Connecting Dreams Foundation Impact Report 2020

IMPACT REPORT 2020
Connecting Dreams, Connecting Lives
Achieving Sustainability Together
www.connecting-dreams.org

CONTENTS
03 13 37 113
06 23 103
11 31 109
OUR STORY
MESSAGES FROM
OUR MENTORS
FROM THE
FOUNDER'S DESK
OUR KEY
INTERVENTIONS
OUR MODEL
CDF AND
SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT
GOALS
OUR PROMINENT
PROJECTS
TESTIMONIALS:
WORDS OF
INSPIRATION
THE WAY
FORWARD
TEAM AND
PARTNERS

Connecting Dreams Foundation (CDF) is a non-profit organisation registered and licensed under
section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956, Government of India. CDF provides the youth with an
opportunity to bring about a sustainable and scalable change by working along the lines of 17
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as defined by the United Nations. Through its
changemaker network, CDF uses entrepreneurial action to empower people to improve their
livelihoods in an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable way, thus converting
their dreams into reality.
Connecting Dreams Foundation aims to address the problems of the rural-urban divide in the
country, as well as the deficit in percolation of employment and entrepreneurship opportunities
to the bottom of the pyramid. CDF is working largely to utilise the potential of the youth and
directing it towards activities that will lead to inclusive social development, enabling
achievement of SDGs. It works to resolve a diverse set of challenges which align with the global
narrative of Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on the multidimensionality of
development ranging from job creation to health to environment. It has created urban and rural
models for solving the key SDG challenges through systemic models of entrepreneurship.
ABOUT CDF
4

Connecting 10 Million SDG challenges by 2025.
MISSION
VISION
We create Changemakers through a Systemic Model
of Entrepreneurship who in turn solve Community
based SDG Challenges through Sustainable
Solutions with the help of Domain Experts.
5

6
MESSAGE FROM OUR MENTOR
I congratulate Connecting Dreams Foundation for
bringing out this Impact Report. The 17 Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) represent humanity’s
most ambitious plan to promote the sustainable
development of our people and these are fully
aligned with the Connecting Dreams Foundation’s
twin goals to create networks of youth
changemakers and to localise SDGs.
CDF gives the youth a huge fund of experiences
which gives them an opportunity and insight into
the kind of society we are, our challenges, and
where as a nation are we moving. As young
citizens of today, who are reading, observing, and
assimilating things as they happen around you it is
natural to question them. Some of these questions
may be uncomfortable and for some questions,
there are no ready-made answers. You have to find
your own answers.
For example, the many impacts of COVID-19
from a community and citizen’s perspective. In
particular, the work done by I-CAN brings to
the surface some of the challenges faced by a
nation where there were no ready-made
answers available. The approach and the
volume of work done demonstrate that the
youth can work in a ‘connected’ way to solve
issues and, in the midst of a crisis, be a source
of inspiration for others
.This is a skill that I believe Connecting Dreams
Foundation teaches through your own
experience as you work on your projects along
with your mentors and teachers. Not only are
the mentors, teachers, and CDF provide a lot of
motivation, but they are helping the youth to
‘connect with themselves’ through qualities,
actions, thoughts, courage, and skills.
Dr. Vinay Sahasrabuddhe

7
The purpose of the work done is to produce
measurable results; improved resilience to
economic and humanitarian shocks; improved
livelihood opportunities; and improved education,
health, nutrition, and gender equality—while
leaving no one behind. The three main
programmes conducted this year, the ‘Social
Impact Challenge’, ‘Gram Swarajya’, and ‘Connect
and Change’ threw up several opportunities for the
youth to demonstrate their change-making
leadership. The work carried out by the volunteers,
Amit Tuteja Ji and his entire team are very
remarkable. It may sound like an overstatement
but I am saying this with my conviction that with
these kinds of very small but very important
projects, Amit Ji you are creating history. In fact in
our country, these kinds of activities require
replication in every city and every town.
Volunteerism and working for society is a part of
our tradition. The evolution of Indian politics
started with not politics for the sake of politics or
power but for social work. At the core of that social
work is the intensity of the desire to make a
change. If this is not the driving force behind what
you do things are not going to progress very far.
That urge to make a change is very, very critical
and that flame of that urge needs to continuously
flicker in your mind.
In Bhagvad Gita in the 18th chapter they have
said,
अ ध ानं तथा कता करणं च पृथ वधम्।
व वधा पृथ चे ा दैवं चैवा प चमम्।।18.14।।
Firstly, there has to be some अ ध ानं which is the
purpose, then कता or somebody who is a doer
who is an action leader without that things
cannot move ahead. Tasks may be collective but
at the same time, there has to be ownership.
करणं च पृथ वधम् or there are a variety of ways in
which you have to think about achieving your
target. दैवं चैवा प चमम and then there is always
the destiny or luck factor. These factors are
important and I am sure that you will keep these
in mind when you plan your work.
I may also express here my concerns about
certain things because it is the youth who are
expected to dream and then translate their
dreams into reality. Only when dreams are
planned with actionable goals and a time frame
can they translate into reality. I feel that in our
country we have an acute crisis of purpose. A
thinking person’s personality gets shaped in the
college, all decisions must be made after a
requisite amount of application of mind and
thinking. So let us become target-oriented and
have some goals before undertaking actions.

8
Additionally, you need to display professionalism,
productivity, planning result orientation,
presentation, and other skills. These skills are no
more secondary to your intense desire to make a
change and contribute.
Connecting Dream Foundations’ objective is to
connect plans, connect plan of actions and unless
you network into it, things will not move ahead.
It equally important we look back, introspect and
look back and assess and then again re-energise
ourselves. And at the end of it you have to ask
yourself a piercing and difficult question: Have I
made any change?
If not, why? And If yes, how?
If you get answers then your day is done.
Dr. Vinay Sahasrabuddhe
Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha
President, Indian Council for Cultural Relations

69
MESSAGE FROM OUR MENTOR
The United Nations Sustainable Development
Goals offer a blueprint to achieve a better and
more sustainable future for all. The 17 SDG Goals
are all interconnected and address the global
challenges we face, including those related to
poverty, inequality, climate change,
environmental degradation, peace, and justice.
Achieving these goals would require us to build
connections and work in synergy, not just at the
global and national level but also at the
grassroots. Connecting Dreams Foundation (CDF),
through its youth-led initiatives, is one such
organisation that is working to connect people
and change lives, at the local level, in cities, towns,
and villages.
So, let me start by congratulating the entire team
of CDF India, who have put untiring efforts over
the last few years to bring about real change at
the grassroots level.
The projects these young changemakers of CDF
have created, people they have impacted, and
enterprises they have helped sustain is truly
remarkable and deserves all the accolades.
At such an early stage of their life, these youth
have chosen a path of goodness, which in my
option is the best choice that they have made
in life so far. A choice that will enrich their
personalities and provide them with the
maximum satisfaction of living a worthwhile
life. The memory and long term impact of the
work of goodness, that they are doing today,
shall always remain with them and would instill
them with the feeling of being alive as a human
being useful to society and being generous &
kind for the world around them. This feeling
would become their biggest possession and the
biggest reward for life.
Ravi Sharma

10
I have a strong belief that goodness and
technology together have the power to solve every
problem in the world. Empathy and compassion
are the foundation of goodness and youth can
truly transform the world by spreading goodness.
CDF work has shown that our youth can be the
true change agents, helping us carry goodness and
inclusion to all corners of our country.
It is a blessing to do something good for others and
not everybody gets that opportunity. That is why I
extend my special appreciation to organizations
like CDF who make sure that this opportunity is
given to every youth, irrespective of caste, creed,
place, and financial status. By providing this
opportunity to our youngsters, CDF continues to
create change in the communities and build a
generation of changemakers. This resonates
beautifully with a couplet which I had written in
my poetry book and would like to dedicate to the
passionate youth of CDF;
"अगर चाहो तो तुम भी कु छ कर जाओ,
अगर चाहो तो तुम भी कु छ कर जाओ,
या फर और क तरह यूँही गुज़र जाओ,
उठाओ हाथ मदद म तुम भी और क ,
या फर यूँही जओ और यूँही मर जाओ,
अगर चाहो तो तुम भी कु छ कर जाओI"
With these lines, I wish CDF and all youth
volunteers a great future with their mission of
Spreading Goodness!
Ravi Sharma
Founder & Chairman
Pramajyoti Foundation

FROM THE FOUNDER'S DESK
India is undergoing a demographic transition,
wherein the youth population has increased from
168 million in 1971 to 422 million in 2011, as per
Census 2011. This year, 2020, India is expected to
have 34.4% of its population as the youth.
Connecting Dreams Foundation (CDF), in its
endeavor to create social impact, has focused on
the potential that the youth carry, trying to fill in
the gaps via setting up systemic models of training
and providing training to the youth for the same.
CDF’s main agenda is aligned to the United
Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs), wherein the key outcome for which youth-
networks are being created is to move towards
the Sustainable Development Goals.
The vastness of the SDGs has necessitated that
the macro-level policy is streamlined to focus
on India’s priority areas. India’s key SDG focus
areas are: No Poverty, Zero Hunger, Good
Health and Well-Being, Gender Equality,
Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, Life
Below Water, and lastly, Partnership for the
Goals.
We have to ask ourselves difficult questions
about how we conduct and contribute locally.
CDF has combined two key elements of youth-
networks, creating solutions for SDG challenges
in rural as well as urban spaces.
11
Dr. Amit Tuteja

