hotel in Hyderabad.



Dr Joshi stressed the urgent need to address these psychological consequences, emphasising that mental health protection and psychological safety must be given equal importance alongside technological progress.



Leading the session was Dr Manoj Sharma, a renowned de-addiction expert on technology dependence and Professor at NIMHANS, Bengaluru. Dr Sharma detailed various mental ailments emerging from overdependence on digital devices and advocated for judicious use, including regular breaks to maintain health.



The event, organised by Manappuram Foundation and supported by <a href="https://www.manappuram.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Manappuram Finance Ltd,</a> received widespread appreciation.



During the programme, V P Nandakumar, Chairman and Managing Director of Manappuram Finance Ltd, honoured Dr Joshi for his outstanding contributions to India&#8217;s defence technology sector.



&#8220;Under Dr Joshi’s leadership, BrahMos Aerospace continues to achieve remarkable technological breakthroughs and global recognition,&#8221; Nandakumar noted.



BrahMos, the India-Russia joint supersonic cruise missile, symbolises national technological excellence with its superior speed, precision, and multi-platform capabilities.



Approximately 200 prominent business leaders and professionals attended. K M Asharaf, Senior PRO of Manappuram Finance, welcomed the guests, while Lion’s Club International leader Saju Antony Pathadan delivered the vote of thanks.

BrahMos CEO flags alarming digital dementia in youth

standard

<a href="http://www.acchelp.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ACC</a>, part of the Adani Portfolio, and the Adani Foundation are advancing climate resilience through transforming water conservation efforts in rural Maharashtra.



In Dhakori village, Wani block, Yavatmal district, the companies addressed chronic water scarcity by building an upstream cement nala bund under the 2024-25 Climate Action Water Conservation initiative.



Despite heavy monsoons, runoff previously left fields dry by November, restricting farmers to one crop annually.



The new structure stores nearly 48,000 litres of water, recharges borewells and provides year-round supply to 96 acres of farmland.



Around 35 farmers now grow multiple crops, with incomes rising by about Rs 18,000 per acre.



The project has also secured household and livestock water supplies, fostering community stability.



By revitalising resources in Dhakori, ACC and the Adani Foundation demonstrate how targeted, community-led initiatives can achieve sustainable rural development amid climate challenges.



For more on ACC&#8217;s initiatives, visit ACC Limited. Details on Adani Foundation&#8217;s work available at <a href="https://www.adanifoundation.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adani Foundation</a>.

ACC&#8217;s transforming water conservation in Dhakori village in Maharashtra

PepsiCo India, via the<a href="https://www.pepsico.com/our-impact/sustainability/water" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> PepsiCo Foundation </a>and partner Pandit Jagat Ram Memorial<a href="https://www.force.org.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> FORCE Trust</a>, will extend its water security and sanitation efforts from 13 villages in Mathura to 17 more, doubling reach to 100,000 people under the Water &amp; WASH Secure Villages Initiative.



The expansion builds on achievements in safe drinking water, sanitation, hygiene and groundwater management, implemented with local panchayats, administrations, communities and schools. It aligns with PepsiCo&#8217;s &#8220;Partnership of Progress&#8221; ethos, emphasizing multi-stakeholder collaboration for rural India&#8217;s water security, the company said in a statement. 



Announced at the Convergence for Water and WASH Secure Rural Communities conference in New Delhi, the event drew India&#8217;s Jal Shakti Minister of State Raj Bhushan Choudhary, officials from national missions, CSR executives, panchayat leaders and Uttar Pradesh community figures. Highlights included unveiling &#8220;Pathways to Effective Rural Water Sustainability &amp; WASH Interventions,&#8221; a compilation of program success stories.



Choudhary praised the initiative, quoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi: &#8220;Catch the rain where it falls, when it falls,&#8221; and lauded PepsiCo and FORCE for generational water security benefits.



Yashika Singh, PepsiCo India and South Asia&#8217;s chief corporate affairs and sustainability officer, said: &#8220;True progress comes from communities, partners and institutions advancing together. Our Water &amp; WASH Secure Villages Initiative&#8217;s success in 13 villages proves collective action&#8217;s power, now extending water security to 17 more for resilient futures.&#8221;



Globally, the PepsiCo Foundation&#8217;s 2024 water access programs aided 1.2 million people, totaling over 96 million since 2010, prioritizing infrastructure and stewardship in high-risk zones. India&#8217;s expansion is a key focus.



FORCE founder Jyoti Sharma noted: &#8220;Community-driven solutions ensure lasting water security. Partnering with PepsiCo India, we&#8217;ve boosted sanitation, health and resilience in Mathura, leveraging conference insights for greater impact.&#8221;



The project has deployed 11 community and 12 school reverse osmosis units, rainwater harvesting, pond rejuvenation, hygiene drives and training for water committees, backed by hydrogeological studies and behavior change campaigns. It supports <a href="https://jalshakti-ddws.gov.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jal Jeevan Mission</a>, Swachh Bharat Mission and climate goals.



