Category: Sectors

  • HCLFoundation’s Sports for Change National Finals empower 600 athletes

    HCLFoundation’s Sports for Change National Finals empower 600 athletes

    HCLFoundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of HCLTech, on Tuesday said it hosted the eighth edition of the Sports for Change National Finals 2026 at Gautam Buddha University, bringing together 600 young athletes from 15 states over three days.

    The Sports for Change National Finals empower grassroots talent by giving underserved children a platform to compete at the national level, the foundation said in a statement.

    The three-day event featured 300 boys and 300 girls who had qualified through district, state and zonal competitions in football, kabaddi, volleyball, kho kho, archery, badminton and table tennis.

    Participants represented states and union territories including Uttar Pradesh, Ladakh, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Karnataka, West Bengal, Assam, Sikkim and Nagaland, the foundation said.

    “At HCLFoundation, we believe every child, regardless of their socio-economic background, deserves the opportunity to discover their potential and pursue their aspirations,” said Dr. Nidhi Pundhir, Senior Vice President, Global CSR at HCLTech and Director of HCLFoundation.

    “By nurturing grassroots talent and fostering an environment where young athletes are encouraged to dream bigger, build resilience and strive for excellence, we hope the National Finals inspire every participant to realize that their circumstances need not define their future.”

    The Sports for Change programme has reached more than 74,000 children and youth across India since inception, including 474 para-athletes, the foundation said.

    More than 12,000 young athletes took part in this year’s competitions, and over 30 sports scholarships covering coaching, equipment, nutrition and training access will be awarded to top performers.

    The initiative has enabled more than 490 athletes to advance to national-level competitions, with 38 going on to represent India internationally, the foundation said.

    Notable alumni include badminton player Jerlin Anika, sprinter Preeti Pal, rugby player Akshaya, powerlifter Rajkumari and chess player Kanishri.

    HCLFoundation said it has positively impacted more than 8.5 million lives to date through programmes focused on education, grassroots sports, health, sanitation, skill development, livelihood and environmental initiatives.

    HCLTech, its parent company, employs more than 223,000 people across 60 countries and reported consolidated revenues of USD 14.8 billion for the 12 months ended June 2026.

  • VISL skilling initiatives transform 1 lakh lives in India

    VISL skilling initiatives transform 1 lakh lives in India

    Vedanta Iron and Steel Limited (VISL) said on World Youth Skills Day that its skilling programmes have reached more than 100,000 people across India, as part of a broader push to build a future-ready workforce through technical education, digital learning, entrepreneurship and sports development.

    The VISL Skilling Initiatives, aligned with this year’s World Youth Skills Day theme of “Skills for a Shared Future,” span operations in Goa, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Odisha, the company said.

    In Goa, the Sesa Technical School has trained more than 2,100 youth over three decades with a near 100% placement record, the company said, adding that the programme places particular emphasis on encouraging girls to pursue technical training. In Bokaro, the Vedanta ESL Skill School has trained over 700 youth since 2022 in trades including solar photovoltaic installation and home appliance repair, with more than 400 placed in formal sector jobs.

    The company also operates 25 Vedanta Computer Centres and Computer Labs across Goa, Maharashtra and Karnataka, alongside learning hubs under Project AAS Vidyalaya in rural Jharkhand. Combined, the digital literacy initiatives have benefited more than 80,000 students and young people, the company said.

    “The youth of our Nation are the driving force behind India’s growth story, and investing in their skills is an investment in the nation’s future,” said Pankaj Kumar Sharma, Chief Executive Officer of VISL.

    “At VISL, our approach to skilling goes beyond employment by enabling aspiration, nurturing potential and creating pathways to long-term socio-economic progress,” he said in a statement.

    Sports development remains a core pillar of the company’s youth outreach. The Sesa Football Academy in Goa has produced over 230 graduates through its residential training programme, including 14 international players, while engaging more than 8,000 young footballers through grassroots initiatives.

    Its men’s and women’s teams compete in national leagues including I-League3 and the Indian Women’s League. Separately, the Vedanta ESL Archery Academy in Bokaro has trained more than 50 young archers who have collectively won over 200 medals at district, state and national competitions.

    On women’s economic empowerment, the company’s Project JIVIKA has supported more than 280 self-help groups and benefited nearly 4,000 women across five states through vocational training in tailoring, handicrafts, mushroom farming and footwear manufacturing.

