Women’s Initiative

Turning over a new leaf

How the women of Bapa Sitaram Watershed SHG Built a Business with Aloe Vera

Bildi village’s hot fields make earning money hard, and dreaming even harder. But we women were determined to offer our children a future that didn’t depend on daily wages like ours.

Aloe Vera had been growing wild in our village for years. Pidilite recognised its potential as an income generator through value addition. They identified forest areas where it grew naturally and in abundance, and supported our Self Help Group (SHG). They not only helped us in setting up a production unit but also provided marketing assistance, logistical support, and valuable guidance.

We kickstarted our venture with 8 women and a small crusher. As the orders increased, land was purchased and a new unit built. Today, over 40 women produce 1000+ litres of aloe vera juice per day and it’s still not enough to fulfil the growing demand.

Aloe Vera has helped us run the house, educate our kids, and repay our debts. Now our children can have a brighter future

Agriculture Horticuture Initiative

Natural Farming initiative at Mota Khuntavada

How Dangar Khimabhai Patabhai introduced Integrated Farming on his 25 Bighas of Land

I am grateful to Mother Earth and strongly believe in responsible farming practices. Every grain of sand, leaf and plant in my 25 bighas of land is mine to cherish. Why would I pollute or poison this precious ground? So, I chose the “Integrated Farming” approach - a practice that rewards our farm with multiple sources of income.

Integrated farming requires an increased income, and Gram Nirman Samaj (GNS) and the Pidilite team supported me with financial and farming aid. This increased my annual earnings considerably. Going organic has transformed my land. My farm is now recognised for its Orchard Project, Kitchen Garden Plot, Shade Net House, Vermi-composting Unit, Honey Bee Hive and Gobar Gas Project

However, my greatest reward is watching fellow farmers embracing sustainable practises. Today, GNS and Pidilite are training 18000+ farmers in scientific practices that enhance cotton, groundnut and onion crops.

Education Initiative

Dare to Dream

Pidilite’s support and scholarship gave Mer Parshottam the confidence to dream

My father died when I was very young, taking with him a vital part of my sense of safety and security. Our financial struggles were never ending, so much so that I didn’t think I would be able to complete even a basic education.

Life changed when Pidilite offered me a scholarship through the Shri N. N. Mehta Memorial Education trust. My scholarship offered four crucial years of studying, and a chance to make a decent living for myself and my family.

I was able to successfully complete my 12th standard boards at Shri Balvant Parekh Kalyanji Boys School in Kalsar. Pidilite helped me gain back the confidence I needed to pursue my education and my dreams. Thanks to them, one day I will become the man my father would have wanted me to be.

Water Initiative

Runaway River

Pidilite tames Rangholi River with vital check dams

Over 1,500 residents of Zanzmer village depend on the Rangholi River to support our agriculture and horticulture livelihoods. But without check dams, rainwater would flow away, leaving the soil cracked and parched. In 2016 and 2017, we didn’t have a drop of water.

Hearing our cries for help, Pidilite advocated for us with the Gujarat Government, resulting in one of the longest check dams to be built by the company.

Groundwater recharge brought our ancient wells and borewells to life, by significantly increasing the water levels. We no longer need to buy water from tankers. The farming season has increased. Our cotton yield has expanded. We were also able to grow jowar on 5-7 bighas of land-in just one year!

With Pidilite’s help, the Rangholi River brings colour and crops to our land.

Skill Initiative

The Plumber and Problem Solver

Kirpal Singh Vala shares how plumbing and Pidilite set him on the path to independence

Formal education in our district is available only till 10th standard. I wanted to have a respected profession and support my family, which is why I joined ITI Mahuva in Bhavnagar.

My course involved studying extensive theory and hours of practice with new tools and doing repairs. I had to learn to think on my feet in times of an emergency. Fortunately, I had help from the Pidilite supported Plumber Course. The course covered all aspects of plumbing - from site visits to expert sessions. I gained experience and learned from the best.

Today, I am an independent worker who earns ` 25,000+ per month. For all this, and more, I thank Pidilite for helping me become not just a plumber but also a problem solver.

Health Initiative

Three Life-saving Days

How a skilful team of doctors discovered a large ovarian cyst hiding behind my abdominal pain

Early this year, I had unbearable abdominal pain. The hospital in Bhavnagar, where most patients go, was a hundred kilometres away. Luckily, Hanumant Hospital which is a multi-speciality hospital, was close at hand.

Once I was admitted, Dr. Azim Qureshi was able to discover and diagnose a cyst through an ultrasound and CT scan. He immediately moved my case to Dr. Ritika Ganatra, the hospital’s full-time gynaecologist. With the whole team’s dedicated efforts, I was successfully operated within 3 days under the “Ayushman Bharat Yojna” program. During this incredibly complex surgery, they removed a 24 x 24 cm ovarian cyst along with another cyst measuring 10 x 12 cm.

Surgery and recovery can feel like a lonely and confusing experience, but with this skilled team, I was thankful to be in the right hands, at the right place.