Aatmanirbhar Gaon

Walking in the Footsteps of Giants

Bajaj Foundation, like a tree, derives its strength and nourishment from its roots.

One of the immensely impactful chapters that unfolded in India’s freedom struggle was the exemplary contribution of the Bajaj family. Deeply influenced by Gandhiji and Acharya Vinobaji Bhave, Jamnalal Bajaj, Jankidevi Bajaj and Kamal Bajaj devoted themselves selflessly and unwaveringly to the independence movement as well as to strengthen India at its core – at the village level.

Walking in the Footsteps of Giants

Inspired by this glorious legacy, Shishir Bajaj, Kushagra Bajaj and Apoorv Bajaj are steering Bajaj Foundation for empowering rural communities and making them lovable liveable abodes.

Shishir Bajaj

Kushagra Bajaj

Apoorv Bajaj

Creating Aatmanirbhar Gaon

Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) for villages was Gandhiji’s vision of a strong India. The Foundation is helping village economies become aatmanirbhar (self-reliant) through need-based interventions and by bolstering core infrastructure. We are also strengthening the hands of farmers by building capacities through Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs). Now several farmers have set up their own block-level outlets to sell their produce. We are also promoting Off-farm Producer Organisations (OFPOs) to give fillip to the traditional cottage industry for greater aatmanirbharta. Farmers are also supported through Farmer Interest Groups. Village Knowledge Centres (VKCs) are being tapped into to help rural folks take informed decisions and create self-sufficient and sustainable ecosystems.

Creating Aatmanirbhar Gaon

Water Resource Development

The Foundation is bringing a definitive change in the fortunes of farmers facing shortages of water through a gamut of impactful interventions. To tame the treacherous uncertainty about water, we are working tirelessly, implementing effective measures such as rejuvenation of rivers and streams, construction of check dams, group wells, farm ponds, percolation tanks, recharge pits, rainwater harvesting systems, groundwater recharging systems, and irrigation systems, to name a few. These interventions fulfil the most crucial requirement of farmers – water for livelihood.

Water Resource Development

Promoting Sustainable Agriculture

The Foundation encourages farmers to adopt smart cropping patterns and hardier seed varieties for greater resilience to climate change and sustainability in farming. Also promoted by the Foundation is 'Subhash Palekar Krishi', an enhanced farming methodology, as well as environmentally sound practices such as mitigation of soil erosion for prevention of loss of top soil and nutrients. Many farmers have now taken up natural farming to rejuvenate soil and restore its fertility, while efficient irrigation systems such as growing vegetables using mini drip with overhead tanks are adding new dimensions to sustainable agriculture.

Promoting Sustainable Agriculture

Renewable Energy for Sustainability

Hand-holding villagers on the path of sustainability, the Foundation has been promoting renewable energy technologies for over 10 years, improving energy access, enhancing energy security and reducing the impacts of climate change. The interventions include solar power irrigation systems, solar lights, and solar dryers for spoilage-free storage of excess harvest of vegetables. The Foundation also promotes biogas as a handy and clean cooking fuel. So, villagers do not have to depend on foraging in dwindling forests for firewood as cooking fuel. And the cherry on top is organic manure obtained as a by-product that can replace fertilisers.

Renewable Energy for Sustainability

Empowering Women for Entrepreneurship

Empowering rural women with access to economic assets such as livestock, entrepreneurial ventures, as well as formal and non-formal credits is bringing a much-needed balance to the socioeconomic equation – towards gender equality. Fostering entrepreneurship for women in remote villages is being achieved through our far-reaching programs that leverage vehicles such as  Self-Help Groups for women and Farmer Producer Organisations.

