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S M Sehgal Foundation's programs are interrelated with a focus on gender equity. The organization's tagline, "Together we empower rural India," refers to empowering individuals and members of village-level institutions to participate in projects undertaken on their behalf in order to further their own development.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indiaempire.com/v2/magazine/2005/april/s_m_sehgal.asp|title=Profile: Village Voice|last= Shukla|first= Nishtha|publisher=India EMPIRE.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.csrtimes.com/interviews/s-m-sehgal-foundation-jane-schukoske-ceo/14|title= S M Sehgal Foundation: Together we empower rural India|publisher=CSR Times.}}</ref><ref>Dhaleta Surender Kuman, "Sehgal Foundation: Bringing winds of change," ''India Post'', 39: 31 December 2004.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:bZwFJan_204J:www.smsfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/India-Post-31st-Dec..pdf+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us|title=Sehgal Foundation: Bringing Winds of Change|publisher=indiapost.com. American Bazaar, 6 February 2018.}}</ref>
=== Water
Foundation staff and volunteers work alongside villagers to obtain and secure adequate local water supplies, improve sanitation, and manage wastewater in their communities. Information and awareness outreach includes door-to-door campaigns and water literacy training. Infrastructure projects include rooftop [[rainwater harvesting]], check dams, water storage tanks, recharge wells and ponds, [[biosand filter]]s, and wastewater disposal structures.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/260034837|title=Rainwater Harvesting: An Effective Tool for Water Crises & its Management in India Scenario|publisher=Research Gate. February 2014.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://mda.nic.in/Schemes.htm|title=Mewat Development Agency, NUH: Soil Conservation and Water Harvesting Works|publisher= Mewat Development Agency, c.2010.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/specials/india-interior/anicut-and-after/article7797212.ece|title=Anicut and after...|last=Mehra |first=Preeti |date=23 October 2015|publisher=The Hindu Business Line.}}</ref>
The foundation supports rejuvenating traditional wells as a more sustainable alternative to tube wells.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/todays-paper/tp-news/rajasthan-villages-drink-deep-from-traditional-wells/article7744592.ece|title=Rajasthan villages drink deep from traditional wells |last=Mehra |first=Preeti |date=10 October 2015|publisher=The Hindu Business Line.}}</ref> These interventions help dry villages become water sufficient.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thebetterindia.com/39112/khohar-sehgal-foundation-rajasthan-village-check-dam-water-crisis-drought/|title=How a Village in Rajasthan Went from Dry to Water Sufficient in Just One Year|last=Pareek|first= Shreya|date=19 May 2017|publisher="The Better India" 20, May 2017}}</ref> In 2014, the foundation won the Millennium Alliance Award for Outstanding Work on Pressurized Recharge Wells for Creating Fresh Water Pockets in Saline Ground Water Areas.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.millenniumalliance.in/Round2Awardees.aspx|title=Installation of pressurized recharge wells for creating fresh water pockets in saline ground water areas to make water available for drinking and sanitation purposes in water scarce schools of Mewat Haryana|publisher=millenniumalliance.in.|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141225175735/http://www.millenniumalliance.in/Round2Awardees.aspx|archive-date=25 December 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The technology was recognized in September 2015 at the United Nations Solutions Summit as one of 14 "innovative" projects profiled that provide "breakthrough solutions" to help meet sustainable global development goals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.solutions-summit.org/|title=Solutions Summit 2015|publisher=solutions-summit.org.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://medium.com/the-white-house/it-takes-a-network-9e7831333906#.9jilhmgmi |title=It takes a network: People already have extraordinary solutions in progress to our most complex challenges|last=Smith |first=Megan|website=medium.com/the-white-house|date=June 2016|publisher=The Medium Corporation.}}</ref> S M Sehgal Foundation engineers designed a biosand filter that was more effective than previous versions in treating water contamination at the household level.<ref>Ahmed, Khusnuma Parween, "Germ-free research: JalKalp model to provide safe drinking water," ''Rural Marketing Magazine'', 30 January 2016.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ruralmarketing.in/industry/case-studies/germ-free-research-jalkalp-model-to-provide-safe-drinking-water#.VqnpQWJE1_s.gmail|title=Germ-free research: JalKalp model to provide safe drinking water|last=Ahmed |first=Khusnuma Parween |date=28 January 2016 |website=ruralmarketing.in |publisher=Rural Marketing.}}</ref> The filter operates without electricity and is effective against E.coli, total coliforms, turbidity, and iron contamination. The technology integrates germicidal properties of copper with conventional filtration.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiawaterportal.org/articles/jalkalp-water-sands-impurities/|title=JalKalp: Water sands impurities|last=Bhaduri|first=Amita|publisher= "India Water Portal" 13, November 2017}}</ref> Sehgal Foundation technical experts collaborate with other NGOs, government bodies, and educational institutions to prepare for monsoon harvesting.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/get-ready-to-harvest-super-monsoon-or-miss-the-bus-writes-kiran-bedi-drought-marathwada-navjyoti-india-foundation-mnregs/story-uj9FTRMOEIXwHQjXZPfAhL.html|title=Get ready to harvest super monsoon or miss the bus writes Kiran Bedi|date=23 May 2016|publisher=Hindustan Times.}}</ref>
=== Agriculture
The agricultural development program promotes sustainable farming practices to improve soil health and crop yield, use water efficiently, empower women farmers, and enhance farmers' income. The foundation sponsors demonstration plots and training on a crop-specific package of practices. Exposure tours, farmers’ meetings, and field days showcase methods of composting, vermicomposting, drip irrigation, sprinkler irrigation, the effective use of microorganisms for quality manure.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kali-gmbh.com/uken/company/news/news-20140204-entwicklungszusammenarbeit-indien.html|title=Development Cooperation: K=S KALI GmbH participates in a Village Development Project in rural India|publisher=K+S KALI GmbH, 4 February 2014.}}</ref> Information communication technology (ICT) provides voice messages to farmers on crop and livestock management.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.idrc.ca/EN/Resources/Publications/openebooks/517-5/index.html |title=Strengthening Rural Livelihoods |access-date=2016-02-04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150420223347/http://www.idrc.ca/EN/Resources/Publications/openebooks/517-5/index.html |archive-date=20 April 2015 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Partnership projects of differing lengths with farmer groups vary by crop, strategy, location, and beneficiary. Native plants are planted in catchment areas and around check dams, ponds, and school boundaries.
