MUMBAI: Over the past decades, Sikar district has experienced irregular monsoon seasons, with an average annual rainfall of just 550 mm, leaving communities vulnerable to severe water scarcity. The available water was also affected by high fluoride levels, leading to health issues within the community. Under its campaign ‘Refreshing Difference,’ Anandana – The Coca-Cola India Foundation released a video series highlighting the impact of its long-running water access initiative in the district. Implemented in collaboration with Social Action for Rural Advancement (SARA), the initiative focuses on reviving traditional water systems to address water scarcity in the drought-prone regions of Sikar, Rajasthan.

The newly launched video series features stories of transformation and is narrated by beneficiaries who have been directly impacted by the project.

• Kamlesh Devad, a young sarpanch, helped lead the efforts to expand water access across 6 villages: Click Here
• Shravan Lal Ghayal shares how the recharged pond has revived his village’s groundwater and provided water access to local animals: Click Here
• Lala Ram Punya transformed his dry farmland into thriving fields assisted by the check dams: Click Here

Over the past decade, the project has benefited 18,000+ residents across six villages – Rajpura, Balyawas, Karad, Khora, Dungri Khurd, and Chhota Narena. It includes check dams, pond restoration, and groundwater recharge. These efforts ensured safe drinking water access, enhanced agricultural productivity, revitalized local ecosystems, and supported more resilient rural livelihoods.

Lauding the initiative, Social Action for Rural Advancement (SARA) director Mota Ram said, “What makes this project different is not just the structures we built, but the mindset we helped shift. We worked with communities. Families contributed, some gave ₹100, some gave labour, others gave land. That ownership changed everything. We insisted on equal pay for women, trained them as barefoot engineers, and helped form Village Development Committees that now manage the water systems themselves. Even nine years after project completion, they’re still maintaining, adapting, and innovating. With the support from Anandana, The Coca-Cola India Foundation, we created more than just recharge structures, we created local stewards of sustainability.”

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Sharing the impact on his community, Kamlesh Devad, Sarpanch of Laxmipura, said, “The check dams constructed in Laxmipura, Rajpura, and Nausal through the efforts of SARA and Anandana, have transformed our villages. Rainwater now stays, recharging wells and ponds, and providing much-needed water for both farming and livestock. Earlier, our cattle struggled during dry spells. But now, they drink from the ponds revived by this initiative. Farmers are seeing better yields, and the entire village benefits. These structures haven’t just conserved water; they’ve strengthened our way of life and supported livelihoods.”

Rajiv Gupta, Director, Anandana, The Coca-Cola India Foundation, said, “Water is fundamental to thriving communities and resilient ecosystems. In Rajasthan, our interventions focus on restoring traditional water systems and building local infrastructure that strengthens long-term water security. Through the ‘Refreshing Difference’ campaign, we are deepening our commitment to water stewardship in the state, supporting agricultural sustainability, community health, and climate resilience. Our partnership with organisations like SARA is part of a broader effort to empower local communities and drive meaningful, lasting change across high-need regions.”

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