S M Sehgal Foundation Receives Bhamashah Award for the Ninth Consecutive Year
S M Sehgal Foundation has been honored with the Bhamashah Award for the ninth consecutive year by the Government of Rajasthan under the Shiksha Vibhushan category, recognizing its sustained contributions to school transformation and digital learning. Team members were also presented with Prerak Awards at state and district-level ceremonies for advancing digital libraries and strengthening education initiatives across Rajasthan. Read more…
Pooled Resources Launch a Tenth-Grade Boxer onto the National Stage
As part of the Transform Lives one school at a time program, S M Sehgal Foundation joined the Liwari Village Development Committee in Alwar, Rajasthan, to build a tin-shed boxing court for the Liwari Boxing Academy, where tenth-grader Tasleema Khan has been training. As the only girl boxer to make the cut, Tasleema will now represent Rajasthan at the 5th National Sub-Junior Boxing Championship in Jalandhar. Now more girls in Liwari can dream of similar achievements.
(Anjali Godyal, COO, S M Sehgal foundation signing the MoU)
S M Sehgal Foundation Partners with International Water Management Institute
S M Sehgal Foundation (SMSF) and the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) have formalized a partnership with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance collaborative efforts in water security, sustainable agriculture, and climate responsiveness. Through this collaboration, SMSF and IWMI will work together on research-for-development, action research, field pilots, implementation science, stakeholder engagement, knowledge generation, and the scaling of innovative solutions. Read more…
(Mr. Kuljinder Singh receiving the award)
(Water Management Committee, Sehlanga visits wastewater recycling system in Pinangwan, Nuh)
CSR-Supported Initiatives Advance Sustainable Agriculture and Water Security
In Punjab, progressive farmer, Mr. Kuljinder Singh, of Rupalheri village received the STIHL Kisan Samman under the India Today Group’s Kisan Tak initiative for his leadership in crop residue management. His work is part of a crop residue management initiative supported through DCB Bank’s CSR program and implemented by S M Sehgal Foundation.
Meanwhile, in Sehlanga village, Jhajjar district, Haryana, construction is underway on a pilot Wastewater Recycling and Reuse System under the project “Recycled Wastewater: An Alternate Water Resource for Water-Scarce Areas.” The upcoming system, with a treatment capacity of 73 KLD and IoT-enabled monitoring, is expected to provide a sustainable alternative water source for agriculture and community use in the water-scarce region.
Crop Residue Management Beyond the Burn
In 2022, a group of farmers decided to change the post-harvest landscape. Rather than burning crop residue and choking the air, they began looking for ways to protect their soil as part of a community-led initiative supported by the Walmart Foundation and implemented by S M Sehgal Foundation. By 2025, farmers had swapped seasonal smoke for sustainable farming practices, proving that environmental change works best from the ground up. Their story and the practical lessons learned along the way is now available in a new documentary video and e-book on Crop Residue Management.
Biogas Brings Savings and Sustainability to Rural Households
In Dewas district, Madhya Pradesh, biogas is helping rural families reduce energy costs while promoting sustainable living. Supported by John Deere and implemented by S M Sehgal Foundation under the Integrated Village Development Project, the initiative converts cattle dung into clean cooking fuel and organic fertilizer. Since its introduction in 2023, 154 families across 16 villages have adopted biogas units. Households are saving approximately ₹800–900 per month on LPG expenses, generating collective savings of nearly ₹1.23 lakh every month. The nutrient-rich slurry produced as a by-product is also helping farmers reduce fertilizer costs.
Read more…
(Anjali Makhija, CEO & trustee, SMSF speaking during panel discussion)
Anjali Makhija Advocates for Women’s Role in Scaling Sustainable Crop Residue Management
At a recent panel discussion, “Shifting Behaviours for Mitigating Agricultural Residue Burning at Scale,” hosted by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), Anjali Makhija, spoke about the importance of bringing women into conversations around crop residue management. Through women’s leadership initiatives and community engagement efforts, SMSF has seen how women play an important role as peer action at the village level. Read more…
(Anjali Makhija at Department of Policy and Management Studies at TERI)
SMSF CEO Shares Development Sector Insights at TERI Academic Consultation
Anjali Makhija, was invited to participate in a Stakeholder Consultation Meeting organized by the Department of Policy and Management Studies (DoPMS), TERI School of Advanced Studies, for its B.A. Programme in Policy and Development Studies, proposed for launch in the 2026–27 academic year. Anjali provided input on course structure based on practical experience so that students are equipped with knowledge and skills and become suitably placed in the development sector with a focus on research and policy. Read more…
World Environment Day
Marking World Environment Day across its project geographies, the S M Sehgal Foundation team engaged farmers, women leaders, youth groups, village institutions, and local experts in conversations and activities highlighting the close connection between environmental conservation and rural development. Activities included community discussions on air, water, soil, and plastic pollution in Telangana; awareness rallies, street plays, and tree plantation drives in Maharashtra; and an environmental conservation program in Rajasthan, where nearly 100 farmers participated.
Read more…
(Sonia Chopra, senior program lead, Outreach for Development, conducting training)
CR Connect FM Inspires the Next Generation of Changemakers Day
Ms. Sonia Chopra conducted an interactive session on “Empowering Voices” with adolescent girls under the She Shine Initiative, supported by Children’s Hope India (CHI), in New Delhi. Through engaging discussions and practical exercises, the girls were introduced to radio production and voice modulation, helping them understand how radio can amplify their voices and stories. The session also introduced the participants to CR Connect FM 107.8 (An initiative of S M Sehgal Foundation), highlighting its role in promoting community participation, sharing local knowledge, and providing a platform for grassroots communities. Read more…
Contributors: S M Sehgal Foundation team
Photo Credits: S M Sehgal Foundation staff
Design and Production: Outreach for Development team
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