Kolar, Karnataka, India, 4th July 2025: Applied Materials India Private Limited in partnership with United Way Bengaluru (UWBe), today celebrated a decade of transformative impact in the Kolar district through their flagship initiative, The Rural Rising. This milestone celebrates a journey of growth, sustainable development, and community empowerment that has reached more than 350,000 individuals across 288 villages in Bangarpet and Mulabagilu taluks.
To commemorate the occasion, a Taluk-level community library was inaugurated, reinforcing the initiative’s commitment to educational access and lifelong learning. Avi Avula, Country President of Applied Materials India and Vice President, Semiconductor Products Group, Asia, along with Rajesh Krishnan, CEO, United Way Bengaluru attended the event.
“This milestone is not just a celebration of what we’ve achieved, but a reaffirmation of what’s possible when business, community, and purpose come together”, said Avi Avula. “The Rural Rising initiative has shown us the power of sustained engagement in driving meaningful change”, he added.
A Model for Sustainable Rural Development
Launched in 2015, The Rural Rising initiative was conceived by United Way Bengaluru and implemented by Applied Materials India to address the unique needs of rural communities through a four-pillar approach: education, environment, health, and livelihood. Key achievements over the past decade include:
- Education:
- 2,299 students mentored and supported through scholarships and enriched learning environments
- Launch of a new community library to promote literacy and digital access
- Environment:
- 7 lakes rejuvenated
- 434 solar-powered streetlights installed
- 203 tonnes of CO₂ emissions reduced annually
- Livelihoods:
- 1,170 women, people with disabilities, and rural youth empowered with income-generating skills
- 561 farmers supported through soil and water conservation programs
- 8+ community water ATMs installed, benefiting over 4,000 residents
- Improved sanitation and hygiene infrastructure across villages
“Collaboration is at the heart of the Rural Rising flagship program. By partnering with Applied Materials India, local authorities, and the community, we have made sure that local perspectives are taken into the development process, from planning to implementation. This way, we are helping them take charge of their own progress and build lasting, self-sustaining change in Kolar, said Rajesh Krishnan, CEO of United Way Bengaluru.”
Scaling the Vision Beyond Kolar
Inspired by the success in Kolar, Applied Materials India and UWBe have expanded The Rural Rising to Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu), and Khed Taluk (Pune, Maharashtra). These new chapters will build on the proven model, focusing on education, sports infrastructure, and ecological sustainability. With continued investment and collaboration with local governments, the initiative is poised to scale its impact and enable long-term, community-driven transformation across rural India.