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  • Zerodha CSR grant boosts SusMafia climate ecosystem

    Zerodha CSR grant boosts SusMafia climate ecosystem

    Brokerage firm Zerodha has awarded a Rs 2 crore CSR grant crore CSR grant to The Sustainability Mafia (SusMafia), a non-profit focused on climate education and early-stage incubation, to boost India’s climate-tech ecosystem.

    The Zerodha CSR grant will enable SusMafia, legally known as The Sustainability Engine Foundation, to expand programs building a skilled climate workforce and supporting startups in sectors like air quality, water sanitation, waste management, carbon reduction, and the circular economy.

    SusMafia addresses gaps in talent readiness, early validation for founders, and connections to capital and pilots.

    Over recent years, the organization has trained over 400 climate professionals via its Climate Ninja program and deployed Rs 1 crore in grants to ventures, fostering a network of more than 80 climate entrepreneurs.

    With the new funding, SusMafia plans to train over 300 additional Climate Ninjas, support more than 20 early-stage startups, and host events like SusCrunch for stakeholder collaboration.

    “Strong climate outcomes emerge when founders, practitioners, and learners have access to the right knowledge and support early in their journey,” said Nithin Kamath, CEO of Zerodha. “SusMafia is building this connective tissue, and we’re pleased to back their work.”

    Ganesh Shankar, Director of SusMafia, added: “This Zerodha CSR grant strengthens our ability to build community, bringing founders, talent, and partners closer to make sustainability the default choice.”

    Zerodha, through its Rain Matter initiative, supports long-term climate and sustainability efforts across India.

    SusMafia collaborates with institutions including the Indian School of Business (ISB), IIT Madras, and Ashoka University, and networks with startups like PadCare, Dexler Energy, and Lucro.

  • Amit Shah to boost malnutrition mitigation with CSR programmes launch

    Amit Shah to boost malnutrition mitigation with CSR programmes launch

    Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah is set to launch two Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives aimed at boosting malnutrition mitigation among children in the national capital on Tuesday.

    The programmes — Giftmilk Programme and Shishu Sanjeevani Programme — will be unveiled during the National CSR Conclave titled “Role of Corporate Social Responsibility in Nutrition Security and Malnutrition Mitigation”, organised by the NDDB Foundation, an official statement said.

    The Giftmilk Programme, a CSR effort by SAIL-Bhilai Steel Plant in Chhattisgarh, will provide flavoured milk fortified with Vitamins A and D to around 4,000 children in government schools in mining areas of Bhilai Steel Plant. The milk will be supplied through the Chhattisgarh Milk Federation, managed by NDDB.

    The Shishu Sanjeevani Programme, supported by IDBI Bank as a CSR initiative, offers nutritional support to approximately 3,000 children at anganwadi centres in rural Nagpur district, Maharashtra. It features an energy-dense, ready-to-eat fortified supplement developed by NDDB and manufactured by the Bhandara Milk Union.

    The conclave aims to discuss collaborative and sustainable strategies to boost malnutrition mitigation in children.

    Several Union Ministers, including Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Annapurna Devi, Krishan Pal Gurjar, Murlidhar Mohol, S P Singh Baghel and George Kurian, will attend the event.

    Cooperation Secretary Ashish Kumar Bhutani, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Secretary Naresh Pal Gangwar, Women and Child Development Secretary Anil Malik, NDDB Chairman Meenesh Shah and other stakeholders are also expected.

  • Garuda Aerospace reinforcing ESG awareness workshop

    Garuda Aerospace reinforcing ESG awareness workshop

    India’s leading drone manufacturer Garuda Aerospace held an ESG awareness workshop, reinforcing its dedication to ethical, accountable and sustainable business practices.

    The session attracted participation from more than 150 employees and stakeholders, highlighting the company’s priority on integrating sustainability into its operations.

    The workshop focused on educating attendees about Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles, emphasising responsible practices, data integrity, compliance and skill development.

    Through structured sessions and interactive discussions, participants gained insights into how ESG awareness contributes to long-term value creation, operational transparency and responsible innovation in the aviation and aerospace industry.

    Rithika Agnishwar, Co-founder and Chief Administrative Officer of Garuda Aerospace, stated: “Sustainability starts with awareness and accountability.

