Impact Lens - Impactlens

School-Children Lead the Charge for Cleanliness

From Dreams to Success: An Inspiring Journey to Financial Independence

Ajay Mahadev Gurnule’s journey showcases the transformative power of dedicated support from United Way Hyderabad and the leadership of Pritesh Kamble, Unit Head of the Inclusion Unit at CYDA. Through a structured framework that includes targeted skill-building workshops, essential financial assistance through microloans, and ongoing mentorship from experienced professionals, CYDA

A Journey from freelance to full-time success in Makeup Artistry

United Way Hyderabad created a meaningful social change in backing initiatives that uplifted marginalized groups, particularly those from the LGBTQIA+ community. Pritesh Kamble, who leads the Inclusion Unit at CYDA, has been a guiding force for many individuals. In a world where pursuing one’s passion often comes with significant challenges,

Educators Need Education Too — About Menstruation

By Soumyashree Mohanty Imagine getting your first period and being told to sit outside the exam hall to write your paper. Shocking, right? But this actually happened. A young Dalit girl from a private school in Tamil Nadu was forced to sit outside the exam hall during her exam because

Empowering women to create their own businesses

Mahindra Accelo’s innovative initiative is transforming the lives of women by empowering them with the essential skills and knowledge needed to succeed in business. Through this impactful project, women are gaining the confidence and tools to take charge of their futures, leading to greater financial independence and self-reliance. Manisha Bhalerao,

Migration and Urbanisation: Dynamics of Exclusion and Exploitation

Dr. Kuldeepsingh Rajput Urbanisation in India is a defining feature of the country’s economic and social transformation, with cities emerging as ’Growth Engines. Cities have long been considered the driving force of economic, social, and cultural development. They are hubs of innovation, commerce, and opportunity, attracting people from diverse backgrounds

How Pradnya Transformed Her Life Against All Odds

Bajaj Finserv’s pioneering initiative, Non-Traditional Livelihood, is revolutionizing the lives of women by empowering them with transformative skills and knowledge. Under this impactful project, Mohan Kandekar, Skill Centre Head of Ahilyanagar, testifies to the profound influence this engagement has had on the lives of women, unlocking new opportunities and fostering

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

Community-Led Change: How Youth Revived Solid Waste Management in Visakhapatnam’s Villages

By Mr. Nageshwar Rao, Joint Director – South India, CYDA For a community-level intervention to succeed, key factors such as awareness, sensitization, active local participation, strong leadership, and collaborative efforts must align. When even one of these elements is absent, well-designed programs can struggle to achieve sustainable impact. This was

Entrepreneurship as Empowerment: The Journey of a Spice Entrepreneur from Mouje Vadgaon

Bhagyashree Waghmare, District Coordinator, YouthAid Foundation Entrepreneurship, when supported with training and resources, can create meaningful change at the grassroots level. Amruta Sawant from Mouje Vadgaon in Kolhapur turned her interest in spice-making into a small business with the help of the Entrepreneurship Development Program (EDP). Supported by Coforge and

Refusing to Disappear: The Journey of a Marginalized Youth

Prites Kamble, Head Inclusion Unit, CYDA “For the first time in my life, I feel independent and respected,” says Chand, a young gay man who spent years facing rejection, loneliness, and poverty. His life was shaped by the triple challenge of being queer, orphaned, and poor. Like many LGBTQIA+ individuals

Reviving Rural Agriculture: A Young Farmer’s Journey from Scarcity to Sustainability

By Milind Patil, Project Coordinator, CYDA In the Indian economy, agriculture plays a pivotal role. To ensure food security and drive inclusive economic growth, it is essential that more people-especially the youth-actively engage in agriculture. However, recent surveys, including the 2024 State of Rural Youth Employment Report and the Economic

International Youth Day – Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond

The article is written by Soumyashree Mohanty,Research Associate, CYDA August 12 is celebrated worldwide as International Youth Day. This year’s theme, “Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond” shines a light on the power of young people to create change in their own communities. It reminds us that small,

Beyond the SDGs: Inclusive Development Goals (IDG) to Ensure No One Is Left Behind by 2050.

Written by Mathew Mattam Founder CYDA and Soumyashree Mohanty, Research Associate, CYDA. At the dawn of the 21st century, the United Nations adopted the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) a set of eight global targets focused on reducing extreme poverty, improving education, promoting gender equality, and addressing urgent health and environmental

Soft Skills Training Helped Women Reclaim Their Identity

By Swati Shirtar, Asst. Director What truly makes someone stand out from the crowd? It’s not just education or technical know-how but also the personality, the attitude to bounce back from difficulties, and the confidence to create your own identity. These are called soft skills, and they are just as

Cry for Care – Changing Health Realities in Rural Nandurbar

By Wasim Shaikh, Program Coordinator, CYDA Nandurbar district in Maharashtra faces many challenges- poor roads, limited access to healthcare, and low awareness about health. Malnutrition, poor maternal care, and low birth weight in newborns are common. In several villages, home births are still preferred, and fear of hospitals often stops

Building Dreams – A Transwoman’s rise from Margins to Meaning

By Pritesh Kamble, Unit Head, Inclusion Unit, CYDA Dhanya, a transwoman, lives in Kannur, Kerala. Her story shows that she is much more than her gender. It is a journey from rejection and poverty to dignity and independence. Like many LGBTQIA+ people in India, Dhanya faced exclusion from society. At

A Life Transformed by One Belief: Never Stop Trying

By Pritesh Kamble, Head Inclusion Unit, CYDA Mustafa, a transwoman from Kerala, shared, “We are judged by our actions. If we do well, society will slowly begin to accept us. If we reach out to society, it will reach out to us.“Her words reflect hope, courage, and trust. They show