On World Diabetes Day, the 110-year-old Hinduja Group’s charitable arm, the Hinduja Foundation, says that its Type 1 Diabetes Initiative (T1DI), a novel approach that offers the kids free medical, nutritional, and emotional support, has changed the lives of more than 1,000 impoverished kids in Chennai, Pune, and Mumbai.

The Foundation was established in April 2019 with the goal of assisting disadvantaged children with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) in leading happy, healthy lives. In just six years, the programme has improved average HbA1c levels among enrolled youngsters from 10.4% to 7.8% and drastically decreased hospitalisations. Additionally, it has improved families’ financial security and inspired pupils to succeed in chess and archery, two state-level sports.

With cases increasing at a rate of around 6.7% per year, India currently has the greatest number of children with T1D worldwide, highlighting the critical need for equitable, lifelong diabetes care.

“Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong journey of courage, discipline, and hope; it’s not just a medical condition,” stated Raman Kalyanakrishnan, CEO of the Hinduja Foundation. “By providing them with compassionate, community-based care, T1DI supports each child and their family in managing, adapting, and thriving.” Children from low-income families can receive comprehensive support through the Type 1 Diabetes India (T1DI) initiative, which was started with P.D. Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Centre, Madras Diabetes Research Foundation & Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre, and KEM Hospital in Pune. This includes free insulin, diagnostics, counselling, and peer-learning platforms that combine access, awareness, and empathy-driven care.

What started out as a medical procedure quickly turned into a tale of empowerment, enabling more than 40 kids to enjoy healthier, more fulfilling lives with insulin pumps, including 20 sophisticated automated insulin delivery systems. ClubOne, a dynamic peer-support network developed in Pune by the Foundation and KEM Hospital, fosters hope, resilience, and confidence in adolescent patients. Through its partnership with Harvard University’s Centre for Diabetes and Endocrinology (CDIC), the Foundation further advances global diabetes research. In 2025, the results of this partnership will be discussed at international conferences in Vienna and Bangkok.

Building on this influence, the Foundation is looking into collaborations to lower the cost, increase accessibility, and enable diabetes care nationwide using digital means.