    At Garuda Aerospace, we believe that responsible aviation goes beyond technology—it is about people, processes and purpose. This ESG awareness workshop is a step towards building a culture where ethical practices, data integrity and governance are deeply embedded in how we operate and grow.”

    The initiative is part of Garuda Aerospace’s ongoing efforts to promote responsible business conduct and alignment with international sustainability standards.

  • ACC’s transforming water conservation in Dhakori village in Maharashtra

    ACC’s transforming water conservation in Dhakori village in Maharashtra

    ACC, part of the Adani Portfolio, and the Adani Foundation are advancing climate resilience through transforming water conservation efforts in rural Maharashtra.

    In Dhakori village, Wani block, Yavatmal district, the companies addressed chronic water scarcity by building an upstream cement nala bund under the 2024-25 Climate Action Water Conservation initiative.

    Despite heavy monsoons, runoff previously left fields dry by November, restricting farmers to one crop annually.

    The new structure stores nearly 48,000 litres of water, recharges borewells and provides year-round supply to 96 acres of farmland.

    Around 35 farmers now grow multiple crops, with incomes rising by about Rs 18,000 per acre.

    The project has also secured household and livestock water supplies, fostering community stability.

    By revitalising resources in Dhakori, ACC and the Adani Foundation demonstrate how targeted, community-led initiatives can achieve sustainable rural development amid climate challenges.

    For more on ACC’s initiatives, visit ACC Limited. Details on Adani Foundation’s work available at Adani Foundation.

  • From struggle to success: How Samadhan Project changed Rajasthan farmers’ lives

    From struggle to success: How Samadhan Project changed Rajasthan farmers’ lives

    In the arid landscapes of Rajasthan, where traditional farming often meant meager earnings and uncertainty, Hindustan Zinc’s Samadhan Project is sparking a quiet revolution. This flagship CSR initiative has reached nearly 1.4 lakh farmers, helping them generate over Rs 192 crore in diversified income in just the past year through modern, sustainable practices.

    Take Shankar Lal Dangi from Chota Guda village near Udaipur. Like many, his family once scraped by on Rs 6,000–7,000 a month, limited by old-fashioned methods, scarce water, and unreliable markets. Through the Samadhan Project, Shankar embraced drip irrigation, scientific cropping, and joined a Farmer Producer Organization for better prices, according to the company statement.

    Today, his yields are higher, milk production has doubled, and his income has soared—bringing stability, pride, and a brighter future for his family.

    Close-up of raw milk being poured into container with dairy cows in background


    Similar hope blooms in Sindesar Kalan village, Rajsamand district, with Dinesh Puri Goswami. He shifted from low-yield crops to diverse vegetables and upgraded dairy practices.

    Using raised-bed nurseries and better animal care, Dinesh earned Rs 78,000 from vegetables in four months, plus Rs 12,000 monthly from milk. “It’s reduced our risks and given us steady income,” he shares.

    Women are at the heart of this change too. Gendi Bai from Ganeshpura village turned one bigha of land into a thriving vegetable plot with drip irrigation and mulching, earning ₹90,000 and gaining recognition as a progressive farmer.

    From leading Farmer Interest Groups to running dairy enterprises, women under Samadhan are driving household prosperity and community strength.

    The project’s multi-pronged approach—crop diversification, precision irrigation, livestock improvement, microenterprises, and farmer-owned institutions—has delivered real results: ₹90 crore in livestock assets, 280 lakh litres of milk worth ₹88 crore, and revenues from farmer-led ventures.

    With 510 Farmer Interest Groups and five Producer Organizations involving over 9,300 shareholders, Samadhan covers 2,449 hectares in climate-smart practices like trellis farming and bio-fortified crops. It’s not just boosting incomes; it’s building resilience, nutrition, and agri-entrepreneurship.

    As a Vedanta Group company, Hindustan Zinc extends its impact beyond farming through education, healthcare, and more, touching 23 lakh lives across 2,300 villages—aligning with India’s vision of inclusive growth.

    These stories of Shankar, Dinesh, Gendi Bai, and thousands more show how the Samadhan Project is turning subsistence into sustainability, one farm at a time.

