By 3BL
At Cisco, we believe in the power of technology and our people to drive meaningful change. For over 30 years, we芒聙聶ve partnered with India to shape our shared digital future, foster innovation, and build a workforce ready for tomorrow. But our impact goes far beyond business.Together, we芒聙聶ve been working to empower communities and improve lives芒聙聰and thanks to the ingenuity and diligence of our many non-profit collaborators, we芒聙聶ve achieved something truly remarkable.Above and beyond: How a government mandate to give back become an inspiration to go furtherIn 2013, when India implemented a law requiring companies to invest in corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, Cisco saw an opportunity not just to meet the mandate, but to go above and beyond. In 2018, we set a bold goal: positively impact 50 million lives in India by 2025.When we connect the unconnected, we expand opportunity for all. Working closely with our non-profit partners, we didn芒聙聶t just meet that goal芒聙聰we exceeded it, reaching this milestone in March 2025. (Grants made within India since 2015 are included in the total count.) This achievement reflects our ongoing dedication to powering an inclusive future for all.From opening our first office in India in 1995, to leading initiatives that empower millions today, Cisco芒聙聶s legacy in India coincides with the nation芒聙聶s growth as an emerging leader in innovation and technology. With nearly one billion internet users, the world芒聙聶s third-largest digital economy, and more than 70 percent of its younger generation aspiring to work in tech, it芒聙聶s safe to say India is firmly in its digital boom. In fact, just last year, Boston Consulting Group ranked India in the top 10 for AI readiness and second globally for AI specialists.”Our India Purpose Office team芒聙聶s extraordinary achievement exemplifies Cisco芒聙聶s strategy for social investment芒聙聰from close collaboration with local experts, to rigorous measurement of positive impact, to steady emphasis on the unique power of tech-fueled innovation to reach more people in need. Their work has helped advance our vision of thriving people and empowered communities throughout India.芒聙聺 芒聙聰Charu Adesnik, Executive Director, Cisco Foundation; Director, Social Impact InvestmentsA bold vision fueled by our peopleThe Cisco India Purpose Office led the way, crafting a strategy that combined innovative technology with collaborative partnerships. Through initiatives like the India Cash Grant Program, we芒聙聶ve been able to amplify our impact by supporting local non-profits that use technology to address critical needs like education, healthcare, crisis response, and economic empowerment. By aligning with government priorities and fostering collaboration in our grantmaking, we芒聙聶ve created lasting change for a more inclusive and prosperous society.But our work didn芒聙聶t stop there. Cisco employees also played a key role芒聙聰from mentoring our partners on cybersecurity to sharing expertise in business operations. Together, we芒聙聶ve empowered these organizations with the resources, knowledge, and guidance they needed to grow and create lasting impact.Stories that inspireFrom enabling job readiness to transforming healthcare, here are some of the incredible initiatives rooted from our collaborative efforts:Indus Action: Bridging educational gapsCisco芒聙聶s collaboration with Indus Action through the Eklavya project transforms education policy with tech-driven solutions. Supporting India芒聙聶s Right to Education Act, which makes education a fundamental right for children aged 6-14, Cisco芒聙聶s grant enhanced data collection systems芒聙聰enabling efficient decision-making and policy execution for state governments, while positively impacting 500,000 people.NIIT Foundation: Empowerment through educationSince 2017, Cisco and the NIIT Foundation have collaborated to champion education and empowerment through the Cyber Suraksha project (Suraksha means 芒聙聹safety芒聙聺 in Hindi). From 2022 to today, this project has helped more than 1 million individuals芒聙聰40% of them women芒聙聰develop cybersecurity skills, and more than 7,000 participants secure cybersecurity roles.Quest Alliance: Building future-ready skillsThe Future Right Skills Network is a collaborative effort between Cisco, Accenture, SAP Labs, and J.P. Morgan, facilitated by Quest Alliance. So far, more than 300,000 students gained career skills across Industrial Training Institutes. In addition, over 26,000 students landed full-time jobs, and more than 1,500 trainers received support.The Piramal Swasthya Foundation: Revolutionizing healthcare deliveryCisco芒聙聶s partnership with Piramal Swasthya in the Niramay initiative is revolutionizing healthcare delivery in Assam, India. By integrating digital health technology, the collaboration enhances telemedicine, diagnostics, and patient record management, addressing vital healthcare needs in underserved areas. With more than 110,000 patient records digitized, this partnership is setting new standards in public healthcare.Looking aheadWith 1 billion lives impacted globally and another 50 million lives changed in India, our journey to Power an Inclusive Future for All continues. Our ongoing collaborative efforts will ensure that life-changing technology reaches those who need it most. Together, we芒聙聶ll keep creating positive social impact芒聙聰one partnership at a time.To learn more about the impact Cisco is making in India, check out our Corporate Social Responsibility website.View original content here.