Vikram Kapoor’s Post

At the recent MoU signing ceremony, graced by Smt. Diya Kumari, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan, we renewed our commitment to last-mile development. With the signing of the MoU, we are set to establish 25,000 Nand Ghars across the state of Rajasthan to empower women, tackle malnutrition, and give children the foundation they deserve for a brighter tomorrow. With over 3600 Nand Ghars already established across the state, we continue to contribute towards the progress of the state. This isn’t just about buildings—it’s about building a future—a future where communities rise, children thrive, and women lead the change. #NandGhar #ChildDevelopment #WomenEmpowerment #Rajasthan #PoshanTracker #SocialImpact #RuralEmpowerment

Saraswati works tirelessly on the land—tilling, sowing seeds, nurturing the harvest, and even carrying heavy equipment on her shoulders. Yet, the land she cultivates is in her husband’s name. Like countless women across rural India, she puts in all the labour, but the recognition of being a farmer is denied to her. This story is part of our partnership with Khabar Lahariya through the #MeriZameenMeriPehchaan series, where we focus on amplifying the voices of women like Saraswati. Check her story in the post below #GenderEquality #WomenFarmers #LandRights

Teej is a significant festival celebrated primarily by women in Nepal and parts of India, especially in the states of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Haryana. It typically occurs in the monsoon season and is dedicated to the goddess Parvati and her union with Lord Shiva. Welcoming the monsoon with swings and songs – Happy Teej! #HappyTeej #TeejCelebration #HariyaliTeej #TeejVibes #TeejTradition #TeejFasting #TeejFestivities #TeejRituals #TeejSwing #TeejDance #linkedinpage #newpost

#HumansofDreamaDream Part 4/6 Sharique Syed Mashhadi wanted to start an organisation working for the rights and upliftment of Muslim community in Jamshedpur and started the Bridgegap Foundation in 2008. “Through this, I wanted to empower children to make their own life choices.” He identified low cost private schools in Jamshedpur and organised activities with them. Since there was no space available for the government and children to interact, he organised sessions with adolescents and police administration, who openly shared their challenges and the support they sought from the police. Though he wanted to make a difference, he was not aware of how to mobilise communities or make widespread change. A friend suggested him to join Seva Mandir, a non-profit organisation in Udaipur, to understand community work. There, he worked on violence mitigation and peace building projects with rural communities primarily with children, young people and women groups. This gave him an insight to bring more religious diversity within social organisations. The experience at Seva Mandir helped Sharique learn different ways of addressing social issues. “While working in Rajasthan, I met a girl who was not being treated well by her in-laws and husband. She complained to me that she could not avail ration under the Public Distribution System (PDS). I asked her to write a letter, which I would give to newspaper agencies in Udaipur. Her letter was published and the PDS staff ensured that the monthly ration reached her home. She showed me the newspaper clipping and also told me that this impressed her father-in-law a lot and she has found a new respect in her marital home. In Rajasthan, many women in villages were called Daakan (loosely translated as witch). I once made a group of volunteers list down the stories of all women who were called Daakan. This series was carried in the Dainik Bhaskar newspaper (a leading Hindi language newspaper in India) leading to public discussions, which alerted the State Women Commission to take steps to ensure women’s rights.”

Planting Hope, One Tree at a Time What can we do in our own communities to create positive change? In a heartwarming tradition, the village of Piplantri celebrates the birth of every baby girl by planting 111 trees in her honor. This remarkable custom symbolizes hope for the girl’s bright future and promotes environmental sustainability In the heart of Rajasthan, India, lies a village that’s redefining the way we celebrate life. Piplantri, a small village with a big heart, has adopted a unique tradition that’s not only beautiful but also sustainable. Every time a baby girl is born in Piplantri, the community comes together to plant 111 trees in her honor. This remarkable tradition has been going strong for over a decade, with thousands of trees already planted. This act is more than just a celebration – it’s a powerful symbol of hope for the girl’s bright future. The trees represent a commitment to environmental sustainability, providing shade, shelter, and a better future for generations to come. Piplantri’s tradition also challenges the stereotypes surrounding the birth of a girl child in India. By celebrating the arrival of a baby girl with such enthusiasm, the community is sending a strong message about the value and importance of girls in society. So, how can we draw inspiration from this remarkable tradition? Here are a few takeaways: Community-driven action can lead to positive change Environmental sustainability is crucial for our future Empowering girls and women can have a profound impact on society As we reflect on this inspiring tradition, let’s ask ourselves: #girlchild #celebratingbirthofgirlchild #piplantri #onetreeatatime #positivechanges #womanempowerment

