VEDANTA HINDUSTAN ZINC OPENS 2 NAND GHARS IN AJMER, RAJASTHAN

Delivering long-term benefits to communities by strengthening the foundation of children below the age of seven years - their nutrition, health and education… 

The report says, there are 7.5 crore underprivileged children living in remote rural areas, below the age of seven years, who are in need of proper nutrition, health care and education. Our primary focus, therefore, is to start at the grass root level with the holistic development of children and women, who form the future of our nation.

This is where, Vedanta came up with the concept of “Nand Ghar" designed in partnership with the ministry of women and child development. It is an extension to the existing Anganwadi initiative for providing a better environment to the children of India by addressing issues relating to pre-primary education, health care, nutrition and economic empowerment for women in rural India.

Mr. Anil Agarwal – Chairman, Vedanta Group believes “In order to secure the future of India, we have to safeguard the present. To strengthen the foundation of children, it is important to address issues relating to pre-primary education, health care, nutrition for children and economic empowerment for women in rural India”.

Taking his vision forward, Vedanta has joined hands with the Government to revamp 4000 anganwadi centres across India under the Project ‘Nand Ghar’. Today, more than 100 “Nand Ghars” across three states has resulted in marked improvement in attendance, learning abilities and school readiness, by deploying e-learning modules in education and soft skills in collaboration with world-class partners and they are now equipped with TVs, solar panels and toilets. 

On 31^st July, 2017, 2 “Nand Ghars” - Khanpura & Parbatpura have also been inaugurated in Ajmer District by the Chief Guest - Ms. Anita Bhadel – Hon’ble Minister of Women and Child Development, Government of Rajasthan and with this 10 Nand Ghars have been constructed in Ajmer district with 25 more Nand Ghars are in pipeline.

During the inaugural ceremony, Ms. Bhadel said “Government and Vedanta Hindustan Zinc have done their bit by providing well equipped facilities for primary education, nutrition services along with related healthcare services for both mother and child including skill training for women, it’s now the communities have to come forward and support it by actively participating in it.” She also mentioned that if a mother anchors the responsibility of her child’s education, the benefit will percolate to her next 7 generations.

To make the project more cohesive, “Nand Ghar” act as a focal area for immunisation, gender sensitisation and maternal care. It also aims to enhance the learning environment through an e-learning module and skill enhancement program for women where they will undergo entrepreneurship training, including skill enhancement, to start their own micro enterprise with credit linkages, thereby increasing their contribution towards the Indian economy.

The Nand Ghars are in line with Prime Minister of India’s vision of social development and will prove to be a stepping stone for building the future human capital as productive, passionate and persistent towards the growth.

Also present on the occasion were Mrs. Neelima Khetan – Head CSR, HZL, Mr. Sampat Sankhla – Dy. Mayor, Ajmer,  Mrs. Anupama Tailor – Dy. Director, Women & Child Development, Mr. Nitesh Yadav - ICDS, Mr. Raes Ahemad - Counsellor along with Anganwadi workers and Hindustan Zinc’s CSR representatives.

VEDANTA KHUSHI - 264 ANGANWADI CENTRES JOIN “KHUSHI” IN KOTRA

Hindustan Zinc reaching out to 3055 Anganwadis of the ICDS Department in 5 districts of Rajasthan i.e. Udaipur, Rajsamand, Chittorgarh, Bhilwara and Ajmer…

“Care for the underprivileged children is very close to my heart” says Anil Agarwal, Chairman of Vedanta Group. “No child in India should remain malnourished and be deprived of nutrition, health and primary education” is what his vision is. In this process Vedanta initiated adoption of government run Anganwadis in the year 2008. The intervention was for a limited period, benefiting children in age-group of 0-6 years.

In year 2015, Hindustan Zinc signed the MoU with Government of Rajasthan to strengthen 3055 Anganwadis of the ICDS Department in 5 districts i.e. Udaipur, Rajsamand, Chittorgarh, Bhilwara and Ajmer of Rajasthan under its flagship project “Khushi” in 2 phases.

Last year under “Khushi” project, Hindustan Zinc reached out to 2295 Anganwadi centres in 5 districts of Rajasthan in phase 1.

