BATA Partners with Nanhi Kali project to further girl child education in the country

2024-11-06 11:25:43 News & Society

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Kolkata, March 20, 2018: - Continuing its commitment towards the betterment of society, Bata, the European footwear brand today announced the launch of its unique CSR campaign the ?Ballerina Project? at the Bata Store in South City mall in Kolkata. Focused on girl child empowerment, the Ballerina Project by Bata aims to create a substantial positive effect for social and economic fabric. The project will be initiated first in India in association with Project Nanhi Kali, an initiative which is jointly managed by the K.C Mahindra Education Trust and K.C Mahindra Education Trust and Naandi Foundation.

Ms. Christine Schmidt, Director, Bata Shoe Organization along with Ms. Sheetal Mehta, Trustee & Executive Director, K.C. Mahindra Education Trust and Mr. Manoj Kumar, CEO, Naandi Foundation announced the Ballerina Project by Bata to foster the education of disadvantaged girls in India in association with Project Nanhi Kali-which provides quality education to over 135,000 disadvantaged girls across India.

Ms. Schmidt is a multi-faceted personality. Besides being an active owner in her family?s footwear business, the Bata Shoe Organization, she is also member of the International Board of Advisors of Earthwatch, a global NGO in the field of sustainable environment, and International Women?s Forum, working to connect women achievers across the world. Ms. Schmidt is also an external consultant to the board of Trent University.

For the project, Bata India has introduced specially designed Ballerinas created with eye-catching illustrations by children from schools adopted by the Bata Children?s Programme (BCP), a global programme for disadvantaged children. These drawings have been selected from a theme-based drawing competition organised by BCP adopted schools across 30 countries for children in the age group of 6-8 years. The shortlisted drawings have been incorporated in the inner sole of specially created Ballerinas for the project. 7 styles of these select Ballerinas will now be available across 200+ stores in India. With each pair of these special Ballerinas sold, Bata will provide INR 65 to Project Nanhi Kali for one year.

With the money provided through the Bata Ballerina Project, Nanhi Kali will provide the girls with 360-degree educational support through academic support classes where trained tutors will engage them in concept based learning. In addition, a school supplies kit comprising of a schoolbag, books, uniforms and even feminine hygiene material will be given to every girl, thereby allowing her to attend school with dignity.

?In its 124-year-old history, Bata has contributed positively in changing the lives of millions of people across the world through various global as well as social initiatives. The Bata Children?s Program was officially launched to bring all these initiatives under one umbrella. Bata Ballerina project helps us raise awareness and contribute in a meaningful way towards the education of girl children in India Bata Ballerina Project will help us sensitize parents and communities about the importance of girl child education. With this initiative, Bata hopes to secure a brighter future for these girls by reducing school dropouts, increasing attendance and improving learning levels through the Nanhi Kali intervention? said Ms. Schmidt speaking on the initiative.

?We are delighted that progressive organizations like Bata recognize the multifold, long term benefits of investing in girls? education. Project Nanhi Kali is currently supporting over 135,000 underprivileged girls from some of the most deprived regions across 11 states in India. We are grateful to Bata for selecting Project Nanhi Kali as their partner on the Ballerina Project. This will enable us to reach out to many more girls in need of support.? said Ms. Sheetal Mehta speaking on the initiative.

Bata India is committed to the cause of the empowerment of the girl child and is already working towards this through various programmes such as adolescent healthcare workshops, computer and science education, sports, etc. Through these programmes girls are encouraged and supported to gain confidence and work towards their promising future. Separate sessions are held with the parents of these girls to help them continue education and reduce drop outs. The Ballerina Project in association with Nanhi Kali is yet another step in this direction.

These special Ballerinas are available in 7 styles at all leading Bata stores across India priced at Rs.1299.

About BATA

Bata has held a unique place in the hearts of Indians for more than 85 years. Probably the only footwear brand that offers footwear and accessories for the entire family, Bata has redefined the modern footwear industry in India. It has established a leadership position in the industry and is the most trusted name in branded footwear. It sells 50 million pairs of footwear every year and serves to over 120,000 customers almost every day. Bata India is the largest footwear retailer in India, offering footwear, accessories and bags across brands like Bata, Hush Puppies, Naturalizer, Power, Marie Claire, Weinbrenner, North Star, Scholl, Bata Comfit and Bubblegummers to name a few. It retails in over 1,290 Bata stores, on bata.in and in thousands of multi-brand footwear dealer stores pan-India.

About K.C. Mahindra Education Trust ? Project Nanhi Kali

Project Nanhi Kali is the flagship programme of the K.C. Mahindra Education Trust and is jointly managed by K.C. Mahindra Education Trust and Naandi Foundation. This programme was started by Mr. Anand Mahindra in 1996 with an objective of supporting the education of underprivileged girls in India. Since inception, Project Nanhi Kali has empowered and changed the destinies of 3,30,000 underprivileged girls in poor rural, remote tribal and urban areas across India. The project provides 360-degree educational support which includes academic support classes, every school day, where trained tutors engage the girls in concept based learning. In addition, a school supplies kit comprising of a schoolbag, books, uniforms and even feminine hygiene material is provided to every Nanhi Kali, every year, thereby allowing her to attend school with dignity. The project also works extensively with parents and communities to sensitise them on the importance of sending their girls to school. A recent addition to the project has been the introduction of digital tablets, preloaded with English and Maths audio-visual lessons for secondary school girls. Project Nanhi Kali is currently reaching out to 135,000 girls across 11 states in India.