    VISL operates iron ore and steelmaking assets across India and Liberia, including Sesa Iron Ore, ESL Steel Limited and Western Cluster Limited, alongside associated industrial businesses.

  • Belstar Microfinance empowers Anandam Trust with van

    Belstar Microfinance empowers Anandam Trust with van

    Belstar Microfinance Limited, a subsidiary of Muthoot Finance Limited, had donated a Maruti Eeco van to Anandam Trust, a home for senior citizens, as part of a community outreach programme aimed at improving emergency healthcare access for elderly residents.

    The Belstar Microfinance Van Donation will help more than 110 elderly residents at the trust reach nearby hospitals quickly during medical emergencies, the company said in a statement.

    Anandam Trust also runs daily tuition classes for underprivileged schoolchildren with learning difficulties, and the vehicle will additionally be used to transport students between locations.

    Company executives said timely access to transport can be critical for elderly residents without family support or independent income, and that the initiative reflects Belstar’s broader focus on community welfare beyond its core lending business.

    “At Belstar, we believe that meaningful progress extends beyond financial services and is reflected in the positive difference we create in the communities around us,” said J. Balakrishnan, Whole Time Director and Chief Executive Officer of Belstar Microfinance Limited.

    “Supporting initiatives that address essential needs, especially for senior citizens, is a step towards building stronger and more caring communities.”

    Bhageerathy Ramamoorthy, Managing Trustee of Anandam Trust, thanked Belstar Microfinance and its leadership for the contribution, saying the van would directly support the healthcare and emergency transportation needs of residents at Anandam Old Age Home.

    Belstar Microfinance, ranked among India’s top 10 NBFC-MFIs, holds an “AA/Stable” credit rating from CRISIL and operates across 19 states and two union territories, offering micro-enterprise, education, consumer and emergency loans, along with gold loans in select southern states.

    The company said its business model follows a double bottom line approach, balancing financial performance with social impact, particularly through women’s economic empowerment.

  • Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath leads 35cr tree plantation drive

    Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath leads 35cr tree plantation drive

    Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday stressed the critical importance of tree plantation, warning that indiscriminate felling could trigger water shortages and food grain crises.

    “A single tree absorbs and retains thousands of litres of water. Rivers remain perennial only where there are forests or a large number of trees,” Adityanath said after planting a Maulsari sapling along the Tal Ring Road near RKBK as part of the Paudharopan Mahayagya 2026 campaign themed ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’.

    He noted that environmental imbalance disrupts rainfall patterns, harming farmers, and called on every citizen to not only plant but also protect saplings to restore ecological balance.

    The state government has set an ambitious target of planting 35 crore saplings in a single day, supported by over 57 lakh nurseries. Adityanath said robust protection measures have already led to visible increases in forest cover.

    “Expressing gratitude is a hallmark of Indian culture. Through large-scale tree plantation, we can secure a brighter future for generations to come,” he added.

    Adityanath also admired the scenic beauty of Ramgarh Tal and took a selfie at the site.

    Present on the occasion were MP Ravi Kishan Shukla, Mayor Dr. Manglesh Srivastava, MLC Dr. Dharmendra Singh, and other BJP leaders and councillors.

  • Uttar Pradesh to plant 35 crore saplings on July 12

    Uttar Pradesh to plant 35 crore saplings on July 12

    Uttar Pradesh will launch a massive plantation drive on July 12, aiming to plant 35 crore saplings in a single day as part of the state’s Vriksharopan Mahabhiyan 2026 campaign, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Friday.

    Reviewing preparations via video conference, the CM said the Uttar Pradesh plantation drive was intended to function as a public movement rather than a routine government exercise, with success measured by sapling survival rather than volume planted alone, an official statement said.

    The state has set a target of raising green cover to 15% by 2030 and 20% by 2047, the statement said. To meet that goal, authorities plan to plant 35 crore saplings annually over the next five years, a pace they say could help absorb nearly 72 million tonnes of carbon dioxide.

    The CM directed departments to complete verification of plantation sites, ensure sapling availability, carry out geo-tagging and arrange irrigation ahead of the drive. He called for participation from citizens, students, farmers, elected representatives and voluntary organisations.

    Officials from the departments of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Rural Development, Agriculture, Horticulture, Panchayati Raj, Revenue and Urban Development presented their action plans during the review.

    The CM also directed that beneficiaries of the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme be linked to the campaign, and said a mix of fruit-bearing, shade-giving, medicinal and timber species should be planted.

