PVR Nest Celebrates A Day On 'Social Inclusion' With The Launch Of Project Eklavya

PVR Nest, the CSR arm of PVR Ltd, in partnership with Indus Action, the Non- profit organisation announced the launch of the first phase of revolutionary initiative “Project Eklavya”. ‘Eklavya’ PVR Nest aims to bring a positive change in the quality of life of the children from under privileged sections of society. It is a move to achieve social inclusion through safe, equal and inclusive education opportunities. 

Through Project Eklavya, PVR Nest has invested extensively in achieving 70,000 admissions in the academic year 2019-20 through RTE. The campaign aims at building opportunities to enable very child access their Right to Education with a focus on 6 states; Delhi, Uttarakhand, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu.

The launch ceremony observed a note from Dr. Satyal Pal Singh, Minister of State, Human Resource Development on Bright Spot Report highlighting the significance of the fundamental right of equal access to quality and compulsory education to all children of India. He said, “The fundamental requirement of a human being is education, what kind of education you would like to give, whether their inquisition has to be inclusive, whether the education has to be equal for all sections of the society. Education has to be equal for everyone.”

He also expressed that the event though the government has done efficient work after the implementation of RTE Act it still lacks ‘teeth’; that if any parent doesn’t send his/her child to the school, there is no consequence of it.

Speaking on the occasion, the special guest, Sanjna Kapoor, Co- Founder- Junoon Theatre Group said, “I am extremely happy to be a part of this celebration and believe sports, theatre, entertainment are all potent agents of reinforcing equalization amongst children. To be able to make children embrace their freedom, it is quintessential to develop avenues which will instil that confidence in them. On a personal level, I look forward in taking theatres across the nation with Junoon, making children and families from different backgrounds be a part of the social fabric, feeling equal and welcomed.”

The event witnessed the unveil of Bright Spot Report, which evaluates the current status of social inclusion across the country through RTE 12(1) (c), notes key policy practices that will yield better implementation on the ground, celebrates progressive steps taken by the states, describes model frameworks that use technology for streamlining implementation and offers suggestions for policy improvement. Highlighting the gaps in securing an inclusive elementary education system, project Eklavya is designed to address the roadblocks.

Deepa Menon, Sr. Vice President - CSR, PVR Ltd. said, “I feel extremely happy today to launch project ‘Eklavya’. With this initiative we reiterate our focus towards community development through innovative and effective programmes. To achieve an equal and just society, it is integral to address the grass-root problems. We believe, enabling citizens of India access their constitutional rights are a shared responsibility between public bodies and private enterprises. An effective public- private engagement in addressing to the needs of the disadvantaged communities through sustainable, scalable, community driven models will drive socio- economic development through social inclusion. 

Following the launch, a panel by eminent personalities from different walks of life with a monumental contribution in child education and development segment, discussed on “Significance of Public- private partnership in achieving social- cohesion”. Further adding to the celebration, the event witnessed the unveiling of Bright Spot Report; highlighting the status of social inclusion through of RTE 12(1) (c).

The esteem panel, moderated by Tarun Cherukuri, Co-founder, Indus Action included senior government officials, academicians, media experts; namely, Prof. Ankur Sarin, IIM Ahmedabad, Ms. Nirupama Sekhri, Writer, Newslaundry, Mr. Saurabh Bharadwaj, Delhi MLA, Mr. Anurag Kundu, Member, Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights- DCPCR and Mr. Ashok Pandey, Principal, Ahlcon International School

The panel focussed on evaluating the implementation of RTE 12(1) (c), significance of public- private partnership in securing social inclusion and the significance of inclusive education system in driving national growth.