PepsiCo India advances water security through watershed projects, recharge, regenerative farming and community access, fostering resilient agriculture and national agendas.

PepsiCo India expands water security initiative

<a href="http://ambujafoundation.org/ngo-rajasthan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ambuja Cements</a>, India&#8217;s ninth-largest building materials provider and part of the Adani Group, has constructed 170 farm ponds and 3,410 rooftop rainwater harvesting systems in the Marwar Mundwa region to enhance water security and support sustainable agriculture for local farmers.



The corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, focused on water-smart interventions including irrigation innovations and horticulture, aim to reduce climate dependency and boost rural incomes in Rajasthan&#8217;s arid Nagaur district.



In Didiya Kalan village, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ambuja-cements-ltd_transforminglives-thisisadanicement-buildingnationswithgoodness-activity-7314142259447275520-SvQ7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ambuja</a> supported farmers Bau Devi and Ganpatram with a 1,782 cubic metre farm pond and rooftop rainwater harvesting system, the company said in a statement.



The couple now grows cumin in the dry season and earned Rs 15,000 last year by selling excess water, enabling year-round farming.



Twenty farmers in the same gram panchayat benefited from farm pond construction, harvesting a total of 38,147 cubic metres of water for irrigation.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dashboard.csrvoice.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Ambuja-Marwar-Mundwa-RRWHS-Intervention-overall-story-photo-1-2-1-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1173" srcset="https://dashboard.csrvoice.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Ambuja-Marwar-Mundwa-RRWHS-Intervention-overall-story-photo-1-2-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dashboard.csrvoice.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Ambuja-Marwar-Mundwa-RRWHS-Intervention-overall-story-photo-1-2-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dashboard.csrvoice.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Ambuja-Marwar-Mundwa-RRWHS-Intervention-overall-story-photo-1-2-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dashboard.csrvoice.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Ambuja-Marwar-Mundwa-RRWHS-Intervention-overall-story-photo-1-2-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://dashboard.csrvoice.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Ambuja-Marwar-Mundwa-RRWHS-Intervention-overall-story-photo-1-2-1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



 In Mundwa village, Bhauram Ji and Pipudi Devi addressed saline groundwater issues with a 1.7 million litre farm pond and rainwater system funded by Ambuja.



The family shifted to year-round cultivation of cumin, isabgol and cotton, raising annual income to 600,000 rupees from 200,000 rupees, including savings on outsourced water for drinking and crops.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="769" src="https://dashboard.csrvoice.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Ambuja-Marwar-Mundwa-3-Bau-Devi-and-Ganpatram-RRWHS-case-story-1-2-1024x769.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1172" srcset="https://dashboard.csrvoice.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Ambuja-Marwar-Mundwa-3-Bau-Devi-and-Ganpatram-RRWHS-case-story-1-2-1024x769.jpg 1024w, https://dashboard.csrvoice.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Ambuja-Marwar-Mundwa-3-Bau-Devi-and-Ganpatram-RRWHS-case-story-1-2-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dashboard.csrvoice.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Ambuja-Marwar-Mundwa-3-Bau-Devi-and-Ganpatram-RRWHS-case-story-1-2-768x577.jpg 768w, https://dashboard.csrvoice.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Ambuja-Marwar-Mundwa-3-Bau-Devi-and-Ganpatram-RRWHS-case-story-1-2-1536x1153.jpg 1536w, https://dashboard.csrvoice.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Ambuja-Marwar-Mundwa-3-Bau-Devi-and-Ganpatram-RRWHS-case-story-1-2-2048x1538.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Dharmendra Mundel in the region expanded his farmland from 15 to 30 bighas with a 2,178 cubic metre poly-lined farm pond backed by Ambuja, alongside sprinkler systems and a Pan Methi Cutter tool. His income rose to Rs 15-18 lakh annually, with Rs 200,000 saved on irrigation.



In Rupasar village, farmer Jagdishram received a 1.24 million litre farm pond and a horticulture &#8220;wadi&#8221; plantation from the company. He earned an extra Rs 100,000 from off-season cumin on 8 bighas, with the orchard expected to add Rs 50,000 yearly.



<a href="http://ambujafoundation.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ambuja</a>&#8216;s efforts in Marwar Mundwa, which include ongoing farmer training, target broader water security and economic resilience in rural India.

Ambuja Cements builds water security in Marwar Mundwa through farm ponds

In Sambhar, Rajasthan, the Royal Rajasthan Foundation’s (RRF) Access to Water project, launched in 2020, is changing lives across 15 villages. Partnering with Gram Chetan Kendra, Muthoot Pappachan Foundation, and Danish Power, RRF has built farm ponds to conserve rainwater, boost irrigation, and lift farmer incomes, while empowering women to lead community efforts.



