* Organised by Reliance Foundation, Observer Research Foundation, and the UN in India 

* India’s foreign minister S Jaishankar speaks on the blurring north-south lines 

* Publication with insights from India’s SDG experiences, released

New York / Mumbai, September 26, 2025: As the world leaders gathered for the 80th United Nations General Assembly, to shape a bold vision for the final five years of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) agenda and beyond, ‘India Day @ UNGA’ brought innovative learnings of partnerships, progress and the future for key social sector stakeholders. Reliance Foundation, Observer Research Foundation (ORF), and the United Nations in India held two flagship events on Wednesday, 24th September 2025, spotlighting India’s and the Global South’s innovations with thought-provoking conversations and insights, to help shape the final five years of the 2030 SDG agenda.

Technology, use of AI, India’s leadership in DPI and democratisation of technology dominated conversations at the India Day @ UNGA events. Inaugurated with an address by Amb. Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, Consul General, Consulate of India to New York, in his keynote speech, Mr Amandeep Singh Gill, Under-Secretary-General and Special Envoy for Digital and Emerging Technologies, United Nations spoke of a three-pronged approach to technology for South-South cooperation. Mr S. Krishnan, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, India emphasised India’s exploring AI applications for the social sector; Mr Anil Malik, Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development, India, highlighted how India has reached a new phase of women’s empowerment. The valedictory address was delivered by Ms Gargee Ghosh, President, Global Policy & Advocacy, Gates Foundation.

The highlight of the 2025 edition of India Day @ UNGA was the high-level evening conversation ‘At the Heart of Development: Aid, Trade, and Technology’ featuring a ministerial panel. The session explored how partnerships, technology, and trade frameworks are shaping inclusive growth in the Global South.

Dr S Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs India spoke of blurring lines in global equations. “A year ago, it seemed clear that the world was heading towards greater unpredictability. We began by worrying about supply chains, but today’s central challenges in international relations are: How does one de-risk, hedge, and become more resilient? It is too simplistic now to put the Global North and South in different baskets. We have had an accelerated move into a multipolar world,” he said.

Recognising the importance of scientific leadership, Juan Ramón de la Fuente, Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Mexico said, “Mexico occupies a unique geopolitical position. It’s closely integrated with North American markets, and is among the world’s most dynamic and powerful markets within the region. The leadership by our President, a woman scientist, is making a huge difference. The present calls for new creativity around international cooperation, and AI will be central to this creativity as new forms of interaction emerge between aid, trade and technology.”

Mr B Srinivasan, Executive Lead, Reliance Foundation, in a message shared, “India’s journey towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals is nothing short of remarkable. It reflects not only progress, but also the spirit of resilience, innovation, and inclusivity that India brings to the world. Our experiences and learnings offer pathways of ideas, action, and scale that can inspire the Global South and indeed, the global community. The publication Global Goals, Indian Vision: The Last Mile to 2030—the third volume in this important series—shines a light on transformative solutions rooted in India’s development journey, even as the world works towards the SDGs and India looks ahead to the historic vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047. At Reliance Foundation, our commitment to strengthening India’s development is inspired by Reliance’s We Care philosophy—an enduring belief in building an inclusive and compassionate future. It is our privilege to walk alongside partners, governments, and communities, sharing India’s learnings with the world, and together shaping solutions that can uplift lives everywhere.”

Mr Shombi Sharp, United Nations Resident Coordinator – India said, “India has demonstrated leadership on SDG localisation, ensuring that efforts to achieve the Goals reach every state and district, and launching mission-mode programmes that reflect SDG priorities. It was also the first country to create its own subnational SDG Index. India’s commitment to the Global South is exemplary – it’s sharing its digital public infrastructure (DPI) model with many other states at no cost, for instance.”

Mr Samir Saran, President, Observer Research Foundation said, “The Observer Research Foundation is committed to building knowledge and innovation bridges between India and its key partners, by investing in communities that reflect diverse domains, perspectives, and aspirations. India Day @ UNGA embodies this ethic – bringing together global thinkers, businesses, and practitioners to debate, deliberate and commit to the defining policy challenge of our time: sustainable development. The story of the SDGs, adopted a decade ago, mirrors India’s own development journey. We are delighted to launch ‘Global Goals, Indian Vision: The Last Mile to 2030’, a publication that captures the contours of this journey – one that has transformed the lives of hundreds of millions across the subcontinent. India’s experience must serve as both an inspiration and a call to action for larger economies, big banks, and global institutions to recommit themselves to creating a truly people-first future.”

