This World Environment Day, as the world focuses on ‘Ending Plastic Pollution,’ it's time to shine a spotlight on rural India—where the plastic crisis is growing silently but steadily.

In a long-term partnership with the Hinduja Group, the Sustainable Water Management Project in Rajasthan has transformed the lives of over 2.74 lakh people across 173 villages in 5 districts over the past 7 years. The adoption of innovative water harvesting techniques, rejuvenation of traditional water bodies, and the implementation of efficient irrigation methods has marked a significant milestone in grassroots water stewardship and environmental sustainability.

From humble beginnings to becoming one of India’s leading manufacturers in piping systems, the story of Prince Pipes and Fittings Limited (“Prince Pipes”) and its growth, is nothing short of inspiring! Starting out in business with just a small family Kirana shop, the family ‘s penchant for business evolved – pivoting into the plastics industry in the 1970s, when five brothers came began into making household items like buckets and jugs. In 1980, a pivotal moment occurred when the family members chose to branch out. Seizing an untapped opportunity, Jayant Shamji Chheda founded Prince Pipes, and what followed was a steady rise as a leader in plumbing and piping solutions.

India is home to the fourth-largest agricultural sector in the world and a crucial part of the country’s economy. As agranian labour, women’s participation has always been significant, with estimates ranging from 63% to 80%.

Continuing a successful partnership that has already impacted over 8,00,000 beneficiaries across 22 districts since 2018, Ambuja Foundation and HDFC Bank Parivartan have launched a new phase of the Holistic Rural Development Program (HRDP) in Charkhi Dadri, Haryana.

In rural India, where traditional roles and limited opportunities often define the lives of women, education holds the potential to open doors that extend far beyond the school fence. It is not just about learning to read or write—it’s about building knowledge, skills, and confidence that enable women to make informed decisions, support their families, and participate actively in their communities.

March 2025 became a landmark month for water awareness and grassroots action as Ambuja Foundation led World Water Day celebrations across locations with community engagements, grassroots innovations and cultural expression. The Foundation mobilized thousands of farmers, women, school children, and community leaders across rural India to spotlight the urgent need for water conservation through education, symbolic acts, and sustainable practices.

Ambuja Foundation witnessed multiple launches and expansion of projects last month along with HDFC Bank Parivartan across locations.

A recent progress report of Project SUMAN (Smart Upgrade Modern, Aware Natural), implemented by Ambuja Foundation in collaboration with Anand Rathi Global Finance, highlighted significant impact across five villages in the Pali district of Rajasthan. Targeting the communities of Baldo Ki Dhani, Bhato Ki Dhani, Jawariya, Gulabpura, and Giradara, the project reached over 927 households, transforming the lives of more than 4,500 rural residents through a multi-pronged approach focused on agriculture, water security, skill development, and women’s empowerment.

SBI Funds Managment (SBIFM) partners with Ambuja Foundation to establish new skill training centres in Gandhinagar and Sanand in Guajrat, and Una in Himachal Pradesh. This collaboration aims to train and equip over 3,600 youth from these regions with essential skills over the next three years, thereby enhancing their employability across various industries.

Sun Pharma, a pharmaceutical company in India, in collaboration with Ambuja Foundation, launched an Integrated Water Resources Development and Management Program (IWRDMP) in Dhari taluka of Amreli district, Gujarat. This four-year initiative aims to address the critical water and agricultural challenges faced by farmers and their families across 40 water-scarce villages in Dhari. This initiative is part of Sun Pharma’s broader climate action efforts under its CSR projects.

Over the past century, the world has been warming up and every region on planet Earth has experienced the resultant shift in weather patterns. While observers report that since the 1980s, each decade has been warmer than the previous one, the year 2024 recorded the world’s hottest period due to climate change.