Gadchiroli: Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SEARCH Foundation to implement the Tarunyabhan Programme, an initiative focused on the athletic development and holistic health of tribal youth in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra. The programme aims to promote sports, physical fitness, health education and nutrition awareness among tribal youth and communities across the region.
SEARCH Foundation is a renowned organisation working in community health, research and social development, particularly among rural and tribal communities in Gadchiroli. Through this partnership, WCL aims to support the overall development and well-being of tribal youth as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
WCL and SEARCH Foundation Sign MoU for Tarunyabhan Programme
The MoU was signed in the presence of Bikram Ghosh, Director (Finance & HR), WCL. The agreement was signed by Lalit Prakash Tirkey, General Manager (CSR), WCL, and Dr Anand Bang of SEARCH Foundation.
Dr Aditya Senan, Joint Director of SEARCH Foundation, was also present on the occasion.
The partnership will facilitate the implementation of the Tarunyabhan Programme across Gadchiroli, with a focus on encouraging young people to participate in sports while improving their awareness of health, nutrition and overall well-being.
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Tarunyabhan Programme to Promote Sports and Holistic Health
The Tarunyabhan Programme aims to strengthen the athletic potential of tribal youth while addressing important aspects of their physical and social development. It will promote the following key areas:
- Sports and physical activity: Encouraging participation in sports and regular physical activities.
- Sexual and reproductive health education: Improving awareness of sexual and reproductive health among young people.
- Nutrition awareness: Promoting knowledge of nutrition and healthy living among tribal youth and communities.
By combining sports development with health education, the initiative seeks to encourage healthier lifestyles and create opportunities for tribal youth to participate in organised sporting activities.
Key Initiatives Under the Tarunyabhan Programme
The programme will include a range of activities designed to encourage sports participation, build local capacity and improve health awareness across Gadchiroli.
Key components of the initiative include:
- Sports tournaments and marathons: Organising sporting events to encourage physical activity and provide opportunities for young athletes to showcase their abilities.
- Community and residential sports training: Providing sports training opportunities through community-based and residential programmes.
- Youth and women’s sports groups: Forming dedicated groups to encourage participation in sports and promote wider community involvement.
- Sports infrastructure development: Supporting the development of facilities and infrastructure to strengthen sports activities in the region.
- Educational outreach: Conducting awareness and educational activities to improve understanding of health and well-being.
- Village-level nutrition profiling: Assessing nutrition-related conditions at the village level to support awareness and community health initiatives.
These activities are expected to create a structured platform for sports participation while integrating health education and nutrition awareness into community development efforts.
WCL’s CSR Initiative for Tribal Communities in Gadchiroli
The partnership with SEARCH Foundation reflects WCL’s commitment to community development through its CSR initiatives. By supporting the Tarunyabhan Programme, the company aims to contribute to the athletic development and holistic well-being of tribal youth in Gadchiroli.
The initiative brings together sports, health education and nutrition awareness to support young people and strengthen community-level development.
Its key focus areas include:
- Expanding sports participation among tribal youth.
- Supporting sports training and infrastructure development.
- Improving health and nutrition awareness.
- Encouraging community participation through youth and women’s sports groups.
- Promoting holistic development through educational outreach.
About Western Coalfields Limited (WCL)
Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) is a subsidiary of Coal India Limited, a public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Coal, Government of India. The company operates coal mines primarily in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh and contributes to meeting the country’s coal requirements. Through its Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, WCL also undertakes activities aimed at supporting community welfare and socio-economic development.
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