USA
The American India Foundation Trust (AIFT) recently undertook its 23rd annual India Mission Trip, providing a detailed overview of its impactful programs.
The delegation, consisting of 25 AIF board members, supporters, and donors from India and the US, alongside industry leaders with a focus on the US-India corridor, undertook a week-long journey exploring the hinterlands of Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Haryana, aiming to understand the multifaceted challenges faced by tribal and rural communities, including climate change, migration, and gender inequality, particularly in the areas of health, education, and livelihoods.
They witnessed the impact of AIF’s initiatives, including the learning and migration program, digital equalizer, maternal and newborn survival initiative, market-aligned skills training, and banyan impact fellowship. Implemented in collaboration with various stakeholders, these programs highlighted community resilience and allowed engagement with local groups, governance bodies, and stakeholders.
“Our multifarious efforts to combat inter-generational and multi-dimensional poverty are intended to foster greater collaboration within the India-US corridor, encourage innovation, nurture economic development, and tackle global challenges. AIF’s impact in system strengthening across education, health, and livelihoods, to drive sustainable impact at scale is bolstered by the trust and engagement of our partners and we are honored to be on this journey together to impact the farthest reaches of India,” said Nishant Pandey, chief executive officer, AIF and Mathew Joseph, country director, AIF.
Notable members of the delegation included Lata Krishnan, CFO of Shah Capital Partners; Harit Talwar, board member of Mastercard, Apexon, & Inveniam.io; Manu Shah, CEO of M.S. International, Inc.; Jay Tambe, partner at Jones Day; Justin Steinberg, partner and portfolio manager at Steinberg Asset Management; Ajay Shah, managing director and co-founder of Shah Capital Partners; Varsha Kaura, global client lead at Omnicom (Mars Inc.); Nishant Pandey, CEO of AIF; and Mathew Joseph, country director of AIF.
Focus on Collaborative Solutions
The mission trip facilitated dialogues with policymakers, industry leaders, and social changemakers. In Odisha, delegates engaged in discussions with senior bureaucrats, government officials, and industry leaders on grassroots governance and philanthropic partnerships.
The trip concluded in New Delhi with a celebration hosted by philanthropist Kiran Nadar at the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art. The event showcased the collection of photographer Raghu Rai, providing a reflective conclusion to the transformative journey.
