Ahead of India’s “National Sports Day” (August 29), Mondelez India reflects on the F&B major’s decade-long ‘Sports for Development & Excellence’ intervention journey, a key initiative of “Shubh Aarambh”, its national CSR program.
Shubh Aarambh, which means ‘Auspicious Beginning’, has a strong focus on healthy lifestyles. Over the years, the program has positively impacted 100,000 beneficiaries across states such as Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Delhi. The sports for development initiative remains a beacon of our commitment to promoting healthy lifestyles and nurturing a strong sports culture among young minds.
This initiative aligns with national goals like the Fit India Movement and the New Education Policy. Mondelez’s ongoing three-year sports initiative positively impacts 20,000 adolescents across 134 schools, with 50% of these schools earning the prestigious Fit India status. From encouraging communities, a decade ago, to include sports in their school curriculums, to today where we have students playing at national, state, district levels, our sports initiative has indeed come a long way.
Previously, its sports interventions have impacted nearly 70,000 students and led to an increase in daily physical activity amongst students by 30%, with a 50% rise in the participation of girl students, thereby, helping break gender stereotypes and promoting inclusiveness.
The program’s success is also reflected in the holistic development of essential life skills such as resilience, decision-making, and communication among the children. These outcomes underscore our belief in the transformative power of sports to drive social change and foster greater inclusion.
An official statement from the company reads: “As we look ahead, our commitment remains unwavering in ensuring that every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential through the power of sports. ‘Shubh Aarambh’ continues to strive for the holistic growth of the communities we serve, fostering a nurturing environment where every child can thrive.”
