Spotlight.
(S M Sehgal Foundation receiving the India CSR & Sustainability Award 2025)
S M Sehgal Foundation Bags India CSR & Sustainability Award 2025
S M Sehgal Foundation was honored with the 2025 India CSR and Sustainability Award in the category Exemplary CSR Collaboration for our Krishi Jyoti Project. The award ceremony was held on August 2, 2025, at the India International Centre, New Delhi.
In a moment of immense pride for the entire team, the award was presented by Major General Wadhwa and Prof. Rohan Sarma to Ms. Anjali Makhija, CEO & trustee, and Ms. Pooja O. Murada, principal lead, Outreach for Development at S M Sehgal Foundation.
The Brand Called You: A Conversation with Jay Sehgal
In this episode of , Jay Sehgal, Executive Vice President, Sehgal Foundation, reflects on his journey from a technology career in the United States to advancing grassroots development in rural India. He offers insights on water management, women’s empowerment, education, and community-driven sustainability. The Brand Called You
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Stories of Change.
As part of CSR-supported project, S M Sehgal Foundation conducted a participatory rural appraisal (PRA) in Pillutla and Lingojiguda villages, Medak district, Telangana. The exercise engaged villagers, the gram panchayat sarpanch, ward members, and local leaders in planning solar streetlight installation. Consensus was reached on the locations for solar streetlights, and volunteer groups were formed to oversee their maintenance, ensuring long-term community ownership and sustainability.
Partnership Highlights.
(FAI team and SMSF team volunteering at Doddashivara school in Karnataka)
A Day of Joy at Doddashivara High School
Government High School in Doddashivara, Kolar, Karnataka, was full of energy and smiles as students spent the day with volunteer teams from First American (India). Collaborating with S M Sehgal Foundation, the school has been improved to give 190 students a safe and lively place to learn.Michelle Glonek, vice president, HR Systems & Strategic Initiatives at First American (India) met with students and teachers, planted trees, and gave out educational kits, making the day memorable for everyone.
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(SMSF team briefing HDFC Bank team on the HRDP outcomes)
Witnessing Change in Mahendragarh, Haryana
Through the HDFC Parivartan Holistic Rural Development Project (2024–2027), HDFC Bank and S M Sehgal Foundation are bringing change to 15 villages in Mahendragarh. The impact is visible, with more children in school, women leading as veterinary service providers and managers of pashu aahar kendras, improved anganwadis, and revived ponds.
At a community event on August 6, 2025, team members joined Mr. Vikas Om Sharma, cluster head of HDFC Bank, to visit schools, anganwadis, ponds, and kendras to see the progress and interact with villagers.
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(SMSF and community members in Medak together)
Partnership for Water Security in Medak, Telangana
S M Sehgal Foundation and DCB Bank have come together for Jal Sanrakshan IV (2025–26) in Medak, Telangana. Aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals on clean water, sanitation, and partnerships, as well as India’s climate commitments, the project will support construction of a check dam in Manepalle village to harvest about 40 million liters of rainwater each year, help recharge groundwater for households and livestock, and build strong community ownership through participatory planning.
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Prasara FPO Partners with ITC
Under the Bolstering FPOs Project in Prayagraj, implemented by S M Sehgal Foundation with support from Walmart Foundation, several FPOs are experiencing strong progress. A recent example is Prasara Farmers Producers Company Limited, which entered into contract farming with ITC. This partnership has brought assured markets, fair prices, and technical support for farmers. With quality checks and training facilitated by Froots Technologies, the FPO collectively delivered about 355 MT of wheat, generating a transaction value of over ₹94 lakhs, an inspiring step toward strengthening rural livelihoods and local economies.
(Training of FPOs)
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Month At A Glance.
(Salahuddin Saiphy speaking the the ESG summit)
S M Sehgal Foundation at ESG and Sustainability Leadership Summit
Salahuddin Saiphy, principal lead, Water Management at S M Sehgal Foundation, spoke at the ESG and Sustainability Leadership Summit organized by the UN Global Compact Network India (UNGCNI) at PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, New Delhi. Illustrating with case studies, he highlighted how SMSF’s water conservation efforts revive declining groundwater and surface water resources, improving availability for irrigation, domestic, and industrial needs.
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(Participants at the Nutrition Workshop)
Nutrition Workshop in Nuh, Haryana
An Institutional Nutrition Workshop was held in Nuh with SMSF teams from Haryana, Rajasthan, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh. Sessions covered key topics such as the basics of nutrition, malnutrition, BMI checks, the “Tricolour Food Plate” for a balanced meal, local food systems, and nutrition gardens. Using interactive tools, participants shared experiences and learned practical ways to improve community nutrition. The session was led by Ms. Aparna Singh, assistant program lead, Food & Nutrition at S M Sehgal Foundation.
(Laxmisagara FPO receiving the certiicate)
Recognition for Laxmisagara FPO in Karnataka
On the eve of the Foundation Day of the Centre of Excellence for Farmer Producer Organisations in Bengaluru, the best-performing FPOs of Karnataka were felicitated. Laxmisagara FPO, supported by S M Sehgal Foundation, was honored with an appreciation letter for their services to farmers, strong business initiatives, and value-added efforts that created diverse incomes and long-term sustainability.
(Agri-team capacity building session)
Agriculture Capacity Building Training in Prayagraj
As part of the Agriculture Capacity Building Program, a two-day training was held in Prayagraj from August 5, with SMSF teams from Pilibhit, Sonbhadra, Prayagraj, and Rewa. Sessions focused on soil and plant health, integrated nutrient and pest management, fertilizer use, and crop diversification. Participants also learned about water-saving methods and emerging approaches such as climate-smart and regenerative agriculture, biochar, FPOs, and carbon credits.
6th Annual Learning Exchange of HWTS Network India Chapter
(Mr. Lalit Sharma, principal lead, Water Management at SMSF speaking at the HWTS Event)
The 6th Annual Learning Exchange of the HWTS Network India Chapter, hosted at S M Sehgal Foundation in collaboration with CAWST, brought together experts and young professionals to discuss themes such as safe water, communication, ground realities, innovations, monitoring, and entrepreneurship, with a strong emphasis on the “Lab to Land” approach for targeting critical climate challenges.
The hosts are grateful to Mr. Nanak Santdasani (UNICEF India) for his valuable and inspiring insights, and for the enthusiastic contributions of all participants and partners who attended.
More from SMSF.
Podcast
SMSF Connect podcast features a bouquet of interesting programs about rural development and other social issues and themes. TUNE IN to our podcast channel on I-RadioLive. Podcasts also available on Spotify.
Contributors: S M Sehgal Foundation team
Photo Credits: S M Sehgal Foundation staff
Design and Production: Outreach for Development team
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