Kolar, Karnataka, July 04, 2025: Applied Materials India, in partnership with United Way Bengaluru (UWBe), marked a decade of impact through their flagship initiative, The Rural Rising, which has reached over 350,000 individuals across 288 villages in the Bangarpet and Mulabagilu taluks of Kolar district.
To commemorate this milestone, a new taluk-level community library was inaugurated, highlighting the initiative’s ongoing commitment to education and lifelong learning. The event was attended by Avi Avula, Country President of Applied Materials India and Vice President, Semiconductor Products Group, Asia, along with Rajesh Krishnan, CEO, United Way Bengaluru.
“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. The Rural Rising initiative has shown us the power of sustained engagement in driving meaningful change,” said Avi Avula.
Launched in 2015, The Rural Rising was built on a four-pillar model focused on education, environment, health, and livelihood. Over the past decade, the initiative has achieved several key outcomes:
Education: 2,299 students mentored and supported through scholarships; launch of a new community library.
Environment: Rejuvenation of 7 lakes, installation of 434 solar streetlights, and annual reduction of 203 tonnes of CO₂.
Livelihoods: Skill development for 1,170 women, persons with disabilities, and rural youth; support for 561 farmers through soil and water conservation; installation of 8+ community water ATMs, benefiting over 4,000 residents; sanitation infrastructure improvements.
“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.
Following its success in Kolar, the initiative has been expanded to Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu) and Khed Taluk (Pune, Maharashtra), with continued emphasis on education, sports infrastructure, and ecological sustainability. Applied Materials India and UWBe plan to further scale the program in collaboration with local governments to enable broader rural transformation.
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