The story of Drishti Foundation began in 1998 with a simple yet powerful belief: that meaningful change starts at the grassroots level, where the realities of life are most vividly experienced. Established on 16 July 1998, under the Rajasthan Society Act, 1958 (Reg. No. 64/Alwar/1998-99), we set out on a journey to bridge the gap between research and real-world development. Over the past 27 successful years, we have grown into a respected Research and Development Organisation, working across public policy, environmental sustainability, higher education, and inclusive community development.
Our name, Drishti – meaning “vision” in Hindi – reflects our guiding philosophy: to see beyond immediate challenges, envision sustainable solutions, and create a future where every individual and community can thrive. From our earliest days, our focus has been on empowering people, influencing policy, and protecting the environment while fostering educational opportunities that open doors to progress.
In the late 1990s, India was undergoing significant socio-economic changes, yet many rural communities remained underserved and disconnected from development processes. Our founders recognised that the most effective way to create lasting change was to combine research-driven insights with on-ground action. Drishti Foundation started small, conducting policy research in rural governance, organising awareness campaigns on environmental conservation, and facilitating access to higher education for underserved youth.
These early initiatives laid the groundwork for our model: research, advocacy, and implementation working hand in hand. We saw firsthand that when local communities are engaged as partners, not just beneficiaries, solutions become more effective and sustainable.
By the mid-2000s, our work began gaining recognition beyond Rajasthan. We expanded our scope to cover public policy analysis, environmental restoration projects, skill development programs, and community-based education initiatives. Partnerships with government departments, universities, and other non-profits allowed us to scale up our projects and share our learnings with a wider audience.
Our environmental work took centre stage during this period, focusing on water conservation, afforestation drives, renewable energy promotion, and waste management awareness. In public policy, we provided research-based recommendations to state and local governments, influencing policies in governance, education, and rural development.
Education has always been at the heart of our work. Over the years, we have partnered with academic institutions to promote research-led learning, vocational training, and digital literacy. We believe education is the foundation of empowerment – a principle reflected in our efforts to bridge the education gap in underserved areas.
Our commitment to inclusion has also been unwavering. Guided by the principles of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), we have worked to make communities more accessible and supportive for persons with disabilities. This includes advocacy for inclusive policies, capacity-building workshops, and programs aimed at economic empowerment for marginalised groups.
While our roots are firmly in India, our vision has always been global. Through our association with Admighty Foundation and other international partners, we have participated in global forums, including discussions on sustainable development, climate action, and inclusive growth. These engagements have allowed us to share India’s grassroots innovations with the world while learning from global best practices.
We actively align our work with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ensuring that our projects contribute to global priorities such as poverty eradication, quality education, gender equality, climate action, and strong institutions.
Our story is defined not just by what we do, but by how we do it. We believe in research-backed decision-making, community participation, and multi-sector collaboration. Every project starts with a deep understanding of the local context, followed by the design of tailored solutions that are practical, sustainable, and scalable.
We combine policy-level advocacy with on-the-ground implementation, ensuring that our work influences both the systems that govern development and the daily realities of the people we serve. This holistic approach has been key to our success over nearly three decades.
Our journey has led to measurable change in multiple areas:
The challenges facing our world today – from climate change to technological disruption – require collaborative, informed, and innovative solutions. As we move forward, Drishti Foundation aims to become a global hub for research and development, connecting thought leaders, policymakers, and communities across borders.
We plan to expand our digital presence, strengthen our research capabilities, and launch more cross-border collaborations. Our goal is to ensure that the solutions we create are not only impactful locally but also relevant and adaptable globally.
Our story is far from over – in fact, we believe the most impactful chapters are yet to come. We invite individuals, institutions, and communities to join us in shaping a future that is inclusive, sustainable, and equitable. Whether you want to collaborate on research, support a community initiative, volunteer your skills, or partner in global advocacy, there is a place for you in the Drishti Foundation story.
Together, we can turn vision into action and create change that lasts for generations.
“Reach out to explore collaborations, discover our initiatives, and contribute to creating meaningful, lasting change.”
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