Karnataka/Bengaluru, 8 July 2026: ACC, the cement and building materials company of the diversified Adani Portfolio, along with the Adani Foundation, is empowering rural youth with the skills and confidence needed to pursue careers in the defence services.

Shrishail, an 18-year-old from Kundanoor village in Wadi, grew up in a financially constrained household where his father’s daily wage income was barely sufficient to meet basic needs. Limited resources made it difficult for him to access quality training or explore structured career opportunities.

Driven by his aspiration to serve the nation, Shrishail joined the Adani Foundation’s pre-police and army training programme after being mobilised through a community outreach initiative. The programme provided structured physical training, theoretical coaching, mock drills, personality development sessions, and continuous mentorship to prepare candidates for defence recruitment.

Despite initial challenges and lack of access to private coaching, Shrishail remained committed to the rigorous training process. With consistent guidance and dedicated effort, he developed the discipline, physical fitness, and confidence required to compete successfully.

His perseverance paid off with his selection as an Agniveer in the Indian Armed Forces, marking a significant milestone in his journey towards a stable and dignified career.

Shrishail’s journey reflects how Adani Foundation’s focused support is enabling rural youth to transform aspirations into meaningful career opportunities.

The initiative was designed to create greater public awareness and inspire citizens to actively contribute to a cleaner environment.

Kuppam (Andhra Pradesh): 06^th July, 2026: The Adani Foundation, the socio-economic and development arm of the Adani Group, has joined the Government of Andhra Pradesh’s (AP) P4 initiative as a Margdarshi (guide and enabling partner) to support Bangaru Kutumbams, or underprivileged families, in Kuppam Mandal of Chittoor district. The partnership will help households improve their incomes through locally relevant enterprises and better access to government welfare programmes.

The P4 (Public-Private-People Partnership) initiative is the AP government’s flagship programme to accelerate poverty reduction by connecting underprivileged families with mentors, institutions and organisations that can help them build sustainable livelihoods.

The initiative, titled “Transforming Lives Together: A P4 Model for Holistic Progress of Bangaru Kutumbams in Kuppam Mandal,” covers all 29 Gram Panchayats and urban clusters. It focuses on enterprise creation, financial literacy and stronger linkages to welfare schemes. Andhra Pradesh Mahila Abhivruddhi Society (APMAS) is the implementation partner.

The Adani Foundation works across nearly 150 villages in AP in the areas of education, health and nutrition, sustainable livelihoods, climate action and community development. The initiative builds on this work by supporting the state’s efforts to help vulnerable households achieve economic self-reliance.

Visiting the programme in Kuppam, his Assembly constituency, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Shri N. Chandrababu Naidu, handed over sewing machines, portable welding kits, embroidery machines to Bangaru Kutumbams.

The Hon’ble CM praised the Adani Foundation for its holistic development approach, describing it as embodiment of the true spirit of Government’s P4 Zero Poverty Initiative. Addressing the gathering, he said, “I congratulate the Adani Foundation for its commitment to strengthening leadership and promoting sustainable livelihoods for Bangaru Kutumbams. This initiative exemplifies shared social responsibility, creating lasting impact for the community. My sincere appreciation to the Adani Foundation for this exemplary contribution to inclusive development.

In a special message, Dr. Priti Adani, Chairperson, Adani Foundation, said, “Lasting progress begins at the household level. When families have the opportunity, the right support and the confidence to build sustainable livelihoods, they create stronger futures not just for themselves, but for generations to come. Our partnership with the Andhra Pradesh government under the P4 initiative reflects a shared commitment to helping Bangaru Kutumbams become more self-reliant.”

Under the programme, households will receive livelihood assets suited to their skills and local market opportunities. These include kirana stores, livestock, sewing machines and other micro-enterprise support designed to generate sustainable incomes.

Each household will be supported by Bangaru Mitras, trained community mentors who will help prepare business plans, improve financial literacy, develop enterprises and connect beneficiaries with relevant government schemes.

By combining community mentoring, enterprise development and access to public welfare programmes, the initiative aims to help households build sustainable incomes. The model is designed to be scalable and supports AP’s vision of reducing poverty through locally driven solutions that can be replicated across the state.

Karnataka/Bengaluru, 6 July 2026: ACC, along with the Adani Foundation, is helping farmers adopt sustainable agricultural practices and improve their livelihood security through community-focused development initiatives in and around Thondebhavi.

