Gurugram, October 15, 2024—S M Sehgal Foundation (Sehgal Foundation), a rural development NGO, celebrated its 25th anniversary at its green building campus in Gurugram, Haryana. This milestone event highlighted the foundation’s commitment to sustainable rural development over the past quarter century. Founded in 1999 as a public charitable trust, the foundation has worked to empower rural communities, enabling sustainable social, economic, and environmental changes across rural India. The event brought together knowledge and corporate partners to celebrate the foundation’s milestone. Over the past 25 years, the foundation has expanded its presence to more than 2,658 villages in 66 districts across twelve states, with its impact continuing to grow.
Mr. Jay Sehgal, trustee of S M Sehgal Foundation, opened the event by congratulating attendees on the milestone and sharing his reflections on the foundation’s journey. He highlighted that the foundation’s growth and success over the past twenty-five years are a tribute to the dedication and hard work of talented and committed team, partners, and, most importantly, the communities we serve.
Ms. Anjali Makhija, CEO, and trustee, provided an overview of the foundation’s key programs that address the most pressing needs of rural India, including water management, agricultural development, local participation and sustainability, school transformation, and digital and life skills awareness. She emphasized the foundation’s commitment to information dissemination through multimedia communication approach, innovation, impact, and sustainability, with a particular focus on the empowerment of women and girls.
In a recorded message, Dr.Suri Sehgal, founder, S M Sehgal Foundation shared that “our work has taught us that true development is not just about providing resources but about nurturing a sense of ownership and empowerment within the communities. We have seen firsthand the power of community-led initiatives and the ongoing progress that is possible when individuals are given the tools and support they need to take charge of their own destinies.”
The event featured the screening of a movie chronicling the foundation’s journey over the past 25 years. To commemorate the occasion, a twenty-five-year anniversary coffee table book was unveiled, highlighting the organization’s milestones and partnerships. The digital exhibited showcases the foundation’s footprint across states such as Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.
The foundation’s approach, grounded in experimentation and a “learning by doing” philosophy, has evolved over the years while maintaining its core values of honesty, integrity, and transparency. By working closely with rural communities, the S M Sehgal Foundation has earned trust and created sustainable, positive change.