On August 1st, I had the privilege of attending a transformative panel discussion "BAAT BHARAT KI" with Mr. Narendra Nath Damodaran, Former Executive Director of PRADAN, and Mr. Anshu Gupta, Founder of Goonj. Their enlightening insights on local self-governance and community engagement left a lasting impression Insights from Mr. Narendra Nath Damodaran: 1. Empowering Rural Communities: Highlighted PRADAN’s success in organizing women into Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and collaborating with Panchayats in Jharkhand and Rajasthan, leading to sustainable, community-driven development. 2. Holistic View of Poverty: Emphasized poverty as a multifaceted issue encompassing lack of opportunities and dignity, beyond mere income. Despite reports of declining extreme poverty, he stressed the need for comprehensive solutions. 3. Women as Catalysts for Change: His conviction in women’s transformative power stems from years of firsthand experience, showcasing their critical role in driving social and economic progress. 4. Empowering Panchayats: Asserted that Panchayats can be powerful agents of grassroots change if provided with adequate resources and training. Insights from Mr. Anshu Gupta: 1. Redefining Development Issues: Shared the origin of his title “The Clothing Man,” underscoring clothing as a critical yet overlooked development issue. His journey from a corporate career to founding Goonj was fueled by a vision to address this gap. 2. Creating a Parallel Economy: Goonj’s innovative approach to a trash-based economy challenges traditional cash-based systems, promoting sustainable resource utilization and community involvement. 3. Community-Led Solutions: Goonj’s philosophy of involving financially and materially poor communities in designing their own solutions has resulted in dignified and sustainable development outcomes. 4. Dignity over Charity: Advocated for transforming the culture of charity into one that preserves dignity, a core principle evident in Goonj’s programs that turn discarded materials into valuable resources. These sessions reinforced the power of community participation and local governance in achieving sustainable development. The insights shared by Mr. Narendra and Mr. Anshu are invaluable as we continue our mission to create meaningful impact through Aspirational Bharat Collaborative. #AspirationalBharatCollaborative #Leadership #CommunityEmpowerment #SustainableDevelopment #LocalGovernance #Inspiration #PRADAN #Goonj Narendranath Damodaran Anshu Gupta

#DurgaisShakti: #POWER, Saluting this power and wishing everyone happy #navratri, #pujo and a series of upcoming festivals from Maithri Aquatech, India 🙏 The attached news story published in Times of India, this morning's edition bears testimony to the Power of Change led by Women. The piece is aptly titled: Change Begins Here. What else could be a better beginning to the auspicious NAVDURGA festivities than this inspiring and engaging saga of #BinduPallichal and #Kudumbashree to eradicate poverty and women empowerment at the grassroots level by establishing microenterprises, principally led by Women! 4.5 million Empowered Women Entrepreneurs and counting is a solid game-changing success of the #Kudumbashree mission, one of the world's largest networks of women-led initiatives helmed by the Government of Kerala in 2007. Aren't we all indebted to Women in all the diverse roles that they play at each stage of our lives??? www.maithriaqua.com Reimagining Water, Enabling Life https://lnkd.in/gEs5X8Ep

#Inspiration #StrengthInAdversity This highlights the resilience shown by Ilma’s mother, who overcame immense challenges to raise her children after her husband's passing. It celebrates the power of strength and determination in the face of hardship. #BreakingStereotypes Ilma’s journey challenges societal norms, especially in a setting where girls are often expected to conform to traditional roles. Her success story embodies breaking stereotypes about women’s potential in society. #FarmersDaughterToIPS This showcases Ilma's incredible rise from the humble beginnings of being a farmer’s daughter to joining one of the country’s most prestigious services, the Indian Police Service (IPS). It signifies the power of dreams and determination. #EmpoweredByEducation Ilma’s story is a testament to the transformative power of education. Her mother’s decision to invest in her daughter's potential, rather than dowry, changed the trajectory of her life, making education a path to empowerment. #IndianDreamInAction This celebrates Ilma’s return to India from a life of comfort in New York to contribute to the nation’s growth. It encapsulates the concept of the Indian dream—progress, peace, and prosperity. #DefyingTheOdds Ilma's story is full of challenges—losing her father at a young age, financial struggles, and the societal pressures she faced. Yet, she rose above these difficulties, defying the odds to achieve her dreams.

Breaking Barriers, Empowering Women On Day 2 of #16DaysOfActivism, we celebrate the resilience and determination of women like Devan from Rajasthan and Sumanti from Jharkhand, who are transforming their lives despite overwhelming odds. Devan, a farmer in Rajasthan, battled water scarcity and societal constraints, joining forces with 150 women to demand fair work under MGNREGA. With CASA's support, she embraced sustainable farming, learning to create organic compost and forming a collective that strengthened her financial and emotional independence. Meanwhile, Sumanti, the only graduate in her Oraon tribe village, fought against patriarchal norms to lead a women’s self-help group during the pandemic. Through CASA’s initiatives, she empowered women to overcome vaccine hesitancy, embrace livelihood opportunities, and advocate for gender equity. These stories remind us of the transformative power of collective action and the importance of standing up against oppression. Together, we can break barriers and build a future of equality and empowerment. #WomenEmpowerment #BreakTheCycle #GenderEquality #CASA #SustainableFarming #16DaysOfActivism