HCLFoundation

The Association of People with Disability (APD) marked this journey with its 25th Anniversary Celebration on 18 September 2026 at Ramaiah Medical College, Bengaluru. For 25 years, efforts in spinal cord injury rehabilitation have helped create pathways to recovery, independence and inclusion for persons with spinal cord injury.

Dr Chetana Thirthahalli, representing HCLFoundation, participated in a panel on, “Data, Evidence & Investment: Building the Future of SCI Rehabilitation”, sharing perspectives on the role of strategic investment in strengthening rehabilitation and support systems.The event also featured the launch of Empowering Lives, a book celebrating the journeys of persons with spinal cord injury and reflecting on 25 years of SCI rehabilitation.

It was an opportunity for partners and stakeholders to come together and reflect on building more inclusive, evidence-driven and sustainable rehabilitation ecosystems.

A livelihood can help build confidence, independence and a new path forward.

HCLFoundation, with SSRDP as the implementation partner, is supporting the Karnataka Prison & Correctional Services Department to strengthen livelihood opportunities for inmates through skills, enterprise development and market access.

The Nava Sankalpa Bakery and Nava Sankalpa Bakery on Wheels at Bengaluru Central Prison are part of this effort. The initiative focuses on improving product quality, developing new products, strengthening the brand and creating wider market opportunities for products made through the prison livelihood programme. The aim is simple: to help turn skills into sustainable livelihood opportunities and support rehabilitation with dignity. The project was formally inaugurated recently in the presence of Shri Alok Kumar, IPS, Director General of Police, Karnataka; Shri Anshu Kumar, IPS, Chief Superintendent, Bengaluru Prison, senior leadership from HCLTech, the Trustee of SSRDP and other distinguished guests.

Speaking at Bridgespan Group’s Charcha 2026's forum titled 'The Next Decade of CSR: Choices Boards and Leaders Need to Make to Move from Ex*****on Efficiency to Impact Intelligence', Dr. Nidhi Pundhir reflected on what decades of development work have taught her about building partnerships that create lasting change.

Drawing from an experience in Malawi, where her work on community-based child protection brought her face-to-face with the interconnected realities of poverty, violence, food insecurity and empowerment, she reminded us that poverty cannot be understood through an economic lens alone.

For HCLFoundation, the next decade of CSR calls for three things: Governance. Impact intelligence. Partnership.

“We are not just partners in impact. We are partners in governance.”

Accountability, she emphasised, extends to every rupee and every dollar entrusted to us. Impact intelligence, meanwhile, demands patience. It means staying consistent long enough to see a child grow, a farmer become an adviser, or a community move from being a participant to shaping what comes next.

And ultimately, it means sharing leadership, taking equal responsibility and accountability with our partners and communities.

A new format. A new chapter for women’s cricket.

The SFC Excellence Cricket Tournament 2026–27 in Chennai brought together emerging women cricketers for a week of competitive cricket.

Held at Guru Nanak College from August 24-26, the three-day Test offered players the chance to experience the longer format of the game, putting their skills, strategy, patience and resilience to the test.

The cricket continued with the T20 tournament from August 27-30, featuring four teams and seven competitive matches, with Smiling Pearls emerging as champions and Super King Academy as runners-up.

Beyond the scores and results, the tournament was a celebration of women taking the field, competing fiercely and gaining valuable experience across formats.

Through Sports for Change, HCLFoundation is proud to be part of an ecosystem that brings together athletes, coaches, institutions and partners to advance grassroots sport and create more avenues for young talent to compete and grow.

More cricket. More competition. More possibilities on the field.

The right knowledge can make every snake encounter safer.

On World Snakebite Awareness Day 2026, join HCLFoundation on Academy platform for a conversation on how technology, community participation and timely response can contribute to snakebite prevention and safer human–snake coexistence.

SERPENT: Connecting Communities to Safer Snake Encounters and Rapid Response

SERPENT, powered by HCLFoundation and Indiansnake.org is a technology-enabled platform that connects communities with trained snake rescuers, information and support for safer snake encounters and timely response.
Hear from experts working across animal welfare, snake conservation, technology and community engagement, and explore how SERPENT brings together information, reporting and response support through a technology-enabled platform.

The session will include:

• Expert panel discussion
• Live demonstration of the SERPENT app
• Practical guidance and FAQs
• Interactive participant Q&A

Date: Saturday, September 19
Time: 4 PM – 5:30 PM (IST)

Scan the QR code or register here and join the conversation.

Celebrating aspirations, achievements and the journeys that make them possible.

The National Scholars’ Meet 2026 brought together scholars, HCLTech leaders, HCLTechies, NGO partners and families for a day centred on one shared belief: every young person deserves the opportunity to move forward. The day began with pride and togetherness, as scholars came together for a ceremonial walk, accompanied by their families and supporters. At the heart of the gathering were the stories of the My Scholar ecosystem. Through experience sharing, scholars, parents, partner organisations and HCLTech support teams reflected on the journeys, challenges and possibilities that shape a scholar’s path.

A special World Literacy Day keynote by Dr. (Big) Rakesh Kumar Gupta, Director, GIMS, added another perspective on the importance of education, while conversations with HCLTech leaders explored ambition, leadership and the future. Dr. Nidhi Pundhir inspired the scholars with her words!

The occasion also marked the unveiling of the My Scholar booklet, capturing stories of impact and excellence, alongside the recognition of outstanding scholars and the HCLTechies who have played a meaningful role in enabling these journeys.

Here’s to the scholars, supporters and stories shaping a future full of possibility.