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.

As we mark World Earth Day 2025, it’s the perfect moment to spotlight the role of solar energy in transforming rural India—not just environmentally, but socially and economically as well. With climate change looming and traditional resources depleting, clean, alternate and renewable energy isn’t just an ideal—it’s a lifeline. Across villages in India, solar power is reshaping daily life, making communities more resilient, self-reliant, and future-ready.

In Abhla, Lakhipur, and other neighbouring villages in Farakka, an unfamiliar fruit brings hope and higher income. A strawberry called Winter Dawn.

Limited resources in rural India are major obstacles standing in the way of learning. Children in standards 1-5 struggle to reap the benefits of reading because their access to books ends at their school gates.

It’s not very often you get to speak with the CEO at the helm of a global organization driving sustainability around cotton farming! In these trying times, where issues like climate change, and the ubiquitous rural poverty can feel so overwhelming and grim, a talk with Alan McClay, CEO of Better Cotton, based in Geneva, is like a breath of fresh air! His optimism, passion and insight give us all hope that if we continue to chip away, a better world awaits us all …

At just 18 years of age, Beant is no stranger to social work. She got her first taste of it at the age of 11 as an Adolescent Peer Educator, and was hooked! As the primary driver of Ambuja Foundation’s Women Empowerment Programme in her community, Beant is a busy teen – juggling social work duties, studies in Tally, household chores and of course – all important time with friends!

In Chirawa, Rajasthan, most of the women are bound to their homes, with families bestowing the responsibility for earning an income on the men of the house. But 19-year-old Monu decided to buck the trend by pursuing a career in Food & Beverage.

The young farmers of Una block in Gujarat, are on a mission. They have united in their effort to turn their farming enterprises around, creating new opportunities for their members and enhancing profits along the way, by forming the Dhanvantri Farmer Producer Company.

Ambuja Foundation is fortunate to have a visionary Chairman at the helm of its Board of Directors, whose success in business is widely lauded – having built one of India’s iconic companies. However, as a humble and quiet gentleman who doesn’t like to stand on his own soapbox, it is often difficult to get inside the mind of Narotam Sekhsaria to understand what makes him tick. In an intimate interview with Thrive, Mr Sekhsaria shares his bold dreams and desires for the future of Ambuja Foundation.

The inspiring stories of Ambuja Foundation’s beneficiaries have been captured in a stunning coffee table book format – highlighting their perseverance and ‘unstoppable’ drive in pursuing their livelihoods and passions.

All thanks to NABARD, Ambuja Foundation has received a sanction to train 125 youth in Assistant Electrician course in 5 batches at SEDI Bathinda. This sanction is part of NABARD’s ongoing efforts in fostering Skill Development and Rural Entrepreneurship Development initiatives in rural areas.