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, DP World, United Arab Emirates, said “Trade is very resilient, but the new global order and rules are important. The India-Middle East-Europe trade route will be critical in the years ahead. India-UAE bilateral trade has already begun to rise and we’re seeing clear benefits from it. We expect trade between India and UAE to be 100 billion dollars this year,” he added.

Leslie Vinjamuri, President and Chief Executive Officer, Chicago Council on Global Affairs, United States, said India had set the example of how the G20 story is made and delivered concretely.

Discussions explored India’s decade-long SDG journey, the role of technology and AI in driving development, women’s leadership, and scalable last-mile solutions. It also featured the launch of ‘Global Goals, Indian Vision: The Last Mile to 2030’, a publication detailing India’s SDG journey, key interventions, partnerships, collectives, and technology, with a roadmap for post-2030 development. The 3rd in the series of publications on the SDGs, the book highlights the 3Ps—partnerships, people, and platforms—and provides a vision for development beyond 2030. Click here to download.

About the publication: Global Goals, Indian Vision: The Last Mile to 2030

The third publication in a series released on India Day @ UNGA by Reliance Foundation, Observer Research Foundation (ORF), and the UN in India, Global Goals, Indian Vision, looks beyond 2030, reflecting on lessons from India’s journey and proposes a forward-looking template for the Global South. It captures how partnerships, trade, and technology can shape inclusive growth, offering a roadmap for development leadership in the post-2030 era. It serves as both a record of India’s SDG achievements and a vision document for shaping global development pathways in the decade ahead.

Shri Anant Ambani: "We are committed to walk alongside Punjab through this difficult time."

* The entire Reliance family, including Reliance Foundation, Vantara, Reliance Retail and Jio are delivering immediate on-ground response

* Ten-point humanitarian support reaching over 10,000 families in the hardest-hit villages in the state

* The strategic relief efforts include nutrition, water, emergency shelters, livestock care, and rescue of displaced wild animals

Chandigarh, September 10, 2025: In the wake of the devastating floods that have swept through Punjab, Reliance has activated a comprehensive ten-point humanitarian response in the state.

Working shoulder-to-shoulder with the state administration, panchayats, and local stakeholders, teams have been on the ground bringing urgent relief, especially across the worst-affected villages in Amritsar and Sultanpur Lodhi.

"Our heart goes out to the people of Punjab in this hour of suffering. Families have lost homes, livelihoods, and a sense of security. The entire Reliance family is standing with them — providing food, water, shelter kits, and care for both people and animals. This ten-point plan reflects our deep belief that We Care. We are committed to walk alongside Punjab through this difficult time,” said Shri Anant Ambani, Director, Reliance Industries Limited.

On-ground action: Ten-point response includes:

Nutrition support

1. For crucial nutrition, dry ration kits with essential food supplies for 10,000 most-affected families.

2. Voucher-based assistance worth ₹5,000 each for 1,000 of the most vulnerable households — especially single-women and elderly-led families.

3. Dry ration support for community kitchens to provide immediate nourishment for communities.

4. Deployment of portable water filters in waterlogged areas to ensure safe drinking water.

Shelter Support

5. Emergency shelter kits with tarpaulins, groundsheets, mosquito nets, ropes, and bedding to protect displaced families.

Public Health Risk Management (PHRM)

6. Health awareness sessions and disinfection of water sources to curb post-flood disease outbreaks.

7. Distribution of sanitation kits with hygiene essentials for every affected household.

Livestock Support

8. Veterinary surveys show livestock in severe distress due to waterlogging; urgent care is being prioritised.

9. Reliance Foundation and Vantara, with the Animal Husbandry Department, setting up livestock camps to provide medicines, vaccines, and care. 3,000 silage bundles are being distributed for nearly 5,000 cattle.

10. Vantara's 50+ member expert team, with modern rescue gear and years of expertise is supporting efforts to treat rescued animals, ensuring dignified scientific cremation for deceased animals and preventing potential disease outbreaks in coordination with local authorities.

Reliance teams are working round-the-clock in close coordination with the District Administrations, the Animal Husbandry Department, and local Panchayats to deliver immediate, life-saving support while planning medium-term recovery actions. The Jio Punjab team worked tirelessly to restore network in flood-affected areas in co-ordination with NDRF teams, ensuring 100% reliable connectivity across the state.