    State data show Uttar Pradesh added about 3.38 lakh acres of forest and tree cover between 2017 and 2023, with total cover rising to 9.96% from 9.18% over that period. The state has planted 242 crore saplings since 2017, compared with 51.48 crore between 2009 and 2016, according to the review.

    The campaign also includes several themed initiatives — Mission Chhaya, Samaras Van, Samriddhi Van, City Van, Kapi Van, Maharshi Charak Aushadhi Van, Urja Van, Pauranik Van and Aviral Dhara Van — designed to support biodiversity, reduce heat stress and promote agroforestry across the state.

  • HCLFoundation expands My Clean City for sustainable waste management

    HCLFoundation expands My Clean City for sustainable waste management

    HCLFoundation has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Urban Development Department of Uttar Pradesh to advance sustainable waste management practices in Hardoi, Prayagraj, and Agra under the Swachh Bharat Mission.

    The partnership will focus on strategic planning, pilot projects, policy reforms, and IT-enabled solutions to strengthen urban sanitation across the three cities.

    As part of the My Clean City initiative, HCLFoundation flagged off 10 E-drain carts and 10 E-garbage loaders donated to Hardoi Nagar Palika Parishad and unveiled three reverse vending machines.

    The Foundation is also undertaking city beautification through wall art and developing model markets and wards in Hardoi.

    “My Clean City is a citizen-led program aimed at reclaiming urban spaces with technology inclusion and innovative solutions. This partnership will strengthen efforts in Agra, Hardoi, and Prayagraj—our three new expansion cities in FY26,” said Alok Varma, Project Director, Samuday and My Clean City, HCLFoundation.

    Anuj Kumar Jha, Secretary, Urban Development Department and State Mission Director, Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban), Government of Uttar Pradesh, welcomed the collaboration, saying it will accelerate urban sanitation, strengthen waste management practices, and create replicable models for city transformation.

    Launched in 2018, My Clean City has sensitized nearly 750,000 citizens, trained over 100,000 stakeholders, managed 22,000 plus tons of waste, and engaged more than 3,500 school students through its Waste Champions Club in Noida and Greater Noida.

  • Coromandel, IICARE launch Jawali watershed plan in Maharasthra

    Coromandel, IICARE launch Jawali watershed plan in Maharasthra

    Coromandel International Limited, one of India’s leading agri-solutions companies, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with IICARE Foundation, a not-for-profit working on ecological restoration and climate resilience, to launch the landmark Jawali Watershed programme in Phaltan taluka, Satara district, Maharashtra.

    The agreement, announced on Tuesday, covers an integrated watershed, agro-forestry, nursery and landscape restoration initiative.

    The companies said the partnership would build a scientifically designed, community-driven and scalable model for sustainable land management, combining watershed development, agro-forestry, nursery planning and ecological restoration under one programme.

    Under the deal, IICARE Foundation will act as the lead implementation partner, coordinating with local communities, farmer groups, government bodies and technical agencies, the company said in a statement.

    Coromandel will contribute expertise in agronomy, soil and nutrient management, crop suitability, nursery design and watershed interventions, supporting the Jawali Watershed effort with scientific and strategic input.

    The programme will roll out in phases. The first stage involves site validation, soil and water assessments, contour studies, nursery planning and a detailed project report.

    Later phases will include pilot projects, nursery establishment, soil and water conservation structures, native plantations, agro-forestry demonstrations and farmer training, building toward a replicable, large-scale restoration model.

    Organisers said the initiative would follow a “nursery-first” and “pilot-to-scale” strategy, prioritising native and mixed-species plantations, groundwater recharge, soil health and long-term community stewardship.

    Performance will be tracked through indicators such as area restored, sapling survival rates, species diversity, water conservation and farmer participation.

    “This collaboration reflects Coromandel’s commitment to advancing sustainable agriculture and strengthening the resilience of rural ecosystems,” said Narayanan Vellayan, Executive Director – Nutrient Business, Coromandel International Limited.

    “The programme aims to develop a practical and scalable model for restoring degraded landscapes and supporting sustainable livelihoods.”

    Dr Santosh Bhosale, Director, IICARE Foundation, called the Jawali Watershed programme a landmark step bringing together ecological restoration, watershed management and climate-resilient agriculture.

    “Coromandel’s technical capabilities and agricultural expertise will strengthen the programme’s scientific foundation and support a credible model that can be replicated across similar geographies,” he said.