The foundation's crop improvement research unit housed in Hyderabad at [[International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics]] (ICRISAT) is recognized as a Scientific and Industrial Research Organization by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dsir.gov.in/direct/siro06.pdf|title=Directory of Recognised Scientific and Industrial Research|publisher=Government of India.}}</ref> The scientists and researchers work to identify elite germplasm assists scientists in public and private sectors in developing new and improved varieties and hybrids.
=== Local
A good rural governance program promoting local participation and sustainability of projects trains citizens and community leaders about their rights, how to access public services, how to participate with government representatives in addressing and solving local community problems, and how to activate and strengthen community ''panchayats'' (village councils), education committees, and health, sanitation, and nutrition committees. Legal literacy camps train citizens to use systems to obtain their rightful entitlements.<ref>"Legal Literacy Projects: Clinical Experience of Empowering the Poor in India", in Frank S. Bloch (ed.), ''The Global Clinical Movement: Educating Lawyers for Social Justice'', New York, 2010.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/jan/01/access-to-justice-for-all-sustainable-development-goal-16-indicators|title=Access to justice for all? Now that would be a measurable good thing by Stacey Cram and Vivek Maru|date=January 2016|publisher=The Guardian, 1.1.16.}}</ref> A training initiative begun in 2009 in collaboration with Jindal Global Law School, called ''Good Governance Now!'' (''Sushasan Abhi!''), brings justice to marginalized people in India's most "backward" districts. In 2014, the foundation created a telephone hotline for citizens to receive guidance on addressing concerns to government departments and village-level institutions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.in.undp.org/content/dam/india/docs/a_study_of_law_school_based_legal_services_clinics.pdf|title=A Study of Law-based legal services clinics|publisher=GoI and UNDP India, 2011.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://digitalcommons.law.umaryland.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1567&context=mjil|title=Experimenting with Clinical Legal Education to Address the Disconnect Between the Larger Promise of Law and its Grassroots Reality in India, by Ajay Pandey|publisher=Maryland Journal of International Law, 17 November 2011.}}</ref> The Sushasan Abhi team works with and educates communities and panchayats to promote sanitation and eliminate open defecation in keeping with Swachh Bharat Mission (clean India campaign).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiawaterportal.org/articles/sanitation-must-go-beyond-shame-and-stigma|title=Sanitation must go beyond shame and stigma|publisher=India Water Portal, 22 April 2016.}}</ref> Awareness is raised about government schemes and entitlements so that villagers are empowered to claim their rights.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.villagesquare.in/2018/08/10/information-helpline-improves-local-governance-in-nuh-villages|title=Information helpline improves local governance in Nuh villages|date=10 August 2018 |publisher=Village Square, 10 August 2018.}}</ref>
=== Transform Lives
The Transform Lives program initiated by S M Sehgal Foundation offers to create a conducive environment for schoolchildren studying in government schools, by providing them various amenities, such as access to clean drinking water, improved sanitation facilities, a school environment that is conducive to learning, and training in digital and life skills awareness. <ref>{{Cite web |title=Water, sanitation and hygiene {{!}} UNICEF India |url=https://www.unicef.org/india/what-we-do/water-sanitation-hygiene |access-date=2023-04-17 |website=www.unicef.org |language=en}}</ref>The program also encourages parents, teachers, and children to increase enrollment and decrease dropout rates in rural government schools, with a particular focus on girls. Additionally, School Management Committees (SMCs) are given assistance and training to enhance their abilities and ensure the school functions effectively and continuously. <ref>{{Cite web |title=‘WASH in schools will help increase enrolment’ |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/vijayawada/2022/mar/31/wash-in-schools-will-help-increase-enrolment-2436189.html |access-date=2023-04-17 |website=The New Indian Express}}</ref>
=== Outreach for Development ===
Outreach for Development initiatives facilitates participation and positive social change in rural communities by creating awareness and sharing knowledge. The program employs a well-balanced rural community media mix including a rural community radio station (''Alfaz-e-Mewat'')<ref>{{Citation |title=Alfaz-e-Mewat |date=2023-05-04 |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alfaz-e-Mewat&oldid=1153083785 |work=Wikipedia |access-date=2023-05-11 |language=en}}</ref>, social media, and other print, visual and interactive formats to strengthen and promote opinions favorable to the attainment of rural development goals. Reliable and timely information is shared in an easy-to-understand manner to stimulate dialogue and engagement that positively influence behavior changes. By providing a platform for grassroots communities to voice their views, people are encouraged to identify important issues affecting their lives and to work together to resolve them. Last-mile outreach activities bridge the large information divide and accelerate social change by bringing local voices and their concerns to the forefront.
