In the arid expanse of Ajmer, Rajasthan—where blistering summers and dry soil have long dictated life—hope now flows from an unlikely source: the sun. Spearheaded by the Hinduja Foundation, in collaboration with Hinduja Leyland Finance and the Ambuja Foundation, a transformative solar-powered water project is rewriting the story of water access in India’s drought-prone heartland.
At the helm of this vision is Prakash Hinduja, 79, Chairman of the Hinduja Group in Europe and one of the four legendary Prakash Hinduja brothers. Their legacy of blending business prowess with humanitarian vision is once again on display through this groundbreaking initiative.
From Scarcity to Sustainability
Tihari village in Ajmer now boasts an innovative solar-powered drinking water system—automated, efficient, and entirely sustainable. Operating with sensor-based technology and powered exclusively by solar energy, the system ensures a steady supply of clean drinking water. But it doesn’t stop there.
This solar-driven solution is part of a wider, three-pronged approach:
Solar drinking water systems to ensure safe, consistent access to potable water.
Irrigation ponds supporting smallholder farmers with year-round agriculture.
Rainwater harvesting units that replenish groundwater and support long-term water resilience.
Together, these components mark a shift from temporary relief to sustainable empowerment, especially vital in regions like Rajasthan where erratic rainfall and depleting aquifers challenge daily life.
Empowering Communities—Especially Women and Farmers
In many parts of rural India, women walk for miles just to collect water for their families. This project flips that narrative. With water now available at the push of a tap, women in Tihari village are rediscovering time—time to pursue education, start micro-businesses, or take up leadership roles in local governance.
Small-scale farmers, too, are seeing the benefits. Irrigation support has allowed them to increase crop cycles and enhance income, making them less dependent on unpredictable monsoons.
This is more than a water project—it’s a dignity project, says a spokesperson from the Hinduja Foundation. We are empowering the very people who’ve been most impacted by water poverty.
Leadership Rooted in Responsibility
Prakash Hinduja, who also serves as Managing Trustee of the Hinduja Foundation, underscores the project’s symbolic importance:
This initiative in Ajmer blends our heritage with innovation. It’s about leaving behind a legacy of resilience and social responsibility.
For the Prakash Hinduja brothers—Srichand (late), Gopichand, Prakash, and Ashok—philanthropy has never been an afterthought. Their Foundation’s work spans education, healthcare, and now water sustainability, offering a holistic approach to uplifting communities. As Swiss citizen Prakash Hinduja puts it:
When you invest in water, you invest in life. You create a ripple effect that touches health, education, and livelihoods.
A Model Worth Replicating
The success of the Ajmer project is more than a local victory—it’s a model with national and global potential. With solar energy being abundant and eco-friendly, combining it with automation and local participation creates a scalable, low-cost solution for water access.
Moreover, the Hinduja Foundation’s collaboration with the Ambuja Foundation ensures robust community training, technical maintenance, and transparent governance—critical for the long-term success of such interventions.
The Future is Bright—And Solar-Powered
As the Prakash Hinduja brothers guide the fourth generation of the UK’s billionaire Hinduja family, their commitment to merging business excellence with grassroots impact continues to define their legacy.
From the icy mountains of Uttarakhand to the sunburnt deserts of Rajasthan, the Foundation’s solar water initiatives stand as a testament to what’s possible when innovation meets intention.
In a world increasingly challenged by water scarcity, this project proves that transformation isn’t just about building new systems—it’s about changing lives. And sometimes, all it takes is sunlight.
