CSR push fuels model village rebuilding in state

For two relentless years, the majestic landscapes of Himachal Pradesh have been scarred by successive natural calamities. The devastating floods of 2023 and 2025 ravaged communities, destroying homes and livelihoods. Just as survivors began the slow, arduous task of rebuilding, fierce fires swept through the state earlier this year. Tandi village in the Tirthan valley was reduced to ashes. Then, on November 10, Jhaniyar village endured one of its darkest nights as flames consumed 16 century-old Kathkuni homes, erasing generations of architectural heritage within hours.

Yet amid this widespread despair, rays of hope have emerged through collective action and compassionate intervention. In an extraordinary gesture of nationwide solidarity, a powerful helping hand has reached the Himalayas from South India. Trident Automobiles, Bengaluru — led by its Himalaya-admiring CEO Sameer Chaudhary — has extended a generous Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) contribution of Rs 10 lakh in collaboration with the Himalayan Volunteer Tourism (HVT) Foundation. This support has become a major pillar for rehabilitation efforts in disaster-hit rural areas of Himachal.

The immediate impact of this partnership has been tangible and deeply humane. Nearly 20 disaster-affected families have received direct bank transfers of Rs 15,000 each for essential relief. In a gesture that restores dignity and self-reliance, a woman who lost both her home and her sole livelihood — her sewing machine — was provided with new equipment to restart her income. Additional aid has also reached affected families in Dingcha and Nahi villages. Trident Automobiles’ intervention has set a benchmark for responsible corporate participation, significantly strengthening the grassroots rehabilitation movement.

But the vision stretches well beyond immediate relief. Looking toward a resilient future, the HVT Foundation has partnered with ‘North’, a renowned architecture firm specialising in sustainable Himalayan designs. Together, they are developing a comprehensive village redevelopment master plan aimed at transforming the afflicted areas into a Model Himalayan Village. This ambitious blueprint envisions community-led fire-fighting systems, solar rooftops, rainwater harvesting structures, modern sanitation and climate-appropriate sustainable architecture.

The initiative’s scope is holistic. HVT Foundation will also expand its support to Mission Sambhav — the region’s vital grassroots battle against drug abuse — and to local programmes focused on girl-child development. The movement continues to gain momentum, with prominent North Indian supporter Rahul Bhushan also joining hands.

From the ashes of tragedy, a transformative vision is taking root. Powered by compassionate CSR leadership from corporations like Trident Automobiles, Bengaluru, and guided by the sustainable design expertise of partners like North, the Himalayan region is witnessing one of India’s most ambitious community-rebuilding efforts — a testament to collaborative hope, resilience and long-term regeneration.