Senior representatives from Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham met with the leadership of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) at NABARD Headquarters in Mumbai to explore opportunities for collaboration in advancing sustainable rural and community development.
The Amrita delegation was led by Dr. Maneesha Vinodini Ramesh, Pro-Vice Chancellor, and included representatives from the Amrita School for Sustainable Futures and the Office of the Pro-Vice Chancellor. The NABARD delegation was led by Dr. Shaji Krishnan, Chairman, NABARD, along with senior officials from the Department of Climate Action & Sustainability. Also present was Mr. Sanjeev Dalip Singh Rohilla, Chief General Manager, Dept. of Climate Action & Sustainability, NABARD
The meeting focused on identifying areas of mutual interest where academic research, innovation, technology, and community engagement can contribute to strengthening rural livelihoods and promoting sustainable development. Discussions highlighted the importance of building resilient communities through integrated approaches that combine scientific research, institutional partnerships, capacity building, and field-based implementation.
The two institutions also exchanged perspectives on climate resilience, sustainable natural resource management, community empowerment, and the role of technology and innovation in supporting inclusive rural development. The discussions reflected a shared commitment to creating scalable, community-centric solutions that address emerging environmental and socio-economic challenges.
Dr. Maneesha shared Amrita’s experience in developing community-embedded models of research and innovation through initiatives such as Live-in-Labs®, which integrate education, research, and grassroots engagement to create measurable societal impact.
The meeting concluded with both institutions expressing their interest in exploring future collaborative initiatives that align with national priorities for sustainable development and rural transformation.
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham looks forward to working closely with NABARD to develop impactful partnerships that contribute to resilient communities, sustainable livelihoods, and inclusive development across India.
