PUM Impact Award 2025 presented to Govind Foundation at ceremony in New Delhi

New Delhi, India – 3 March 2025 – The PUM Impact Award 2025 was officially presented to the Govind Foundation during a special ceremony held at the residence of the Ambassador of the Netherlands in New Delhi. The award recognises the foundation’s outstanding contribution to empowering women dairy farmers and strengthening small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in India’s dairy sector.

The Govind Foundation was first announced as one of the six winners during the PUM Impact Awards ceremony in the Netherlands on 10 December, attended by H.E. Queen Máxima of the Netherlands. The ceremony in New Delhi marked the official handover of the award to the Govind Foundation team in India, celebrating their achievements together with partners and stakeholders. The award was handed over by H.E. Ms. Marisa Gerards, Ambassador of the Netherlands to India, in the presence of several distinguished guests and representatives from PUM, Govind Milk and Milk Products, and the Embassy of the Netherlands.

Among the notable attendees were Ms. Marion van Schaik, Agricultural Counsellor at the Embassy of the Netherlands in New Delhi; Shrimant SanjeevRaje Naik Nimbalkar, Chairman of Govind Milk and Milk Products; Shrimant ShivanjaliRaje Naik Nimbalkar, Director of Govind Milk and Milk Products; Mr. Dharminder Bhalla, Chief Executive Officer of Govind Milk and Milk Products; Dr. Shantaram Gaikwad, General Manager of Govind Foundation and Dr. Tarannum Kadarbhai, PUM India Representative; Mr. Puneet Raman, PUM Representative in NCR; and Mr. Ajay Sinh Naik Nimbalkar.

Empowering women
Ambassador Gerards warmly welcomed the Govind team and praised their remarkable efforts in empowering women entrepreneurs in the dairy sector. Speaking at the event, Ambassador Gerards said: “The work done by Govind Foundation is truly inspiring. From starting with just 128 liters of milk per day to now procuring and processing 700,000 liters daily, the journey reflects vision, perseverance, and impact. Most importantly, the foundation has helped provide dignity and financial independence to more than 22,000 women dairy farmers. This is a powerful example of how entrepreneurship can transform communities.”

In addition to presenting the PUM Impact Award, Ambassador Gerards also gifted the Govind team a Delft Blue tulip vase along with a bouquet of home-grown pink tulips, symbolising the strong cultural connection between India and the Netherlands and making the ceremony a memorable Indo-Dutch celebration.

The award was accepted on behalf of Govind by Chairman Shrimant SanjeevRaje Naik Nimbalkar and Director Shrimant ShivanjaliRaje Naik Nimbalkar. Reflecting on the organisation’s journey, they said: “Our journey began in 1995 with merely 128 liters of milk collected per day. Today we have reached 700,000 liters daily, and our ambition is to cross the milestone of one million liters. This growth has only been possible through the dedication of thousands of women dairy farmers who are the backbone of our ecosystem.”

Collaboration with PUM
Dr. Tarannum Kadarbhai, PUM India Representative, also presented the role of PUM experts in supporting Govind Foundation. Through targeted interventions, PUM addressed eight critical areas for improvement within the ecosystem. Four PUM experts worked closely with the organisation to train women dairy entrepreneurs and strengthen the operational framework.

The initiative followed an ecosystem-based approach, training stakeholders connected to women SMEs across the dairy value chain. As a result, 100 women entrepreneurs from 10 villages were trained and are now positioned to serve as master trainers, enabling them to pass on knowledge and skills to many more women in their communities.

The PUM Impact Award recognises organisations that demonstrate measurable and sustainable impact through collaboration with PUM experts. Govind Foundation’s work in empowering women, strengthening rural livelihoods, and advancing the dairy sector stands as a powerful example of sustainable development in action.

More about the PUM Impact Awards: https://www.pum.nl/article/queen-maxima-attends-pum-impact-awards/

More about the Govind Foundation: https://www.pum.nl/project/women-at-the-heart-of-dairy-progress-in-india/

For more information on this project: Please contact Dr. Tarannum Kadarbhai, PUM India Representative: tarannum.kadarbhai@pum.nl