ATE Chandra Foundation

Maharashtra just made history! 🌾🔥 Thousands of farmers from across the state came together in the first-ever statewide residential training programme for Paani Foundation’s ‘Farmer Cup’ competition. Over 3 days, farmers learned through games, films, case studies, field examples and powerful conversations. Strangers became friends. Farmers discovered the power of collective agriculture, scientific/SOP-based farming, and working together instead of all alone. For many women, this was the first time stepping outside their villages independently. Many spoke on a mic for the first time. Many travelled alone for the first time. And many returned believing for the first time - “We can lead too.” ❤️ Starting May 15, the 8-month-long ‘Farmer Cup’ competition will begin across Maharashtra. This training program was the first step - inspiring farmers to form groups, adopt better agricultural practices, and prepare to participate in the first-ever statewide Farmer Cup competition. 🚜 A huge thank you to all our funders, partners, trainers, mentors and supporters who made this historic movement possible. Partners in Possibility: Dept. of Agriculture @agriculture_gom MSRLM-UMED @umedabhiyan NDKSP @pocra_ ATMA Anchor Funders: Bajaj Beyond Aamir Khan Productions @aamirkhanproductions Primary Funders: Rainmatter Foundation @rainmatterorg ATE Chandra Foundation @atecfnow BGM Foundation @bgm.foundation Champions of Change: Cybage @cybage Koita Foundation @koitafoundation D'Decor @ddecordiaries Gayatri Yadav @gayatri.yadav19

Most organisations don’t fail because of weak programs. They struggle because the organisation itself isn’t strong enough to scale. Over the past decade, we’ve seen what happens when you invest in #CapacityBuilding building—and what happens when you don’t. As we enter Phase II of our journey at ATECF, we’re doubling down on this belief.

Paani Foundation’s founders, Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao, along with our entire team, warmly welcome the 1,200 ‘Mentors’ from the Dept. of Agriculture and MSRLM–UMED, who will be dedicatedly working on the Farmer Cup for the next 4 months. Together, we will work towards building a prosperous rural Maharashtra. We extend our deepest gratitude to Hon’ble CM Shri Devendra Fadnavis ji and the Government of Maharashtra for their strong support. Swipe to learn more about the Farmer Cup mentor training in Shirdi.

The water crisis is no longer distant, it is already shaping lives across communities. This #WorldWaterDay, we are reminded that meaningful change lies in moving from awareness to sustained philanthropic intervention. Through the philanthropic efforts of AIP Core Founders Amit Chandra and @archana.chandraa , A.T.E. Chandra Foundation (@atecfnow ) has been working towards rejuvenating water bodies and enabling long-term, community-driven impact. These interventions go beyond conservation, they help rebuild ecosystems, strengthen livelihoods, and create water security for the future. #WaterConservation #Sustainability #ClimateAction #Philanthropy

What does water security really change? Ask the women of Badlawada village in Rajgarh, Madhya Pradesh. Just a decade ago, they had almost no public water source. Today, their rejuvenated talab sustains 850 residents — and supports neighbouring villages. “It is more than water; it is a lifeline,” say Setanbai and Kailashbai. “It has restored dignity for women who once walked miles, and transformed our daily lives and our future.” We’ve heard this story again and again across our work. Water is not just a resource. It is dignity. It is time. It is opportunity. In rural India, women and girls in 7 out of 10 households are responsible for collecting water — often spending 2–4 hours every day (UNICEF; WHO). That’s time taken away from education, livelihoods, and rest. Improving water security is not just about access. It is about reducing drudgery and enabling women to reclaim their futures. With a 60% likelihood of an El Niño year ahead, the urgency is only growing. Rejuvenating public water bodies is one of the most effective ways to strengthen local water security — for women, for communities, and for ecosystems. But urgency without scale is not enough. Real impact lies in aligning with and accelerating government-led efforts — from GaalMukt Dharan GaalYukt Shivar in Maharashtra, to Badalda Pind Badalda Punjab, to Mukhyamantri Jal Swavlamban Abhiyan in Rajasthan — alongside platforms like the 15th Finance Commission. The question is no longer whether we act. It’s whether we act fast enough — and at the scale this crisis demands. #WorldWaterDay #WaterSecurity #ClimateAction #WomenAndWater #RejuvenationOfWaterbodies

The Pan-Maharashtra Farmer Cup Gathers Full Momentum! On 16th March 2026, Paani Foundation’s Founders, Mr Aamir Khan and Ms Kiran Rao, and CEO Mr Satyajit Bhatkal, met with Hon’ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Devendra Fadnavis ji. They were joined by Mr Amit Chandra, Co-Founder of ATE Chandra Foundation and Mr Vilas Shinde, Chairman and MD of Sahyadri Farms. In this important meeting, the Farmer Cup High-Level Committee — constituted by the Hon’ble Chief Minister for pan-Maharashtra implementation — presented its progress report to CM sir. On behalf of the Committee, Mr Bhatkal shared updates on milestones achieved so far and plans in motion. The meeting renewed our collective enthusiasm and confidence in this people-powered movement for rural agriculture, as CM sir extended his strongest support and appreciated how farmers across the state are leading the gat sheti movement with innovation and drive. Under the dynamic leadership of Shri Vikaschandra Rastogi (IAS), Additional Chief Secretary – Agriculture, the high-level committee has been working to ensure seamless implementation of the Paani Foundation's 'Farmer Cup' across Maharashtra. Our heartfelt thanks to key govt. leaders and all the Committee members for their support: - Shri Eknath Dawale, Secretary, Rural Development - Shri Nilesh Sagar, Shri Dhanwant Mali and the team of MSRLM-UMED - Shri Parimal Singh, Shri Vijay Kolekar and team NDKSP - Shri Rafik Naikwadi, Shri Borkar and teams of ATMA & Extension - Shri Suraj Mandhare (IAS) and the Agriculture Commissionerate - Smt Priya Khan, Dr. Anand Bang and the team at Mantralaya - Dr. Sharad Gadakh and the Agricultural Universities of Maharashtra Senior government leaders also extended their support and joined the meeting, including Dr Shrikar Pardeshi IAS, Chief Secretary to CM, and Ms Ashwini Bhide IAS, Addl. Chief Secretary to the CM. Here’s to a samruddh Maharashtra where every farmer is thriving - with purpose, pride, and prosperity.