As part of Phase 2, on 29^th June, 2017, Hindustan Zinc with partner NGO – Seva Mandir has now included 264 Anganwadi centres in Kotra Tehsil of Udaipur district and this year, the company will be covering more than 760 Anganwadi centres in Udaipur district of Rajasthan. The Chief Guest of the event was Ms. Taru Surana – Dy. Director, ICDS, Udaipur District who unveiled “Khushi” Board to initiate the program. During the program, Ms. Taru said “Anganwadi program will be strengthened with the intervention of Hindustan Zinc to improve attendance, health and the well-being of Anganwadi children.”

 

KHUSHI IS 5 YEARS OLD TODAY - CELEBRATING CARE FOR THE DEPRIVED CHILDREN

We are very proud to inform you that the Campaign “KHUSHI” that we started on 10^th April, 2012 is 5 years old today. During these years, we have organized several online discussions/debate, ground level workshops with street children, Awards and “KHUSHI” Walk and also direct interaction with thousands of school children to sensitize them about Care for the Deprived Children – their Nutrition, Education & Health.

Our “KHUSHI” Film ‘Humko Mann Ki Shakti Dena’ has been viewed by more than 7.6 million people across the globe – reaching to over 2 crore people, over 200,000 shares, 100,000 likes and 2000 comments. Here, today we celebrate the “KHUSHI” Day with our more than 225,000 followers.

VEDANTA KHUSHI - A TREKKING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE...

As a part of the Jeevan Tarang Initiative for main-streaming people with disability, a Trek was organized on 5th March, 2017 for Blind students of Vidhya Chakshu Senior Sec. School, several employees at HZL (from Finance, Exploration, Project Commercial, CSR teams & HZL spouses) volunteered  to take these 10 blind students for Trekking. Each volunteer was paired with one visually-challenged student for the 8 km long Trek to Badi and the forests & fields around. The Trek was sponsored by the HZL EXCO members. The Trek gave a lot of confidence and happiness to these students.

INDIA TODAY - VISIONARY OF RAJASTHAN AWARD FOR HZL CORPORATE COMMUNICATION

“India Today - Visionary of Rajasthan” Award has been given to Hindustan Zinc Corporate Communication in an event held in Jaipur on 27^th May, 2016. The award was presented by Rajasthan BJP President Shri Ashok Parnami Ji - Hon’ble MP of Jaipur Shri Ramcharan Bohra and Hon’ble Rajasthan Transport & PWD Minister, Shri Yunus Khan.

India-Today Visionary of Rajasthan Award has been presented to Hindustan Zinc’s for the Company’s valuable contribution towards promotion of social and economic up-liftment of rural and tribal women and providing nutrition-health-education to deprived children by way of launching Projects “Sakhi” and “Khushi”.

Mr. Pavan Kaushik – Head, Corporate Communication received the award on behalf of Hindustan Zinc.

RAJASTHAN GOVERNOR HONOURS HINDUSTAN ZINC’S CORPORATE COMMUNICATION WITH SHAN-E-RAJASTHAN AWARD

Zee News Rajasthan organized “Shan-e-Rajasthan” award function in Jaipur on 17^th May 2016 to honour the individuals who have brought laurels to the State of Rajasthan. The Chief Guest of the function was Hon’ble Governor of Rajasthan Shri Kalyan Singh Ji and the Guest of Honour was Smt. Suman Sharma, Chairperson of the Rajasthan State Commission for Women.

Hindustan Zinc’s Corporate Communication was  awarded “Shan-e-Rajasthan” for the outstanding contribution towards the cause of social and economic up-liftment of rural and tribal women in Rajasthan and providing nutrition-health-education to deprived children by way of bringing awareness through Project “Khushi” and “Sakhi”. Both the campaigns have millions of followers globally and are recognized one of the most impactful campaigns. The “Khushi” film has already reached over 1.5 crore people, viewed by 40 lakh people, with thousands of comments and shares.

Some of the other prominent “Shan-e-Rajasthan” awardees included Mr. Ashok Panagaria (NITI Ayog), Smt. Gulabo Devi(Artist), Pdt. Vishwa Mohan Bhatt (music) , Mr. Aditya Shastri (Vansasthali Vidyapeeth) and Mr. Jyoti Ghosh (SBBJ).

In a small interaction on the dais, Hon’ble Governor was quite pleased with the efforts and advised to continue such efforts for the betterment of the society.

In the past couple of years HZL-Corporate Communication has been recognized by Times of India-Jaipur, Public Relations Society(Jaipur Chapter), Press Club-Udaipur and Rotary International (Mewar) for promoting social cause through traditional and new media.

