10th September 2024: Walplast is committed to driving national progress by empowering and educating girls. Demonstrating this commitment through its CSR arm, the Walplast Welfare Foundation, the company has reaffirmed its dedication by partnering with Project Nanhi Kali for the second year in a row to promote quality education for 1,000 underprivileged girls. This year’s focus cities include New Mumbai, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Nasik, and Pune. This collaboration aims to support the education of girls in India, enabling them to overcome regressive social norms and fulfill their educational aspirations for a brighter future. As part of this comprehensive program, each girl from Grades 6 to 10 will receive training in 21st-century skills and sports leadership.
Project Nanhi Kali, an initiative started in 1996 by Anand Mahindra, has been dedicated to working towards providing holistic support to economically and socially disadvantaged girls enrolled in government schools across India. Over the past two decades, the project has positively impacted the lives of nearly 700,000 girls across 15 states of India.
The initiative integrates key elements of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, focusing on multidisciplinary learning and the development of 21st-century skills. The program includes an updated curriculum that emphasizes practical knowledge, teacher empowerment through training workshops, and comprehensive academic and after-school support. Each participating girl will also receive a kit, ensuring they have the necessary resources for a successful academic year.
Showing support for this initiative, Kaushal Mehta, Managing Director of Walplast, stated, “At Walplast, we believe in the transformative power of education. Through the Walplast Welfare Foundation, we aim to empower young girls with the tools they need to thrive academically and personally. This initiative not only aims to enhance educational outcomes but also to create a supportive ecosystem for girls in rural, tribal, and urban poor regions. By investing in their education and well-being, we are nurturing future leaders who will drive positive change in their communities.”
For the students, the program offers a multi-faceted approach. During school hours, all students in Grades 6 to 10 will receive life skills training, covering essential financial skills, digital literacy for online safety and job readiness, and soft skills such as critical thinking and communication. Gender relations will be addressed through life skills and sex education.
The second component of the initiative is the physical education program. This after-school curriculum for girls includes a comprehensive health and hygiene curriculum, a dedicated physical education module, and team sports activities. This aspect of the program aims to promote not only physical fitness but also emotional well-being and social skills.
Modules of socio-emotional learning focus on developing emotional intelligence, empathy, interpersonal skills, conflict resolution, and problem-solving abilities among students. Comprehensive gender sensitization modules aim to combat stereotypes, promote gender equality, and raise awareness about reproductive health and gender-based violence. Life skills training equips students with decision-making, critical thinking, communication, and assertiveness skills essential for personal and professional growth.
“At Walplast Welfare Foundation, our commitment to social upliftment is deeply ingrained in our ethos. This initiative is more than just supporting education; it is about breaking down barriers that have held back generations of young girls. By providing them with the tools, skills, and confidence they need, we are investing in a future where these young women can emerge as empowered individuals, ready to lead, work, and inspire. Our goal is not just to educate, but to truly transform lives by equipping them with the necessary skills to succeed and contribute meaningfully to society,” said Aniruddha Sinha, Sr. Vice President, Marketing, CSR, Toll Manufacturing & Business Head, P2P Division, of Walplast.
It is also worth mentioning that the Walplast Welfare Foundation has positively impacted over 800 young girls’ previous year in districts like Palghar, Bharuch, Varanasi, and Nashik. Through meaningful CSR initiatives, Walplast plays a crucial role in bringing about positive societal change and empowering young girls to fulfill their potential.
