HCLFoundation

Strengthening Tribal Artisan Livelihoods Through Strategic Collaboration:

We are proud to share that the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED), in partnership with HCLFoundation, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to empower tribal artisans and enhance their access to markets across India.

This collaboration focuses on:
• Design development training
• Market linkage support
• Craft authentication and certification

TRIFED, under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, continues to play a vital role in promoting the socio-economic development of tribal communities by marketing and developing indigenous products.

The MoU was signed by Shri Harvinder Singh (IRS), Senior Manager – Marketing, TRIFED, and Dr. Nidhi Pundhir, SVP – Global CSR, HCLTech & Director – HCLFoundation, in the presence of Shri Rajamurugan Muthukalathi (IPS), Managing Director, TRIFED.

By joining forces, HCLFoundation and TRIFED are taking a significant step towards strengthening India’s tribal handicraft ecosystem and empowering artisan communities nationwide.

HCLFoundation partnered with the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, and the Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN) to conduct a two-day NGO capacity building workshop in Kohima, Nagaland.

Centred on CSR Compliance and the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), the workshop convened representatives from government and civil society to build awareness, strengthen compliance mechanisms and enhance programme effectiveness.

The workshop was attended by officials from 15 departments of the Government of Nagaland and representatives from 25 NGOs across the state, bringing together a total of 80 participants. The occasion was graced by Hon’ble Shri Abu Metha, Advisor to the Chief Minister, Nagaland and Chairman, IDAN; Shri Vineet Kumar, IAS, Additional Secretary, Finance Department and IDAN; Shri Om Prakash Singh, Director, MHA; Shri Vikas Kejriwal, Under Secretary, MHA; Shri I Changsang, Under Secretary, IDAN; along with the entire IDAN team.

The initiative highlights the value of collaborative action in strengthening development systems.

From grassroots participation to leadership pathways

Harsh*tha T.R.’s journey reflects the transformative power of sport, where access evolves into resilience, purpose and leadership, enabled through HCLFoundation’s Sports for Change initiative.

What began as a school-level engagement in Bengaluru gradually grew into a deep passion for football, taking her from local playgrounds to representing India at an international street football festival in France. That experience became a turning point, shaping her aspirations and commitment to the sport.

Over the years, Harsh*tha progressed through competitive football, representing Karnataka multiple times and securing championship titles at the Super Division level. Her journey has also been defined by resilience, as she overcame two ACL injuries with determination and sustained support.

Today, she marks a significant milestone by earning her AIFF C Licence coaching certification at Yenepoya Institute, Mangalore, transitioning from an athlete to a coach.

Harsh*tha now aspires to build and mentor teams, using her journey to inspire the next generation of players on and off the field.

From player to coach, building leaders for the future of sport.

Dr Chethana Thirthahalli, Health Lead - Uday, represented HCLFoundation at a panel on patient safety for newborns and children, as part of a two-day capacity building programme.

The programme, aligned with this year’s theme “Safe Care for Every Newborn and Every Child,” was organised by the National Patient Safety Secretariat (NPSS), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, in collaboration with Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi, and the National Neonatology Forum.

Dr Thirthahalli joined the discussion alongside panelists from Piramal Foundation, GHAI, Smile Train, DFY, and IIPH Ahmedabad, sharing insights from HCLFoundation’s on-ground interventions.

The discussion reinforced the need for sustained, collaborative efforts to advance patient safety - particularly in the neonatal period and build on India’s progress in reducing child mortality.

Through Uday, HCLFoundation continues to strengthen child health systems and improve outcomes for mothers and newborns.

At Dialogues of Impact in Bengaluru, hosted by Krea University and Aadyam Handwoven (an Aditya Birla initiative), HCLFoundation was represented by Mr Gaurav Majumdar, Thematic Lead – Skill Development & Livelihood, where he spoke about My E-Haat and its role in bridging the artisan-to-customer gap through technology.

Through its livelihood initiatives, HCLFoundation is enabling sustainable income opportunities and strengthening artisan communities across India.

Through design development, artisan training, and capacity building, along with hands-on workshops, the initiative is strengthening the artisan economy and improving livelihoods on the ground.

The panel featured diverse perspectives, with speakers from Krea University, Jaipur Rugs and Aadyam Handwoven.