There are many important messages highlighted
in this Impact Report but I would like to
emphasize just two: one, regarding the potential
and the belief in the power of the youth and
two, regarding the not-unrelated issue of their
role in localisation of SDGs.
Given the scale of the problems the world and
we are facing, and the unprecedented levels of
global inequality, these messages are not only
important but urgent. I encourage anyone
interested in the development of the country to
read this Impact Report and the efforts made by
our youth and to take to heart the challenges,
and the opportunities, that it explores.
Dr.Amit Tuteja,
Founder & Director
Connecting Dreams Foundation
The youth are engaged in the process of creating
solutions and having an impact on the lives of
many people. The projects and collection of
dreams (problems/aspirations) of local
communities helped CDF and its youth to identify
where we have an opportunity to better regulate
and restrain the pursuit of personal and business
profit.
The three main programmes conducted this year,
the ‘Social Impact Challenge’, ‘Gram Swarajya’ (in
collaboration with Ashoka Young Changemakers),
and our flagship programme, ‘Connect and
Change’ threw up several opportunities where the
articulation of the public interest in the SDGs
aligned with the greater good, and where they
revealed gaps.
The suddenness, gravity, and expanse of COVID-19
caught the best of the governments and
businesses under-prepared. But the agility, zeal,
and focus with which the youth network of CDF in
25 states is addressing needs such as food
distribution, transport for migrant laborers, and
underprivileged communities was another
‘unprecedented’ event.
12

CDF has multiple programmes running under its unique
framework, creating solutions and changing lives. One of CDF’s
programmes called ‘Connect and Change' is running
successfully, wherein its foundation is laid in the core beliefs of
creating change with sustainability. CnC is a youth engagement
urban programme that taps the potential of the youth, creating
SDG Champions, and directs them towards the creation of
sustainable social entrepreneurship models, which will be
beneficial for the society. CDF has created a space for potential
SDG Champions in multiple colleges in Delhi NCR and Mumbai
to be part of CDF, adopt communities, understand problems
and together, impact lives. The programme not only benefits
communities by engaging them and creating sustainable
solutions for them but also trains the SDG Champions who find
themselves passionate and invested in issues such as poverty,
health, education and other sustainable development goals.
The Connect and Change (CnC) program aims to unleash the
next generation’s talent to solve one of the biggest problems of
the world i.e. achieving sustainable goals for everyone.
CONNECT AND CHANGE (CnC)
“Change doesn’t happen on its own, it needs the
right kind of personality, passion and
perspective towards the society”
15

Social Impact Challenge
The Social Impact Challenge (SIC) Programme targets youth
changemakers as well as rural entrepreneurs in the state of
Maharashtra, with the youth engagement primarily based in
Mumbai. The challenge believes in instilling an incisive and
extensive understanding of entrepreneurship with an
opportunity to be a leader by tackling socio-economic
problems. For the SIC 2019, these changemakers coordinated
with rural entrepreneurs from areas like Thane, Palghar and
Rajgarh, to understand their current status through in-depth
discussions and successfully established enterprises at their
respective villages.
The localisation of solutions has been the most prominent
under the Social Impact Challenge, where local product creation
under the realm of SDGs have been created and promoted by
rural entrepreneurs with the help of youth-networks who are
working intensively in the Thane, Palghar and Rajgarh districts
of Maharashtra.
The products such as Cloth Bags, Bamboo Handicrafts as well as
Herbal Coffee have brought to the fore the localised effort
under specific SDGs, enhancing the incomes of many.
17

CHANGEMAKERS 4 GRAM SWARAJYA
This line sums up one of CDF’s programs, Changemakers 4
Gram Swarajya. Ashoka and Connecting Dreams Foundation
came together to provide training and support to rural
Changemakers from across India. It is a 6 month program in
which the individuals belonging to the age group of 12-20 years
are involved in village development activities. Under the
project, these young changemakers attended workshops and
got exposure to help transform their ideas to reality using the
‘Ideation to Action’ (i2a) framework. The project is on the lines
of the Gram Swaraj philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi.
Objectives:
• To guide and train these dynamic youth from villages to
become changemakers at their village level.
• The project is on the lines of the Gram Swaraj philosophy of
Mahatma Gandhi.
• To empower the changemakers to implement this philosophy
in their respective villages.
• It is based on the framework ‘Ideation to Action’
19
“The journey ahead is challenging but the
changemakers are optimistic that they will
achieve their goal of transformation.”

The unprecedented novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-
19, pandemic has brought the world to a standstill.
Governments across the world had to take drastic measures to
ensure the safety of the citizens. The Indian Government too
enforced a complete lockdown starting from March 22, 2020,
to control the spread of COVID-19. Although the nationwide
lockdown enforced by the Government was considered a
constructive move, it came with its own hardships, affecting
the financially weaker sections of the society specifically, daily
wage earners and migrant workers.
I-CAN (India Co-Win Action Network) is an initiative of
Connecting Dreams Foundation in collaboration with Atal
Incubation Centre - Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini (AIC-RMP), to
help underprivileged communities that have been hardest hit
due COVID-19. It is a unique movement to combat the
pandemic through an online platform that connects those who
are in need of help and those who can provide it. Co-Win
Warriors work from home, activating their on ground
community networks and mobilizing resource providers in
order to connect the two and ensure that the vulnerable
sections of society can also sustain themselves through these
difficult times. Co-Win Warriors are spread across different
states of India and are steadily growing by the day.
CDF AND COVID-19 CRISIS
INDIA COWIN ACTION NETWORK (I-CAN)
21

24
Collect
Create
Change
URBAN MODEL
RURAL MODEL

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS ACHIEVED
The number of projects corresponding to each Sustainable Development Goal are indicated by the
adjoining number.
30

CDF AND
SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT
GOALS

Vaal
Organic
Nachini
Papad
People's Bank Utsav
Roshani
Inayat
32

Vartalaap Baikunth
Arohan
Utsav
33

Vann
Sampada
Kaagazi
Elphinstone
Nursery
Vaal Organic
Jawhar
Tourism
Baikunth
34

PHULWARI - A GARDEN OF FRAGRANCE
College of Vocational
Studies, Delhi
39

Ms. Rubina is a housewife and resident of Jagdamba Camp, a community where
families are apprehensive towards the idea of housewives leaving their daily
chores to step out of the house and earn money (something they do for
themselves). Many members of the community have also fallen prey to frauds
and scamsters, who would lure them into investing in quick-earning business
schemes. Unaware of the details of the investment, the community members
would invest their money in hopes of getting some returns from these schemes,
however, the frauds would run away with their money, leading to a
disheartening situation for the community members who would not trust
people easily thereafter.
It was then that young changemakers from College of Vocational Studies (CVS)
came into the picture. They helped build the trust among these women and
their families to overcome their apprehensions and work towards earning better
livelihoods and proved to the community that businesses can be initiated with
minimal investments. They convinced 4 women in the community to become
‘Womenpreneurs’ through their initiative ‘Project Phulwari’. The concept of the
initiative was simple, they collected and used dried flowers from temples and
flower vendors nearby to create a ‘zero waste model’ business for production
and sale of 'Potpourri'. This initiative not only gave the women of Jagdamba
camp an opportunity to earn decent livelihoods, but also helped in solving the
issues of managing used flowers that would be dumped into landfills without
any treatment. The CVS team visited the camp several times and taught the
entire potpourri making process to the women, while their R&D team worked on
packaging and quality assurance.
The Challenge
The Solution
The IMPACT
Women of Jagdamba Camp,
Delhi were unable to step out
and earn livelihood as the norm
was that housewives should not
abandon their household chores
to go out and work. They also
had trust issues when it came to
outsiders, as they had fallen prey
to fraud investment schemes
earlier.
A team of students from
College of Vocational Studies
(CVS) approached the women
from this community and
convinced them to become
entrepreneurs. With 4 women
from the community, they
initiated Project Phulwari.
The initiative has received more
than 100 orders through their
online and offline modes of sale.
Collectively, they have
generated a profit of over Rs.
8,000/- with a 70-75% profit
margin.
40

“We're so happy that we can finally be independent too,
without any possibility of being cheated. We're glad we
didn't have to invest anything in this business and could
earn a stable amount to grow our livelihood. In time to
come we won’t shy away from working. We are ready to
do anything to provide for our kids. It’s a great opportunity
that you have given us. It is something we can manage to
do alongside taking care of our toddlers. We will work with
honesty and dedication. We're lucky we got a chance to
work with you and thank you for believing in us that we
too can do good work.”
Rubina- Beneficiary,
Project Phulwari, Jagdamba Camp, Delhi
The income generated from the sale of the first 50 boxes was used for
purchasing raw material for new orders. Team CVS also helped expand
this business online and the product is now available on "India-mart".
They eventually plan for the women to become well acquainted with
raw material acquisition and online deliveries, thereby, eliminating the
role of CVS and making them completely independent. Project Phulwari
has generated a profit of Rs 8,000 by receiving 100+ orders, both online
and offline, and earned approximately 70-75 % profit margin from their
sales throughout.
Project Phulwari made me realise that waste isn't waste
until we waste it. The transformation of dried flowers into
potpourri with good fragrance is an example that
sometimes useless things end up giving beautiful results.
The smiling faces of women of Jagdamba camp was my
main source of motivation throughout the project which
helped our team provide them a sustainable business
model for their financial assistance. More power to them!
Samridhi Malhotra
Member CDF - College of Vocational Studies
41

