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Tag: #YouthEmpowerment

  • 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.

  • McDonald’s for youth empowerment program creates 1500 jobs in Delhi NCR

    McDonald’s for youth empowerment program creates 1500 jobs in Delhi NCR

    McDonald’s India – North and East has achieved a major milestone in McDonald’s for Youth Empowerment program, creating meaningful employment opportunities for over 1500 young individuals across Delhi NCR.

    Implemented in partnership with local NGOs and community organisations, the flagship McDonald’s for Youth Empowerment initiative has provided first-job opportunities to youth from less privileged backgrounds in Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Ghaziabad and Faridabad.

    The program delivers structured training through McDonald’s global curriculum, covering customer service, communication, restaurant operations, food safety, teamwork, and professional development – equipping participants with transferable skills for long-term career growth.

    Rajeev Ranjan, Managing Director, McDonald’s India – North and East, said, “Through McDonald’s for Youth Empowerment, we have supported over 2,500 young individuals in taking their first steps into the workforce. This powerful initiative transforms lives and builds stronger communities.”

    Rajesh Soundararajan, Director, Katha, added, “Our partnership with McDonald’s has successfully connected youth with meaningful employment, fostering confidence and financial independence.”

    The McDonald’s for Youth Empowerment program has expanded across multiple states including Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. McDonald’s now plans to scale the initiative further and invites interested NGOs to collaborate by reaching out at hiring.ngo@del.in.mcd.com.

  • Ambuja Foundation launches skill development institute in Modinagar

    Ambuja Foundation launches skill development institute in Modinagar

    Ambuja Foundation and Kanohar Electricals Limited have partnered to launch a Skill Development Institute in Modinagar, Uttar Pradesh, aiming to empower more than 1,000 rural youth over the next three years with employment-oriented training.

    Located in Ghaziabad district and strategically close to the expanding Delhi NCR economic hub, the institute targets villages around Saunda where educated youth face high unemployment and underemployment despite completing secondary school or graduation. A field assessment by Ambuja Foundation highlighted a critical gap in industry-relevant technical skills and practical exposure.

    The initiative, rooted in the native village of Kanohar Electricals Limited founder Shri Kanohar Lal Singhal, will offer structured courses including Phlebotomy, General Duty Assistant, OT Assistance, Customer Care, and Microfinance. Participants will also receive soft skills, IT training, on-the-job training, work readiness, financial literacy, and occupational health and safety modules.

    “With the growing demand for a skilled workforce, this Skill Development Institute in Modinagar will bridge the skills gap and equip youth with industry-relevant capabilities,” said Pearl Tiwari, CEO, Ambuja Foundation. “Through this partnership with Kanohar Electricals Limited, we aim to empower rural youth with the confidence and opportunities needed for sustainable careers.”

    Dinesh Singhal, Chairman and Managing Director of Kanohar Electricals Limited, added: “Investing in skills development is essential for inclusive economic growth. This collaboration will transform livelihood prospects for young people in rural Uttar Pradesh.”

    The three-year programme is expected to connect trainees with job opportunities across the NCR region, supporting reduced unemployment, higher household incomes, and greater economic mobility.