  • bigbasket farmer empowerment: heartwarming stories from India’s fields on Kisan Diwas

    bigbasket farmer empowerment: heartwarming stories from India’s fields on Kisan Diwas

    On Kisan Diwas, as India honours its hardworking farmers, there’s a quiet revolution unfolding in villages across 16 states—one that’s putting smiles on faces and money directly into pockets. bigbasket, a TATA Enterprise, is at the heart of this change, empowering over 50,000 farmers through a network of more than 120 collection centres right at the farm gate.

    Imagine a farmer in rural Karnataka, waking before dawn to harvest crisp vegetables. Instead of haggling with middlemen who take a big cut, he loads his produce onto a truck heading to a nearby bigbasket centre. By evening, the payment hits his bank account—within just 48 hours. No delays, no uncertainty. This simple shift has brought stability to thousands of families who once worried about unpredictable income.

    It all started small in 2015, with one collection centre in Malur near Bengaluru. Over the past decade, bigbasket has strengthened this model, building trust one harvest at a time. Today, a dedicated team of over 400 agricultural graduates, including agronomists at every centre, works hand-in-hand with farmers. Using the in-house Farmus app, they geotag fields, forecast harvests, and advise on growing high-demand crops that fetch better prices.

    “Our relationship with farmers is central to everything we do,” says Seshu Kumar Tirumala, chief buying & merchandising officer at bigbasket. “It’s about long-term trust and shared success, not just buying produce.”

    For organic farmers, the support goes even deeper. Through 12 exclusive centres, bigbasket helps around 6,300 growers get certified—at no cost to them. Trained local youth, called Jaivikmitras, visit farms to teach natural methods, like preparing Jeevamruth and Beejamruth, traditional elixirs that enrich the soil without chemicals.

    These stories aren’t just numbers—they’re about real people gaining dignity, security, and hope. As bigbasket continues to revolutionize farmer empowerment, it’s proving that a fairer food chain benefits everyone: fresher produce on our tables, and brighter futures in India’s fields.

  • Maruti launches WagonR Swivel seat for inclusive mobility

    Maruti launches WagonR Swivel seat for inclusive mobility

    Maruti Suzuki India Limited launched a revolutionary Maruti WagonR swivel seat option on Thursday, marking a pioneering step toward inclusive mobility in India’s mass market automobile segment.

    The WagonR swivel seat is specifically designed to provide greater convenience for senior citizens and persons with disabilities, aligning with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 10 on reducing inequality.

    “Swivel seat will make daily travel more convenient for senior citizens and persons with disabilities,” said Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director and CEO of Maruti Suzuki India.

    “This initiative reflects our vision of inclusive mobility and reinforces our commitment to customer-focused solutions,” he said in a statement.

    The automaker partnered with Bangalore-based startup TRUEAssist Technology Private Limited through its incubation program with NSRCEL-IIM Bangalore to develop the Maruti WagonR swivel seat solution.

    RETROFITTING AND AVAILABILITY

    Customers can order the swivel seat as a retrofitting kit at Maruti Suzuki Arena dealerships. The seat can be installed in new WagonR models or retrofitted in existing vehicles, according to the company statement.

    The product initially will be available at more than 200 Arena dealerships across 11 cities, with plans to scale up based on customer demand.

    WagonR’s tall-boy design offers spacious headroom and legroom, facilitating easier entry and exit, making it suitable for this innovative mobility solution. The model ranks among India’s top 10 selling vehicles.

    SAFETY AND WARRANTY

    The WagonR swivel seat kit has undergone safety testing at the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) and meets required safety standards, Maruti Suzuki said.

    Installation does not modify the vehicle’s structure or core functioning. The swivel seat comes with a three-year warranty.

    “By integrating our innovation into a model loved by the masses, we can ensure that inclusive mobility becomes a mainstream reality,” said Naina Padaki, founder of TRUEAssist Technology Private Limited.

    The initiative draws inspiration from Suzuki Group’s corporate slogan “By Your Side,” embodying the group’s commitment to customer-focused solutions rooted in founder Michio Suzuki’s vision.