PUBLIC RELATIONS SOCIETY HONOURS CORPORATE COMMUNICATION OF HINDUSTAN ZINC WITH “EXCELLENCE IN CORPORATE COMMUNICATION AWARD - 2016

Public Relations Society’s Jaipur (a part of Public Relations Society of India) Chapter honoured Corporate Communication of Hindustan Zinc with “Excellence in Corporate Communication-2016” for valuable contribution towards promotion of social causes.  The Award was presented by Shri Kalicharan Sharaf, Hon’ble Minister for Higher Education, Government of Rajasthan, in the presence of almost 150 public relations professionals that included high-level officials from Government of Rajasthan.

This award in particular is in relation to promotion of “Khushi” on care for the deprived children and “Sakhi” that is bringing social & economic empowerment in rural and tribal women in Rajasthan. Both the campaigns have millions of followers globally and recognized one of the most impacting campaigns. The “Khushi” film has already reached over 1.5 crore people with thousands of comments and shares.

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PRESS CLUB OF UDAIPUR AWARDS PAVAN KAUSHIK WITH UDAIPUR RATAN AWARD

The Press Club of Udaipur, popularly known as Lakecity Press Club, Udaipur awarded Mr. Pavan Kaushik - Head Corporate Communication, HZL with ‘Udaipur Ratan Award’ for outstanding contribution in the field of launching social awareness campaign ‘Sakhi’ for empowerment of rural and tribal women and ‘Khushi’ on care for the deprived and underprivileged children. The Award was given to him in a function organized in Udaipur on 26th January, 2016.

On the occasion of 67th Republic Day, 26th January, 2016, Kayad Mine also received best CSR Work Award by District Administration. 

VEDANTA KHUSHI : THE LITTLE SPARROWS OF VEDANTA “KHUSHI”

Mail Today I 22nd May 2015

With 75 Vedanta Khushi child care centres across India, Vedanta’s company in Rajasthan, Hindustan Zinc and Vedanta foundation adopts 3055 Anganwadis to provide nutrition-health-education to underprivileged children

You visit any of the 75 across India spread Vedanta “Khushi” centres and you will find many stories surrounding the deprived children, who are given daily three meals, uniform, drinking water, books, utensils, toys and colourful posters to enjoy the education through play-way method.

Where Radha takes-out groundnuts from her ‘breakfast poha’, to eat it later, Billu likes playing with the ‘puppets’. Some children play with blocks and some like swings. Every morning their day starts with the prayer and follows with joyful classes. Ask them to sit for breakfast or for lunch without washing hands, and they would refuse. Hygiene has been imbedded in their course-curriculum.  

Care for the underprivileged children is very close to the heart of Anil Agarwal, Chairman of Vedanta Group. “No child in India should remain malnourished and be deprived of nutrition, health and primary education” is what he has envisaged. “Make India a child-malnourished free nation” is what he wants to see. In this process Vedanta initiated adoption of government run Anganwadis in the year 2008. The intervention was for a limited period, benefiting children in age-group of 0-6 years.

A country that has the highest number of malnourished children in the world and also accounts for largest child deaths, the private sector intervention, under public-private-partnership model, becomes significant.

Recently, Vedanta Foundation, Hindustan Zinc and Government of Rajasthan signed a 5 years MoU for the adoption of 3055 Anganwadis in Rajasthan. Rajasthan Government has a strong focus on child care and under this MoU, Vedanta Foundation and Hindustan Zinc would also develop 1000 Anganwadis into model Anganwadis. Besides regular facilities to all the 3055 Anganwadis, like books, toys, drinking water, mats, utensils, etc., the 1000 Anganwadis will see strengthening of infrastructure, child-friendly toilets, colourful walls, smokeless chulah to name a few.

200 Anganwadis will see facelift every year so as to complete the project in 5 years. The company has deputed coordinators, supervisors and senior-supervisors to ensure smooth functioning of the Vedanta “Khushi” centres and adopted Anganwadis.

As per the guidelines of World Health Organization, all the selected 3055 Anganwadis will have digital weighing scale to keep record of growth of children. Special emphasis has been given to health & hygiene and monitoring of weight of these children.

