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Rajasthan Royals pledges 2% annual profit towards girl child welfare
MUMBAI: Rajasthan Royals embarked on an innings of a different kind. The franchise will support the development and welfare of the girl child and has pledged two per cent of the annual profits of the company for the current financial year towards the cause.
The franchise has tied-up with two NGOs – Educate Girls and Aangan, who will be the beneficiaries of this funding. The British Asian Trust (BAT), part of HRH Prince of Wales Charities, will work as the implementation partner with the Rajasthan Royals.
Taking inspiration from the Indian Government’s ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ initiative, the franchise wishes to heighten awareness around the issues facing the girl child, engage with its fans and other cricket lovers, utilize its digital assets to reach out to audiences and seek to make a difference by contributing brand support and monetary resources towards this cause.
The CSR initiative will support the two NGOs on issues that affect the future of the girl child – education of girl children, knowledge of gender discrimination the overall survival, protection and empowerment of the girl child.
Rajasthan Royals proposes to engage with the following two NGOs:
· Educate Girls (www.educategirls.in): Funding the enrollment, retention and improved learning outcomes of girlsin public schools across Rajasthan.
· Aaangan (www.aanganindia.org): Funding the girl safety program (SHAKTI) to keep girls safe, supported and connected to a peer network that empowers them.
To create awareness of the campaign “Bat for the Girl Child,” Rajasthan Royals will conduct two activities during its home match against the Kolkata Knight Riders on 16 May, 2015 at Cricket Club of India, Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai. Spectators and players will release 1000 balloons with the “Bat for the Girl Child” logo to showcase their support for the cause.
Jaipur IPL Cricket Pvt. Ltd chairman Ranjit Barthakur said, “The Rajasthan Royals campaign “Bat for the Girl Child” is aimed at cricket lovers but also those of us who can make a difference. We believe that by working with Aangan and Educate Girls, under the aegis of the Government, we can achieve so much more to change the lives of girl children in Rajasthan and India. With the brand and might of the Rajasthan Royals behind it, the team is hoping to gain momentum and generate more support from across its fanbase.”
Rajasthan Royals co-owner and British Asian Trust chairman Manoj Badale added, “Inspired by the successful ‘BetiBachaoBetiPadhao’ campaign, we are attempting to utilize the Rajasthan Royals brand platform to build awareness on issues relating to the Girl Child. These issues need as much support as possible, and we at the Rajasthan Royals are fully committed towards contributing our efforts towards these challenges. The British Asian Trust is a charity focused on providing support to development work in South Asia with a particular focus on India and we will monitor and supervise these interventions for the Rajasthan Royals.”
Rajasthan Royals mentor Rahul Dravid added, “Using the power of sport to make society aware of the challenges that we face collectively and therefore, as a means to change lives, is consistent with the philosophy of the Rajasthan Royals. It gives all of us at Rajasthan Royals a sense of pride and joy to be a part of this initiative that tackles issues relating to the Girl Child and to know that we are also contributing our part to make a positive change in our society.”
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