Shri Ram College
of Commerce, Delhi
RIVAAYAT - REVIVING THE ETHNICITY
43

Uttam Nagar, New Delhi is home to the largest potters’ colony of India
inhabiting more than 600 families. However, the art of pottery is on the
decline due to cut-throat competition, a machine-driven sector,
exploitation by middlemen and outdated designs. Seeing the plight of
the potter community, Changemakers from Shri Ram College of
Commerce (SRCC) started Project Rivaayat with an aim to revive and
sustain this traditional art of India and help the potters by creating a
direct market linkage to eliminate exploitative middlemen. The team
connected them to designers who helped them modernize their
products, helped in marketing the products across online and offline
platforms thereby, improving the potters’ financial status.
Shilp Guru Shri Giriraj Prasad, a National Awardee in this field and his
son, Bhuvnesh Kumar introduced the changemakers to the Kumhar
Colony in Uttam Nagar, the first of many potters who benefitted from
Project Rivaayat. Rivaayat has created a self-help group of potters for
the sustainability of the project wherein they are trained and guided by
Shilp Guru Shri Giriraj Prasad to refine their skills on making and
delivering quality home décor and utility terracotta products to the
consumers. Rivaayat has impacted the lives of 500+ individuals with a
considerable 485% increase in the incomes of the artisans. The
terracotta products made are 100% eco-friendly and recyclable.
The Challenge
The Solution
The IMPACT
In Uttam Nagar, Delhi, the largest
potters’ community was facing a
decline due to their terracotta
products being obsolete with
better products available in the
market and exploitation by
middlemen.
Aiming to revive and sustain this
traditional art of India and help the
potters by creating a direct market
linkage to eliminate exploitative
middlemen. The team connected
them to designers who helped
them modernize their products,
helped in marketing the products
across online and offline platforms
thereby, improving the potters’
financial status.
Rivaayat has impacted the lives of
500+ individuals with a
considerable 485% increase in the
incomes of the artisans. The
terracotta products made are
100% eco-friendly and recyclable.
44

"I have lost track of how long I've been a part of this
beautiful art, which some people don't even
recognize now. In 1968, I left my village and moved
to Delhi, where I started my business by making
pots which varied from 1 mm to 10 feet."Having won
the national award and the title of Shilp Guru, there
is nothing much left for him to achieve, but the
condition of potters in his vicinity of Uttam Nagar
still saddens him.”
CDF-SRCC is promoting the revival of one of the oldest art forms
of India together with the artisans and empowering them to
become entrepreneurs.
With numerous rejections and at the same time
recognitions and achievements, Rivaayat became
a part of my heart. It was when we were unable to
get our first contract that I realised how deeply
connected I had become to Rivaayat. It makes me
so happy to see where we have reached in just a
span of 8 months.
Tania Agarwal, Project Director- Rivaayat,
CDF SRCC Chapter
Giriraj Prasad, Beneficiary, Project
Rivaayat, CDF SRCC Chapter
45

ESSCENT - THE REVOLUTION OF
INCENSE STICKS
Shri Ram College Of
Commerce, Delhi
47

Religious offerings in India are often in the form of flowers, which
generates colossal amounts of waste and harms the environment.
On the other hand, regular incense sticks used contain carbon from
charcoal. Changemakers from Shri Ram College of Commerce came
up with a creative solution to this problem - substituting the carbon
in the incense stick with the carbon content from flowers.
Through Project Esscent they came up with their own brand of
premium hand rolled, flower based, charcoal free incense sticks,
made of 60% flowers. They are 100% eco-friendly and available in six
divine fragrances - Lily, Loban, Lemongrass, Lavender, Rose and
Jasmine. Through their project, they also aim to make the
unemployed, under-privileged women and specially-abled,
financially self-sufficient and self-dependent. The team has worked
with a community of specially abled people, teaching them the
necessary skills, they now have adequate skills to earn a sustainable
income.
The Challenge
The Solution
The IMPACT
At most religious places and
rituals flowers are offered to the
almighty. This generates gigantic
amounts of organic wastes. On
the other hand, ordinary incense
sticks offered in prayers use
carbon rich charcoal which causes
global warming.
This community of specially abled
was initially earning Rs.2400 a
month and is now earning
Rs.6000, thus raising their income
by 150%. The incense sticks have
been listed on various online
stores, placed at retail outlets and
presented at exhibitions
generating a total revenue of Rs.
110,000.
Through Project Esscent
changemakers from SRCC came
up with their own brand of
premium hand rolled, flower
based, charcoal free incense
sticks, made of 60% flowers. They
are 100% eco-friendly and are
made by a community of specially
abled people.
48

“It might seem like a small job, but for me, it is
my source of respect and a way to earn aliving.
The hand-rolling process requires skill and
precision, and each day I try to do a betterjob
than the previous day with utmost pride.”
Sangeeta Devi, Beneficiary, Project
Esscent, CDF SRCC Chapter
The user-group was initially earning Rs. 2400 a month and is
now earning Rs. 6000, thus raising their income by 150%. The
incense sticks have been listed on various online stores, placed
at retail outlets and presented at exhibitions generating a total
revenue of Rs. 110,000. The project has also qualified for the
international round of Hult Championship to be held in
Melbourne and was conferred the title of ‘Best Social Start-Up’
at IIT Kanpur.
"Having a passionate interest in something burns our
heart, ignites the fire and makes us concentrate on what
we love while curiously learning more about it"- with this
tremendous desire to learn, grow and develop, I was
lucky enough to have got the opportunity of being a
part of Project Arpan. As a member of Project Arpan, I
got to learn about various facets of business while
contributing to environmental sustainability. I imbibed
valuable skills which will always be of great help to me.
All-in-all, it was an enriching and a learning experience
throughout the year.
Kushal Agarwal, Project Director-
Arpan, CDF SRCC Chapter
49

PROJECT TRANSFORMATION - MORE
POWER TO THE PRIDE
Aryabhatta College, Delhi
51

Being part of the LGBTQ+ community, Jisha lives in a world where
people reject her, she is refused employment and not given
opportunities simply on the basis of sexuality or gender preferences,
despite her qualifications. Recognising these challenges, CDF
Aryabhatta initiated Project Transformation with the vision of
empowerment, inclusion and acceptance of the LGBTQIA+
community. They have formed two teams for the upliftment of the
LGBTQIA+ community, working as a two-fold project- Employment
and Sensitization. The former was done by undertaking CV
collection and employer dealing, and the latter through the
Transformation Talks. Employment generation is done by visiting
the locality, collecting CVs, helping underprivileged members make
CVs and explore career choices of the members of the LGBTQIA+
community and arranging interviews for them. The team has
organised several gender sensitization workshops – Transformation
Talks in colleges across DU (MLNC, ARSD, RLAC, Aryabhatta, etc).
The Challenge
The Solution
The IMPACT
The LGBTQ+ community have to
face many hurdles in their path
towards empowerment, inclusion
and acceptance. Our society lacks
sensitization towards such people
and they lack financial
independence to support
themselves.
CDF Aryabhatta initiated Project
Transformation with the vision of
empowerment, inclusion and
acceptance of the LGBTQIA+
community. The project has a
two-fold agenda of employment
and sensitization of the LGBTQIA+
community. The team worked for
CV collection and employer
dealing, and conducted
Transformation Talks.
The team has organised several
gender sensitization workshops –
Transformation Talks in colleges
across DU (MLNC, ARSD, RLAC,
Aryabhatta, etc.). An online series
of Transformation Talks was
started on Instagram where
they’ve had more than 700 views
so far.
52

An online series of Transformation Talks was started on
Instagram where they’ve had more than 700 views so far.
Talking about topics like Effects of the Lockdown on The
Community, Allyship, Queer Centric Social Entrepreneurship,
etc with the help of eminent queer members such as Reena
Rai, Naaz Joshi, Jamal Siddiqui, Akassh K. Aggarwal, Bonita
Rajpurohit, Neethu RS to name a few.
Reema, Team Member, Project
Transformation, CDF Aryabhatta
53
My journey with CDF Aryabhatta has been
exceptionally amazing. Being from a traditional
Rajasthani family, it was very hard for me to come
out as a transwoman. Project Transformation has
helped me a lot throughout the process, weather it
be presenting confidently as female or to get a job in
a community inclusive corporate in the sector of my
choice. They have been with me and helped me like
a family does, they've always been there for me.
Jisha, Beneficiary, Project
Transformation, CDF Aryabhatta
Working with Jisha has been an extremely emotional
and learning process for us all. We facilitated her
travel to Delhi, her stay, and accompanied her to
interviews as she presented as female for the first
time. It was eye opening to see how Trans people are
treated, having spent an entire day with Jisha in
public. Her having been accepted at Accenture as a
transwoman and getting the respect and equal
opportunity as anyone else has given validation to
what we do and why we should never stop doing it.

PROJECT AASHAYEIN - BECAUSE HOPE
IS ETERNAL
College of Vocational
Studies, Delhi
55

The Research & Development team of CVS college, DU came with
the idea to motivate and give hope to young girls and women who
are 'Acid Attack Survivors'. They are trying to bring a change in the
lives of these survivors by encouraging them to explore their
interests and enhance their soft skills in their preferred field . To turn
this idea into reality, they first collaborated with 'Chhanv
Foundation' which is working Pan India for upliftment of these
survivors. After interacting with them, they not only came to know
about the brutal incident these women faced but the daily life
problems they are going through. The major issue that most of
them were facing was lack of income generating opportunity since
only the medical treatment was provided free of cost by the
government. After analysing their interests in different domains, the
team helped them to build an Entrepreneur within them by not
only introducing them to the experts of that domain through
collaborations but by providing them with the platform where
The Challenge
The Solution
The IMPACT
The team at CVS has helped the
survivors by introducing them to
various domain experts and
helping them build business ideas
to earn a decent income. They
also organised virtual events for
them, assist in engagement and
socialisation.
India remains a deeply patriarchal
country where gender violence is
common. Acid Attacks are one of
the most inhumane forms of
gender violence and many
survivors struggle for normalcy
even after years of facing this
trauma.
CDF CVS college, DU came up
with a project to inspire and
motivate Acid Attack Survivors.
They encouraged them to explore
their interests and enhanced their
soft skills in their preferred field
with the aim to help them avail
income generating opportunities.
56

