Gidani,Jaipur, January,2020: Axalta (NYSE: AXTA), a leading global supplier of liquid and powder coatings, in partnership with SM Sehgal Foundation (Sehgal Foundation), a registered charitable trust in India, announced the completion of a pond to collect and store rainwater in the Gidani village. The Company is committed to building three ponds in three years in the region.  The Bhooriya Baas pond in Alwar district was the first built in 2018.

“Axalta is committed to building a sustainable future in the local communities where our employees live, work, and raise their families,” said Mr. Lokender Pal Singh, Business Director, Refinish, South Asia, Axalta. “Together with Sehgal foundation, we recognized the long-term need to address water problems in Gidani and in the surrounding districts. It will not only fulfill the water needs of the villagers, but help them live a healthier, more secure and dignified life, while also providing water and soil conservation.”

The new pond in Gidani Village has 13.6 million liters of harvesting capacity, and will help to support local farming, animal husbandry, and eco-services.It will supply clean drinking water, as well as water for agricultural activities and animal husbandry, and improve the standard of living for residents.The completed pond will be maintained and managed by the local village community with support of Sehgal foundation. Axalta has also undertaken the plantation of several local variety trees on the three sides of the pond. The Village Development Committee (VDC) will take care of its maintenance.

"Sehgal Foundation and villagers are grateful to Axalta for working to address the water storage requirement of this village,” said Mr. Lalit Mohan Sharma from Sehgal Foundation. “By constructing a pond that can store rainwater and support the eco-system here, villagers can plant more and have stronger crops, while also building their livestock herds in a more meaningful manner.  Since these are the main sources of village’s livelihood, providing the water source is an important step towards enriching the lives of the locals.”