Latest news with #SBIFoundation
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Science
- The Hindu
Initiative to transform science education for primary school students in Raichur
In a major step towards strengthening science education in rural India, Prayoga Institute of Education Research has partnered with the State Bank of India Foundation (SBIF) and SBI Funds Management Private Limited to expand its flagship Kriya programme to 12 government schools in Raichur district. The collaboration, officially launched at Government Model Primary School in Station Bazaar, Raichur, on June 17, is part of SBIF's Integrated Learning Mission (ILM) titled Reimagining Science Education. Block Education Officer, Raichur, Eranna Kosagi, SBI Foundation Managing Director Sanjay Prakash and Prayoga Managing Trustee Vallish Herur were among those present at the launch in Raichur, along with teachers and education officers at both block and cluster levels. Sanjay Prakash stated that the partnership is a significant step towards bridging the educational gap in rural India. 'By providing quality science education and the necessary resources, we are enabling students to experience science in a practical and engaging manner. We believe this initiative will inspire students in Raichur to pursue careers in science,' he said. Vallish Herur added that that Prayoga would, through the Kriya programme, like to provide government school children in Raichur an opportunity to explore science in engaging, hands-on ways. 'Science, when learnt experientially, enables students to build capabilities beyond textbooks. With support from the SBI Foundation and encouragement from local education authorities, we aim to create a brighter future for children in Raichur. The initiative aligns with Prayoga's mission of improving education quality through research-driven practices tailored to the Indian context. Marking its 10th year, the institute continues to focus on strengthening STEM education, especially in underserved regions, through scalable and sustainable programmes,' he said. The organisers said that the Kriya programme, which had already impacted over 11,000 students across 77 schools in Karnataka, focuses on experiential learning in science. It is designed for students from classes 6 to 10, and aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 by emphasising hands-on scientific inquiry and critical thinking.
Hans India
3 days ago
- General
- Hans India
Book launch to herald revival of water heritage in Moodbidri
Moodbidri: In a significant step toward documenting and celebrating a decade-long grassroots environmental movement, the book 'Lakes and Tanks of Jaina Kashi—Moodbidri' will be officially released on June 18 in Moodbidri. The book captures the remarkable journey of a small heritage town in coastal Karnataka that has led a modern-day Bhagiratha effort to rejuvenate its ancient lakes and tanks. Of the town's 18 historically significant water bodies, 13 are currently under various stages of rejuvenation, with five already restored to their original vitality—just in time for the monsoon. The book, a collaborative initiative supported by the SBI Foundation, Rotary Club, CDD India, and several citizen groups, documents the town's struggle and success in reviving water bodies that had been forgotten or neglected for decades.
Hans India
4 days ago
- General
- Hans India
Moodbidri to Celebrate Revival of Water Heritage with Book Launch on June 18
Moodbidri (Dakshina Kannada): In a significant step toward documenting and celebrating a decade-long grassroots environmental movement, the book 'Lakes and Tanks of Jaina Kashi—Moodbidri' will be officially released on June 18 in Moodbidri. The book captures the remarkable journey of a small heritage town in coastal Karnataka that has led a modern-day Bhagiratha effort to rejuvenate its ancient lakes and tanks. Located 32 km from Mangaluru, Moodbidri is known as Jaina Kashi for its centuries-old Jain heritage and architecture. But over the past few years, it has also emerged as a symbol of people-powered ecological revival. Of the town's 18 historically significant water bodies, 13 are currently under various stages of rejuvenation, with five already restored to their original vitality—just in time for the monsoon. The book, a collaborative initiative supported by the SBI Foundation, Rotary Club, CDD India, and several citizen groups, documents the town's struggle and success in reviving water bodies that had been forgotten or neglected for decades. It profiles community leaders, local activists, and environmental champions like Maqbool Hussain, Dr. Muralikrishna, P. Thomas Kurien, and Dr. Amrut Malla—whose tireless efforts made the transformation possible. The work was also facilitated by consistent support from the current MLA Umanath Kotian and former MLA K. Abhayachandra Jain. 'This is not just about reviving lakes. It's about restoring a town's ecological balance, reclaiming lost cultural spaces, and reducing dependency on overstressed sources like the Phalguni river,' said PK Thomas, one of the principal contributors to the movement and a key figure behind the documentation. The book offers vivid accounts of tanks like Bettkere, also known as Bhattaraka Kere, which dates back to the 12th century BC and has now been restored with the help of local citizens and guidance from the Archaeological Survey of India. Another landmark success is Mohalla Kere, once a garbage dump, revived by residents led by Maqbool Hussain through community mobilisation, manual labour, and scientific desilting. Rejuvenated water bodies like Kadalakere, Kemplaje Kere, and Basavanakaje have not only begun recharging groundwater levels but have also evolved into ecological hotspots, attracting birds and restoring green cover. 'We've seen a clear rise in water tables around these revived tanks. Hundreds of dug wells have water again,' Thomas said. The book also discusses the continued threats faced by water bodies in nearby areas like Karkala, where tanks such as Aane Kere and Sigadi Kere suffer from sewage inflow and unchecked weed growth. Yet, success stories like Endratta Kere and Hariyappana Kere show that sustainable restoration is achievable with local leadership and civic commitment. Looking ahead, the team has already identified Subhashnagar Kere as the next summer revival project, with support pledged by the Dharmasthala temple trust. Even neglected and partially lost tanks such as Ankasaley, Gowri Kere, and Kadedabettu are now being mapped and revived with renewed community interest. The book release on June 18 is expected to draw environmentalists, civic planners, students, and citizens from across the region, offering Moodbidri's revival model as a beacon for sustainable urban water management in small towns across India.
