Updates from the Community
Radha Goenka’s nature:re Initiative Revives Urban Biodiversity & Marine Habitats Across India
GivingPi Member, Radha Goenka is the Director of RPG Foundation, whose initiative nature:re is making impactful strides in environmental conservation, focusing on both urban and rural areas. One of their key initiatives involves the creation of urban green corridors, where neglected parks are transformed into flourishing biodiversity parks. Within this project, Udaan, a two-acre dumpyard in Pune was turned into a biodiversity park, which led to the successful resurgence of the critically endangered Shiv Suman plant. This project has also expanded to Mumbai's Rock Garden, Willingdon Linear Park, Hyderabad Estate Park, and Pune's Bund Garden. Additionally, RPG Foundation is revitalizing marine ecosystems through the installation of 227 artificial reefs in the Arabian Sea near Worli, Mumbai. These reefs not only provide vital habitats for marine life but also act as natural filters, improving water quality and supporting local fishing communities. To know more, click here.
Vikrant Bhargava’s Veddis Foundation Strengthens Rural Animal Healthcare Through Women-Led Pashu Sakhi Model
In rural India, Veddis Foundation Founded by GivingPi Member, Vikrant Bhargava, through its Integrated Livelihood Development Program in the Alwar district, is transforming animal healthcare. Pashu Sakhi's are a cadre of women from the local self-help groups who carry essential medical supplies and travel from household to household, providing crucial veterinary care services. Trained in nutrition, vaccination, and disease control, they form the backbone of rural animal healthcare, ensuring timely treatment and preventive care for livestock. The impact is profound, as these women bridge the gap in veterinary services, which is particularly acute in rural areas. Veddis Foundation's vision extends beyond treatment, with the Foundation advocating for formalizing the role of Pashu Sakhis, ensuring their recognition and proper remuneration. By scaling and streamlining this model, they aim to create a self- sustainable system that can be replicated nationwide. Through these efforts, the Veddis Foundation is not only enhancing animal healthcare but also building state capacity and empowering rural communities. To know more, click here.
Leena Dandekar’s Raintree Foundation Launches Major River Rejuvenation Effort Across the Shastri River Basin
The Raintree Foundation, Founded by GivingPi Member, Leena Dandekar, is embarking on a significant river rejuvenation project for the Shastri River Basin in Maharashtra, covering 2,098 square kilometers. Following their successful project in Velhe, which addressed challenges like air pollution and water scarcity, they aim to tackle similar issues in the Shastri River Basin, including limited livelihoods, water scarcity, human-wildlife conflict, and biodiversity loss. By engaging communities and promoting a landscape approach, the Foundation seeks to mitigate climate change and promote a generational mindset shift. This project will impact around 400 villages, aligning with all 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The Foundation is currently raising awareness and funds to support this initiative. To know more, click here.
Swati Munjal Leads BMU Cares Initiative to Expand Scholarships & Educational Access for Diverse Students
BML Munjal University, under the leadership of Mr. Sunil Kant Munjal (Chancellor) and GivingPi Member, Ms. Swati Munjal (President), has started a social endeavor called BMU Cares. This initiative, dedicated to establishing a fund, aims to empower students from diverse backgrounds to pursue their educational goals. Mentored by Imperial College London in its foundational years, BMU strives to ensure that 50% of its students receive scholarships, making world-class education accessible. Over 2,200 students have benefited from scholarships totaling Rs. 74 crores since the university's inception. BMU Cares focuses on empowering female students, especially in STEM fields, to advance their education. If you would like to know more about BMU Cares or are interested in collaborating with them to support the future of these students, please write to [email protected]
Manvendra Singh Shekhawat’s I Love Foundation Advances Water Resilience, Education & Community Development in Rajasthan
GivingPi Member Manvendra Singh Shekhawat's social endeavor, The I Love Foundation, is an alliance of local communities working to solve problems by pooling intent and resources. The Foundation has made significant strides since its inception in 2013, completing 60 projects across responsible tourism, education, healthcare, environment, and cultural preservation. The ‘Greening Jaisalmer’ initiative saw the planting of 10,000 native plants in community pasture land at Chandan, Jaisalmer, involving 250 volunteers to foster biodiversity and reduce carbon footprint. The Foundation's water resilience efforts with Dhun Jaipur include constructing 45 farm ponds in peri-urban Jaipur, with a goal of reaching 100 ponds this year. Similarly, under their clean drinking water initiative, they installed rainwater harvesting units in 14 government schools, benefiting 2,500 students in Jaisalmer. In education, the Foundation established the first smart classes in a village called Mulana and Govt. Girls College Jaisalmer, benefiting 900 girl students. Moreover, their marketplace connect initiative provides employment to 30 women artisans from rural Jaisalmer who specialize in traditional artwork of the region.