  • Gates Foundation Appoints Archna Vyas as India Director

    Gates Foundation Appoints Archna Vyas as India Director

    The Gates Foundation appointed Archna Vyas as its Gates Foundation India Director, the organization said on Tuesday, making her the first woman to lead its operations in one of its most significant country partnerships.

    Vyas will oversee the foundation’s collaboration with Indian government agencies, philanthropists and private sector partners on healthcare, sanitation, gender equality and agricultural development initiatives aligned with India’s development goals, the foundation said in a statement.

    The foundation has operated in India since 2003, working on issues ranging from digital public infrastructure to financial empowerment as the country has lifted millions out of poverty over the past two decades.

    As the new Gates Foundation India Director, Vyas previously served as global director for the foundation’s Global Policy and Advocacy division, leading work on growth, opportunity and empowerment. She joined the organization in 2014 and has worked across its health and poverty alleviation programs.

    “India is our most significant country partnership,” Vyas said in the statement. “I look forward to working closely with governments, communities, philanthropists, and our partners to support the Government of India’s vision of becoming a developed economy by 2047.”

    Before joining the foundation, Vyas led communications and digital marketing for Reckitt across South and Southeast Asia. She holds a master’s degree in physics from the University of Delhi and a postgraduate diploma in business administration from the Institute of Management Technology.

    Ankur Vora, the foundation’s chief strategy officer, said the Gates Foundation India Director brings deep understanding of India’s development landscape and a track record of building impactful partnerships.

    Vyas succeeds Hari Menon, who led the India office since 2019 and will transition to a global leadership role in January 2026, the foundation said.

  • Crop residue energy: slash pollution, lift farmer earnings

    Crop residue energy: slash pollution, lift farmer earnings

    Renowned Indian chemical engineer Padma Bhushan Dr J B Joshi urged harnessing crop residue to generate sustainable energy, a move that could slash air pollution in northern India and add up to Rs 5,00,000 annually to farmers’ earnings.

    India produces about 600 million tonnes of crop residue yearly, much of it burned in fields and contributing to toxic smog in Delhi and surrounding areas, Joshi told a conference on Energy Conservation Day organised by the Progressive Chambers of Commerce.

    “Converting this biomass into coal and gas via modern indigenous technology would cut reliance on imported fossil fuels,” Joshi said at the “Viksit Bharat 2047” event. He cited a pilot project in Sindhudurg district, Maharashtra, turning cashew waste into energy as proof of concept.

    The initiative aligns with India’s push for renewable sources amid rising energy demands. Panel moderator Dr A K Nayak warned that achieving developed-nation status by 2047 requires 40 times current energy output, all sustainably sourced.

    Somaiya University head Prof Ajay Kapoor stressed pairing tech investments with everyday conservation to ease citizens’ lives.

    The event launched the book “Food Security by Radiation – The Unreasoned Fear for Irradiated Food” by Arun K Nayak, Satendra Gautam, Ravindra Bansal and Samyak Munot, debunking myths on food irradiation.

  • Empowering Youth: ACC’s skill development transforms lives

    Empowering Youth: ACC’s skill development transforms lives

    In the rural hamlet of Gagal in Himachal Pradesh, ACC, a unit of the Adani Group’s diversified portfolio and India’s fastest-growing building materials firm, is bolstering youth livelihoods via targeted, community-driven skill development programs.

    Sakshi, 22, hails from a humble family in Gagal village, where early tragedy struck: her father died young, leaving her mother and elder brother to shoulder the financial load. Her sibling, a heavy machinery operator, toiled long hours to fund the household and Sakshi’s schooling amid mounting pressures.

    Eager to ease the strain, Sakshi turned to the Adani Skill Development Centre (ASDC), a joint initiative of ACC and the Adani Foundation. She joined the Retail Sales Associate program, honing key competencies in communication, customer interaction and sales techniques. The rigorous curriculum fortified her self-assurance and primed her for the competitive retail job market.

    Upon graduation, Sakshi landed a position at Royal Signet, a Bhatinda-based retailer, drawing a monthly salary of Rs 12,000 plus meals and lodging. Her ascent underscores the potent ripple effects of ACC‘s skill development efforts, which arm disadvantaged youth with tools to surmount barriers and forge stable prospects.