The Reliance Retail team, in co-ordination with Reliance Foundation and volunteers, is dispatching a meticulously curated dry-ration kit and sanitation kit of 21 essential items for nourishment and hygiene of the most affected communities, identified through the Panchayats.

In this moment of crisis, Reliance is standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the people of Punjab, with collective action, care and compassion on the ground, to enable a swift, holistic and comprehensive recovery for the state to emerge stronger, together.

Feb 13, New Delhi: Building on the Government of India's NIPUN Bharat Mission to achieve universal Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) for children across India, LiftEd - a unique $18mn outcomes-based initiative - has benefitted 3.3 million children in India across 15+ states.

As we mark four years of the NIPUN Bharat Mission, LiftEd is demonstrating how the private sector and civil society can come together through innovative financing structures to support and strengthen the government's intent to universalise FLN by 2026-27.

To showcase its progress and spark meaningful dialogue on FLN, LiftEd's partners hosted an Annual Convening 'LiftEd: Making India NIPUN' in New Delhi. The event was attended by 175 people and brought together leading voices and thought leaders from across the education ecosystem. It featured a fireside chat with economist, author, and professor Karthik Muralidharan, insightful panel discussions, and inspiring showcases of solutions to advance FLN in India.

LiftEd is anchored by a consortium of partners, including the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, Bridges Outcomes Partnerships, the Maitri Trust, Reliance Foundation, Atlassian, Standard Chartered Bank, and UBS Optimus Foundation. The British Asian Trust is the programme leader and Central Square Foundation and Dalberg Advisors are design and technical partners.

Smt. Nita M. Ambani, Founder Chairperson, Reliance Foundation said, “Reliance Foundation is a proud founding member of LiftEd which aims to strengthen foundational learning for children in India. In two and a half years, LiftEd has reached 3.3 million children across the country. It is a first-of-its-kind initiative aligned with the Government's NIPUN Bharat Mission that aims to achieve Foundational Literacy and Numeracy for all children in India's primary schools by 2026-27. Every child needs a strong learning journey and working together with the LiftEd consortium partners, it is our joint mission to make this dream a reality."

LiftEd's Innovative Approach

LiftEd stands out for its innovative finance model and systemic impact. Using principles of outcomes-based financing, funding is tied to measurable results, ensuring transparency, accountability, and efficiency. Instead of creating a parallel system, LiftEd strengthens the existing education ecosystem though three key interventions:

Development Impact Bond (DIB):

Partners with state governments in five states (Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi NCR, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar).

Focuses on improving governance, transforming administrators into educators, and establishing effective classroom practices across public schools.

Measures progress using children's learning assessments as defined by NIPUN Bharat alongside 'Systemic Shift Indicators'. These indicators track outcomes such as effective teacher mentorship, the integration of FLN data into block review meetings, and so on.

The education partners leading the implementation of the DIB are Kaivalya Education Foundation, Language and Learning Foundation, Peepul, and Pratham Education Foundation.

EdTech Accelerator:

Develops high-quality, contextually relevant EdTech solutions to improve FLN for children from low-income families across 15+ states.

Shapes the future of tech-based home learning for FLN by scaling effective EdTech solutions and generating deeper evidence on what works.

Supports partners to solve specific anchor challenges to improve scale, engagement, and product contextualisation for low-income segments.

The EdTech partners are Chimple, Ei Mindspark, Pratham Education Foundation, Rocket Learning, Sesame Workshop India, ThinkZone, and Top Parent.

District Innovation Challenge:

A unique, state-level, innovation challenge in partnership with a large state in east India to incentivise districts to improve FLN outcomes.

The Larger Impact:

LiftEd's innovative approach ensures it benefits millions of children over time by strengthening the education system itself. For example, in the DIB's first year alone, the education partners have encouraged as many as 60% of government meetings at the block level to regularly review FLN data and plans, translating these into concrete actions that improve FLN.

Ultimately, LiftEd demonstrates the power of collaboration between civil society, government, and private sector (samaj-sarkar-bazar), unlocking the potential of young learners, and reshaping India's education landscape.

About LiftEd:

LiftEd aims to impact the lives of up to 4 million children over 5 years by strengthening Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) in India through collective action, innovation, and finance. The coalition driving LiftEd - 26 partners across the private sector and civil society - is working in alignment with the Government of India's NIPUN Bharat Mission which identifies FLN as an 'urgent and necessary prerequisite to learning'.

