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“People migrate to cities in search of livelihood. VANARAI has created a revolution and made the concept of ‘reverse migration’ possible. The same people return to their village and yield good income from their own lands and lead a comfortable and happy life.”
Hon’ble Smt. Pratibha Patil,
Former President of India
More yield & income from less input – More from less for more
Lakshman Raghunath Bandal, a quiet, resilient farmer from Gokawadi, had been growing wheat on his 0.5-acre plot for years. Like many in his village, he trusted what he knew—traditional Khapli wheat, sown thickly with a seed drill. Every season, he hoped for more. Yet, every season ended with just 4 quintals, barely enough to keep dreams alive.
He wasn't inefficient. He wasn't unaware. He was simply doing the best with what he had. But deep down, Lakshman knew: hope alone can't change the harvest./p>
For years, 135 families in Ukkadgaon lived a paradox: there was water underground, but no way to draw it up.
With electricity available for only 8 hours a day - and repairs taking 4–5 days when transformers failed - the village water supply was frequently paralyzed. Women had to wake at dawn, carrying pots and hope, to fetch water from far-off wells. Children often missed school to help.
In a community already stretched thin, water was a daily crisis.
Through a partnership between Crompton CSR Foundation and Vanarai, a sustainable, solar-powered solution was installed.
A 10 HP solar pump now draws over 1,00,000 litres of clean water every day from the village's drinking water well. No more dependency on the electricity grid. No more waiting for transformers. Water now flows daily to every household; clean, reliable, and powered by the sun.
Children attend school. Women rest easier. The village breathes a little lighter.
In the remote hilly terrain of Sukhdare Kond, life revolved around one bitter truth - water was a luxury. With just one spring supplying the entire hamlet, families walked 1.7 kms daily; especially women. Due to the peculiar hilly topography water insecurity wasn't seasonal - it was perennial.
Rather than focusing on income from livelihood opportunities, 40 families were spending 100 hours per day to fulfil their basic need for water. This equalled an opportunity loss of Rs. 400 per hour, resulting in a daily loss of ₹40,000 for the community.
Vanarai & SCIL stepped in with a simple question: What if the solution lay in the spring itself? By adopting a Springshed Development approach, the team undertook the required steps and connected the spring with a new water line; providing flowing water in taps. The goal wasn't just to build infrastructure — it was to provide villagers with their basic right of access to clean and safe water.
In Khanapur village, Bhor Taluka, 375 students at Sarnobat Shidoji Thopate Vidyalaya sat in classrooms with chalk, books and no computer in sight. Many had never touched a keyboard. Their dreams of pursuing careers in IT or digital learning were quietly shelved. When the subject selection came, they chose Geography; not because they loved it, but because it was the only practical choice
Vanarai through the support of CCIL, stepped in with a vision: to turn digital exclusion into digital empowerment.
The goal wasn't just to install computers - it was to install confidence, curiosity, and a connection to the future.
