Annual Report Live Now!
S M Sehgal Foundation has released its Annual Report for FY 2024–25, marking another year of dedicated work in rural development. The report highlights progress across the foundation’s core programs and underscores ongoing efforts to empower communities in rural India.
Such achievements would not have been possible without the steadfast support of our valued partners.
To view the report, click here.
(Mr. Jay Sehgal during the Startup Bazaar Meet. Watch the video above.)
SMSF Highlights Community-Led Climate Action at NY Climate Week
At Startup Bazaar: New York Climate Week, hosted by The American Bazaar, S M Sehgal Foundation Chairperson Jay Sehgal participated in a fireside chat examining how bottom-up, community-driven development models are shaping a more sustainable future for rural India.
The conversation traced the foundation’s work from sustainable agriculture and women’s empowerment to innovations in water conservation, illustrating how these integrated efforts are transforming lives across more than 3,000 villages. Watch the full conversation here.
(Jay Sehgal with Mr. Ram Gada and Professor Deep Shikha)
Sehgal foundation in the US Receives the Mahatma Gandhi Vision Award
Sehgal Foundation in the US has been selected as the recipient of the 2025 Mahatma Gandhi Vision Award by the India Association of Minnesota and the Dr. Dash Foundation.
Jay Sehgal, chairperson of S M Sehgal Foundation accepted the award on October 4th at the Minnesota Historical Society History Center.
Strengthening Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) lies at the core of SMSF’s effort to build strong and inclusive rural economies. Through Walmart Foundation-funded Bolstering Farmer Producer Organizations project, SMSF has worked since 2021 to support 22 FPOs and reached more than 23,000 farmers, with women stepping into key leadership roles. Watch the video here.
These FPOs are emerging as engines of rural transformation, propelling grassroots prosperity.
(Farmers understanding the modern innovations at Kisan Mela)
Farmers Gain Exposure to Modern Innovations at Pantnagar Kisan Mela
Under the HDFC Bank Parivartan project in Nainital, a cohort of eighty farmers took part in the Kisan Mela held at G. B. Pant University, Pantnagar. The three-day event offered participants firsthand exposure to contemporary agricultural innovations and sustainable farming practices.
During the visit, farmers engaged with a broad range of technologies and equipment, including improved seed varieties, advanced farm machinery, pesticides, fertilizers, spray drones, spray pumps, small power weeders, and automatic milking machines. Read More…
(Anjali Makhija, Arti Manchanda Grover, Priya Kumar, and Adarsh Anand from SMSF at Sampark 2025)
S M Sehgal Foundation Shares Insights on Collaborative Partnerships at Sampark 2025
S M Sehgal Foundation trustee and CEO Anjali Makhija, spoke at a panel discussion on the theme “Partnerships for Lasting Scale: Weaving Networks for Collective Action” at Sampark 2025, the annual convening organized by the Flipkart Foundation. During the session, she highlighted the scope and structure of meaningful collaborations and partnerships built as equals, grounded in shared values of respect, integrity, and a commitment to placing communities at the center of development efforts. Read More…
(SMSF team and Mr. Abhishek at the intervention villages.)
HDFC Team Visit to Pilbit
The SMSF team conducted a field visit with HDFC Bank Parivartan’s CSR Manager, Mr. Abhishek Samadhiya, to showcase the tangible impact across Puranpur block, Pilibit. The transformation of anganwadi centers, key pillars of early learning, across four villages stood out as a highlight. With HDFC Bank Parivartan, S M Sehgal Foundation is working in 15 villages. The project team in Pilibit also received an appreciation letter from the Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) for the successful and high-quality renovation of the anganwadi center in the district. View here.
(FPO leaders receiving the award)
Recognition for FPOs leaders in Karnataka
This month, women entrepreneurs from FPOs supported by S M Sehgal Foundation, with funding made possible by the Walmart Foundation, were honored with the UBUNTU Star Award and Lifetime Achievement Award at the 4th International Women’s Entrepreneurship Day in Bengaluru, organized by the UBUNTU Consortium. Mr. N. Ravishankar, Director of SUJMAT FPO in Kolar, under the Walmart Foundation-funded Project also received the State Level Best Farmer Award.
Read More…
(JPL and SMSF team at the inauguration ceremony)
Renovated Pond in Jhajjar
SMSF successfully inaugurated the renovated pond at Dhalanwas village in Jhajjar on 26 November 2025 under the Gram Vikas Project supported by Jhajjar Power Limited (JPL). The pond has a water storage potential of 5 million liters.
Read more…
(Anjali Makhija at the Charcha event)
SMSF Joins Dialogue on Measuring Real Impact at Charcha 2025
Ms. Anjali Makhija, CEO and trustee of S M Sehgal Foundation, served as a panelist at Charcha 2025 in a session titled “Redefining Impact to Measure Shifts in Lived Experiences of Communities.” The discussion emphasized the need for development efforts to move beyond outputs and instead focus on meaningful, measurable shifts in people’s lived realities. Makhija underscored the role of community-led solutions, evidence-based approaches, and long-term sustainability as essential drivers of genuine impact. Read More…
(Farmers attending the training)
Farmers Gain Practical Insights in Maharashtra
A comprehensive farmers’ workshop was held in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra, under the Uttam Gram Initiative project in collaboration with KVK Gandheli, the Agriculture Department, and S M Sehgal Foundation.
Experts, including Dr. Anjali Pathare, Dr. Sukase, Dr. Sharad Awachat, and Dr. Tushar Chavan, briefed farmers on government schemes, ginger crop planning, and integrated pest management practices for rabi crops. Read More…
Appreciation Letter by Alwar District Collector Office
District Collector Smt. Artika Shukla and the CEO, Water Conservation, jointly chaired a key meeting in Alwar, Rajasthan, as part of the Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari Campaign. During the meeting, S M Sehgal Foundation was formally recognized for its impactful water conservation initiatives implemented through CSR projects.
View the letter here.
Contributors: S M Sehgal Foundation team
Photo Credits: S M Sehgal Foundation staff
Design and Production: Outreach for Development team
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