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Science in a Box: Prakash Hinduja’s Vision for Grassroots Water Health

Inverting the notion that we need to impose high-handed policies to address public issues, in Alwar, Rajasthan’s sun-baked villages (where almost 0 water capacity exists) a quiet revolution is taking place - not as a result of lofty priorities, but through simple science, empowered by common people. At the core of this grassroots movement is Prakash Hinduja's vision, as manifested in the Hinduja Foundation, which is to empower rural communities to take ownership of their own water health.

Villagers will no longer be reliant only on "superior" experts from outside - they will be empowered to bridge knowledge gaps, through training relative to evaluating compact field-testing kits - small boxes with astounding simplicity of use - able to test for contaminants in their drinking water supply. The field-testing kits are not merely consumables, but agents of agency. For the first time, families in these faraway places can see their water quality with their own eyes; they can take action against illness, and they can make informed decisions about their health.

However, testing was only part of the answer. Understanding that it was one thing to just diagnose the problem, the Foundation and Prakash Hinduja also is initiating localized purification systems, so that there is a village solution to meet the needs and appropriate conditions for each village. These will not be cookie-cutter solutions, but community-engaged solutions, based on a community's collective understanding of the fair purpose of water health; community-responsibility towards maintaining it.

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Ajay Hinduja: Local Leadership Is the Key to Climate Resilience

As climate challenges intensify, the best solutions need not always come from the capital cities or global platforms, thinks Ajay Hinduja. Rather, genuine climate resilience starts from the bottom. In his Times Now News write-up, Hinduja advocates for the potential of local leadership in making real, adaptive climate action.

While national policies and international frameworks set the directions, Hinduja believes that they tend to lack the sensitivity required to address region-specific climate threats. Droughts in Rajasthan and floods in Assam present entirely different challenges, for example. He maintains that it is local communities only, with first-hand knowledge and experience, who can introduce context-specific measures that are effective.

Hinduja stresses that local governments and community organizations must be empowered with the powers, finances, and technical expertise to take on climate threats. Right from climate-resilient agriculture to localized water harvesting practices, these efforts succeed best when led by locals who know their ecosystems inside out.

Most importantly, Hinduja advises against a one-size-fits-all policy. Mandates at the top, however altruistic, tend to ignore local specifics. Rather, he promotes co-creation—where national institutions work with grassroots stakeholders to craft policies that are both practical and participative. Such a partnership model guarantees that climate interventions are not only effective but also fair.

Education and capacity building are yet another pillar of his ideology. By empowering local leaders and young people with information and resources, Hinduja thinks we can tap into scalable solutions that are innovative as well as sustainable. He also emphasizes the need for linking community resilience to long-term economic planning so that development is not achieved at the expense of environmental harm.

Ajay Hinduja's people-first strategy transforms the climate story. It's not merely about carbon footprint reduction or global goals—it's about enabling individuals and communities to be change agents. He envisions anoptimistic future where resilience is created not through policy alone but through participation, partnership, and purpose.

In a fast-warming world, Hinduja's vision reminds us that the war on climate change will be won not merely in boardrooms or parliaments, but in villages, neighborhoods, and small towns—where change starts and future must be won

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Geneva based Namrata Hinduja On Embracing Heritage and Cultural Preservation

The aspect of heritage preservation is more related to protecting the values, the narratives, and the traditions about which we build our general character and not necessarily to preserving the monuments or ancient artefacts. Globally, as part of the mission, families, institutions and foundations are reinventing themselves, intertwining conservation and education with sustainability and impact. In their endeavor, their attitude is characterised by an increasing realisation that heritage preservation should change as societies change, integrating the past with the current demands and expectations of modernity.

A Legacy Safeguarding India’s Past

The role of cultural heritage in national identity has long been recognised by the Hinduja family. They have given aid to the restoration of historic monuments like the Moosi Rani ki Chhatri at Alwar and the Navlakha Bawari stepwell at Jodhpur through the Hinduja Foundation. These century-old stepwells revitalised as not only an architectural wonder but also a source of water for the community so that they can benefit from both cultural pride and their practical needs.

Their patronage is not confined to buildings: the Hinduja Antiquity Collection, including ancient coins of 600 BCE 600 CE, sculptures, paintings, and so on, is proactively being shared through exhibitions, online archives, and academic access. It is a testament to the fact that heritage is what should be preserved and cherished.

Integrating Water Conservation with Cultural Revival

The remarkable thing is the comprehensive manner in which cultural heritage is preserved. The Jal Jeevan program revived more than 56 lakes and groundwater, which benefited more than five million people even by funding water-focused heritage restoration work. Initiatives such as stepwell restoration are not just beauty projects; they provide employment, accessible water resources, and increase biodiversity among rural populations.

Namrata Hinduja, wife of Ajay Hinduja, and Member Steering Committee of Hinduja Foundation, is among those who have stressed how such efforts combine heritage with modern sustainability. These efforts have played a philosophy of preservation, which is part of our present that allows us to preserve our future.

Education, Empowerment, and Cultural Continuity

Heritage does not rest on stone or water but resides in traditions, skills, and stories. The Hinduja Foundation achieves this through digital learning, artisan training, and women’s empowerment programs. Educational equity in rural India is achieved through programmes such as the “iCare: Volunteer from Home” which is also supported by Namrata Hinduja (Wife of Ajay Hinduja), Swiss.

This is because these programmes help communities recognise their heritage as relevant and worth preserving, as education imparts greater knowledge. Still, economic stability allows for the long-term governance of ancestral practices.