Sandeep Singhal’s ACT Grants Partners with Karnataka Govt. to Prevent Blindness Through Tele-Ophthalmology Innovation
ACT Grants – Healthcare, led by GivingPi Member, Sandeep Singhal, recently partnered with Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP) and the Department of Health and Family Welfare Services, Govt. of Karnataka, to deploy innovative digital and tele-ophthalmology solutions in rural primary care centers. The aim is to eradicate preventable blindness in a wide age group from 5-80 years. With funding and advisory support from ACT, this project is expected to impact nearly 10 million underserved individuals across 8 districts. To know more, click here.
Avantika Saraogi Drives India’s First Bio-Plastics Plant Through Sustainable Innovation at Balrampur Chini Mills
GivingPi Member, Avantika Saraogi, is from the Promoter family of Balrampur Chini Mills Ltd (BCML), which recently announced an investment of Rs. 2,000+ crores to pioneer India's first bio-plastics plant, partnering with three global technological experts. Aligned with the nation's sustainability goals, the project prioritizes circular practices using bio based raw materials. Striving for net-zero emissions by 2070 for India, it underscores a dedicated commitment to ecoconscious, innovation, reshaping India's economic landscape sustainably. To know more, click here.
Indira Bodani’s Gateway Foundation Scales FABLe Literacy App to Strengthen Foundational Education Nationwide
The Gateway School of Mumbai, Founded by GivingPi Member Indira Bodani, and The Gateway Research and Outreach Cell, are verticals of the Keshavlal V. Bodani Education Foundation, Indira Bodani's family foundation. The Gateway Research and Outreach Cell has developed FABLe, a mobile-based benchmarking assessment application designed to enhance foundational literacy skills among students in India. This first of its kind literacy app has been developed by Dr. Radhika Misquitta and her team. The research based app is tailored to the Indian education system and is offered free of charge for primary grades. It covers English for grades 1-5, and Hindi and Marathi for grades 1-3. Currently 59 schools and 8,065 students nationwide have adopted and implemented the application. The Gateway Research and Outreach Cell's aim is to make FABLe accessible to all schools and educators across India, contributing to the nation's goal of ensuring foundational literacy for every learner. As The Gateway Research and Outreach Cell develops FABLe further, they are looking to partner with likeminded schools and organizations to develop intervention programs. To know more, click here.
Sonakshi Agarwal’s Sterlite EdIndia Trains Uttarakhand Schools on DigiLocker to Boost Digital Learning Systems
GivingPi Member, Sonakshi Agarwal, is the Managing Director of Sterlite EdIndia Foundation, which recently conducted a successful Digilocker training session with Samagra Shiksha in Uttarakhand as part of their data analytics support program. The training was designed to bolster digital proficiency and encourage effective use of technology in education. The session provided participants with comprehensive insights into Digilocker, highlighting its significance in school management and data storage. 36 staff members engaged in this session, gaining valuable knowledge and skills. To know more, click here.
India needs over $2.5 trillion by 2030 for climate mitigation: A call to action for community resilience
Neera Nundy & Parnasha Banerjee | The Economic Times
In this opinion piece, Neera Nundy, Co-Founder & Partner, Dasra, and Parnasha Banerjee, Director, Dasra, delve into climate mitigation and what will enable philanthropists to achieve meaningful impact and strengthen community resilience to climate change.
How philanthropy is empowering India's mental health sector
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw | World Economic Forum
In this piece, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw advocates for collaborative philanthropy for the mental health sector, where philanthropy complements government efforts and supports community-led solutions.
Innovation in Education- for an Entrepreneurial India
Mekin Maheswari | TEDxKCG
GivingPi Member and Founder & CEO of Udhyam Learning Foundation, Mekin Maheshwari speaks on innovation in education and the role it plays in making India entrepreneurial.
