SKF India (Industrial) Limited (NSE: SKFINDUS | BSE: 544572), a provider of bearings, condition monitoring solutions and industrial services, has launched Gram Unnati, a three-year Integrated Village Development Programme in partnership with Ambuja Foundation. The programme will be implemented across five villages in Bavla Block of Ahmedabad district — Baldana, Dahengamda, Kochariya, Bhayla and Zekda. It has been developed to address key social, environmental and economic needs identified through a detailed assessment covering more than 1,200 households.
Over the next three years, Gram Unnati aims to harvest more than 500,000 cubic metres of water, create over 1 MW of renewable energy capacity, plant 10,000 indigenous trees and improve livelihood opportunities for more than 1,000 households. The programme will focus on areas including water security, clean energy, education, livelihoods, agriculture, infrastructure and environmental restoration. Planned activities include watershed development, access to clean drinking water, afforestation, solar and biogas energy systems, women-led enterprises, vocational training, farmer collectivisation and education initiatives.
The launch was attended by RR Solanki, Mamlatdar & SDM, Bavla Block, Ahmedabad; Mahavir Singh Chavda, Taluka Development Officer, Bavla Block; Sujeeth Pai, Managing Director, SKF India (Industrial); Tarun Patel, Factory Manager, SKF Ahmedabad; Shashi Shetty, Head – Sustainability & CSR, SKF India (Industrial); Anagha Mahajani, Chief Impact Officer, Ambuja Foundation; and Dalsukh Waghasiya, General Manager, Ambuja Foundation. Gram Unnati also supports the Gujarat government’s expanding Van Kavach model under the Hariyali Lok Sabha initiative, which plans to cover 82 sites across 600 hectares in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar this year.
Sujeeth Pai, Managing Director, SKF India (Industrial), said: “At SKF, sustainability goes beyond our operations and extends to the communities around us. Gram Unnati reflects our belief that long-term progress is created when environmental stewardship, economic opportunity and community development advance together. Through this initiative, we aim to improve water security, strengthen education and livelihood opportunities, generate clean energy, and deliver income uplift for participating households.”
Chandrakant Kumbhani, CEO, Ambuja Foundation, said: “The launch of Gram Unnati marks an important milestone in our partnership with SKF and reflects our shared commitment to creating sustainable, measurable and community-led rural development. Over the next three years, the programme will take an integrated approach across five villages, covering water harvesting, renewable energy, infrastructure, education, afforestation and livelihoods.”
The programme will also work to strengthen local community institutions and encourage greater participation in planning and implementation. The focus will be on improving water availability, increasing access to clean energy, supporting education, creating livelihood opportunities and restoring local ecosystems.
Since 1907, SKF has developed bearings, seals, lubrication systems, condition monitoring solutions and services for industries worldwide. The company operates in approximately 130 countries and has around 17,000 distributor locations. SKF reported annual sales of SEK 91,583 million in 2025 and had 37,271 employees.
Ambuja Foundation is an independent development organisation working across rural India. Its programmes cover water, agriculture, skills, women, health and education, with a focus on improving livelihoods and strengthening rural communities. The organisation works with communities, corporates, governments and other partners to address local challenges and support long-term rural development.