Pavan Kaushik, Head of Corporate Communication (Hindustan Zinc), said - “taking care of the underprovided children, their nutrition, health and primary education, is an agenda Company has been following for almost 7 years. We are also grateful to Government of Rajasthan for signing a MoU in this regard under the PPP Model. This joint effort is expected to benefit about 90,000 children every year. Besides providing the necessary colourful books, toys and other material in Anganwadis, our focus is also to provide requisite orientation and training to the Anganwadi workers in the adopted Anganwadis.”

On one hand when Vedanta has gone yet again for the adoption of Anganwadis, its campaign “Khushi” has been tirelessly spreading the message of child-care. The message on social media has large followers and runs a blog that has 1.5 million page views. Several debates on child-care issues have been undertaken by “Khushi” that had given some logical conclusion.  It was in a debate in Vedanta “Khushi” that had brought focus on adoption of government schools to improve infrastructure so that more and more rural children are inclined to go to school. As a result, Hindustan Zinc adopted 150 schools to improve their infrastructure and has also signed a MoU with Rajasthan Government to construct toilets in over 600 schools in Rajasthan.

TIMES OF INDIA HONOURS HZL FOR ITS SOCIAL COMMUNICATION CAMPAIGNS - SAKHI, KHUSHI AND MARYADAA

We are very pleased to inform that c in association with GD Goenka School has awarded Hindustan Zinc for its Social Communication Campaigns – Khushi, Sakhi and Maryadaa.

The award “Social Awareness Communication Award” was presented to Hindustan Zinc as part of Achievers of Mewar in a glittering event in Udaipur on 22^nd February 2015.

The communication team received the award on behalf of Hindustan Zinc.

“PROUD TO BE AN INDIAN TO ACHIEVE THIS FEAT”, BHAKTI SHARMA

 Bhakti to join “Khushi” and “Sakhi” campaign of Vedanta Hindustan Zinc

“It was chilling cold water at Antarctic Ocean and I could see small and big ice-bergs moving. The ocean was not clear. This was making the passage for my swimming difficult and challenging. At this juncture the ship helped in moving the small and medium ice-bergs and my passage was some-what clear. Second was to ensure that there are no ‘Leopard Seals’, a large fish that can eat whales. My distance was set to be travelled towards the ship. Before entering the water, I thought of my country and I realized this is the day I can make my country India proud”, said Bhakti Sharma who has just returned to India after setting world record in open-water swimming.

Hindustan Zinc, a Vedanta Group company in zinc-lead-silver business in Rajasthan had supported and sponsored Bhakti Sharma for this venture. “I had lost all hopes and that is where Hindustan Zinc came forward and instantly agreed to support me. Had I not received this support, I would have never been able to achieve this success’, said Bhakti Sharma.

Bhakti travelled 1.4 miles in 1 degree temperature in Antarctic Ocean on 10th January 2015. She is the first women of India to achieve this feat, beating the record of British open water swimming champion Lewis Pugh and American swimmer Lynne Cox. She is now the youngest citizen of the world and the first Asian girl to have achieved this success. Bhakti Sharma has now conquered all the 5 oceans of the world and she has broken this record after 12 years.

“The crew members on the ship found it difficult to believe an Indian coming to attempt such a feat as the Indian climate is extremely different from those conditions. We do not have such chilling cold in India and thus our bodies are not tuned to handle such cold water”, said Bhakti.

On what next Bhakti said, she would now work for the malnourished children and towards women empowerment in Rajasthan and would be joining Vedanta’s Hindustan Zinc campaign “Khushi” and “Sakhi”. Campaign “Khushi” is a non-funding campaign by the company that is spreading message towards care for the underprivileged children in India, for their nutrition, health and education. Campaign “Sakhi” is towards socio-economic empowerment of rural women. “I have spoken with Mr. Akhilesh Joshi, CEO of Hindustan Zinc about my interest and he has readily agreed’, said Bhakti.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Akhilesh Joshi, CEO Hindustan Zinc said, ‘Bhakti Sharma achievement is a landmark success for India, we all are very proud. Her achievement only proves that Indian girls can do marvels if given the right opportunities and support. Hindustan Zinc is a Rajasthan based company and Bhakti Sharma is from Rajasthan too. In the past also we have supported Rajasthan sports talents and we would continue to do so.”

President and Prime Minister too lauded open water swimmer Bhakti for her accomplishment of setting this world record.

