Water is critical for the survival of all living beings. Ensuring the supply of water for drinking, agriculture and sanitation is one of the biggest development challenges across the world. In India, the poor sanitation facilities and the lack of infrastructure add to the problem.

Access to safe drinking water is still not available to several communities in the country. Poor management of available water resources, coupled with lack of a regular supply of water leads to poor sanitation and hygiene habits. The water scarcity affects the health and well-being of the entire community.

Given the strong connection between reduction of poverty and access to sustainable energy, Tata Trusts are keen to support and implement replicable energy projects. Preferably, the Trusts are keen to support interventions where the underserved households become owners of assets and not just consumers — leading to a holistic eradication of poverty. The objectives of this initiative are aligned to UNDP and MNRE goals of affordable and clean energy.

Agriculture is the main occupation of India's rural population. However, given marginal land holdings of tribal cultivators, along with the adoption of primitive methods of cultivation, lack of assured water for irrigation, etc., productivity is low.

Consequently, livelihood options have diminished proportionately in the rural areas, leading to poverty, lack of food security, and seasonal and permanent migration to towns and cities for better opportunities.

Since their inception, education has been one of the key focus areas of the Tata Trusts. Over the last two decades, there has been a steady increase in enrolment in schools, but quality in education and achievement of age-appropriate learning levels have remained an elusive goal. Ensuring quality education for children, especially those from marginalised backgrounds is the central goal of the education portfolio of the Trusts.

Urbanisation in India is skewed. Cities and towns in the north, west and south of India are expanding rapidly, while cities in the east and small towns in most parts of the country are decaying. Stagnation in the rural economy leads to seasonal and permanent migration to urban areas.

The Tata Trusts have been funding major philanthropic ventures since their founding. However, they never lost sight of 'individuals', and their needs and aspirations.

The Individual Grants Programme of the Trusts follows a comprehensive, systematic, and most importantly, fair and humane approach to identify individuals in need and deserving of financial

Tata Trusts have always reached out and expeditiously arranged for relief efforts and helped in rebuilding the areas affected by natural disasters.

In the event of a natural calamity, the Trusts have worked closely and collaboratively with the other agencies, including Tata companies, Tata Relief Committee, Tata Strategic Group, and NGOs to lend a helping hand to affected people.