TILONIA, RAJASTHAN (India CSR): SBI Foundation officially inducted the 13th batch (August cohort) of its flagship SBI Youth for India Fellowship with an immersive orientation program at the iconic Barefoot College (SWRC), Tilonia. The scenic rural campus served as the launchpad for a journey that will see 69 dynamic young Fellows working across India to co-create impactful, community-led development initiatives.
The two week-long orientation program was inaugurated by Sanjay Prakash, MD & CEO, SBI Foundation, in the presence of, Ms. Sowmya Kidambi, CEO, Barefoot College (SWRC), Bhawana Luthra, ED, LEAD India, Mr. Gyan Prakash, Program Head, SBI Youth for India and other noted dignitaries from the social impact and development sector. The program introduced Fellows to rural realities, thematic focus areas, grassroots partnership models, and lived experiences of past Fellows through interactive workshops, field immersions, and storytelling sessions.
Sanjay Prakash, MD & CEO, SBI Foundation, said, “We are proud to welcome the August cohort of the 13th Batch of SBI Youth for India Fellows. Today’s youth are not just aspiring for change— they are leading it from the front. With nearly 65% of India’s population under the age of 35, the potential for grassroots transformation is immense. Through the SBI Youth for India Fellowship, we channel this energy into meaningful action on the ground. When provided with the right opportunities, knowledge, and support, young people become powerful drivers of inclusive, sustainable development— and that’s exactly what this Fellowship is built to nurture.”
The 13-month SBI Youth for India Fellowship enables young professionals to live and work in rural India, collaborating with 13 credible grassroots NGOs across domains like Health, Education, Rural Livelihoods, Water, Women’s Empowerment, and more. Fellows engage in hands-on problem-solving, with mentorship from development practitioners, contributing both heart and skill to the cause of nation-building.
Sowmya Kidambi, CEO, Barefoot College (SWRC), said, “In today’s dynamic development landscape, initiatives like the SBI Youth for India Fellowship are more relevant than ever. By connecting young professionals with grassroots organizations, the
program fosters a culture of mutual learning and collaboration. Fellows gain hands-on experience and valuable mentorship from experienced practitioners, while partner organizations benefit from fresh perspectives and new-age skills. This synergy enables the co-creation of context-driven, community-led solution—driving inclusive and sustainable changes on the ground. I extend a warm welcome to the 13th Batch of Fellows and wish them a truly transformative journey. Fellows have added so much value to the organization for more than 10 years since the inception of the partnership between SBI Youth for India Fellowship and Barefoot College (SWRC). We hope all of you wherever you go will learn to become future change makers.”
Gyan Prakash, Program Head, SBI Youth for India, shared, “This 13-month immersive journey places passionate youth in rural India, where they work alongside communities to challenge the status quo and co-create sustainable solutions. In doing so, they evolve into changemakers with the potential to emerge as future social leaders. The Fellowship is a life-changing opportunity that deepens understanding of rural realities, fosters empathy, and enables profound personal and professional transformation. With 640 Fellows impacting more than 2 lakh lives, the programme has become a credible entry point into the development sector, shaping leaders in social entrepreneurship, policy, and governance.
(India CSR)