“I started sharing a personal bond with the survivors of
Acid Attack after I got a chance to interact with them
through Project Aashayein. I will always thank CDF for
giving the opportunity and platform to initiate a
transformative project like this. I meet with these
strong women every Friday on a virtual platform to
discuss their progress and to motivate them in their
journeys. The most important thing that I have learned
is that these women aren’t VICTIMS, they are HEROES.
They do not want the society to sympathise with them
and show pity to them rather they display a sense of
belief in themselves, that they are as capable of doing
anything as we are.”
Garima Chawla President,
Member, Project Aashayein, CDF
CVS Chapter
they can conduct their business activities and earn a decent
living. During Lockdown, virtual events - "Talent Show" were
organised for them with exciting prizes for engagement of
Acid attack survivors of different age groups. The team will be
collaborating with more survivors , helping and encouraging
them in near future.
“I am really grateful to the youth of today. Young people
like you strive so hard to get us an identity in society.
You people make us believe that we are more than our
scars. It feels good to get a platform to showcase our
talents. It helps us to see within ourselves, overcome our
fears & realise our dreams. I always wanted to have a
Youtube Channel of my own but was always so scared
to begin. All the training provided by your team has
been motivating and enriching for us. Heartfelt thanks
to the team of CDF, Chapter CVS from all of us.”
Pramodini Raul- Beneficiary, Project
Aashayein, CDF Chapter CVS
57

AAROGYA - SAFETY ABOVE EVERYTHING
Shri Ram College Of
Commerce, Delhi
59

Aarogya aims to tackle the problem of unawareness, unaffordability
and inaccessibility regarding menstrual hygiene in these slums by
creating awareness through the means of nukkad natak, health
camps and one on one interactions. They plan to eliminate
middlemen and supply pads in bulk to the women from
manufacturers directly and get the quality checked. After the
creation of 3 entrepreneurs in their current areas of operation -
Shastri Park, Sonia Camp and Race Course, and increasing their
income by 400%, Aarogya also ensures the regular availability of
ration in these communities and is always there for other monetary
help. Aarogya follows a card system for their customers. Cards are
issued at the time they first become their customers. The card has
details like their name, phone number and house number. It is of
mutual benefit. While they get to maintain the record of their sales
and track it, the card holder customers get monetary benefit as they
sell the sanitary napkins at MRP to non-card holder
The Challenge
The Solution
The IMPACT
Menstrual health and hygiene
still remain quite a taboo in
disadvantaged slums of Delhi.
This is largely because of
problems such as unawareness
and unaffordability &
inaccessibility of sanitary pads in
these slums.
Aarogya started by creating
awareness about menstrual
hygiene in these slums, through
nukkad natak, health camps and
one on one interactions.They also
set up an enterprise to eliminate
middlemen and supply pads in
bulk to the women from
manufacturers directly in their
current areas of operation -
Shastri Park, Sonia Camp and
Race Course, and increasing their
income by 400%.
Aarogya has created 3
entrepreneurs, impacting lives of
4500+ women and distributed
16,400+ sanitary pads and fulfill
its promise of ensuring menstrual
hygiene in every house.
60

customers and the ones with the card buy the napkins at a
price which is less than the MRP. In a nutshell, Aarogya has
impacted lives of 4500+ women and distributed 16,400+
sanitary pads and fulfill its promise of ensuring menstrual
hygiene in every house
“Working for this project has given me an
identity of my own. I am financially
independent,and people know me by my
name and my work.”
Ayesha Didi, Beneficiary, Project
Aarogya, CDF SRCC Chapter
CDF helps me to solve their challenges while I continue
to learn and grow. I along with a group of committed
students were able to identify the problems faced by the
communities and developed sustainable models to solve
them. The idea of establishing a supply chain for low-
cost sanitary napkins was easy, but the execution was
something we had to put a lot of effort into. From
finalising the vendors, sorting out the logistics, working
out the financials to final implementation, there is a lot
one learns . This has helped me gain an enriching
experience, creating a wide impact in the lives of
women. This is the beauty of CDF wherein we are able to
connect not only our dreams but those to whom we
serve as well.Ritika Dey, Project Director- Project
Aarogya, CDF SRCC Chapter
61

63
JAWHAR TOURISM - CHOTE CHOTE KADMO
SE UCHAIYON KI AUR
Usha Pravin Gandhi College, Mumbai

Jawhar Tourism, a social entrepreneurship venture of Jawhar,
(Palghar district) of Maharashtra, aims to increase the revenue for
the local communities of Jawhar. Founded by Vaibhav Gholap, an
MBA graduate and his team of 5 villagers, they intended to reduce
the migration rate among the people of their village. Vaibhav and
his team empowers the women and grassroots individuals to build
tomorrow’s leaders in the village. Throughout the year, it serves the
customers an opportunity of exploring the tribal culture, the hidden
gems, the delicious cuisine as never experienced before. Team Vikas
Mitra- Smit, Sholok, Riddhi, Nikita and Mithil from Usha Pravin
Gandhi College, Mumbai came together to help this enterprise
become viable and identifiable. Vaibhav and his team faced various
challenges like lack of awareness about Jawhar and the enterprise
and the team focussed on creating awareness through social media
marketing and planning influencer marketing, google business and
search engine optimization (SEO).
The Challenge
The Solution
The IMPACT
Through this initiative team Vikas
Mitra has worked with 13
beneficiaries and have impacted
80+ people through their
intervention.
Team Vikas Mitra from Usha
Pravin Gandhi College, Mumbai
worked with Jawhar Tourism,
focusing on creating awareness
through social media marketing,
planned influencer marketing,
google business and search
engine optimization (SEO).
With the aim to increase income
for local communities, Mr Vaibhav
founded Jawhar Tourism, a social
entrepreneurship venture of
Jawhar, Palghar district,
Maharashtra, However potential
tourists lacked information and
awareness about this wonderful
destination.
64

Vaibhav and Vikas Mitra supervised the financial management
for structuring the growth plans and identified the problem of
lack of hospitality management amongst local stakeholders,
inaccurate data management. Their focus is on formal and
structured approach of financial interventions, developing
online and offline marketing plans and designing training for
rural hospitality management. But as the team believes, this is
just a beginning and they have worked with 13 beneficiaries
and have impacted 80+ people through their intervention.
The entire journey if working with Jawhar Tourism was
too wonderful to be described in words. Personally, we
grew exponentially in past few months and learnt how
to be adaptive and dynamic in this ever changing
business environment. This was a wonderful learning
experience as well as an opportunity to actually
implement our theoretical education to practical use.
We as a team feel that everything we have, we owe it to
the society. And hence we're very grateful to
Connecting Dreams Foundation for giving us this
beautiful opportunity to give something back to the
society and create an impact!
Team Vikas Mitra, Usha Pravin Gandhi
College
65

GREEN GOLD - BAMBOO HANDICRAFTS
FOR SUSTAINABLE FUTURES
NMIMS School of Design, Mumbai
67

Green Gold, a social entrepreneurship venture involved with the
production of bamboo products such as pen stands, paper weight,
bamboo speakers, lanterns, wooden tray and many others, started in
Tetwali Village, Palghar, Maharashtra. Established by Mr Gaurav
Shrivastav and Namita Namdev Bhurkud, a SHG leader with a team of
26 women, they gained support from bodies like Keshav Srushti Gram
Vikas Yojana (KSGVY) and Pandurang Bhurkud Sarpanch. In March
2019, they trained 26 tribal women at Tetwali in bamboo handicraft
skills and in mere 6 months these women changed the way Tetwali
thinks and works. People with labour jobs travelling far from their
village switched to fulfilling national and international handicraft
orders by working in the village itself. The enterprise has now
expanded to 9 villages in Vikramgad with online presence as well.
But even after beginning with a smooth run, the venture could not
generate enough revenues and hence, Team Fireflies, NMIMS School
of Design- Rahil, Aarushi, Amey, Rajarshi, Shashank provided their
knowledge to overcome the challenges faced.
The Challenge
The Solution
The IMPACT
In mere 6 months these women
changed the way Tetwali thinks
and works. People with labour
jobs travelling far from their
village switched to fulfilling
national and international
handicraft orders by working in
the village itself. The enterprise
has now expanded to 9 villages in
Vikramgad with online presence
as well.
To overcome the problem Team
Fireflies of NMIMS School of
Design began by branding and
rebranding the product line,
designing a catalogue of the
enterprise and proposed a plan
for estimation of exhibition setup
to create awareness amongst the
villagers as well as to ensure
higher sales.
Green Gold, a social enterprise
involved with the production of
many bamboo products started in
Tetwali Village, Palghar,
Maharashtra. However it was
failing to generate enough
revenues from the women who
were members of the SHG behind
this enterprise.
68

The team Fireflies beginning with branding and rebranding,
designed the catalogue of enterprise and proposed a plan for
estimation of exhibition setup to create awareness amongst the
villagers as well as to ensure higher sales. To know about the
product demand and control the production, they conducted
primary research and had post sales feedback to the urban areas
too. But as the team says, with this new beginning there is a lot
more to go with further focus on Brand establishment and
packaging to create awareness and a recognisable identity of
Project Green Gold for future brand and product developments.
As their name goes, they are truly "Fireflies"
who come up with bright ideas in dark
times. They have made a beautiful logo for
"Project Green Gold" which is empowering
tribal women. Wishing team Fireflies all the
success in future projects.
It's been a great opportunity to work with Project
Green Gold (Bamboo handicrafts) under the SIC
chapter of CDF. A chance to use our designing and
business skills to better the income and efficiency of
business and improve the lives of villagers. Gaurav sir,
Keshav Shrusti Organization and Pallavi Ma'am
(memtor) have been really helpful and pushing us to
do our best. Wishing the enterprise and CDF sucess in
all their future ventures.Rahil Parmar, Member, Team
Fireflies, NMIMS School of Design
Gaurav Shrivastav, Project Green
Gold, Keshav Srushti
69

FARMERLY - INITIATING A FARMERS'
COLLECTIVE
Tata Institute of Social
Sciences, Mumbai
71

