Bajaj Foundation

The Foundation focuses on enhancing the potential of human resources as a fundamental driver of growth. In the context of Wardha, it emphasizes the importance of managing both human and natural resources to enhance overall quality of life. Its approach involves introducing economically empowering activities and tapping into the untapped potential within Wardha's human capital. It values traditional knowledge and practices, supporting the community in bridging the gap between traditional wisdom and modern science and technology. Additionally, it helps the community improve its financial and management skills while preserving its core human values. The Foundation's ultimate goal is to foster self-reliance within the community and elevate their quality of life.

The organisation focuses on community empowerment by enhancing livelihood opportunities. Recognizing that traditional cropping patterns in Wardha are unsustainable and economically unviable, it has taken the initiative to educate farmers about sustainable agricultural practices driven by technology. Additionally, it promotes dairy farming as an alternative livelihood, with a particular emphasis on marginal and landless farmers, including women. This approach not only improves income through enhanced agricultural practices but also ensures better family nutrition. The utilization of cattle dung for fuel and manure further benefits households, and by empowering women to manage cattle, it transforms their responsibilities into productive, income-generating activities.

It is dedicated to sustainable rural development through responsible natural resource management. Its mission aligns with social responsibility and sustainability, inspired by the concept of rural reconstruction as a means to combat imperialism, as advocated by Gandhiji. Recognizing the deterioration of river systems, once vital for agriculture and community life, it embarked on interventions in 2009-10. Years of neglect, deforestation, and soil erosion had degraded these lifelines. Consequently, rivers often overflowed, water turned turbid after rains, and crops and homes along the riverbanks faced destruction. The organisation realized its role in revitalizing these deteriorated river systems, which in turn would rejuvenate the rural economy sustainably. Through collaboration with the farming community, it successfully revived many of these vital river systems in various villages.

It focuses on transforming communities towards sustainability, as exemplified in Sikar, a region facing extreme climate conditions and water scarcity in Rajasthan. Identifying issues like deteriorating groundwater, desertification, and unsustainable farming practices, it works closely with the local community to implement ecologically sustainable and economically viable community development interventions. An example of their impact is evident in Richhpal's village, Sihot Chotti, where it addressed water scarcity by advising on borewell recharge and constructing a roof rainwater harvesting system. This initiative successfully collected and redirected rainwater to recharge borewells, ensuring a sustainable source of water for the community, particularly important in a region with limited rainfall and groundwater challenges.

The Foundation is committed to transforming livelihoods in Wardha, Maharashtra. Its development initiatives go beyond traditional CSR, focusing on empowering the local community. It has introduced innovative water harvesting projects, reviving rivers and enhancing cropping intensity, prolonging river flow, and increasing income for agrarian families. Sustainable agriculture practices, indigenous cow breed promotion, and efficient irrigation systems are part of its approach. It also supports non-conventional energy sources and empowers women through Self-Help Groups.