Empowering Women for Entrepreneurship

'Design for Change' – Engaging Young Minds

Design for Change, or DFC, has gained worldwide fame for the uniqueness of its approach towards social change. Created by Kiran Bir Sethi of Riverside School, Ahmedabad, Bajaj Foundation has initiated this program to empower school children in unique and purposeful ways. With Feel, Imagine, Do and Share as 'spur points', we primarily engage school students, encouraging them to discover the power of the two words: "I can". The young citizens imbibe life skills, and value of independence, self-reliance, and empathy for others. Bajaj Foundation has been drawing participation of schools in DFC for over 10 years in collaboration with District Education Department.

'Design for Change' – Engaging Young Minds

Revitalising Rural Communities

The ethos of the Foundation are rooted in the premise that the nation is served well when the hands of our rural brethren are strengthened – economically, socially, and environmentally. With this altruistic mission, the Foundation has been instrumental in empowering village economies. The Foundation is working with farmers, women and children – the three pillars of village social structure – to make them stronger and happier. Bajaj Foundation has been empowering rural communities in Sikar district (Rajasthan) and Wardha district (Maharashtra) since 1963, and more recently in Lalitpur district (Uttar Pradesh).

Health is Wealth

Personal health is the cornerstone of strong communities. We organise health camps, and hygiene awareness workshops as well as visits of mobile dispensary units. Village folks are also empowered with the knowledge of how to prepare Ayurvedic remedies for common illnesses at home. With our interventions, 18,700+ beneficiaries have experienced a positive change.

Revitalising Rural Communities

Health is Wealth

Imparting Skills, Fostering Entrepreneurship

The youth is the nation’s future, and to secure the future of the rural youth, the Foundation imparts training in various vocational skills, helping in building micro-enterprises that strengthen the rural economy. Our initiatives have supported 5000+ youth beneficiaries.

Climate-proofing

We have initiated a climate-proofing project in collaboration with National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) for climate change mitigation and adaption. The project integrates crop, weather and market advisory and information system for developing climate-resilient agriculture systems. We have roped in renowned agricultural scientists to help farmers in seed selection, improved cultivation practices, and climate-resilient farming.

Imparting Skills, Fostering Entrepreneurship

Climate-proofing

Institutional Collaboration
for Maximum Impact

To tap synergies, Bajaj Foundation has joined hands with several leading national and international institutions for cooperation on several interventions. Among them, NABARD has recognized Bajaj Foundation as a resource agency under its Capacity Building for Adoption of Technology (CAT) program.

Happiness and Hope

The scope, extent, and vigour of the pragmatic initiatives of Bajaj Foundation have been yielding dramatically improved outcomes, bringing aatmanirbharta and happiness for villagers who had earlier lost all hope and were resigned to their fate. But when concerted efforts come to fruition, it is elating to see hearts filled with hope and faces brightened with smiles.

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Walking in the Footsteps of Giants

Walking in the Footsteps of Giants

Creating Aatmanirbhar Gaon

Creating Aatmanirbhar Gaon

Our Impact

1,600+

4,00,000+

20,00,000

Water Resource Development

Water Resource Development

Our Impact

3,15,000+

84,000+

1,400+

Promoting Sustainable Agriculture

Promoting Sustainable Agriculture

Our Impact

1,27,000+

1,64,000+

1,300+

Renewable Energy for Sustainability

Renewable Energy for Sustainability

Our Impact

6,000+

3,500+

1,900+

Empowering Women for Entrepreneurship

Empowering Women for Entrepreneurship

Our Impact

82,000+

4,400+

56,000+

'Design for Change' – Engaging Young Minds

'Design for Change' – Engaging Young Minds

Our Impact

481

5000+

10+

Revitalising Rural Communities

Health is Wealth

Revitalising Rural Communities

Health is Wealth

Imparting Skills, Fostering Entrepreneurship

Climate-proofing

Imparting Skills, Fostering Entrepreneurship

Climate-proofing

Institutional Collaboration for Maximum Impact

Happiness and Hope

Institutional Collaboration for Maximum Impact

Happiness and Hope

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Institutional Collaboration
for Maximum Impact

Institutional Collaboration
for Maximum Impact