In fact, World Environment Day was celebrated across locations on the theme 'Air Pollution' in association with the United Nations initiative to encourage worldwide awareness and action to protect the environment.

Knowing what to do in Community mobilization is important, but it is equally important to know what NOT to do.

When you visit a village in Rajasthan, you are bound to find a 'talab' close by - a village water pond that supplies water for drinking, domestic and livestock purposes.

Godrej Agrovet Limited (GAVL) is a diversified, research and development focused agri-business company, dedicated to improving the productivity of Indian farmers through innovative products and services.

When it comes to developing a rural community, unfortunately many interventions are undertaken by an external party and participation of the community in their own development is not always considered. At best, a general assessment of the needs of a community is undertaken and the willingness of the community to undertake certain activities is assessed during project formulation.

Developing institutions which are managed by their own members, is accepted as an important function for those committed to making development people-centric and sustainable. Ambuja Foundation has, from the very beginning, involved the community in charting their own future and whilst the process may look difficult in the beginning, has found that it actually pays in the long run.

Anagha Mahajani, Ambuja Foundations General Manager (Research & Monitoring) shares key insights into how they achieved local involvement and ownership of 26 PIMs (Participatory Irrigation Management) in a 2 year period in Gujarat. Covering 30 villages and 12443 farmers across 13326 hectares of land, Ambuja Foundation had the role of facilitating and strengthening groups.

336 schools were declared 'Tobacco Free' in Chandrapur last month, as part of a campaign to make Chandrapur a Tobacco Free district. The announcement was made by Ambuja Foundation and it's partner, Salaam Mumbai Foundation, at an event to celebrate 'World No Tobacco Day' in the presence of the Block Officer of Nagbeed Village and the Education Zilla Parishad Officer.

Raising awareness of health issues in rural communities plays a critical role in prevention and influencing the health seeking behaviour of families. A variety of activities were recently organized across locations to advocate 'better health.'

Working with Farmer Producer Companies across locations, Ambuja Foundation has placed a heavy focus on helping build the capacity of Farmers to generate thriving business models which deliver returns to the people's institutions and its members. Here are 3 FPOs, supported by Ambuja Foundation, that are making waves in business.

NABARD has played a critical role in promoting people's institutions across India as a key tool for sustainable rural development, and was the first to promote the concept of the Self Help Groups in India in the 1980's.

Chandrakala Uttamroa Ramgirwar, better known as 'Chanda Didi,' is the Secretary of the Ekta Women's Federation in Chandrapur Maharashtra, and a mother of two. In a conversation with Thrive, she talks about her experience and journey after becoming an SHG member and the transformation that this people's institution has brought to women and communities in the district.