S M Sehgal Foundation and DCB Bank inaugurate the Capacity Building & Experience Sharing Workshop Series 'Jalagam'

S M Sehgal Foundation, in collaboration with DCB Bank, and NIRDPR as the knowledge partner held the inaugural workshop in the capacity building and experience sharing workshop series in New Delhi on November 30, 2023. Titled ‘Jalagam’ the workshop series was graced by Smt. Vini Mahajan, Secretary, Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti; Shri Ashok Goel, Commissioner, Ministry of Jal Shakti; and trustees of S M Sehgal Foundation Smt. Neelima Khetan and Dr. Suhas P. Wani; and Mr. Avinash Mishra, former member NITI Aayog. The panel sessions featured discussions around community adaptability and sustenance mechanisms in addressing water-related challenges. The proceedings from the four workshops in the series will form part of a white paper for sharing with policymakers, practitioners, and academia.

'Jalagam' marks a significant step toward featuring community adaptability and sustenance mechanisms at the intersectionality of water and climate change. The workshop series aims at fostering collaboration and sharing experiences in the field of water resources management and bringing out best practices across regions in the states of Delhi, Maharashtra, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh.

Describing the value of ‘Contribute to Society’ at DCB Bank and its impact, Mr. Murali M. Natrajan, Managing Director and CEO, DCB Bank, shared, “Water, the lack of it impedes progress and sustainability of the nation, its people and the planet. We cannot ignore the relation between water and waste management affecting the overall health and water of a nation.  The Bank’s CSR projects and activities mainly focus on water crisis, climate change, sustainable livelihoods & preferably Nature Based Solutions (NBS).

The Bank has invested CSR resources to support, collaborate and work with communities and experts across India, to implement impactful changes in sustainable livelihood, protection of water, and climate change adaptation projects that are sustainable over the long term. Projects with S M Sehgal Foundation in watershed development have revived more than 5,00,000 square feet of water bodies and ponds and harvested more than 35 crore liters of rainwater. This has positively impacted over 14,000 marginal and small farmers.”

Anjali Makhija, Trustee and CEO, S M Sehgal Foundation shared, “The joint efforts of DCB Bank Limited and Sehgal Foundation have contributed significantly to water conservation and sustainability, positively transforming the lives of many communities across India. The success of the workshop series will mark a milestone in the ongoing efforts to build resilient communities and provide collective impetus to the pressing issues of water and climate change.”

DCB Bank Limited and S M Sehgal Foundation formed a partnership in 2017 to embark on community projects focused on water. This collaboration has made a significant impact, benefiting more than 14,500 community members across five states, namely Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan in India, resulting in the harvesting of over 350 million (35 crores) litres of water. The projects include groundwater augmentation through check dams, rejuvenating ponds for surface water storage, and rainwater harvesting units in schools to enable access to drinking water.

About the organizations:

DCB Bank Limited is a new-generation private sector bank with 439 branches (as of 30^th September 2023) across India. It is a scheduled commercial bank regulated by the Reserve Bank of India. DCB Bank has more than 10,00,000 active customers.

The Bank’s CSR projects and activities mainly focus on water crisis, climate change, and sustainable livelihoods; preferably Nature Based Solutions (NBS). Water, the lack of it impedes progress and sustainability of the nation, its people, and the planet. The Bank has invested CSR resources to support, collaborate, and work with communities and experts across India, to implement impactful changes in sustainable livelihood, protection of water, and climate change adaptation projects that are sustainable over the long term.

For more details, please visit www.dcbbank.com

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 details, please visit www.smsfoundation.org