  • Ambuja Foundation empowers children with autism via sensory integration room

    Ambuja Foundation empowers children with autism via sensory integration room

    Under its inclusive development program, Ambuja Manovikas Kendra in Ropar, Punjab has empowered 15 children with autism by establishing a new Sensory Integration Room.

    The facility, set up following a 2024 fund-raising campaign, provides a controlled environment to improve sensory processing, regulation, and communication skills for children with autism, while also supporting those with cerebral palsy and intellectual disabilities.

    The Sensory Integration Room features advanced equipment including bubble tubes, optical fibers, lighting effects, auditory stimuli, a wall climber, ball pool, textured panels, and outdoor sensory pathways.

    These tools stimulate multiple senses and help enhance motor skills, body awareness, and adaptive responses to everyday stimuli. Additional sensory tools such as fidget items, picture cards, and structured workbooks further support engagement and learning outcomes, the Foundation said in a statement.

    This initiative strengthens Ambuja Foundation’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable rural development. Ambuja Manovikas Kendra, spread across a 2.5-acre campus, has been providing special education, therapy, and rehabilitation services to children with special needs for over 25 years.

    “Ambuja Foundation is committed to the development of all segments of society. Through Ambuja Manovikas Kendra, we have been empowering differently abled children for the past 25 years,” said Chandrakant Kumbhani, CEO, Ambuja Foundation.

    “We set up the Sensory Integration Room to empower children with autism by providing a structured environment where they receive regulated sensory input and improve their performance.”

  • TCSRD boosts Shala Praveshotsav 2026 in Gujarat with school kits and volunteering

    TCSRD boosts Shala Praveshotsav 2026 in Gujarat with school kits and volunteering

    Reinforcing its commitment to education and community development, Tata Chemicals Society for Rural Development (TCSRD) is supporting Shala Praveshotsav 2026 across Okhamandal from June 23 to 25.

    The annual enrolment drive, organised by the Government of Gujarat and District Administration, welcomes children into Class 1, Balvatika, and Anganwadi centres.

    TCSRD will distribute school bags and educational kits to newly enrolled students in government schools across the Okhamandal block. The initiative is expected to benefit 2,534 students.

    Employees from over 20 Tata Chemicals departments will volunteer, contributing more than 350 hours to engage with students and parents and build excitement for learning.

    The programme brings together state government representatives, district officials, village leaders, parents and corporate volunteers in a collaborative effort to promote education, especially for girls, and ensure every child gets access to quality early education.

    “The first day of school is a special milestone in every child’s life. Through our support to Shala Praveshotsav, we aim to warmly welcome young learners with encouragement and enthusiasm,” Rino Raj, Vice President and Site Head, Mithapur, said in a statement.

    “Together with schools, parents and the community, we remain committed to strengthening access to quality education and building a strong foundation for every child’s future success.”

  • HCLFoundation, Pearson launch ‘Discovery Science Center’ in Bengaluru to empower students in STEM

    HCLFoundation, Pearson launch ‘Discovery Science Center’ in Bengaluru to empower students in STEM

    HCLFoundation, the CSR arm of global technology company HCLTech, and Pearson on Wednesday launched the Discovery Science Center in Bengaluru, a state-of-the-art STEM lab designed to empower underprivileged students through hands-on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics learning.

    The Discovery Science Center will equip underserved students with critical thinking, creativity, innovation, and problem-solving skills via immersive, application-based experiences. Supported by year-round STEM clubs, competitions, and workshops, the initiative aims to reach more than 1,500 students annually, fostering curiosity and early innovation capabilities.

    This launch strengthens the strategic partnership between HCLTech and Pearson to advance skills development using AI-powered technology. It builds on the success of a similar center in Noida that has already delivered impactful hands-on STEM learning to underserved communities, the Foundation said in a statement.

    “Every student should have the opportunity to explore science and technology through hands-on learning. This Discovery Science Center gives students in underserved communities a place to explore, build skills and unlock their potential,” said Vishaal Gupta, India Chair and President, Enterprise Learning & Skills at Pearson.

    “This partnership demonstrates what is possible when technology expertise, the science of learning and grassroots execution come together. By strengthening digital learning ecosystems and embedding inclusion at the core, we are building pathways for the most underserved learners to access quality education,” said Nidhi Pundhir, Senior Vice President and Global Head, CSR at HCLTech.

    Earlier this year, HCLFoundation and Pearson supported 400 students in underserved areas by establishing smart classrooms with smart boards and laptops, along with tailored assistive devices for children with special needs, including visual impairments.