New Delhi, November 2022.
On Children’s Day, Vedanta launched its feeding drive to serve 2
million meals to children across Nand Ghars, a flagship social impact project
under Anil Agarwal Foundation. This drive is a part of the company’s mission
#RunForZeroHunger to combat malnutrition and ensure that no child goes to bed
hungry.
Vedanta had pledged a nutritious meal
for every kilometre covered by the runners at
the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon held on October 16, 2022. Over 40,000 people
from across the world participated in the various runs, colouring the streets
of Delhi in the spirit of humanity as they all ran for a larger purpose of zero
hunger, clocking over 2 million kilometres. Vedanta’s 15,000 employees along with
25,000 runners participated in the prestigious half marathonthus helping the
movement of #RunForZeroHunger surpass the initial goal of 1 million meals and Vedanta
pledging2 million healthy and nutritious meals to children at Nand Ghars.
Expressing her thoughts on the success of the campaign, Ms. Priya
Agarwal Hebbar, Non-Executive Director, VedantaLimited said, “Giving
back to the society is in the DNA of Vedanta. Aimed
at combating malnutrition in the country, Vedanta's #RunForZeroHunger brought
people together for the causewhere every participant ran to ensure that
childrenin need get an access to nutritious meals. I am pleased to see the
overwhelming participationfrom people joining us for the cause and surpassing
our initial goal of 1 million meals to now serving2 million meals.Our commitment towards serving
nutritious meals to children at Nand Ghar is the culmination of the shared
vision for a healthy India.”
In line with Hon’ble
Prime Minister’s vision to maximise nutritional outcomes through POSHAN 2.0, this
feeding drive will supplement the existing efforts to ensure the right
nourishment to children facilitating their holistic development. The first phase of the feeding
drive will begin from Nand Ghars located at Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh and Jaipur,
Rajasthan spreading to other Nand Ghars across India.
Vedanta’s cause-based association with
the Delhi Half Marathon is the realisation of the group’s ESG commitments. Anil
Agarwal Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Vedanta is committed to empowering
communities, transforming lives and facilitating nation-building through
sustainable and inclusive growth. It has pledged to spend INR 5000 crore over
the next five years and has laid down a socio-economic development roadmap for
the development of its communities.
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. In the last financial year, the company had spent INR. 399 crores on
various CSR activities with a prime focus on pandemic relief works, children’s
well-being and education, women empowerment, health care, sustainable
agriculture & animal welfare, market-linked skilling of youth, environment
protection & restoration, development of community infrastructure among
others.
A model
project working towards strengthening the Aanganwadi ecosystem of the country,
Nand Ghar is extensively working at the grassroots level in the communities
aiming to bridge the urban-rural gap with best-in-class services. The 3700 Nand
Ghars are the enabler of change and sustainable development with presence in 13
states across India.
Nand Ghars
are equipped with solar panels to ensure 24X7 electricity, water purifiers,
clean toilets and smart television sets, and have become a model resource
centre for the local communities. Pre-school education is provided to children
in the age group of 3-6 years. Nutritious meals and take-home rations are being
provided for children, pregnant and lactating women. Primary healthcare
services are rendered through mobile health vans and telemedicine services,
women are empowered through skilling and enterprise development.