Farmerly, a social entrepreneurship initiative for the farmers in
Sonale, Maharashtra centers around their main product, Vaal. With
40+ individual farmers and the absence of a farmers collective, the
major produce for the farmers in Kapri is the Field Beans (Vaal) and
pulses like Tur, Moong, Urad, Nachani etc. in the Rabi season. They
needed proper guidance and found abundance of information and
support from Team Asaan of Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS)-
Avijit, Nandan. The team launched an initiative “Farmerly”, which
further resolved problems of exploitative trading practices, no post-
harvest processing and the absence of an alternate market. The
team primarily working on community mobilization collected
farmer’s data to understand the costs incurred in yearly cultivation.
They further researched Kadu Vaal, its availability, consumption
pattern and market prices. The team then thoroughly understood
the existing value chain. With the team contacting the potential
buyers such as bulk buyers, e-auction platforms provided a direct
platform for sales therefore, avoiding exploitation and eliminating
the challenges of no alternate market. The team tapped potential
different agencies who worked upon the post- harvest processing
The Challenge
The Solution
The IMPACT
The team's efforts have led to the
formation of Farmers’ Interest
Group under (ATMA) and Skilled
women laborers form the village
have started quality grading of
Pulses, to add value to their
produce.
Team Asaan of Tata Institute of
Social Sciences (TISS), launched
an initiative, Farmery working on
community mobilization to avoid
exploitation and eliminate the
challenges of no alternate market.
They researched Kadu Vaal, its
availability, consumption pattern
and market prices. The team then
thoroughly understood the
existing value chain and tapped
potential agencies who worked
upon post- harvest processing
and enhanced post-harvest
management capabilities of
farmers, ensuring forward market
linkages of their Agri-produces.
Farmers of Vaal (field beans) in
Sonale, Maharashtra faced
exploitative trading practices,
with no post-harvest processing
facilities and absence of an
alternate market.
72

and enhanced post-harvest management capabilities of
farmers and ensured forward market linkages to their Agri-
produces.
The team believes in this new beginning, there is a lot more
success coming with Formation of Farmers’ Interest Group
under (ATMA) and getting skilled women laborers for quality
grading of Pulses.
Over the decades, we are cultivating Kadu Vaal in Rabi
Season. Farmers prefer individual farming and selling
of agri-produces. There's no collectivisation amongst
us. After harvesting, we are left with no option than to
sell it to local middlemen in Wada who generally
exploit us by paying less that remunerative prices for
Kadu Vaal. Farmerly's attempt to directly connect us
with bulk-buyers would help to get remunerative
prices to our produce Kadu Vaal. Farmerly is also
planning to sell Kadu Vaal under its own brand.
Raju Rikame, Beneficiary,
Sonale Village
Team ASAAN worked in two villages of Palghar district of
Maharashtra where we closely interact with farmers.
Based on our findings, we developed venture plan with
aim to ― "Enhance Harvest Management Capacities of
Farmers and to Create Forward Market Linkages for their
Agri-produce." Pilot execution was supposed to take place
March 2020. But Covid-19 pandemic forced us to suspend
the same. Nevertheless, the journey has proved to be an
experiential learning forus as our team stated it from
scratch. Active engagement with primary stakeholders
(farmers), negotiating with different stakeholders of agri
value chain, customer acquisition for our product etc. are
key learning activities for us.
Team ASAAN, Tata Institute of Social
Sciences, Mumbai
73

75
SAKHI TADKA - EMPOWERING WOMEN
ENTREPRENEURS
St. Xavier's College,
Mumbai

Sakhi Tadka, a social entrepreneurship venture of papads, chutneys
and flour is a food processing unit located in Khupri Village in the
Wada block (Palghar district) of Maharashtra. Team Desi Tadka-
and the 10 women, along with Mrs. Daya Patil worked on
capitalizing on the skills of the women in food processing. They
produced goods like papads, flours and some regional specialities
like kharvadi. The college team supplied the products to urban
areas by contacting local transportation and setting up convenient
channels to send them. The team was also successful in getting
orders and distributing the samples in the urban areas by
collaborating with Grahak Panchayat and other stakeholders.
However, there were several challenges like branding of product,
unresponsive caterers, miscommunication amongst stakeholders,
efforts, generating decent amount of revenue for the project. etc.
kept hindering for the project.
The Challenge
The Solution
The IMPACT
The team worked with Grahak
Panchayat regarding regional
distribution of products through
Grahak Sangh and has created a
list of 130+ contacts of hoteliers
and caterers for the women to sell
their products.
The college team supplied the
products to urban areas by
contacting local transportation
and setting up convenient
channels to send them. The team
was also successful in getting
orders and distributing the
samples in the urban areas by
collaborating with Grahak
Panchayat and other
stakeholders.
Sakhi Tadka a food processing
unit in Khupri village in the Wada
block, Palghar district,
Maharashtra is a social
entrepreneurship venture
producing papads, chutneys and
flour but were unable to get
enough customers.
76

The team focused on the personality development of the
entrepreneurs by building self-esteem in them, trained the
women on production, operations and business
management and trained the beneficiaries on
understanding the urban market. The team is in contact with
Grahak Panchayat regarding regional distribution of
products through Grahak Sangh and has created a list of 130+
contacts of hoteliers and caterers for the women to continue
the sales of products.
Sakhi Food Processing is an enterprise of 10
hardworking women who are pro at making regional
specialities such as papads and flours. They promise
authentic Maharashtrian taste and purely home
made food products. Daya Patil is the head of the
enterprise. The entrepreneurs have brought together
an amazing range of products such as poha papad,
rice papad, nachni flour, chutney and much more at
reasonable prices.
Shrawani Saiprasad Vilankar, Member Team
Desi Tadka, St. Xavier's College
77

KAAVISH - UPCYCLING IS THE NEW TREND
Aryabhatta College, Delhi
79

Beginning as an idea to bring change in the current standards of living
in the nearby community, CDF Aryabhatta germinated this sapling
from the ground to reach the height, and see the light today. Driven
with the desire to generate employment for those in corners of their
home, unable to access the opportunities which lead to a better life,
Kaavish is a determined effort to improve the standard of living of
women in the slum and to help them become self-dependent. The first
ray of light fell upon the streets of Nanakpura, Satyaniketan where team
Kaavish finally found Aarti, who knew how to use a sewing machine and
was willing to work with Team Kaavish. In order to reduce the cost of
the bags, a clothes collection drive was organised in the college wherein
the team collected denim jeans and old clothes. These jeans were then
used to make bags and zips, buttons were used as accessories. The
jeans collected from the drive were given to Aarti along with a sample
bag so that she could get an idea regarding the making of the bag. The
team also showed her some designs for reference.
The Challenge
The Solution
The IMPACT
Kaavish has created employment
opportunities for 2 women
entrepreneurs, conducted 2
successful denim donation drives,
stitched 50+ bags and
collaborated with two permanent
bulk buyers.
Recognising this problem CDF
Aryabhatta initiated Kaavish as a
determined effort to improve the
standard of living of the women in
slums and to help them earn and
become self-dependent. They
organised women who could sew
and provided them with waste
denim clothes and a sample of a
bag and soon they started sewing
handbags and toadbags to
support their families.
Many women in disadvantaged
communities lack access to
opportunities and hence cannot
become independent, socially
and financially.
80

Using the jeans, Aarti made 30 bags out of which 23 were sold
at Aryabhatta college and at CDF stall. All the profit gained by
selling the bags went to the women who made them. This way
Team Kaavish also tried to ensure financial independence. They
hope to provide sustainable employment to such women by
increasing the scope of this project in coming years. Through
the initiative Kaavish has created a medium of employment for
2 women entrepreneurs, conducted 2 successful denim
donation drives, stitched 50+ bags and collaborated with two
permanent bulk buyers.
It has been a heartbreaking yet eye opening
experience working with underprivileged
unemployed women, getting to know their
background and real life experiences of what it's like
to be skilled yet unemployed. Saroj and Aarti, the two
women we worked with are really talented in making
bags, and beautifully showcased their skills. This
journey with Kaavish has been full of ups and downs,
but it has only given us an opportunity to learn more
and more not only about social entrepreneurship, but
also about the real India. The thought of doing good
for someone and serving society has been the
motivation for all of us to keep going, and keep
supporting the skills that go unnoticed.
Jyothika, Team Member, Project Kaavish,
CDF Aryabhatta
81

VRIDDHI - BUILDING SUSTAINABLE
BUSINESS MODELS
Hindu College, Delhi
83

In November 2019, CDF Hindu launched its autonomous flagship project
Project Vriddhi to expand the horizons of street vendors who are unable
to generate decent earnings due to lack of resources. Vridhhi, erected on
the foundation of upliftment, aims to assist this sector by adopting a
paramount approach wherein their products would be marketed on
different platforms. After analysing data of 60 vendors, it was concluded
that they experienced a declining trend in their business over the years
and these micro-entrepreneurs were being pulled out from the market
owing to big e-commerce giants. This led to a poor standard of living for
the vendors. Project Vridhhi aims to contribute towards enabling
inclusive growth for the vendors, to help improve their standard of living.
Since its inception, Project Vridhhi has seen phenomenal growth, and
support from other people in the society has been outstanding. Project
Vridhhi selected socially disadvantaged vendors and accomplished the
task of marketing their products through different channels.
CDF Hindu worked on marketing strategies and collaborated with several
social media influencers, bloggers, content creators to work with them
and contribute for this social cause. They prepared handmade business
cards for promotion of vendors.
The Challenge
The Solution
The IMPACT
The project has impacted 60
vendors during their intervention
with the local street vend
CDF Hindu launched its Project
Vriddhi with the aims to assist this
sector by adopting paramount
approaches to market their
products on different platforms.
They selected socially
disadvantaged vendors and
helped in the marketing
strategies of their products. They
collaborated with several social
media influencers, bloggers,
content creators to help in
marketing and contribute for this
social cause. The team also
prepared handmade business
cards for promotion of vendors.
In this age of one-day delivery and
e-commerce many street vendors
are unable to generate decent
earnings and struggle with
attracting and retaining
customers.
84

