Charanka Village, Patan, Gujarat (India CSR): Viviid Emissions Reductions Universal Private Limited, one of India’s oldest and largest Environmental Commodity Management Firms, partnered with ARCH Development Foundation to initiate Co-Benefit Interventions focusing on sports within the community. This CSR activity is part of Viviid’s larger commitment to making a social impact in areas surrounding its esteemed clients’ Renewable Energy Projects.
Challenging the very mindset
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy! This adage has become a thing of the past, at least in Charanka Village of Patan District in Gujarat. However, this did not come easy. It took ARCH Development Foundation a whole lot of time and effort to convince the parents to allow their children particularly the girls to
invest time in playing and rejuvenating themselves to unleash their true potential.
The Intervention: Khelo Charanka
Named “Khelo Charanka,” the intervention advocates sports as an essential tool for empowerment and social cohesion. According to the program’s guiding philosophy, sports contribute more than just physical benefits. They offer a means to improve mental focus, cultivate discipline, and nurture teamwork among participants. The Intervention Khelo Charanka underpins that Sports is a great enabler for empowerment and social cohesion, which not only imparts physical fitness to the players but also boosts their mental alacrity.
Girls playing Kabhaddi in Charanka
The problem statement
Although Charanka is home to Asia’s largest Solar Park, it grapples with several socio-economic challenges, particularly in terms of education and physical fitness. Despite the immense potential that all children invariably possess, a significantly large chunk drops out from the formal education system after primary schooling. The Intervention – Khelo Charanka has been rolled out to tap this very potential of the children by promoting their physical fitness and psychological wellbeing. This will also have a positive impact on their academic performance.
Children Playing Carrom at Khelo Charanka Centre
The change has begun
Talking about the Intervention, Ms. Sonkee Shah, the Founder and CEO of ARCH Development Foundation said that “Immersing in an all-out Sports Intervention, particularly confined to a village can be challenging, but we were completely aligned with the strong conviction of the CEO of Viviid Emissions Reductions Universal Private Limited, Mr. Puneet Katyal who vehemently believes that Sports can do wonders to children’s personality and psychology. When we started, the response from the children and the parents was lukewarm. Gradually when some children started playing under the fold of the facilities that we were providing, others also started pouring in. Encouragingly, the girls and their parents, though late in coming onboard thronged in large numbers when they heard from others within their community. Seeing the surmounting keenness of their peers, children from neighboring villages also started registering their names for the Initiative – Khelo Charanka and thus we grew from strength to strength.”
Levelling Work at Charanka’s to be Sports Ground
Endearing support from Charanka Village Panchayat
Adding about a recent achievement, Sonkee Shah said, “The Local Panchayat’s resolute support for Khelo Charanka has been the cornerstone of this Initiative’s headway. Recognizing the need for constructive sports activities, the Panchayat has generously allocated a 2-acre parcel of land to be developed into a dedicated Sports Ground. A significant milestone was achieved on 02nd September 2023, as the Panchayat by virtue of a Legal Agreement holding validity for the next three years granted the land parcel to be used free of cost for encouraging the children of Charanka to play. Now we are assured about the Intervention’s future and will be developing this land parcel as a full-fledged Sports Ground.”
The Panchayat has granted a 2 Acre Land Parcel for Sports
Sustainability Agenda gets a push
Talking to INDIA CSR Correspondent, Puneet Katyal, CEO of Viviid Emissions Reductions Universal Private Limited said, “Khelo Charanka will offer training and coaching in five major sports activities – Football, Volleyball, Kabbadi, Kho-kho, and Carom. A professional coach, in conjunction with the Intervention Team, has been appointed to provide expert training in these Sports. The goal is to nurture talent and encourage representation at various levels, including the upcoming Khel Mahakumbh and various state-level and National Tournaments.”
“We want to catch them young so that children can wholeheartedly embrace sports not only as a leisure activity but also as a tenable career option. Various Bodies, Federations and Clubs at Regional, National and International levels keep a keen eye for budding talent to identify them at opportune coordinates of their early learning curve so that they can track their development through and through and stay invested in their progression.”, he added.
“I am very thankful to the Panchayat and the people of Charanka for posing faith in a not so usual Intervention and supporting us to promote sports as a potent tool for fostering national integration and dismantling age-old misnomers that sports do no good to an individual. We are living in contemporary times. Sports can offer a very promising career option. Even if one single child from Charanka hits it big in Sports, we will feel that our efforts paid off. I have always believed that Sports transcend all barriers of language, class, caste, creed and socio-economic status to bind everyone in the thread of National Integration with a sense of camaraderie.”, he further added.
“I am glad to share that over 120 children have enrolled for various sports activities at Charanka. This is a clear indicator of the interest and enthusiasm from the community. Apart from sports, children will also be imparted personality development and leadership coaching. Children will also be made aware about their rights as enshrined in the Constitution and various laws that protect their liberties. Children particularly the girls are also being enrolled for self defence training workshops.”, Puneet Katyal said.
We work in the space of Sustainable Development and Climate Change Mitigation. Our Intervention Khelo Charanka has clear interlinkages with Sustainable Development Goal 3 on Good Health, Goal 4 on Quality Education and Goal 5 on Gender Equality. The feeling of tangibly contributing to Climate Action and simultaneously bringing a meaningful change in the communities where our clients operate is inexplicable.”
Levelling Work at Charanka’s to be Sports Ground
Nishant Shah, Director of ARCH Development Foundation, shared his perspective, saying, “We firmly believe in the potential of every child. Khelo Charanka is a significant step towards realizing that potential as we harness the power of sports to create holistic growth opportunities for the children of Charanka and beyond. At ARCH Development Foundation, our mission has always been to create sustainable change that uplifts the lives of those we serve.”
“Khelo Charanka resonates deeply with our values, as it aims to foster physical and psychological well-being of children through the joy of sports. This initiative stands as a testament to the belief that every child’s potential can be nurtured and celebrated, regardless of their background. As we introduce a range of sports activities under the guidance of a professional coach and dedicated team, we look forward to witnessing the transformational journey of these children. ‘Khelo Charanka’ isn’t just about playing games; it’s about building character, fostering teamwork, and instilling values that will stay with them for a lifetime.”, he further added.
Boys playing Kabaddi in Charanka
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