Impact Lens - Impactlens

YEFI Launched: Democratising Grassroots Entrepreneurship in India

Pune, November 22, 2025 On the occasion of Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW), celebrated across more than 200 countries, India marked a transformative moment with the launch of the YouthAid Entrepreneurs’ Federation of India (YEFI)—a pioneering national platform dedicated exclusively to empowering grassroots entrepreneurs. The launch event, hosted in Pune, showcased

A Young Innovator in the Making

By Najiya Shaikh, Program Officer Supported by EMpower However, her learning was limited to textbooks, theory and school exams. She did not get the opportunity to explore through experiments or hands-on activities. Although she was hardworking, she found it challenging to memorize concepts and therefore remained an average student in

Empowering Young Mothers Through Nutrition and Care

By Anamika Dey, Project Coordinator, Supported By Kcorp Charitable Foundation Maternal health and nutrition play a critical role in determining the well-being of both mother and child. In rural and tribal communities, early marriage, low literacy levels and lack of health awareness often contribute to malnutrition and poor maternal outcomes.

Promoting hygiene among young learners through creative soap-making

By Sushil Zadode, Project Coordinator, Nagpur Supported by Persistent Foundation Handwashing with soap is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect individuals, particularly the younger ones, from diseases such as diarrhea, cough, cold and skin infections. It removes dirt, bacteria, and viruses that water alone cannot. Regular

Rainwater Harvesting: Securing Water and Learning in Schools

By Vikas Mhaske, Program Manager, CYDA Across India, many schools face water shortages. This lack of water harms children’s health and affects their learning and growth. Studies and global monitoring reports indicate that inadequate water and sanitation in schools lead to lower attendance and poorer academic performance (World Health Organisation,

Vaishnavi’s Path Shaped by Her Father’s Effort

By Puja Matre , Gender Expert , CYDA Standing up for one’s rights and speaking out is essential in today’s world, especially for girls and women. While society is progressing and many liberal ideas are promoted, traditional expectations still hold a strong influence. From an early age, many girls are

Stories are windows to the soul. They offer a glimpse into other lives, spark our imaginations, and foster empathy. Whether it’s a thrilling adventure, a poignant drama, or a heartwarming tale, stories have the power to transport us, teach us, and inspire us. So, make time for reading and discover the magic that unfolds within each page.

Recent Stories

The Third Soul – The Journey of Shivanya Patil

In a world where people are often judged by who they love or how they look, discovering one’s true self—especially when it doesn’t conform to social norms—can be a long and painful journey. The LGBTQIA+ community frequently faces significant social rejection and misunderstanding. Many struggle in silence, hiding their authentic

Purandar Bhojanalaya: A Path to a New Identity

Bhujbal Rushikesh, a 26-year-old from Pune, comes from a marginalized family. His mother works hard to meet the family’s needs. Rushikesh and his brother worked in private companies to support her. Unfortunately, because of his feminine nature, society was often unfair toward him. From a young age, he felt different.

From Labourer to Skilled Worker: Sakshi Redefines Gender Roles

By Yogesh Avhale Placement Coordinator, Sambhajinagar CYDA’s Non-Traditional Livelihood Training Program, supported by Bajaj Finserv in Sambhajinagar, is transforming the futures of young women by helping them enter non-traditional sectors such as electrical work, automobile repair and electronics, traditionally dominated by men. Through hands-on training, counselling and job placement, the

CYDA and the Social Welfare Department led an Awareness event on

Transgender Day of Remembrance at Satara, Maharashtra By Pritesh Kamble, Head Inclusion Unit, CYDA Supported by Bajaj Finserv Satara, November 20, 2025 — Every year, November 20 is observed globally as Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR), a significant day dedicated to honour transgender individuals who have tragically lost their lives

Menstruation: How Comfortable Are We in Discussing It?

By Shaheena Mannasaheb Supported By Persistent Foundation We live in the 21st century, an age of rapid progress and openness. Yet some subjects continue to remain uncomfortable for many people. One such topic is menstruation. Although it is a natural biological process, many still hesitate to talk about it. As

Nurturing Young Lives through Life Skills Education

By Shaheena Mannasaheb Supported by the Persistent Foundation Adolescence is a phase filled with exploration, uncertainty, and growing social influence. Under the TARANG Life Skills and WASH initiative supported by CYDA and the Persistent Foundation, many young learners are developing the skills they need to navigate these challenges with confidence.

A Green Solution to Rising Air Pollution in Shapar–Veraval, Rajkot

Written by – Arvind Mer, Project Coordinator Supported by CIE India A report in The Hindu (August 31, 2025) stated that cities such as Delhi, Ghaziabad, and Kanpur are known for severe air pollution. However, the problem is not limited to these cities. Almost everyone in India breathes air that

An Entrepreneur’s Journey of Change

By Pritesh Kamble, Head Inclusion Unit, CYDA Supported by Intel Sarinath Ashok Zinjade, from the small village of Lagadwadi in Nanded district, has lived a journey filled with challenges and courage. As a bisexual individual, he has faced many obstacles while trying to build a stable life. After completing his