The business cards were circulated by our volunteers to their friends
and thereon, each business card has some sort of incentive for the
person bearing it, it has some discount rate which can be redeemed
by giving the coupon to the vendor. This is a customer acquisition
technique for the vendor. The vendor also has some coupons
(business cards) which he gives to his regular customers as a reward
of loyalty.The project has impacted 60 vendors during their
intervention with the local street vendors.
"When it comes down to work, it it's better to do
less and achieve more rather than just doing more
and achieving less. Project Vridhhi has done the
same to me and helped me to grow and increase
my revenue by use of simple social media
marketing. I could feel more customers come to
me now and maximum of these people were those
who had discount coupons of Vridhhi. I remember
people talking about me and my brother getting
featured in the story of Cdf Hindu."
Alok and Pankaj, Beneficiaries, Project
Vriddhi, CDF Hindu College
"Project Vriddhi is just a reflection of how a simple act of
kindness leads to another. The thought of being the voice
of those vendors itself gave me satisfaction. Ashok and
Alok who were our first beneficiaries I remember them
telling us how difficult it was for them on off days to go
home without even selling a single product but after our
marketing they regularly get a crowd of customers many
of which are our coupon bearers. Definitely this thought of
helping them gave me satisfaction. What I like the best
about Vriddhi is that we are able to work for these people
and narrate their story and problems to others who can
definitely help them. Well it's also said when one is not
enough don't forget to take like minded people with you"Sargam Singh, Member,
Project Vriddhi, CDF Hindu
College
85

87
DREAM LIBRARY - MAKING EDUCATION
ACCESSIBLE

Dream Library, an initiative to set up the libraries in schools for
underprivileged students aims to achieve Quality Education, with
the main motto being setting up of libraries for underprivileged
students who are unable to afford books on their own. CDF teams of
several colleges actively participated in the project and contributed
exceptionally well on their part.
CDF SRCC- The team had successfully set up 11 Libraries in Delhi-
NCR impacting 1500+ students’ lives by providing quality books and
infrastructure. Donating 3500+ Books of different categories like
academic, fiction, non- fiction, activity books they now intend to set
up Digital Libraries to encourage digital learning through online
courses and ebooks.
CDF MLNC- With a Sabki paathshaala in Pragati Maidan, the team
built a small library with 600 books reducing the illiteracy and child
labour in the slum by more than 60%. The team further course of
action now involves opening a Dream Library in R.K.Puram so as to
reduce the literacy and child labour standing at 22.8% currently.
The Challenge
The Solution
Many underprivileged and
disadvantaged children in the
slums of urban India don't have
access to proper resources and
books needed for education. The
right to education does not
guarantee these children rights to
important study materials.
Understanding this issue, many
chapters of CDF have launched
Dream Library, an initiative to set
up libraries in schools for
underprivileged students with the
aims to help them achieve
Quality Education.
88

CDF GARGI- To promote the habit of happy reading, the team
had set up libraries at Krishi Vihar MCD School and Masjid
Moth MCD School, further planning to set up dream libraries in
3 new areas this year.
CDF HINDU- Beginning with the project in January 2020, the
team collaborated with KITABWALLA DU and conducted
several books donation drives for its establishment in February
and March. They now aim to promote mental peace, creative
thinking patterns among students which are not focused by
schools to change thinking patterns and bring a change in the
reader’s life.
Connecting Dream Foundation wishes all the teams great
success in their future project endeavor and hope they create a
great impact all over the society.
Being a part of CDF-SRCC has changed my perspective
towards life. Going out for visits and interacting with the
people in the slums,in the rural areas makes us understand
what life is like for them and gives motivation and will to
do whatever we can to bring a change, to help give them
what they deserve. To have got a chance to be a part of the
change that we bring in the lives of so many people
everyday, is satisfying. Education is the passport for the
future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it
today. Being able to contribute to helping the children
have access to a wider range of books is great. The smile in
the faces of the children when they get their
own library is so peaceful.
Muskan Agarwal, Project Director-
Dream Library, CDF SRCC Chapter
89

91
KILKARI - CHHOTE SAPNO KO SACHAI ME
BADALNE KI KHWAISH

The project Kilkari aims to bridge the gap between streets and schools
by connecting underprivileged children. It also aims to decrease
alarming dropout rates by conducting Kilkari Pathshalas 4 days a week
and targets SDG Goal 4: Quality Education as well as Goal 5. This project
was first started by Kalindi College and since then has been taken by
different colleges. All the colleges contributed exceptionally well on
their part.
CDF Gargi- Aiming zero illiteracy and sustainable long-term
development in urban slums and getting all kids admitted into the
schools, the team celebrated many festivals like Diwali and special
occasions in the Pathshalas. Extra-curriculars activities including
teaching with Youtube were held every Saturday with Recreational
visits to nearby parks.
CDF DRC- CDF DRC combined vartaalap and kilkari together at some
places where suitable user groups for both were found. The volunteers
and core team members visited ashram regularly as they became a
source of improved skills and development for children This project
hence, impacted more than 100 people in vartaalap and around 200
under kilkari.
The Challenge
The Solution
In many marginalized
communities living in Slums of
urban areas, the children have
very limited access to resources
needed for a better future. Access
to education and opportunity is
curtailed for these children.
To counter this problem CDF
initiated project Kilkari which
aims to bridge the gap between
streets and schools by connecting
underprivileged children. It also
aims to decrease alarming
dropout rates by conducting
Kilkari Pathshalas 4 days a week
and targets SDG Goal 4: Quality
Education as well as Goal 5:
Gender equality.
92

CDF Miranda - Initiated at Malkaganj and Majnu ka Tila, there
are a total of 50 kids in these two Pathshalas. A particular
curriculum is followed the entire month and every month a
new curriculum is made. Friday as an ExtraCurricular Activity
day with Celebrations on Diwali, Children’s Day, Republic Day
organised for the kids.
CDF LSR - Presently working towards their central aim of
bringing education to those who are restricted from it, CDF
LSR tried to eliminate the factors and provided the kids with
good quality education. They subsequently enrolled the kids in
government schools with the help of the National Commission
of Protection of Child Rights. The team too inculcated good
behavior and values through all the non-curricular activities
and workshops lined up hence, turning their dreams into
reality.
CDF Hindu - In only 4 months operation, Kilkari pathshala
Hindu has seen great success and is heading towards
achieving its objective of impacting the lives of children and
developing them holistically. Started with 16 volunteers and 18
students initially, the number of students almost doubled to 34
and the number of volunteers has increased to 24 in 4 months
due to efforts and word to mouth marketing. A lot of changes
too have been seen in the behaviour of students since their
contribution to learning.
93

CDF MLNC- MLNC opened a Paathshaala on 23rd September 2019 at
Durga Colony, Sector12, RKPuram. MLNC has a team of 25 volunteers
who put all their sweat together to upgrade the level of the children.
Over 100 hours of interaction by the team with the children and
teaching them Mathematics, English, General Knowledge, Basic
Science. Till now MLNC is on basic model of education whereas the
team also decided on transforming into a premium model to provide a
much better education. They are also trying to maintain the
consistency in the number of students and will adeptly come out by
mid of September 2020.
CDF DSC- Collection drives for old books were arranged by DSC for the
students of the pathshala. They have collected more than 1000 books
through collection drives and self purchases. The Library will be set up
by 15th March in Lodhi road public school.
CDF SGBT Khalsa- Khalsa college has inaugurated a new pathshala in
JJ Colony. The number of students has increased from 5 to 30 in the old
pathshala and there has been an increase in the number of volunteers
as well. Furthermore, 15 kids are being taught in the new pathshala.
There has been an increase in relationship with the volunteers and
there has also been reduced absenteeism. Khalsa college organized the
following activities for the students of the pathshala, including Origami
Workshop, Meditation, Festival Celebration, Healthcare Camp as well as
Free Medicine camp.
94

I have improved a lot in English subject. Now I
could speak much better. I like to come to this
place everyday and enjoy a lot with all Bhaiyas
and didi who come here to teach us. I have
improved a lot and developed a habit of
studying daily. As they evaluate us on a daily
basis.
Shalini, Beneficiary, Kilkari Pathshala,
CDF SGTB Khalsa Chapter
“My name is Sunveer Singh and I’ve been working with
the cdf since the past two years. Sabki pathshala was the
first project i had joined and i have enjoyed every
moment of teaching the students since day one. I’ve had
the privilege of teaching the students and also have
learnt many things from the multi talented kids. The kids
are fast learners and possess a high passion for learning.
My overall experience has been very good and i ve had
the best leaders to guide me on how to build a bridge
between the privileged and the unprivileged. I also look
forward to learning many more things from cdf in the
coming future.”
Sunveer Singh, Beneficiary, Kilkari
Paathshala, CDF MLNC
I got the best platform to achieve my passion. I'm
so thankful to be part of CDF Without CDF and
Kilkari pathshala students I think my life gets
wasted. Because for me the smile on their faces is
everything. They have become my reason to
smile.
Ikpreet Kaur, Member, Kilkari
Pathshala, SGTB Khalsa
95

