●
1 Lakh Poshan Packs
Contributed for Children at Vedanta Nand Ghars Across 16 States
●
Races Flagged Off by
Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Non-Executive Director, Vedanta Ltd. and Chairperson,
Hindustan Zinc Ltd., and Harmanpreet Kaur Captain of the Indian Women’s Cricket
Team and International Brand Ambassador for VPCHM 2025.
Jaipur : The 10th edition of the Vedanta Pink City Half Marathon (VPCHM)
concluded today in Jaipur, showcasing an extraordinary display of community
spirit and determination. Almost 15,000 runners participated in support of
Vedanta’s #RunForZeroHunger movement, raising 1 lakh Poshan Packs for
children at Nand Ghars, the company’s flagship social impact project working to
ensure a nourished and healthy future for children by transforming anganwadis
across India. Under the initiative, each kilometre run by participants
translated into one Poshan Pack or nutritious supplement for children at Nand
Ghars.
Developed in
collaboration with the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Nand Ghars
provide nutrition, healthcare and early childhood education for children,
alongside skill development and entrepreneurship opportunities for women. With
over 10,000 Nand Ghars operational across 16 states, the initiative
continues to uplift rural communities by ensuring that no child goes to bed
hungry and every woman leads an empowered life.
Supported by
Vedanta, the country’s leading energy transition metals, oil & gas,
critical minerals, power and technology conglomerate, and organised by AnyBody
Can Run (ABCR), this year's marathon was flagged off at NRI Chauraha, Mahal
Road in Jaipur by Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Non-Executive Director, Vedanta
Ltd. and Chairperson, Hindustan Zinc Ltd., and Harmanpreet Kaur, Captain
of the Indian Women’s Cricket Team and International Brand Ambassador for VPCHM
2025.
Priya Agarwal
Hebbar, Non-Executive Director, Vedanta Ltd. and Chairperson, Hindustan Zinc
Ltd. said, “The Vedanta Pink City Half Marathon is not
just a sporting event; it has evolved into a people’s movement for a healthier
India. What makes today truly special is that every step taken by every runner
helps nourish a child. With over 10,000 Nand Ghars already serving children and
women across 16 states, we are deeply committed to our vision of transforming
all 13.7 lakh Anganwadis in the country. Our mission is to ensure that every
child and every woman in India has access to nutrition, education, and
opportunity.”
Harmanpreet
Kaur, Captain of the Indian Women’s Cricket Team and International Brand
Ambassador for VPCHM 2025, added, “It’s inspiring to
see thousands run not only for fitness, but for a purpose that touches the
lives of children at Nand Ghars across India. When sport is used as a force for
good, it becomes even more powerful. I am proud to be part of the Vedanta Pink
City Half Marathon and support the #RunForZeroHunger movement.”
The marathon
featured three categories: the 21 km Half Marathon for professional athletes,
10 km Cool Run for intermediate athletes, and 5 km Dream Run for beginners and
families. The winners also expressed their gratitude and pride upon completing
the race with remarkable timings. Bablu Sisodiya (Winner – 21 km Male
Category), Ujaala (Winner – 21 km Female Category), Pawan Kumar (Winner – 10 Km
Male Category), Saloni (Winner – 10 Km Female Category) shared that running the
Vedanta Zinc City Half Marathon was a truly memorable and inspiring experience.
From seasoned athletes to first-time participants, every finisher crossed the
line with pride, making this edition a true celebration of grit and glory.
As a lead-up to
race day, mini-marathons were organised in Jaipur and Barmer that brought people
and Vedanta employees together for the cause. Indian sprint athlete Sufiya Sufi
and students from Vedanta PG Girls College, Reengus, also lent their support to
#RunForZeroHunger.
This marathon
reflects the power of participative sport for social change, where each runner
contributes to a better tomorrow. Each participant received a finisher’s medal
crafted from the purest high-grade zinc sourced from Rajasthan’s Zawar Mines,
produced by Hindustan Zinc Limited, a Vedanta subsidiary.
VPCHM 2025 builds
on Vedanta’s legacy of leveraging sports as a platform for fitness,
community engagement and social impact. As part of this vision, Vedanta
supports several major sporting events, including the Vedanta Delhi Half
Marathon, the Vedanta Zinc City Half Marathon in Udaipur, Vedanta Tour de Thar
– a first-of-its-kind desert endurance cycle race that concluded recently in
Bikaner, and multiple marathons across India including Bengaluru, Mumbai and
other cities. Beyond these, Vedanta is nurturing grassroots talent through its
acclaimed football development programs, the Zinc Football Academy in
Udaipur and the Sesa Football Academy in Goa, and archery academies in
Odisha and Jharkhand, which have consistently produced national-level players.
The company also promotes sports infrastructure and community fitness
initiatives across its operational locations, reinforcing its belief that sport
is a powerful catalyst for youth development and social transformation.
Vedanta, through
its subsidiaries Hindustan Zinc Ltd. and Cairn Oil & Gas, has been
making an impactful multi-dimensional contribution to Rajasthan, from
sustainable growth to economic and community development. Hindustan Zinc
Limited is the world’s largest integrated zinc producer and amongst the top
five silver producers globally, recognised for its leadership in operational
excellence, innovation and ESG practices. Cairn Oil & Gas is recognised as
the largest private oil and gas exploration and production company in India,
accounting for more than 25% of India’s total domestic crude oil production.