=== Rural Research and Development ===
Rural Research and Development maximizes the impact of poverty alleviation initiatives for rural communities through using participatory research and impact evaluation as practical tools informing action, outcomes and learning. This focuses on integrating all components of the research process which are undertaken to design, implement and sustain the interventions by Sehgal Foundation in the rural areas of the country. These components largely include needs assessment, baseline surveys, mid-term assessment, and sustainable impact evaluation (SIA).
== Community Radio ==
In 2012, the foundation launched a community radio station in Ghaghas village in Mewat, Haryana. ''[[Alfaz-e-Mewat]]'' (Voice of Mewat) FM 107.8 provides call-in programs for discussion of village issues and government programs. Educational and entertainment programs and children's programs are developed and shared in collaboration with other community radio stations. Community members are broadcasters and reporters.<ref name="thehindubusinessline">{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/variety/all-we-hear-is-alfazemewat/article7434673.ece|publisher=thehindubusinessline.com|title=All we hear is… Alfaz-e-Mewat | Business Line|date=17 July 2015 |accessdate=10 October 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.communityvoices.in/directory/community-media-profile/1315/|title=Alfaz-e-Mewat 107.8|publisher=communityvoices.in|accessdate=27 November 2016}}</ref> Informational programs address farm practices, sanitation and health issues, conservation and environmental awareness, rural governance, and the empowerment of women and girls. In areas without radio signals, villagers listen and participate by calling a toll-free number.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/lifestyle/report-radio-revolution-a-look-at-the-device-s-reach-in-rural-harayana-1999914|title=Radio Revolution-A look at the devices's reach in rural Harayana|date=6 July 2014|publisher=DNA Daily News and Analysis India, 6 July 2014.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiawaterportal.org/articles/rural-voices-unheard-empowered-report-conference-held-3rd-may-2012-irrad-sesame-workshop|title=Rural Voices: Unheard to empowered Report of a conference held on 3rd May 2012 by IRRAD, Sesame Workshop India Trust and UNESCO at Gurgaon|publisher=India Water Portal, 18 June 2012.}}</ref> ''Alfaz-e-Mewat'' creates programs that address emerging concerns for young people as well as adult villagers, including mental health issues, stress in school, girls being harassed, and information about safety as brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cn|date=March 2023}}
== Sustainable "green" building ==
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* In November 2021, S M Sehgal Foundation received the FICCI Sustainable Agriculture Award (second place) in the category of Climate Resistant Agriculture Development.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/haryana/ficci-award-for-sm-sehgal-foundation-339905/|publisher=The Tribune India|title=FICCI Award for SM Sehgal Foundation|accessdate=18 November 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://krishijagran.com/industry-news/s-m-sehgal-foundation-wins-ficci-agriculture-award-2021/|publisher=KJKrishi Jagran Industry News|title=S M Sehgal Foundation Wins FICCI Agriculture Award 2021|accessdate=22 November 2021}}</ref>
* In December 2021, S M Sehgal Foundation won the Sabera Award in the category of Special Jury Commendation for Best NGO of the Year. "Sabera's annual social impact award and summit highlight the best practices & sustainable development initiatives by corporates, nonprofits, and individuals." The award was recognizing that, in addition to being active in 11 states across India with rural development initiatives, S M Sehgal Foundation's work in the past year had supported communities during the COVID-19 pandemic with essential items including oxygen concentrators; PPE kits, gloves, sanitizer, surgical masks, and N95 masks for frontline medical and nursing staff, "which affected the lives of millions of people in India."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://krishijagran.com/industry-news/s-m-sehgal-foundation-wins-sabera-award-2021/|publisher=KJKrishi Jagran Industry News|title=S M sehgal Foundation Wins Sabera Award 2021|accessdate=11 December 2021}}</ref>
* In 2022, The organization won the Bhamashah Award from the Department of Education, Rajasthan, for work in rural government schools under the Transform Lives program.
* Honored with ABSA Award for Agriculture Development in Agri-Business Summit and Agri Awards, in 2022.
== Notes and references ==
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