The SBI Foundation recently held the valediction ceremony to celebrate the culmination of a 13-month journey for 53 young Fellows from across India, 60% of females that comprised the 11th batch of the SBI Youth for India Fellowship.
The program’s alumni base now comprises over 580 Fellows, of whom 70% have continued to work in the development sector, significantly contributing to the nation’s social development priorities. The SBI Youth for India Fellowship operates on 12 key thematic areas including Health, Rural Livelihood, Food Security, Environmental Protection, Education, Water, Technology, Women’s Empowerment, Self-Governance, Social Entrepreneurship, Traditional Craft, and Alternate Energy. Fellows choose and focus on one area of interest, implementing impactful projects in partnership with 13 leading NGOs.
Shri Binod Kumar Mishra, DMD (HR) & CDO, State Bank of India, inaugurated the convocation and launched a primary healthcare ambulance service, ‘Sanjeevani,’ under the Gram Seva Project of SBI Foundation in Goa. The initiative aims to enhance access to healthcare in rural areas, having less access to these services. Shri. Mishra congratulated the Fellows of the passing out Batch on successful completion of their journey and expressed the hope that they will utilise the experience of serving in the rural areas, towards Nation Building.
Sanjay Prakash, MD & CEO, SBI Foundation remarked, “With YFI, we continue to bridge the gap between the skilled youth of our country and the underserved communities addressing critical rural challenges and bring about sustainable positive change.”
The Fellowship has engaged hundreds of Indian youth and overseas citizens in meaningful rural development work, impacting over 150,000 beneficiaries through youth-led interventions across 250 villages in 20 states. Many Fellows have gone on to establish significant ventures or pursue further studies in development fields, making lasting contributions to India’s social sector. Notable alumni include Mr. Siddharth Daga, Co-founder of NeoMotion, a tech-enabled wheelchair company featured on Shark Tank, and Ms. Shriti Pandey, founder of ‘Strawcture,’ recognized by Forbes 30 under 30 for her sustainable building solutions.
