Community Handover of Holistic Rural Development Project in Firozpur Jhirkha, Nuh, Haryana

S M Sehgal Foundation, a rural development NGO and implementation partner of a CSR-supported project by HDFC Bank Parivartan, handed over the project to the community members upon its completion on March 13, 2024 in a village-based event held in Firozpur Jhirkha. The Holistic Rural Development Program under the HDFC Parivartan banner covers themes of natural resource management, promotion of education, livelihood and skill development, and healthcare and sanitation. The project was implemented from January 2021 to March 2024 across 15 villages in district Nuh, reaching over 5,700 people.

The invited dignitaries to the event include the Deputy Commissioner, Nuh; Sub Divisional Magistrate, Firozpur Jhirkha; officials from district and block level line departments such as horticulture, women and child development, education, animal husbandry, public health and engineering, and others, alongside scientists from Krishi Vigyan Kendra.

Key activities under agricultural livelihood enhancement included crop demonstration on productivity enhancement and diversification. The project has led to the adoption and replication of vegetable cultivation on about 459 acres; irrigation cover increased to 315 acres, through drip and mini sprinklers, coupled with solar-based irrigation systems provided to farmers. To improve agricultural productivity, the project also introduced mechanization for ease in harvesting through reaper as well as establishing a hiring center. Five farmer field schools have been established for farmers' training and experimentation with new techniques in agriculture such as mulching, drip, low tunnel, polytunnel, fencing, and staking for the farmers within the vicinity. To promote alternative livelihoods, goatry units have been provided and a community cadre of women has been trained as Pashu Sakhis, who deliver doorstep animal healthcare services.

To promote education, school transformation through building facilities such as drinking water stations, smart classes, swacchta vahini (sanitation unit), library, science lab, mid-day meal shed, kitchen shed, and BaLA (Building as Learning Aid) paintings, and rainwater harvesting was done. In addition, anganwadis were rejuvenated.

Mr. Manish Bhatnagar, Cluster Head, HDFC Bank Gurugram, and Nuh, shares that “HDFC Bank has a common goal with Sehgal Foundation towards the development of rural India. The Parivartan project stands as a testament to this shared goal, prioritizing the creation of rural assets in the community.  I extend heartfelt gratitude to Sehgal Foundation and the entire community for their unwavering support in this transformative journey.”

Ms. Anjali Makhija, Trustee and CEO, S M Sehgal Foundation, thanked the community and HDFC for partnering with the Foundation on the project. She said, “Village Development Committees, are a critical link in ensuring project sustainability along with convergence with government institutions.”

ABOUT S M SEHGAL FOUNDATION

S M Sehgal Foundation established in 1999 as a public charitable trust strengthens community-led development initiatives to achieve positive social, economic, and environmental change across rural India.

Sehgal Foundation has five main program areas: Water Management, Agriculture Development, Local Participation and Sustainability, Transform Lives one school at a time, and Outreach for Development. These programs are supported by a skilled research team that engages in participatory research, impact assessment, and interactive dialogues to determine informed actions to achieve sustainable results.

For more information, email: communications@smsfoundtaion.org