Agriculture had become increasingly difficult to sustain for Harish, a farmer from Tapasmakanahalli village. Cultivating marigold on his one-acre farm required annual investments of nearly Rs. 1.5 lakh. However, labour shortages, rising input costs and fluctuating market demand made returns on such a heavy investment uncertain. With his income heavily dependent on seasonal and festival demand, financial stability often remained out of reach.

Seeking a more sustainable alternative, Harish participated in an Adani Foundation-supported initiative promoting drumstick leaf cultivation. As part of the programme, farmers received exposure and training on cultivation practices, income potential and market opportunities. This initiative was designed not only to support individual farmers but also to encourage the wider adoption of drumstick cultivation, with plans to scale the model across more than 300 acres in the region.

Today, Harish has transitioned to drumstick leaf cultivation with approximately 7,000 plants on his farm. The crop requires relatively low maintenance and is supported by an assured buyback arrangement with Nora Agro Tech, reducing market uncertainty. His annual production is projected at 2,240 kg, generating revenue of approximately Rs. 2.24 lakh. With cultivation costs estimated at just Rs. 26,000, this model is expected to deliver a net annual income of nearly Rs. 1.98 lakh while providing a productive lifespan of up to 15 years.

For Harish, this shift represents a pathway to greater income stability and long-term financial security. For Adani Foundation, this initiative reflects the importance of supporting farmers with sustainable solutions that strengthen rural livelihoods, improve resilience and create opportunities for lasting economic progress.

A key milestone of the initiative was the flagging off of a 40-seater school bus on 19 June 2026 by Sh. Jitendra Srivastava, CMD, REC Ltd, in the presence of Joint Secretary, Transmission, Ministry of Power, GoI; Sh. Prince Dhawan, CEO, RECPDCL and distinguished key officials of the UT Administration of Ladakh and  Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Kargil.

By establishing safe, reliable, and consistent transportation, the newly deployed school bus aims to bridge geographical gaps for youth in the rugged terrain, bringing children closer to essential learning opportunities and a brighter academic future.

This infrastructure support underscores RECPDCL’s core mission to empower remote and underserved communities through sustainable, impactful development.

Secretary, MNRE, Santosh Kumar Sarangi said that India’s clean energy transition requires diversification of renewable energy sources and greater focus on region-specific solutions. He emphasized that Small Hydro Power is a mature, reliable and environmentally sustainable renewable energy technology that can play a crucial role in strengthening energy security, supporting rural development and promoting balanced regional growth.

The Ministry said that the newly launched Scheme aims to support installation of approximately 1500 Megawatt of new Small Hydro Power capacity. The Scheme with a total financial outlay of over 2 thousand five hundred crore rupees, aims to provide Central Financial Assistance for SHP projects, support for preparation of detailed project reports and support for capacity building and others.

The pan-India initiative has been implemented over the years with a clear dual purpose. It contributes to carbon sequestration and ecosystem restoration, while also creating sustainable income opportunities for farmers. At maturity, the 1 million trees are estimated to sequester approximately 20,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year, strengthening climate resilience and supporting India’s broader environmental goals.

Beyond carbon impact, the project plays a vital role in restoring ecological balance. The plantations improve soil fertility, prevent erosion, enhance water retention, and contribute to better air quality by absorbing pollutants and generating oxygen. By stabilising local microclimates and supporting improved water cycles, the initiative enhances long-term environmental sustainability. Furthermore, the initiative aligns closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 15 (Life on Land), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger).

Commenting on the milestone, Balfour Manuel, Managing Director, said: “Reaching the milestone of one million trees planted is a significant step in our commitment to supporting India’s carbon reduction and climate resilience goals. As one of the country’s largest logistics networks, we recognise our responsibility in contributing to a low-carbon future. Expanding green cover at scale not only supports national decarbonisation ambitions but also strengthens long-term environmental sustainability. Equally important, our initiative has strengthened rural livelihoods by equipping farmers with sustainable practices and long-term income opportunities. For us, climate action must be measurable, inclusive, and aligned with India’s broader ambition of building a resilient, sustainable economy.”

A key differentiator of the programme is its strong focus on farmer capacity building. Beneficiaries receive structured training on tree plantation, maintenance, organic farming practices, mulching, pruning, pest control, and water conservation techniques. Demonstration plots and workshops enable hands-on learning, ensuring sustainable outcomes and long-term livelihood benefits. This milestone reflects Blue Dart’s continued efforts to integrate environmental responsibility with inclusive growth by strengthening ecosystems, supporting communities, and contributing meaningfully to a greener future.