| First Prize — Environment Category, Rotary Lokmanya Awards, Diwali Issue Competition (2024) | Top state-level recognition for editorial excellence on environment themes in the special Diwali issue. |
| First Prize — Environment Category, Rotary Lokmanya Awards, Diwali Issue Competition (2023) | First place for impactful environmental journalism and design in the Diwali annual issue. |
| First Prize — Rotary Lokmanya Awards, Diwali Issue Competition (2021) | Overall first prize for excellence in content, reporting, and magazine craft. |
| First Prize — State-level Diwali Issue Competition, Mumbai Marathi Patrakar Sangh & Shri Ramsheth Thakur Social Society (2019) | Best-in-state Diwali issue for editorial depth and public interest journalism. |
| Second Prize — Rotary Lokmanya Awards, Diwali Issue Competition (2019) | Second place for strong reporting and presentation in the yearly Diwali issue. |
| First Prize — Yashwantrao Chavan State-level Diwali Issue Competition (2017) | First place for a well-researched, socially relevant Diwali annual issue. |
| ICE Awards 2016 — Best Magazine Among NGOs | National communication award for best NGO magazine among all entries. |
| ICE Awards 2016 — Best Magazine Among Regional Languages | Top honour across regional-language publications for editorial and design quality. |
| Best Diwali Issue — State-level Competition, Weekly Ulhas Prabhat (2016) | Selected as the best special issue among statewide entries. |
| Excellent Diwali Issue — Maharashtra Marathi Mukta Patrakar Sangh (2016) | Awarded for editorial merit and public engagement. |
| Rotary Lokmanya Gaurav Award (2016) | Recognition of overall contribution and excellence in special issue journalism. |
| ICE Awards 2015 — 1st Runner-up, Best Magazine Among NGOs | Runner-up recognition among NGO magazines nationwide. |
| ICE Awards 2015 — Winner, Most Imperative Content | Awarded for compelling, high-impact content on social and environmental issues. |
| Best Diwali Issue — International Diwali Issue Association (2015) | International jury recognition for excellence in a festive special issue. |
| Excellent Diwali Issue — Yashwantrao Chavan State-level Diwali Issue Competition (2015) | Merit award for the year's Diwali annual in the state-level competition. |
| Rotary Lokmanya Gaurav Award (2015) | Recognition for consistent quality and social relevance. |
| Excellent Diwali Issue — State-level Competition, Mumbai Marathi Patrakar Sangh & Ramsheth Thakur Social Development Board (2014) | Awarded for editorial quality and community impact. |
| Diwali Issue Award — Sahityik Kalavant Pratishthan (2014) | Recognition for literary and cultural contribution through the special issue. |
| State-level Diwali Issue Award — Weekly Ulhas Prabhat (2014) | Awarded for overall editorial merit. |
| Rotary Diwali Issue Award (2014) | Recognition for quality journalism and presentation. |
| First Prize — Late Yashwantrao Chavan State-level Diwali Issue Competition (2013) | First place for comprehensive reporting and public value. |
| Excellent Diwali Issue — Late Yashwantrao Chavan State-level Diwali Issue Competition (2014) | Merit recognition for editorial quality in the Diwali annual issue. |
| Excellent Diwali Issue Award — Maharashtra Sahitya Parishad, Diwali Issue Competition (2012) | Awarded by the state's premier literary body for content and design. |
| ICE Awards 2013 — Ace of Hearts | Special recognition for audience impact and engagement. |
| First Prize — Late Yashwantrao Chavan State-level Diwali Issue Competition (2013) | First place for the year's best Diwali issue entry. |
| Shankar V. Kirloskar Outstanding Diwali Issue Award — Maharashtra Sahitya Parishad (2012) | Named award recognising outstanding special issue craft. |
| Social Diwali Issue — Special International Open Marathi Diwali Issue Competition (2012) | International competition award for social-theme issue. |
| ICE Awards 2012 — The Best In-house Magazine Amongst NGOs | National award for the best in-house NGO publication. |
| ICE Awards 2012 — 1st Runner-up, Most Creative Name | Runner-up for creative branding and titling of the magazine. |
| ICE Awards 2012 — 2nd Runner-up, Most Imperative Content | Recognition for content urgency and relevance. |
| Gold Medal (Social Diwali Issue) — Special International Open Marathi Diwali Issue Competition (2011) | Gold medal for the best social-theme Diwali special issue. |
| ICE Awards 2011 — Special Jury Award | Jury's special mention for overall excellence. |
| Excellent Book Production Award, Maharashtra Granthottejak Sanstha (Deccan Vernacular Translation Society), Pune (2023) | For outstanding editorial design and production quality of a reference book that explains AYUSH systems and therapies in the context of COVID‑19. |
| Prize by Maharashtra Granthottejak Sanstha (Deccan Vernacular Translation Society), Pune (2023) | Institutional commendation for scholarly contribution and accessibility of medical knowledge for general readers. |
| Geetabai Ramchandra Mahadik Prize – Best Book in Medicine, Maharashtra Sahitya Parishad, Pune (2022) | Awarded to the most impactful Marathi publication in the medical genre for the year, for lucid coverage of AYUSH-based treatments. |