INDIA'S SWIMMER BHAKTI SHARMA SETS WORLD RECORD IN ANTARCTIC OCEAN

“Grateful to Hindustan Zinc for supporting me when I had lost hope" says Bhakti.

The open water swimming champion Bhakti Sharma has set the world record by swimming 1.4 miles in 52 minutes in 1 degree temperature at Antarctic Ocean. She is the first women of India to achieve this feat, beating the record of British open water swimming champion Lewis Pugh and American swimmer Lynne Cox. She is now the youngest citizen of the world and the first Asian girl to have achieved this success. Bhakti Sharma has now conquered all the 5 oceans of the world.

Hindustan Zinc had come forward to sponsored Bhakti Sharma towards her mission. Hearing the news, Akhilesh Joshi, the Chief Executive Officer of Hindustan Zinc said, “we are very proud of Bhakti Sharma for this rare achievement. Whole country is proud of her and particularly girls who would be seeing her as inspiration to join swimming. Her achievement only proves that given the right support and opportunities India can produce many such talents.”

As informed, Bhakti expressed her gratefulness towards Hindustan Zinc for supporting her when she had lost hope for her mission and needed the support.

Bhakti Sharma has been pursuing open water swimming for the last 10 years and has also swam across 4 oceans, 8 channels and seas, which itself is a world record. These records have been made by her during the year 2004-2010. In the year 2010 President of India awarded her with Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award. In 2006 Rajasthan government also recognized and commended her efforts.

HINDUSTAN ZINC SPONSORS BHAKTI SHARMA

Open Water international Swimming Champion

Vedanta’s company Hindustan Zinc will support the open water swimming international champion Bhakti Sharma for an year. During this period Bhakti Sharma would be promoting the open water swimming and also train girls in this swimming league. 

Akhilesh Joshi, CEO of Hindustan Zinc informed that “company has in past also sponsored many sports person for promotion of sports. Bhakti Sharma is a resident of Rajasthan and particularly Udaipur and being one of the largest corporate in Rajasthan we felt we should come forward and support such sports person.”

“I am very thankful to Hindustan Zinc for promoting the open water swimming sports and I believe girls in India are very talented and can certainly make their mark internationally. Support from Hindustan Zinc is essential for the sports person like me and also for the sports as this helps the sportsmen in putting 100% efforts”, said Bhakti Sharma.

Bhakti also said that “I would be encouraging girls to join this sport and would personally train them”.

Bhakti Sharma in January is proceeding to make another world record by swimming Antarctica Ocean for 2.5 km. If she is successful, she would be breaking the record of Lewis Pugh of South Africa who swam for 1 km. 

“It would be proud moment for India if she achieves this record as being a girl it would encourage many girls to come forward and join such adventure sports,” said Akhilesh Joshi.

Bhakti Sharma has been pursuing open water swimming for the last 10 years and has also swam across 4 oceans, 8 channels and seas, which itself is a world record. These records have been made by her during the year 2004-2010. In the year 2010 President of India awarded her with Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award. In 2006 Rajasthan government also recognized and commended her efforts.

Bhakti Sharma has also shown her keenness in promoting CSR initiatives of Hindustan Zinc in Rajasthan. 

The MoU in this regard was signed in the presence of Akhilesh Joshi - CEO, Amitabh Gupta - CFO, CSR Mehta - Head-Corporate Relations and Pavan Kaushik - Head Corporate Communication of Hindustan Zinc.

VEDANTA KHUSHI : SPREADING MESSAGE ON CHILD CARE – THEIR NUTRITION, HEALTH AND EDUCATION

Vedanta Group has a strong focus towards care for the underprivileged children. Since 2008 the group has got associated with about 14,000 child care centres in India, reaching out to about 500,000 rural children – for their nutrition, health and education. Mr. Anil Agarwal, Chairman -Vedanta Group says, “No child in India should be deprived of nutrition, health and primary education. Let us make India a child malnourished free nation.”

India houses the largest number of children in the world but it is also home for largest malnourished children and largest child deaths.  Government, corporate and NGOs are doing their bit, but today common people need to come forward and help these underprivileged children.

With this focus Vedanta Group launched “KHUSHI”, a 100%  non-funding global child care campaign, that pro-actively engages with different sets of people through direct interventions and encourages them to take individual steps towards child care.

See few amazing pictures of "KHUSHI" Centres at Zawar in Rajasthan :-