Jeslin Emmanuel, Manager-Monitoring and Evaluation, CYDA
Human Interest Story: 2
The first impression of Shahada is not its busy marketplace or its fertile agricultural fields—it is the presence of a name that has quietly become a symbol of hope. As one enters this agricultural hub of Nandurbar district, the branding of ASK Foundation across villages immediately reflects a journey of transformation that has reached countless households.
Established in 2008, ASK Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of the ASK Group, has consistently partnered with experienced implementation agencies to create sustainable and community-led development.
As part of CYDA, one of the implementation partners, our team visited Shahada to understand the impact of the three-year Samruddha Kisan Prakalp – Phase II. What began as a field visit gradually unfolded into a collection of inspiring human stories. Across villages such as Ranipur, Pimprani, Nagzhiri, and Chirdhe, every interaction revealed how a single opportunity, backed by timely support and trust, had changed the course of lives.
The smiles of women and adolescent girls remain among the most memorable moments of the visit. Listening to Arogya Sakhis confidently speak about menstrual health awareness and the promotion of reusable sanitary pads reflected how knowledge can empower young leaders to become change-makers within their own communities. Their confidence was not merely the outcome of training—it represented a growing belief in their ability to influence positive change.
Equally inspiring were the conversations with women entrepreneurs who had received support through goat-rearing units and financial literacy initiatives. Their discussions had moved far beyond sustaining their livelihoods; they now spoke about expansion, savings, and future investments with remarkable confidence. The transition from beneficiaries to entrepreneurs demonstrated the true essence of sustainable development.
Among the most touching experiences was meeting farmers who once migrated seasonally in search of employment due to declining agricultural returns. Today, many of them proudly cultivate their own land using improved agricultural practices learned through exposure visits and technical guidance. One farmer shared that the mentorship and continued encouragement received through the project had convinced him never to leave his village again. His journey—from uncertainty to becoming an advocate of organic farming and a member of a Young Farmers Association—captured the larger transformation taking place across Shahada.
The strength of this transformation lies in its multisectoral approach. Through interventions in livelihoods, agriculture, livestock development, education, financial inclusion, health, access to clean water, and community leadership, ASK Foundation, together with implementation partners such as BAIF Institute for Sustainable Livelihoods and Development (BISLD), Bombay Community Public Trust (BCPT) and the Centre for Youth Development and Activities (CYDA), has nurtured resilient tribal communities by combining local wisdom with practical, sustainable solutions.
These are not isolated success stories. Together, they represent the beginning of a larger transformation—one where communities are not merely receiving support but are becoming active architects of their own development. Perhaps that is why, in Shahada today, the name ASK Foundation is more than a branding board—it has become a symbol of possibility, resilience, and a future that the community is now confidently shaping for itself.