I’ve been working under this project from past one year now. And, it
was one of the best decisions I’ve made till now. My whole journey
was very exciting, full of surprises and happiness. This has been a
mutual process of learning between me and the students. I’ve
gained a lot from this and I would especially like to mention my first
visit to paathshala . It was so warm. That was the moment I knew I
made a good decision. Every time, it was a new experience visiting
them and exploring the new and interesting methods of studying.
I’m very happy to connect with PROJECT KILKARI.
Vibhuti Bansal, Member, Kilkari
Pathshala, CDF Kalindi Chapter
I’m a student of class 8th . I want to be a teacher.
But, I’m not very good in studies. Didi always help
me clearing my doubts. They also guide me about
my future. I feel very comfortable around them and
because of that I learn things easily and I also don’t
hesitate in asking doubts. I like to learn to things
with them and we also do a lot of fun activities
together including several celebrations.
Rimjhim, Beneficiary, Kilkari Pathshala,
CDF Kalindi Chapter
I am a student of class 5th. I like to study and my
aim is to become a police officer. Didi helped me a
lot in studies as well as learning many new things.
They always guide me to achieve my aim. They have
never refused to help and has been always
supportive. She helps me to learn concept more and
clears my doubts.
Adarsh Sharma, Beneficiary, Kilkari
Pathshala, CDF Kalindi Chapter
I am grateful to be part of a project that aims at
bridging the gap between schools and underprivileged
children. The best aspect of my volunteering
experience was getting to know the kids at the
paathshala.I really felt appreciated by interacting with
the kids.We learned, we played , we danced and had a
lot of fun.Overall,I found it very enriching and
rewarding working with Kilkari.I thank Kilkari for
blessing me with such an opportunity in my life.
Tanya Pal, Member, Kilkari
Pathshala, CDF LSR Chapter
96

Project Mogra, an entrepreneurship initiative started in Khuded village,
Jawhar district, Maharashtra focuses mainly on the production of Mogra
flowers. The Farmers of Khuded, primarily involved in mogra farming,
cultivated crops in their own farms with production and output of the flowers
depending solely on weather conditions. Mogra Farming, an aggregated
entrepreneurship initiative was started by Mr. Gopal Anil Doke with a team of
25 mogra farmers and through the support of Keshav Srushti Gram Vikas
Yojana (KSGVY). Team Transformers, H. R. College of Commerce and
Economics worked closely with these villagers to overcome the challenges
they faced due to lack of data management, Improper knowledge of
availability of agricultural products, lack of financial management and
inadequate supply of water.
MOGRA, H.R COLLEGE
Reaching Roots, a social entrepreneurship venture started by Team
Changemakers in Nihali, Maharashtra aims at fostering the income of the
farmers by producing Organic fertilisers.Wada farmers were facing low
income due to agricultural distress and no alternative knowledge of different
occupations, they practiced farming for a few months and for the rest of the
year, worked as wage laborers. Team Changemakers, Tata Institute of Social
Sciences (TISS), therefore, started this novel initiative with 30 village families.
Considering all the problems, the team created an extra work opportunity for
the villagers to increase their income by manufacturing organic fertilizers
such as S-9 Culture and earthworm culture with the naturally available
resources at the village.
ORGANIC FERTILISER, TISS, MUMBAI
OTHER PROJECTS
97

This project was initiated with a view of making homeless women - who were
separated from their families and were living in shelter homes - self dependent.
Some of these women studied till grades 10 and 12 and had the desire to study
further to be able to earn a living for themselves and their children. CDF DRC
team after a screening process chose the government portal Massive Open
Online Courses (MOOC) for women and got them enrolled. It is a government
initiative free of cost to help people learn and increase qualification. Currently,
around 50 women are enrolled and more are being tapped across areas where
this can be further expanded.
Kahaani, started by CDF Kalindi ideates to connect orphans with people living
in old age homes for their mutual benefits and impact their lives by bridging
the emotional gap. To bring together individuals suffering from loneliness, and
depression and those lacking the nurturing love of elderly role models, it
connects both elderly and children who can find comfort in family and a long-
term relationship within each other. The elderly teach the children, cook for
them and have light hearted conversations which gives them a break from
their monotonous, often depressing, lives. The children on the other hand too
get parental comfort, guidance and warmth by sharing their daily and personal
lives with someone which teaches them morals and values, which then
contributes better to their personal and academic growth.
NAARITVA, DAULAT RAM COLLEGE
PROJECT KAHAANI, KALINDI COLLEGE
Launched by Dyal Singh College, Project Arohan aims to provide education
opportunities to the underprivileged children. The team organises workshops,
teaches basic reading and writing skills to these children followed with diaries
making skill based classes. Hence, as a result the team organised more than 10
workshops for the children and made about 50+ diaries that were sold directly
in the market by the team.The diaries created were sold at Rs.99, generating
profits which were subsequently used to set up water filters and sanitation
facilities in their areas.
AROHAN, DYAL SINGH COLLEGE
98

Reduce the cost of paper bags to make it affordable for shopkeepers.
Attain Goal 8 by providing employment to 100 women in Majnu ka Tila
area, New Delhi.
Research on new paper bags and other types of biodegradable bags
which can be sold with additional service of employment in it.
Project Kaagazi, a multifaceted project started by SGTB Khalsa College, aims
to solve several problems: the plastic menace around the campus through
paper bags, unemployment of women in Majnu ka Tilla and most
importantly, the garbage through advertising.
Hence, the team goals to:
The team recently completed its research on various aspects such as the
wages to be given, selling price of the bags and sources of raw material and
will soon sell its first batch of paper bags in the market. With this new
beginning, the team is further focusing on launching new sizes of the paper
bags, with the raw material to be procured by donations and a database of
donors to be kept for sustainability.
Connecting Dreams Foundation, joined hands with the NSS Unit of K.J.
Somiaya College of Science and Commerce in 2019. The team conducted 6
surveys in the adopted area from November 2019 to December 2019. The
duration of the program was from 1st November 2019 - 20th February 2020.
After analysing the data, the team decided to start the project 'AAKAR' with
the aim of shaping young minds of the Ramabai Nagar area in Mumbai
through creative learning. The team conducted a 'Yoga Session' on 20
February 2020 in Ramabai Municipal School as its first step towards the
project 'AAKAR'. And now, it is planning to move forward, gradually and
enthusiastically. The support system of the program consisted of around 21
volunteers who have till date impacted around 100+ families as well as
students of NSS and CDF.
99
PROJECT KAAGAZI, SGTB KHALSA COLLEGE
AAKAR, K.J SOMAIYA COLLEGE

To educate and empower people about their rights regarding the health
programmes by the Government of India, Miranda House started its health
cover project, Jeevitha.Covering Malkaganj and Majnu ka Tilla, the team held
various survey visits to get information on women living in the areas - whether
they use pads, the reason if they don’t; finally, concluding that some women do
not use them owing to its cost. Hence, the team through the funds collected in
a college donation drive distributed 1,160 pads funds among the women in the
community. Further, through Street Plays held on stigmas surrounding
menstruation and menstrual hygiene they educated the women which
resulted in increased demand for the pads. The team organised health camps
in collaboration with NGOs which helped them to focus on Malnutrition and
Health cards. Hence, as the team believes in- educate, empowering and
extending, we too hope for better health for a better world.
Project Utsav, as the name suggests, is related with the joy of festivals and the
joy of life. Under this project, the members of CDF tried to reach out to the
underprivileged families and help them acquire some skills so as to help them
earn a living. Diverse workshops are conducted by the members for the same
and then the products are sold. The profits earned are utilised for the benefits of
these people. This project aims to reduce poverty by generating a permanent
source of income, especially amongst the unemployed people of Zamrudpur
Village and Bhalswa, Jahangirpuri. CDF LSR: Under project Utsav, workshops
were conducted for the women to make diyas and the products were sold at
100% profits. It helped people to acquire some skills which can be used to earn
them a living, which in turn would raise the standards of living and then the
economic growth of the country. In future, LSR plans to conduct workshops for
women of the neighboring villages and slums in South Delhi to make earrings.
The team members will sell the products made by these women at 100%
profits.
JEEVITHA, MIRANDA HOUSE COLLEGE
UTSAV, LADY SHRI RAM COLLEGE
100

Project Jeevant,initiated in 2018, aims to motivate the women residing in
shelters to move beyond the hardships they’ve suffered and progress from
homelessness to self-sufficiency. In order to motivate the women of shelter
they created vibrant images of women on wall personifying the numerous
significant roles they play throughout their lifetime. From home makers to
world beaters , the crucial contribution of women towards building the
society is unquestionable. Mandala Art is a symbolic diagram used in
performance of sacred rites and an instrument of meditation. It is a
representation of the universe as a receptacle for the Gods. For the current
season 2020 , ARSD has a goal of transforming 7 shelter homes. The team
has also finalised 3 shelter homes and started their work. They are in contact
with DU Art societies for collaboration and so far 2 other organisations have
agreed to work with us. They have targeted one men's shelter and two
women's shelters.
JEEVANT, ARSD COLLEGE
Quality Education, a social venture by Team D. G. Ruparel College, Mumbai
aims at providing the basic Quality Education under Connect and Change
Program.The 20 volunteers working on the problem by helping the students
in their academic studies encouraged them to get involved in various
extracurricular activities. Teaching the children from the age group 4 years
to 14 years various subjects such as Maths, English, Hindi, Marathi, Science
etc. they carried out various activities which helped them increase their
focus and concentration. To explore the creative side of the children, various
drawing competitions, origami sessions were carried too. Concluding on 16th
September with the last visit at Worli, the volunteers performed a street play
on personal hygiene and made the children aware about the importance of
sanitation collecting 500 growing dreams till date.
QUALITY EDUCATION, D.G. RUPAREL COLLEGE
101