For the first time in generations, families are growing a second crop, ending distress migration. Key impacts include:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>100% of farmers now grow a second crop, with 24% earning over ₹1.2 lakh extra annually.</li>



<li>Households save ₹1,000–2,000 monthly on water, with many accessing fluoride-free drinking water.</li>



<li>91% of families with fruit trees save ₹200–300 monthly and report better nutrition.</li>



<li>Chemical fertilizer use dropped from 43% to 13%.</li>



<li>96% of farmers learned efficient water use, improving soil and reducing pests.</li>



<li>95% of families invest savings in children’s education.</li>
</ul>



“Water isn’t scarce—it’s mismanaged,” says Ranjit Barthakur, RRF Chairperson. “With women leading, we’re building resilient, thriving communities.”



In 2025, RRF will add 400 farm ponds, reaching over 1,470 families, and launch a Khejri tree plantation drive. This project shows how water, women’s empowerment, and climate action can transform rural lives.

Water Access Transforms 15 Rajasthan Villages

A rejuvenated wastewater pond in Sangrur, Punjab was launched by PepsiCo India and Alternative Development Initiatives (ADI), marking the culmination of World Water Week 2021. This project has led to positively impacting the lives of over 2000 people



A rejuvenated wastewater pond in Sangrur, Punjab was launched by PepsiCo India and Alternative Development Initiatives (ADI), marking the culmination of World Water Week 2021.



This project has led to positively impacting the lives of over 2000 people in Bijalpur in Sangrur, PespiCo India said in a statement.



The rejuvenated wastewater pond was inaugurated by Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) Chairman Prof Adarsh Pal Vig, Bijalpur Sarpanch S Ranjeet and ADI’s Rajinder Nijjar and PepsiCo India Head of Sustainability Juhi Gupta.



PPCB Chairman Prof Adarsh Pal Vig said disposal of wastewater in the ponds is a major public health concern as the stagnant water leads to bad smell and spread of many diseases.



“There is an emerging need for water restoration and preservation leading to multiple benefits including ground water recharging, environment regeneration, and livelihood and the local level,” he said.



To take this initiative forward, PepsiCo India in partnership with ADI came forward to help the state government in their efforts to rejuvenate water bodies for daily household and irrigation purposes, he said.



“I would like to congratulate the team of PepsiCo India and ADI for coming forward to start an initiative of taking up the village ponds for in-site remediation through use mix of cost effective and indigenous biotechnologies-based techniques so that wastewater could be treated,” he said.



PPCB will always support and facilitate more of such water conservation projects with help of villagers and local communities to restore the ecology of Punjab, he added.



The program complements the effort of the Punjab government in cleaning the community ponds collecting household wastewater, and using the treated wastewater for irrigation purposes, reducing the burden of depleting fresh water sources.



This initiative will bring in more area under agriculture, as the wastewater pond will have water available round the year irrespective of climatic variability.

PepsciCo launches rejuvenated wastewater pond, impacting 2,000 people in Punjab

‘Panni ka Teeka’, an initiative of IdeaHive Media, has partnered with legends of advertising and music – Piyush Pandey and Louiz Banks – for a music based project to create awareness about water conservation. ‘Paani Ka Teeka’ project focuses on water, education and job creation



‘Panni ka Teeka’, an initiative of IdeaHive Media, has partnered with legends of advertising and music – Piyush Pandey and Louiz Banks – for a music based project to create awareness about water conservation.



‘Paani Ka Teeka’ project focuses on water, education and job creation.



The music duo are reuniting after the iconic ‘Mile Sur’ anthem. They have garnered the support of musicians like Zakir Hussain, Shankar Mahadevan, Shreya Ghoshal, Shaan, Vishal Dadlani, Harshdeep Kaur, Neha Bhasin, Pankaj Udhas, Salim Merchant, Sivamani, Mame Khan, Rakesh Chaurasia, among others for a campaign on conserving water, an official statement said.



“PaanikaTeeka is a great initiative and a step in the right direction to create long-term sustainable ways of preserving water and promoting water-protecting ecosystems,” said veteran musician Louis Banks.



He said music has the capacity to bridge cultures and create a momentum unlike any other art form, he added.



“The objective of the campaign is to make this project a citizens’ movement and work towards a water-secure India,” said Dilip Moorkoth, Founder PaaniKaTeeka and the Director of IdeaHive Media Pvt Ltd.



PaaniKaTeeka has designed an integrated project, which will work at multiple levels of advocacy and impact at the grassroot level. It is aimed to bring support to over 1000 villages of India as one of its major impact mechanisms, besides working on bringing a behavioural change across the nation.



PaaniKaTeeka has partnered with Watershed Organisation Trust (WOTR) as its knowledge partner, National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) and Emergy Enviro (ASINE IIT Bombay Company) as its Advisory and Technical partners who will work closely to make this project into a national movement.