Launches month-long nationwide initiatives; strengthens digital and
on-ground support ecosystem
Key Highlights:
- Impacted 30,000+
families through ‘Pay Autention’ since 2022
- E-Sanidhya platform supports 14,000+ users with free screening and
expert guidance
- Dedicated toll-free autism helpline (1800 2099 488) for accessible, real-time support
Mumbai : Tata Power, one of India’s largest integrated power companies, marked
World Autism Awareness Day through a day-long inclusive celebration under its
flagship ‘Pay Autention’ initiative, in collaboration with the National
Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities
(NIEPID). Held at the Trombay Community Hall in Chembur, the event marked the
launch of a month-long series of initiatives focused on advancing autism
awareness and inclusion.
The
engagement brought together over 300 participants, including neurodiverse
individuals, caregivers, NGO partners, and experts—underscoring Tata Power’s
commitment to strengthening support systems for the neurodiversity community.
Since its inception in 2022, ‘Pay Autention’ has impacted over 45,000 +
families across India.
At the core
of this initiative is a growing support ecosystem that goes beyond awareness to
enable access, build caregiver capacity, and foster institutional partnerships.
A key pillar is the E-Sanidhya portal—a digital platform offering free
access to expert-led resources, remote screening, consultations, and guidance
for caregivers across geographies. Developed in partnership with the Ministry
of Social Justice and Empowerment and Tata Elxsi, the platform supports over
14,000 users and enables early identification and intervention, particularly in
underserved regions.
Further
strengthening access, Tata Power operates a dedicated toll-free autism helpline
(1800 2099 488), providing timely, inclusive, and professional guidance
to parents, caregivers, educators, and community workers.
The Trombay
engagement reflected this commitment through a thoughtfully curated programme
featuring cultural performances by neurodiverse individuals, along with dance
movement and yoga-based therapeutic sessions. A sensory room and experiential
zones—with activities such as stone painting, tactile and mandala art, and
LEGO-based play therapy—enabled children to explore and express themselves,
while offering caregivers and practitioners exposure to diverse developmental
approaches.
The event
was attended by senior leaders from Tata Power, including Mr. Himal Tewari,
CHRO & Chief – Sustainability & CSR; Mr. Pankaj Kumar Singh, Chief –
Community Impact (Generation, T&D & Renewables); Ms. Mamta Malpani
Saboo, Head – Business HR (CF&I) & Diversity, Equity & Inclusion;
Ms. Anupama Ratta, Chief – Human Resources & ES&A (Renewables); and Ms.
Foram Nagori, Head – CSR Programmes, Governance & Alliances.
They were
joined by sector experts including Dr. Ravi Prakash Singh, Officer In-charge,
NIEPID; Mr. Sameer Rawal, Mentor, TCS Digital Impact Square; and Cdr. Shrirang
Bijur, President, Parivaar AWMH. Representatives from Tata Group companies—TCS,
TajSATS, and Tata ClassEdge—as well as officials from NIEPID were also present.
Speaking on
the occasion, Mr. Himal Tewari said: “Through our experiences, we have realised
that for families navigating autism, the biggest challenge is not just
awareness, but access. Access to the right information, timely diagnosis, and
sustained support. Bridging these gaps requires more than awareness. It calls
for building systems that are accessible, inclusive, and continuous. At Tata
Power, Pay Autention is a one-of-a-kind effort to create that continuum through
partnerships with institutions like NIEPID and platforms such as E Sanidhya
that bring early screening, expert guidance, and caregiver support closer to
those who need it most. As we scale ahead, our focus is on using technology and
partnerships to take this support deeper into communities, especially
underserved regions, so that inclusion becomes a dependable, everyday reality
for every family.”
Building on
this momentum, Tata Power announced the next phase of ‘Pay Autention’,
including multilingual expansion of the E-Sanidhya platform in Hindi, Odia,
Tamil, Marathi, and Telugu to improve accessibility. The company will also
scale its play-based learning programme using the Six Bricks methodology by the
LEGO Foundation, in partnership with Sunday Bricks, through caregiver
masterclasses and Training of Trainers programmes.
As part of
its awareness efforts, Tata Power illuminated offices in Carnac, Mahalaxmi, and
Borivali, along with key locations in Odisha and Delhi, in blue—a global symbol
of autism awareness—promoting solidarity and public engagement.
In Tamil
Nadu, the company marked the day through curated engagements in collaboration
with the Commissionerate for Welfare of the Differently Abled under the TN
Rights Project. The Chennai programme saw participation from over 300
attendees, including senior government officials, and featured performances,
workshops, and creative activities—fostering awareness, creativity, and
community participation.
Through ‘Pay
Autention’, Tata Power continues to advance its commitment to Diversity, Equity
& Inclusion by building scalable, collaborative models that strengthen
long-term support systems for the neurodiversity community.