Serving Humanity, Creating Value
In places where access to basic needs is still a challenge, meaningful change begins with listening. Strides Foundation was established with this simple but powerful belief that communities know what they need, and sustainable impact comes from responding to those needs with empathy, expertise, and partnership.
As the Executive CSR arm of Strides Pharma Science Limited, the Foundation has, since 2010, been translating community needs into impactful programs across healthcare, education, employability, water, sanitation, and disaster management. These are not just one-off interventions but long-term investments in people and possibilities. From health centers in remote villages to model schools for underserved children and vocational training for rural youth, each initiative is designed to empower. The goal is not merely to support communities it is to help them become stronger, self-reliant, and future-ready.
Healthcare: Reaching the Unreached
In many rural parts of India, access to healthcare is not just limited it is uncertain, delayed, and expensive. Strides Foundation aimed to bridge this gap by bringing quality healthcare services directly to the people who needed them the most.
Arogyadhama, the Foundation’s flagship day-care multi-specialty health center in Honnakalasapura, Suragajakkanahalli panchayat, has served over 96,000 patients from 12 surrounding villages since its inception in 2015. The center provides a wide range of services, including general medicine, pediatrics, gynecology, dentistry, diagnostics, and pharmacy all at almost no cost. It has recently been awarded the ISO 9001:2015 certification, recognizing its commitment to quality and patient care.
The Foundation also runs school health programs, offering regular check-ups and early intervention for over 3,700 children across 44 government schools. These efforts are reducing long-term health risks and supporting preventive, promotive and curative healthcare habits from a young age.
In addition to this, Arogyadhama engages to prevent illness, promote wellness, and uplift entire communities it runs Health Awareness & Outreach Programs to educate communities about hygiene, nutrition, and disease prevention. It also supports Government Health Drives including polio, MMR, TB, H1N1, malaria, and non-communicable diseases. With a dedicated medical and paramedical team, Arogyadhama is fostering a healthier and cleaner community, as noted in an independent impact assessment.
Education: Nurturing Learning and Growth
Strides Foundation believes education should not only inform, but also inspire. Through programs that combine academic support with personal development, the Foundation is helping transform the educational experience for children in underserved communities.
Through its Leadership Adoption Programme for Schools (LeAPS), over 650 students from two government schools in Haragadde are receiving ongoing academic assistance, access to trained teachers, and life skills training. Since the program began in 2013, the 10th grade pass rate has jumped from 45% to 95%, and 13 students have secured NMMS scholarships for academic excellence.
Education here goes beyond textbooks students participate in educational tours, civic awareness sessions, road safety workshops, and talent showcases. Infrastructure support includes improved classrooms, libraries, and digital learning tools.
The Foundation’s most ambitious education initiative is the Strides model school – Vidyadhama project a purpose-built school which can house 500 children. Designed as a safe, nurturing campus, Vidyadhama integrates academic learning with emotional, physical, and social well-being, ensuring holistic child development. In addition to the education al facility it has also included a unique way of learning environment it incorporates Maths and science activity centre, STEM & Robotics Lab and Astronomy and Space lab.
Employability: Building Skills, Building Futures
In rural India, lack of employment often forces youth to migrate or remain underemployed. Strides Foundation addresses this by equipping young people with the skills they need to thrive where they are.
Since 2016, the Foundation has partnered with Swami Vivekananda Rural Community College in Puducherry to deliver one-year vocational training programs in trades like healthcare assistance, AC and automobile repair, IT, hospitality, and garmenting. These courses are specifically designed for school dropouts and youth from economically vulnerable backgrounds.
So far, over 760 students have been trained 709 of whom are now employed, while 32 have pursued further education. The program encourages participation from women and promotes self-employment, enabling many to achieve financial independence and dignity of work within their own communities.
Disaster Relief: Rebuilding With Compassion
When disaster strikes, Strides Foundation responds not just with immediate aid but with long-term, community-centric recovery efforts. Following the devastating 2013 Uttarakhand floods, the Foundation rebuilt eight Anganwadi centers in affected regions, creating safe, functional spaces for early childhood education and maternal care. This project was made possible through the contribution from employees and management, which has received the appreciation from Uttarakhand Government as well as CSR initiative award in 2016.
We have replicated this model in rural Bangalore which is equipped with spacious learning environment and aids creating vibrant community hubs for children and caregivers alike.
WaSH: Water, Sanitation & Hygiene
Access to clean water and dignified sanitation is central to human well-being. Strides Foundation’s WaSH programs address these critical needs through innovation and inclusion.
In 10 villages, the Foundation has installed RO water units that have dispensed over 27,000 KL of safe drinking water. Uniquely, these units are operated by differently abled or elderly community members, creating a livelihood model that is both inclusive and sustainable.
To further enhance water access, an Atmospheric Water Generator (AWG) has been installed in Lingapura, Haragadde Panchayat providing clean water from ambient air, independent of groundwater or surface sources.
In Suragajakkanahalli, a comprehensive sanitation project has transformed the village into an Open Defecation Free (ODF) zone. The installation of an underground drainage system and septic tank with up-flow filters now benefits 308 households, improving both hygiene and dignity.
Empowering from Within
At the heart of Strides Foundation’s work lies a deep belief in collective action, not just with communities and public systems, but also with the people of Strides.
Through blood donation camps, Joy of Giving initiatives in collaboration with Goonj, and active participation in cleanliness and green drives, employees go beyond the workplace to connect with communities and causes that matter. These volunteering efforts foster a sense of personal fulfillment and collective purpose, strengthening the company’s culture of empathy and responsibility.
This spirit of engagement doesn’t just uplift lives outside the organization it builds a stronger, more connected team within. By participating in hands-on CSR efforts, employees become part of something larger than themselves a journey of shared values, purposeful action, and sustainable impact.
