27th June, 2023 marked the United Nations’ Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises Day – celebrating the crucial role that MSME’s play in achieving the 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development. Ambuja Foundation is committed to enabling rural people – particularly women and young people – in establishing enterprises to provide much needed fuel for families and local economies.

Ambuja Foundation organized a closed door event to discuss ‘what works in rural drinking water governance’ in India, in collaboration with the National Jal Jeevan Mission Professor Chair, Centre for Water Policy and Governance, and Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai. The event included key experts working on water from Government, NGOs, Corporates and consultants.

In continuation of interventions on Non-Communicable Diseases in rural areas, Ambuja Foundation is moving forward towards creating a ‘Tobacco Free Workplace’. This initiative is being rolled out in partnership with Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation under its LifeFirst program – an evidence based tobacco-dependence treatment program - and will reach 1500+ Ambuja Foundation staff across locations and project sites.

Every year around the world, humans take action to save the environment with various proactive celebrations on 5th June. This year, Ambuja Foundation was no different, with the team planning various activities for stakeholders to raise awareness of the issue of the depleting environment and the effect it will have on us.

In the arid landscapes of Rajasthan, India, a crisis silently unfolds—that of dwindling water sources and the slow but sure desertification of land that was once fertile. While some parts of the world grapple with the threat of melting glaciers and rising sea levels, the communities here face a different battle. One that is characterized by parched lands, cracked earth, acute water scarcity and relentless droughts. And the story has been repeating with increasing intensity, year after year!

Ambuja Foundation is all set to revive 26 water bodies in Nagaur and Pali areas of Rajasthan aiming to complete rejuvenation before the onset of the upcoming monsoon. This initiative will align with the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Amrit Sarovar’ – developing and rejuvenating 75 water bodies in each district of the country as part of celebration of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.

Supporting the Skill India directive, Ambuja Foundation’s SEDI program (Skill & Entrepreneurship Development Institute) has now trained over 1,00,000 rural youth till date, creating a skilled workforce for various industries and helping tackle rural unemployment.

In the 75 years post India’s independence our country has made significant strides towards equitable growth and development, however, much is left to be done. Adding a new dimension, in today’s world global issues like climate change, the pandemic and the impending water crisis threaten life as we know it - there has never been a more pressing time to collaborate and work together to solve these complex problems.

With consistent efforts to uplift communities at Farakka, West Bengal since 2006, Ambuja Foundation commissioned an external Social Return on Investment Study to better understand the impact of its interventions. Conducted by the CII Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development (CESD), New Delhi, the study returned the finding that for every Re. 1 invested by Ambuja Foundation, a social return, valued at Rs. 9.91, was generated.

In rural India, where people are dependent on groundwater or weekly municipal water supply, getting fresh water every day is a major household chore, mostly shouldered by women. On an average, it takes about three hours to fetch water to meet the needs of a family of four - a rough estimate for when the water source is within a 2 to 5 km radius.

Ambuja Manovikas Kendra (AMK), won the Overall Championship for the 5th time in a row at the Punjab State Level Cultural Competition – Umang 2023. The event is the 5th Punjab State-level Cultural Competition organised by the Special Olympics Bharat, Punjab in collaboration with Ashadeep welfare society organized for the intellectually disabled students and special teachers.

Spend just half an hour of your time with Padmini Sekhsaria – the vivacious and accomplished daughter of Ambuja Foundation Founder Narotam Sekhsaria, and Ambuja Foundation Board member – and you quickly realise that your view of the world is terribly small! With an extensive career in the development sector; a diverse background in business; a rich family heritage of philanthropy; and a global perspective – Padmini brings immense value to the table in guiding the trajectory of Ambuja Foundation. She is fast thinking and talking – so strap on your seatbelts and enjoy the ride, as we discuss her journey, all things Ambuja Foundation and her thoughts on the future of development, globally.