Anil Agarwal Foundation ensured children don’t get deprived of education during the pandemic
· Anil Agarwal foundation, the philanthropic arm of Vedanta directly impacted the education of more than 4 lakh children during the pandemic · Foundation’s flagship social initiative, Nand Ghar aims to impact the lives of 7 crore children
New Delhi: On the occasion of Children’s Day, Vedanta Group Chairman, Mr. Anil Agarwal emphasized on the importance of education and the overall development of a child. In the wake of the pandemic which unprecedentedly sabotaged the learning experience of crores of children across the nation, Vedanta was quick to deploy alternative learning methods ensuring that no child losses on their education. Over the years, Vedanta has built many impactful social development programs in India and is considered one of the most socially responsible corporations in the country.
Speaking of early childhood care, Anil Agarwal Foundation under its flagship social initiative, Project Nand Ghar in partnership with the Ministry of Women & Child Development has been providing e-learning content through WhatsApp & IVRS; supplementary nutrition in the form of dry take home rations to its beneficiaries along with the telemedicine helpline throughout the pandemic. Today, more than 2700 Nand Ghars in 12 states across India are reaching out to more than one lakh children.
On the occasion Mr. Anil Agarwal said, “A good education & a nourishing diet are essential for children to have a productive future. On Children’s Day, let us pledge to support the efforts being made by the government. Our Nand Ghar initiative is impacting over a lakh children & reimagining the anganwadi network across India”
During the pandemic, through project e-kaksha, Vedanta collaborated with the government of Rajasthan to develop e-content for Hindi medium schools, providing free and quality education through digital platforms and offline desktop applications, ensuring continuity in education for 2.68 lakh students from government schools. Not only did Vedanta curated content but also imparted it. Taking up the mantle to reduce the learning gap imposed by circumstances, the employees of Vedanta took to the field, imparting free education with a special focus on developing the arithmetic and linguistic skills of the children under its project connect.
Speaking of the specially abled kids, Vedanta ensured that the Children with special needs do not miss out on their educational journey, virtual sessions on Indian sign language were conducted for children with hearing and visual impairment through project jeevan tarang.
Over the years, Vedanta has built many impactful CSR programs in India and is considered one of the most socially responsible corporations in the country. The company spent Rs 331 crores in the last financial year on various CSR activities with focus on pandemic relief works, children’s well-being & education, women empowerment, health care, sustainable agriculture & animal welfare, market linked skilling of youth, environment protection & restoration, development of community infrastructure among others.
As part of its many interventions, Vedanta also extended significant support towards helping battle the Covid-19 pandemic. Vedanta committed Rs 201 crore in the battle against Covid-19, including Rs 101 crore donation to PM-CARES Fund and an additional Rs 100 crore corpus for supporting communities, daily wage workers, preventive healthcare and welfare of employees, contract partners or business partners. As many as 15 lakh have benefitted from Vedanta’s Covid Care initiatives.