When Communities Shine, We Smile

Over the years, PANI’s work has been deeply rooted in the everyday realities of rural communities guided by empathy, strengthened by partnerships and sustained through trust. We are humbled and honoured that this journey of collective action has been acknowledged at various national and regional platforms.

Our recognitions span across key areas such as sustainable agriculture, water conservation, and our community-driven CRP (Community Resource Person) Model, which continues to inspire participatory development across states. We have also been recognized for the successful implementation of CSR initiatives, rooted in transparency, local leadership, and long-term impact.

We invite you to explore these recognitions not as mere accolades, but as stories of shared resilience, innovation and the enduring strength of community-led change.

A Moment of Pride

We are deeply honoured to share that on June 12th 2024, at Vinoba Seva Ashram, Bartara, our founder and secretary, Shri Bharat Bhushan ji, was conferred the ‘Vinoba Seva Samman’ for his lifelong dedication to empowering the socially marginalized and economically weaker sections of society.

This prestigious award was presented by the Honourable Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Smt. Anandiben Patel ji, in recognition of his unwavering commitment to grassroots development and Gandhian values.

This recognition is more than a personal honour for Bharat Bhushan ji, it is a heartfelt tribute to the spirit of PANI, to decades of quiet perseverance, shared struggles and the unwavering belief that true change begins with the people themselves.

PANI Receives FICCI Water Award:
Honouring Collective Commitment to Water Stewardship

In a moment of deep pride and affirmation, PANI was awarded First Prize in the “Water Initiative by NGOs” category at the 12th FICCI Water Awards 2024. The award, presented by Shri Amitabh Kant, India’s G20 Sherpa and former CEO of NITI Aayog, to Mr. Deo Datt Singh, our Director of Operations, recognized PANI’s sustained efforts in water conservation and sustainable agriculture rooted in grassroots leadership and collective responsibility.
 
This recognition is not only a milestone, it is also a mirror reflecting the strength of a movement that began with small steps in remote fields and has now touched over one lakh small and marginal women farmers across 300 Gram Panchayats in Balrampur, Uttar Pradesh. At its core are the strengths and dedication of our Community Resource Persons (CRPs), local women agricultural professionals trained to equip fellow farmers with water-efficient practices, better soil health strategies and climate-resilient methods. Together, these women have helped save an extraordinary 324 billion litres of water, all while cultivating resilience and dignity in their communities.
During the 10th India Industry Water Conclave, where the award was conferred, Mr. Deo Datt Singh powerfully articulated the essence of our work – “Water security cannot be achieved in silos. We need a collective and concerted effort to drive real change.” His words echoed throughout the conclave, resonating with the larger truth that water is not merely a resource but a shared social and ecological trust. True stewardship, therefore, must transcend institutional boundaries and be anchored in collaboration between communities, civil society, government and businesses.
 
This quarter, as we reflect on this recognition, we do so with humility and a renewed sense of purpose. The award belongs not only to PANI but to every woman farmer who chose to adopt a new practice, to every CRP who walked from field to field to bring change, and to every voice that believes in the power of community-led action.
 
Going forward, we remain steadfast in strengthening the CRP movement and nurturing local leadership, especially among women, to ensure that water-secure, climate-resilient communities are not just imagined, but realised.

Awards – FICCI 4th Sustainable
Agriculture Awards – Second Prize to PANI

For nearly four decades, PANI has walked alongside rural communities, empowering them to rise above challenges and build a more sustainable future. This journey of trust, resilience and shared effort has now reached a significant milestone.

On November 29, 2024, PANI was recognized by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) at the 4th Sustainable Agriculture Awards. Honoured in the “Natural Resource Management and Climate-Resilient Agriculture” category, this recognition is an evidence of the impact of our work in addressing the climate challenges faced by farming communities in Uttar Pradesh.

 

At the core of this achievement are the rural women leading change. Within our programs, they are not just participants, they are innovators, decision-makers and drivers of change. By adopting water-saving technologies, cultivating high-value crops and establishing themselves as Agriculture Entrepreneurs (AEs), they are redefining what sustainable livelihoods can look like.

Through innovative practices such as zero-tillage sowing and multi-layer farming, these women have improved productivity, increased incomes and conserved vital resources. Their collective efforts have resulted in an extraordinary savings of 278 billion liters of water. This achievement is verified independently.

This recognition is not ours alone. It belongs to the women who inspire us, the communities who trust us and the partners who stand by us. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to FICCI, Hindustan Unilever Foundation (HUF) and Tata Trusts for their unwavering support.

This milestone is a reflection of PANI’s commitment to promotion and facilitation of sustainable livelihood efforts, protecting natural resources and nurturing equitable partnerships. It is a reminder that while the challenges ahead are many, the power of collective action will continue to light the path forward.

CRP Model Triumphs at CSI Awards 2024

From Margins to Mainstage

PANI is honoured to have won the prestigious CSI Awards 2024 in the Best Social Impact Idea category for our groundbreaking Community Resource Person (CRP) model.
This initiative, centered on women, has played a vital role in transforming rural communities by empowering women as agricultural experts. By tackling issues like voicelessness, economic marginalization of women, low agricultural productivity, and climate challenges, our CRP model has created meaningful, gender-inclusive change at the grassroots level.
This developmental journey of women from merely being a recipient in the process of redistribution of resources to achieving recognition by participating in their own development reflects the impactful social change we have been able to bring about. This award highlights the incredible efforts of the women leading this movement and our dedication to ensuring that #NoOneisLeftBehind.
We are deeply grateful to the Hindustan Unilever Foundation and Tata Trusts for their unwavering support and encouragement. A special thanks to Catalyst Management Services for organizing this remarkable event and recognizing our CRP Model as one of the best Social Impact Ideas.
In a proud moment for our team, our Director of Operations, Deo Datt Singh, and one of the CRPs received the award, marking a collective achievement for everyone involved in this transformative journey.

HDFC Bank Parivartan Excellence Award 2023

More Cause to Celebrate!

PANI has received the HDFC Bank Parivartan Excellence Award 2023 for being an Innovator in Natural Resource Management to better lives in vulnerable communities while reducing the impact of climate change. The Award was received by Shri Bharat Bhushan, Chief Functionary, PANI, at a glittering ceremony held in Mumbai on February 14, 2024.

We are grateful for this recognition of PANI’s HRDP P0345 project which has facilitated water efficient irrigation with reduced carbon emissions for five hundred small and marginal farmers with scattered land holdings in the Chargawa block of Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh.

The innovative installation which comprises twelve Group Irrigation (GI) Units – five stationary and seven mobile solar units – drew widespread attention from the local farming community at the recently held Gorakhpur Mahotsava. The keen interest evinced by farmers from neighbouring villages in adopting this innovation has been encouraging.

PANI has served as a CSR partner to HDFC Bank since 2016. Through the eight years partnership, we have been able to transform lives of people from marginalised and vulnerable communities at a significant scale. We look forward to impacting more lives through our continuing partnership with HDFC.