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
14 acres of Gadag MGRDPR University turn into green oasis
Hubballi: SBI Foundation has developed 14 acres at Mahatma Gandhi Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (MGRDPR) University campus in Nagavi, Gadag. The hilly space, which was filled with bushes, has turned into a green farm with more than 19,000 saplings, thanks to SBI Jan-Van project. Dr Suresh V Nadagoudar, registrar and (acting) vice-chancellor of the varsity, told TOI that the SBI Foundation exclusively selected MGRDPR University from the entire Karnataka to implement the SBI Jan-Van project. "This initiative, launched in collaboration with Sankalpa Rural Development Society (SRDS), is a step toward environmental conservation. This mini forest has become an excellent spot for the leisure of the people of Gadag. It also offers our students a rare opportunity to experience and connect with the environment. With a dedicated water supply, greenery, and cleanliness, a pure and sustainable ecosystem has been created here," he said. The forest has a check dam, open gym, meeting space, borewells and recharge units, trenches, gully plugs, solar lights and benches. A wide variety of trees, including Banyan, Neem, Tamarind, Simarouba, Teak, Tabebuia, Bengali, Indian Ash, Guava, Custard Apple, Jamun, Peepal, Fig, and Honge (Pongamia), have been planted here. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo Sanjay Prakash, managing director, SBI Foundation, Mumbai, said their Jan-Van plantation and 'Gram Saksham' watershed development work in Gadag district have helped in increasing the greenery and improving groundwater levels. The collaborative work from SBI Foundation, Sankalpa, MGRDPRU and the gram panchayats stands as a testament to how collective efforts can bring gradual impact on the ground," he commented. Sikandar Meeranayak, CEO, SRDS, Gadag, said to ensure water supply during the summer and prevent scarcity, 20-25 water tankers are brought in every month to water the plants. "This has resulted in the healthy, well-nourished growth of plants. The open meeting space is available for small gatherings and cultural programmes. Roofing sheets and curtains have been installed around the area. As a preventive measure against borewell depletion in the future, the Twin Ring Recharge Method (a technique for recharging borewells by capturing rainwater and directing it into the ground through a filtration system using cement rings) has been implemented," he said.
Time of India
05-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
IIT-K, SBI Foundation launch startup innovations initiative
Kanpur: The Indian Institute of Technology-Kanpur's Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC), in partnership with SBI Foundation, the CSR arm of the State Bank of India, launched the 'Startup Innovations for Social Good' initiative under SBIF Innovators for Bharat on Thursday. The initiative is also supported by SBI DFHI Limited and SBI Ventures. The programme was announced on Thursday at an event held at the IIT-K Outreach Centre, Noida. The initiative will nurture 30 impact-driven startups—24 of which will be early-stage and 6 will be growth-stage—in domains such as AgriTech, Healthcare, and CleanTech. Spanning 18 months, the program will offer a structured incubation program with continuous mentoring, domain-specific support, and performance monitoring to ensure effective, socially impactful outcomes. The launch event was attended by Amey Karkare, dean of resources and alumni, IIT-K; Deepu Philip, professor incharge, Innovation & Incubation, FIRST; Sanjay Prakash, MD & CEO, SBI Foundation; Ambika Prasad Bhuyan, vice president (head marketing and strategies), SBI DFHI Ltd; Kapil Kaul, CEO, IIT-Kanpur development foundation; Kumar Alok IAS (Retd.), former Chief Secretary Tripura and Prof of Practice, IIT-K; Aman Bhaiya, vice president and head (Strategy) SBI Foundation; and Piyush Mishra, COO, FIRST SIIC Kanpur, among other dignitaries.