पानी फाउंडेशननी शब्द खऱ्या अर्थाने अनुभवलेली, जगलेली ही ‘भागीदारी’! ‘फार्मर कप २०२६’च्या निवासी प्रशिक्षणात — डिंडोरी मधील शेतकरी गटांसोबत — आमचे साथीदार @atecfnow केवळ पाहुणे म्हणून आले नाहीत ; ते मनाने, विचाराने आणि कृतीने त्या प्रवासाचा भाग बनले. संस्थेच्या सह-संस्थापिका आणि Jai Vakeel Foundation च्या CEO श्रीमंती आर्चना चंद्रा, COO अमृथा कस्तुरी रंगन, तसेच कनिका, अनुभा आणि आदित्य — यांनी प्रेक्षक म्हणून नव्हे, तर प्रशिक्षणार्थी म्हणून सहभाग नोंदवला. @jaivakeel च्या दीप्ती, नेहा आणि शुभांगी यांनीही प्रत्येक सत्रात स्वतःला पूर्णपणे झोकून दिलं. त्यांच्या उपस्थितीने प्रशिक्षण केंद्रात एक वेगळीच ऊर्मी संचारली — संवाद अधिक खुला झाला, वातावरण अधिक जिवंत झालं. शेतकऱ्यांच्या समृद्धीच्या या प्रवासात आमच्यासोबत खांद्याला खांदा लावून चालत राहिल्याबद्दल मनापासून आभार!

Thank you, Mr. Amit Chandra, for joining the Farmer Cup 2026 training. We’re so glad you enjoyed the experience. Grateful for your unwavering support to our shared dream of pan-Maharashtra farmer prosperity 🌾

“‘फार्मर कप’ हा फक्त महाराष्ट्रातचं नव्हे तर देशाच्या शेती क्षेत्रात सर्वात महत्वाकांक्षी बदल घडवणारा प्रकल्प ठरेल!” — श्री. अमित चंद्रा, संस्थापक, A.T.E. Chandra Foundation ग्रामीण समृद्धीच्या या लोकचळवळीवर विश्वास ठेवल्याबद्दल, श्री अमित चंद्रा जी यांचे मनःपूर्वक आभार. बीडच्या शेतकऱ्यांसोबत ‘फार्मर कप २०२६’ च्या निवासी प्रशिक्षणाचा अनुभव आपण घेतलात आणि तो आपल्याला भावला, याचा आम्हाला खूप आनंद आहे!

Looking ahead to 2026! What would it take to build a stronger social sector and a more sustainable India? Here’s our wishlist for the year ahead. #SocialSector #CapacityBuilding #SustainableIndia #WaterForAll #UrbanIndia

6,815 Farmers | 793 Farmer Groups — all united by an unwavering belief in collective agriculture! Watch how the most passionate participants of Paani Foundation’s Group Farming Premier League 2025 were celebrated across 46 talukas of Maharashtra! A heartfelt thank you to our Anchor Funders — the Bajaj Trusts and @aamirkhanproductions , and our Primary Funders — @rainmatterorg , @atecfnow , and BGM Foundation, for their strong support in enabling the scaleup of the group farming movement across Maharashtra.

This Gurpurab, our Young Leaders and Team Members carried forward our tradition by setting up Gurudwara stalls across Punjab, living the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji through Seva, Vand Chhakna, and connection. From morning till evening, they stood with dedication and love, sharing our story, the inspirations that guide us, and the realities that keep us rooted. Yes, we raised a few thousand rupees, and we are deeply grateful for this generosity. But the real treasure goes beyond money it’s in the people we met. Children brought their freshness and energy. Elders offered decades of wisdom. The Sangat filled our hearts with stories, blessings, and support that keep us moving, even when the path gets tough. Every encounter reminded us of Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s timeless message: walk in Seva, share with love, and stay connected in spirit and purpose. Now it’s your turn. The story doesn’t end here we need you to join us. Today is the final day of our Unlimited Matching campaign with our generous partner, A.T.E. Chandra Foundation. Every rupee you contribute will be matched 100% — no caps, no limits. Your Seva today can help us nurture learning, rebuild classrooms, and restore hope across Punjab. Join us. Walk this path with us. Donate Now: Within India: https://bit.ly/TogetherForPunjab Outside India: https://bit.ly/GiveForPunjab Let’s honour Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Gurpurab by walking His path of sharing, serving, and uplifting every heart we meet. #GuruNanakDevJi #Gurpurab #Seva #VandChhakna #SanjhiSikhiya #Punjab #CommunityLove #TogetherWeGrow #DoubleImpact #FaithInAction #GivingBack #YoungLeaders #PYLP #Hope #Courage #Possibilities #Leadership #Learning #Inspiration #HopeInAction #TogetherForPunjab