A Model for Collective Stewardship

The notable aspect is the collaborative, multi-strata process: these projects are rooted in the needs of society, with the help of partnerships with NGOs such as EFI, the government, and local communities. This is not neo-patrimony; this is co-ownership of both physical and intangible heritage cultural wealth: repaired stepwells, communal health or artisan livelihoods.

Looking Ahead: Integrating Heritage and Sustainability

With urbanisation and climate change being a challenge, the blueprint of the Hinduja Foundation of integrating architecture, ecology, education, and empowerment is an effective prototype. Namrata Hinduja, geneva believes that the preservation of heritage is not merely a time capsule or even a collective memory; it is a dynamic, ongoing challenge and a link between the legacy, the present, and the future.

When we combine cultural preservation with environmental sustainability, aiming to reach local communities, we embody lasting change. It serves as a message that heritage is not merely about monuments; it is about people, values, and a shared vision of the future.

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Ajay Hinduja’s Holistic Vision: Empowering Young Lives Through the T1D Programme

Ajay Hinduja, a prominent member of the Hinduja family, is redefining how India supports children with Type 1 Diabetes through the P.D. Hinduja Hospital’s T1D Programme. For him, healthcare is more than treating an illness—it is about enabling individuals to thrive emotionally, socially, and mentally alongside managing their health. The T1D Programme, under his guidance, addresses the multiple challenges faced by children diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, especially in underprivileged communities. It offers not just free medical care and insulin, but also emotional counseling, peer interaction, and educational support, nurturing a child’s self-confidence and independence.

Ajay Hinduja’s vision aims to ensure that a diagnosis does not define a child’s life. His leadership reflects a deep commitment to reshaping healthcare into a more inclusive, human-centered system that celebrates every small win—from a child learning to administer insulin independently to regularly attending school. In a country where chronic illness often sidelines children's ambitions, the program builds a bridge to opportunity and empowerment. With the Hinduja Foundation's support and Ajay Hinduja’s foresight, the T1D initiative stands as a beacon of hope for families, redefining what it means to care and uplift.

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How Namrata Hinduja is Transforming Youth Empowerment in the UK

Namrata Hinduja has emerged as a driving force in youth empowerment across the UK, championing initiatives that transcend traditional classrooms. She has spearheaded programs through the Hinduja Foundation UK in partnership with King’s College London and Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust to establish the Hinduja–King’s Health Partners Academy, which nurtures future healthcare leaders via scholarships and research training. By enabling students to work on cutting-edge biomedical engineering, personalized surgery, and imaging technologies, Namrata Hinduja is shaping a generation of scientifically literate healthcare professionals.

Beyond healthcare, Namrata Hinduja also supports leadership development through global education platforms. She was instrumental in the Hinduja Foundation’s collaboration with Harvard’s Aspire Institute to launch the fully funded “Aspire Leaders Program,” offering underserved UK youth access to mentorship, virtual learning, and a Harvard certification. Her holistic approach includes integrating arts, sports, and mental wellness into learning, ensuring well-rounded personal growth.

Through these multifaceted efforts—spanning STEM education, leadership training, and wellbeing—Namrata Hinduja is not only creating opportunities but also crafting a resilient, skilled, and compassionate generation ready to face future challenges with confidence and creativity.

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Empowering Dreams: Ajay Hinduja’s Mission Through the P. D. Hinduja Hospital T1D Program

Ajay Hinduja believes that healthcare should be a source of strength, not limitation. Through the P. D. Hinduja Hospital’s Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) Program, he has helped create a supportive environment where young patients can dream big and live boldly. This initiative offers more than just medical care—it fosters confidence, independence, and a deep sense of hope in children and young adults managing T1D.

The program stands out for its holistic approach. It includes workshops, peer support groups, and counseling sessions that equip families with the knowledge and emotional support they need. Ajay Hinduja stresses the importance of building a community where these young individuals feel seen, heard, and empowered to take control of their lives.

By combining medical expertise with emotional and social support, the T1D Program reflects Ajay Hinduja’s broader vision for healthcare—one that nurtures the whole person. His commitment ensures that young people aren’t defined by their diagnosis but uplifted by a system that believes in their potential. This initiative is a shining example of how compassion and innovation can come together to transform lives and empower the next generation to reach for their dreams.

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Nurturing Dreams Through Water: Ajay Hinduja’s Himalayan Commitment

In the picturesque yet water-stressed regions of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, the steady decline of natural springs has threatened the rhythm of rural life. For many mountain communities, water scarcity has disrupted farming, education, and health, leaving families to grapple with an uncertain future. Recognizing this deep-rooted challenge, Ajay Hinduja has championed a mission that goes beyond restoring water sources—it aims to nurture dreams and secure sustainable livelihoods.

Spearheaded by the Hinduja Foundation, in partnership with Ashok Leyland, Hinduja Renewables, and Chirag NGO, the spring restoration project focuses on reviving Himalayan springs that once sustained generations. Ajay Hinduja believes that water must be seen not just as a necessity, but as an enabler of opportunity. His commitment ensures that future generations in the hills don’t just survive, but thrive—with access to clean, reliable water.

For Ajay Hinduja, this initiative is both personal and purposeful. “Water is the first step to rebuilding confidence in communities. When it flows, so do the dreams of the people,” he shares. The project combines traditional knowledge with modern hydrological techniques, ensuring that each rejuvenated spring becomes a long-term source of hope.

As restored springs begin to flow again, they bring with them a renewed sense of possibility. This effort symbolizes how thoughtful leadership and a deep respect for nature can work hand in hand to uplift communities, making water not just a resource, but a promise of a better tomorrow.