| First Prize for Outstanding Book Production (Useful & Hobby Category), All India Marathi Publishers Association, Pune (2022) | Top honour in the production category for clarity, layout, illustrations, and reader-friendly medical guidance. |
| Award Name | Significance of the Award |
| Padma Vibhushan (presented by President of India Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam) | India's second-highest civilian honour for exceptional and distinguished service in public life, environmental leadership, and rural development. |
| Honorary Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.), D. Y. Patil University (presented by President of India Smt. Pratibha Patil) | Honorary doctorate for lifelong contributions to nation-building, governance, and sustainable rural development. |
| Indira Gandhi National Integration Award (presented by Smt. Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh) | For advancing national unity and integration through principled public service. |
| Indira Priyadarshini Vriksha Mitra Award (Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India) | National award recognizing exemplary leadership in afforestation and people-led tree plantation. |
| Rajiv Gandhi Paryavaran Ratna Award | For outstanding contribution to environmental protection and awareness. |
| Pune Bhushan Award (Pune's Pride) | Civic honour bestowed on eminent personalities for distinguished service to society from Pune. |
| Ramshastri Prabhune Award | Award recognizing integrity, justice, and ethical leadership in public life. |
| Surya Ratna Award | Recognition for remarkable social contribution and leadership. |
| Harit Kranti Nayak (Green Revolution Leader) Award | For leadership in promoting environmental stewardship and sustainable agriculture. |
| Swami Vivekanand National Award | National honour acknowledging inspirational service and youth-centric nation-building. |
| Paryavaran Rakshak (Environment Protector) Award | For long-standing work safeguarding ecosystems and natural resources. |
| Hindi Sevi Samman (Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Education, Government of India) | For promoting the Hindi language and literature at national and international levels. |
| Yashwantrao Chavan Excellence Award | For exemplary leadership and contributions to public affairs and development. |
| Honorary Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.), Tilak Maharashtra University | Honorary doctorate recognising scholarly and public contributions. |
| Lifetime Achievement Award, Savitribai Phule Pune University | University's lifetime honour for exceptional service to society and sustainable development. |
| Bapu Award (Gandhi National Memorial Society) | For embodying Gandhian values in public life and social service. |
| Maharshi Award (Pune Navratri Festival) | Cultural honour for distinguished social leadership and public service. |
| Kriyashil Global Award | Recognition for proactive, action-oriented social leadership with global impact. |
| Suryadatta Lifetime Achievement Award | Lifetime contribution to society, governance, and environmental stewardship. |
| Suryadatta Bhagwan Mahavir Ahimsa Ratna Global Award (2021) | For promoting the values of non-violence, compassion, and ethical public life. |
| Award Name | Significance of the Award |
| National Groundwater Conservation Award, Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India (2008) | National recognition for exemplary work in groundwater recharge, community-led water conservation, and sustainable water management. |
| National Groundwater Conservation Award, Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India (2010) | Repeat national honour acknowledging continued impact in groundwater conservation through watershed structures and community participation. |
| Mahatma Jotirao Phule Water and Soil Conservation Award, Department of Rural Development and Water Conservation, Government of Maharashtra (2003–2004) | State-level award for outstanding achievements in watershed development and soil conservation benefiting rural communities. |
| Special Postal Cover released by India Post on Vanarai's Silver Jubilee | Commemorative philatelic recognition of Vanarai's 25 years of service in rural development and environmental conservation. |
When Padma Vibhushan Mohan Dharia envisioned Vanarai, his dream was simple yet powerful; to make India green again. The initial idea was rooted in afforestation; planting trees to heal a land suffering from deforestation, drought, and ecological neglect. This vision formally took shape in 1986, when Vanarai was established as a trust.
But as he walked through the fields, spoke to farmers, and listened to the struggles of rural families, he realized something profound: planting trees alone wouldn’t change lives.
The problem was deeper. The soil was eroding. The water was vanishing. The ecosystems that sustained agriculture and life were fractured.
That’s when Vanarai shifted from a tree–planting mission to a comprehensive model of Sustainable Rural Development.