Vann Sampada, a social entrepreneurship venture initiated in Garadwadi,
Jawhar fosters the food processing and tribal produce of the product, Giloy.
With abundant Giloy available, the village had been identified as a potential
area for setting up the Giloy business. Therefore, Mrs. Bharati and other 70
women supported by Keshav Srushti Sevak identified the ayurvedic raw
materials available like hirda, kardai, fatakdi but did not have the required
training and business skills. Added to the challenges, the officials restricted
them access to giloy in the forest with logistics and operations challenges
and lack of basic technical knowledge. Hence, Team Sakhi of Jai Hind
College, here intervened with the quality of the raw material to provide
standardized quality of produce to the retailers and wholesalers. They further
helped the women to identify and work on capitalizing the locally sourced
ayurvedic products and organic grains hence, providing a linkage for
ayurvedic products with wholesalers and retailers.
VANN SAMPADA, JAIHIND COLLEGE
The Herbal Coffee is manufactured from a plant called Taila. The raw material
is sourced from the Karhe village and the entrepreneur is working on
cultivating the coffee. This coffee is ayurvedic and has many health benefits.
The women beneficiaries work on production and packaging of the coffee.
The products are sold to various dealers in Nashik and Pune. Team Fixers
conducted primary research with the users to understand market demand
and post sales feedback in the urban areas. The team worked on developing
marketing and sales strategies for the enterprise.
HERBAL COFFEE, USHA PRAVIN GANDHI COLLEGE
102

TESTIMONIALS
WORDS OF INSPIRATION

“The single most important aspect needed to be successful members
of society today is to display sensitivity and concern about social
problems and live a value-based life. Today everyone needs to be a
changemaker. I congratulate Connecting Dreams Foundation for
inculcating this value in the youth of India and building a network of
changemakers.”
“When youth are dreaming with open eyes for people, planet &
prosperity in focus, ‘Connecting Dreams’ joins the dots for
sustainable development and empowering these changemakers
through its resources and methods. Connecting with the CDF team
was a dream come true. Wish them all the best for their commitment
and passion for bringing positive change in society.”
Ravindra Sathe, Director General,
Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini
Rajive Gulati, UNTIL - United Nations
104

“It is indeed an honour and privilege to be associated with
Connecting Dreams Foundation through many projects. The team is
doing a remarkable job of connecting with youth to promote
sustainable development. It is indeed heartening to see CDF evolving
into a multifarious diverse organisation promoting sustainable
entrepreneurship, waste management, sustainable livelihoods and
technology dissemination. The institution has created significant
impact at the community level and at University level through multi
stakeholder partnerships and capacity building. I congratulate the
entire team of Connecting Dreams under the exemplary leadership of
Dr. Amit Tuteja for having achieved this success in a short span of
time. May we all continue dreaming about a healthy and sustainable
planet.”
“The work done by CDF and the teams of students is truly path -
breaking. This initiative by CDF has the potential to change the future
of our country. All the best to the entire team of CDF, all the teams
and students.”
Dr. Sapna Narula, Professor and Dean,
School of Management Studies, Nalanda
University
Harsh Modi, Founder and CEO, YuvaLeads
105

Since childhood, I was always told that we rise by lifting others. Connecting
Dreams Foundation gave me a valuable opportunity to know and work for
different communities that are less familiar to me but just as colorful and most
importantly, in need. Honestly, this made me a better individual each day
working with the entire team and learning new things which has brought a huge
change in me and given me amazing experiences which I can cherish throughout
my life.
Having been shaped by the college-like and creative, yet meticulous,
environment at CDF, I found myself able to communicate, innovate, and
collaborate in ways that enabled me to build a successful communications
with our user groups. CDF is one of those rare platforms which combine
professionalism and passion in equal quantities. After all the failures and
rejections, it gives me immense pleasure that I’ve been part of this life
changing experience. I can’t be more thankful for it.
CDF connected me to students from different courses, I made new friends and
these friendships will remain for lifetime because CDF bonded us together with
the string of sympathy,comapassion and love. Thank you CDF for giving me
diverse experiences and making me the person I am.
Rahul, ARSD College
Khushi Trivedy, Kalindi College
Samridhi Malhotra, CVS
106

I started my journey with CDF In August, 2019. Working with CDF is a real time
experience and it helps me a lot by providing enough exposure to enhance my
skills. CDF provides me with the platform where I can actually work over things I
dreamt off. I feel really lucky to be a part of CDF India. My college life would have
been incomplete without Connecting Dreams Foundation.
My journey has been mesmerizing. From being a part of Tadbeer to becoming the
project head of the same, I realised how chirpy i had become staying with the kids of
Swati NGO. It feels like a blessing to be a part of this family, and to be able to connect
my dreams through connecting other people's dreams, to getting to see a lot of
people smiling because of you. I am glad that I did not give up on all the days I
wanted to, but CDF did not let me.
I always wanted to be a social activist and do something for the people. Finally
last year CDF provided me this opportunity. I'm so grateful to Amit sir for having
belief in me and letting me initiate CDF-SGTB Khalsa chapter in my college. CDF
provides a great platform for the aspiring youth like me. I would say it was all
because of CDF and my wonderful team of CDF-SGTB Khalsa that I could be what I
wanted to be always in my life.
Swarpreet Kaur Kaptam, SGTB Khalsa College
Kamya Pahilajani, Aryabhatta College
Chhavi Jangid, CVS
107

Aditi Singh, MLNC
Connecting Dreams Foundation. The name of the organisation could not have
conveyed its mission better. The most crucial thing that I have learnt being a part of
CDF is "We can't help everyone but everyone can help someone". I have gained
immense experience and knowledge in the field of education of the underprivileged
class present in our country. It has been an exciting and enthralling journey with
challenges that were thrown at me every step I took. It has all in all been a rewarding
experience and my life in the last two years would have been incomplete, had I not
joined CDF.
CDF has given me the opportunity to witness the change I envisioned. It has made
me a dream catcher and directed my energies towards the upliftment of those in
need through the entrepreneurial spirit.
The work evironment at CDF has developed my personality to be more expressive
and interactive. It has pushed me out of my limits and comfort zone, making me
more productive and dynamic.
Ridhi Agarwal, ARSD College
108

The few examples shared in this report are an interesting opportunity to see that the youth of India
and their educational institutes are aware of and engaging in the SDGs, and also to witness their
actions towards achieving them.
More colleges and institutes each year are engaging in and contributing to the SDGs and some of the
most innovative, and potentially impactful, ideas for moving the goals forward are coming from
smaller, lesser-known and motivated changemakers from our villages and small towns. This
development is exciting, necessary and—who knows?—might just change everything.
Yet, despite an increased number of interesting examples, barring a few large and resource rich
corporates, the rest of the businesses seem to lag behind in their efforts, which is surprising in many
ways given the importance and relevance of these goals to their operations, programs, and
partnerships. Questions probing the disconnection between these businesses, government initiatives
are still common at conference tables that discuss the present and future of communities or is there a
lack of genuine interest? This brings us to several, half-answered questions, such as:
• At what point do these topics become important enough to businesses, educational institutes, youth
and local governments to be taken seriously?
• What needs to change in the way we approach the implementation and localisation of the SDGs to
enable them to adapt and contribute more effectively?
In just a few months, the COVID-19 situation has revealed and in many spaces deepened the stark
inequalities that were so far masked in our communities. Despite severe measures like lockdowns and
quarantines, human life has taken a beating. Several of of SDGs towards which India was making good
progress will come to a stand still or be retrogressive.
OUR WAY FORWARD
110

It is in moments such as these, the response and relief that the governmental systems comes under
intense pressure and offer an opportunity to the youth, citizens and voluntary organisations to
meaningfully contribute and lead to better outcomes. Additionally, the machinery is not agile enough
to take care of the issues in a speedy manner. Here citizen participation, especially the youth, remains
pivotal for smooth functioning of any and every economy, since it brings to the fore local knowledge
and ground-level realities.
111

In the coming year, we intend to support the youth of CDF and the changemakers with two key
initiatives:
• Launch of social impact challenge with the theme of ‘Youth for Atmanirbhar Bharat’. Here the youth
of India will get an opportunity to actively collaborate with the experts and an opportunity to build
back India.
• Launch of the Changemaker Academy and Changemaker Lab - Changemaker Academy is a toolkit of
learning resources that are practice-based, life-changing, professional development courses to help
the youth translate knowledge into action as they work in the community; Connect dreams, Create
solutions and Change Lives using CDF’s 3C methodology to work in the communities. The
Changemaker Lab will offer support to educational institutes, corporate houses. It is also a place to
meet, converse and learn from experts in niche domain areas.
Dr. Simi Mishra
Director, Program Advocacy & Communications
Connecting Dreams Foundation
112

CDF BOARD OF ADVISORS
Nayana Sahasrabuddhe
Advisor
Ravindra Sathe
Advisor
Dr. Sandhya Iyer
Advisor
Rajesh Mehta
Advisor
Dr. Sapna Narula
Advisor
Saurabh Aggarwal
Steering Committee
Ravi Pokharna
Steering Committee
Yashveer Singh
Steering Committee
Srinivas Ramaswamy
Steering Committee
Harsh Modi
Steering Committee
Dr. Sanjeev Singh
Advisor
115

CDF TEAM
Dr. Amit Tuteja Founder
Founder
Alok Sharma
Strategic Consultant
Dr. Simi Mishra
Director, Programs
Sheetal Shetty
Programme Manager
Surbhi Kachhara
Research Consultant
Sudhanshu Shekhar
Research Associate
Ketaki Mathur
Associate Programme Manager
Sanatan Kumar
Administration
116

Compiled By:
Suzanne Khan and Piyush Yadav
Data Collection:
Adnan Bhanpurwala, Sheetal Shetty
Edited By:
Jenisha Kiri, Sudhanshu Shekhar, Surbhi Kachhara and Sheetal Shetty
Advisory Team:
Dr. Amit Tuteja, Dr. Simi Mishra and Alok Sharma
Design and Illustrations:
Ketaki Mathur and Mahendra Negi
EDITORIAL TEAM
117

For more details please visit connecting-dreams.org
Or email us at info@connecting-dreams.org

Connecting Dreams Foundation Impact Report 2020

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