The Reliance Foundation Scholarships 2025-26 cycle is part of the organisation's commitment to nurture 50,000 young minds over 10 years

* On the 90th birth anniversary of Reliance's Founder-Chairman Shri Dhirubhai Ambani in December 2022, Mrs Nita Ambani, Reliance Foundation Founder and Chairperson, announced that 50,000 scholarships would be awarded over 10 years

* 5,000 merit-cum-means UG scholarships of up to Rs. 2 lakhs and 100 PG scholarships for excellence of up to Rs. 6 lakhs are awarded to each student

* Reliance Foundation Scholarships offer mentoring and holistic development support throughout the scholar's journey

* Open to first-year undergraduate and postgraduate students

* Last date to apply is October 4, 2025

Mumbai, August 21, 2025: Applications are now open for one of India's largest higher education scholarships for the academic year 2025-26. Reliance Foundation Scholarships will empower 5,100 outstanding undergraduate and postgraduate students to contribute to the vision of Viksit Bharat.

The Reliance Foundation Undergraduate Scholarships will award 5,000 students to pursue academic excellence and nurture their aspirations with grants of up to Rs 2 lakh, on a merit-cum-means basis. First year students enrolled in any full-time undergraduate course are eligible to apply.

Celebrating excellence, Reliance Foundation Postgraduate Scholarships will identify and support 100 of India's brightest postgraduate students in select fields of Engineering, Technology, Energy, and Life Sciences. The programme aims to nurture future leaders who can think big, think green, think digital for the benefit of society. With grants of up to Rs 6 lakh and access to a robust development programme, these students will be empowered to pursue advanced studies and research in areas critical to national development and global progress.

Applications are open only to students currently in the first year of their undergraduate or postgraduate studies. Reliance Foundation scholars not only benefit from generous financial support, but also from holistic development opportunities throughout their scholarship journey. This includes expert interactions and mentorship, industry exposure, leadership and skill-building events, and opportunities to meaningfully engage with communities for societal development.

Education - from early childhood learning to quality higher education - is central to Reliance Foundation's mission. On the 90th birth anniversary of Reliance's Founder-Chairman Shri Dhirubhai Ambani in December 2022, Mrs. Nita Ambani, Founder and Chairperson of Reliance Foundation, announced 50,000 additional scholarships over the next decade, making the programme one of the largest private scholarship initiatives in India.

Reliance has been providing scholarships to meritorious students for over 29 years, inspired by Reliance Founder-Chairman Shri Dhirubhai Ambani's vision that the best way to ensure the nation's progress is to invest in its youth. To date, Reliance has supported more than 28,000 scholarships.

Reliance Foundation Scholarships alumni continue to fulfil their academic and professional aspirations, embark on rewarding careers, and contribute actively to the nation's progress. This year's cohort presents an opportunity to join one of India's most prestigious scholarship communities.

To know more about the scholarships and to apply, visit scholarships.reliancefoundation.org.

Last date for applications: October 4, 2025.

Light Atelier promotes interactive learning centred on the science of light and shadows and opened with Reliance Foundation ESA day for 100 children from under-resourced communities.

Mumbai, July 18, 2025: Reliance Foundation and the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC), in collaboration with Dadu, Children's Museum of Qatar, are excited to launch Museum in Residence: Light Atelier in Mumbai, running from July 19 to August 10, 2025. The interactive exhibition invites children aged 4 to 12 years old to discover the magic of light, shadow, and colour through playful, hands-on exploration.

On July 18, to mark the opening, 100 children from disadvantaged backgrounds were invited to enjoy a fun-filled experience at the Light Atelier exhibition, supported by Reliance Foundation's Education and Sports for All (ESA) initiative. Guided by Reliance's 'We Care' philosophy, ESA aims to inspire and empower children to dream big and achieve their potential, enabling educational opportunities and sports for children from all backgrounds. At the Light Atelier, the children explored the wonders of light and shadows through playful activities that aim to stimulate hands-on sensory discovery.

“At NMACC, we are deeply committed to education and expanding access to the arts—especially for young audiences,” said Ms Isha Ambani. “We're excited to partner with Dadu, Children's Museum of Qatar to bring their innovative Light Atelier programme to India for the very first time, as part of our beloved annual Bachpan children's festival. We opened this experience with a day dedicated to children from under-resourced communities through the Reliance Foundation ESA programme. This collaboration reflects our shared dedication and commitment to nurturing learning by designing meaningful experiences that inspire young children's creativity and imagination through play."Blending elements of art, science, and design, the exhibition celebrates creativity, exploration, and the natural wonder that illuminates every child's imagination. Light Atelier is part of Dadu's Museum in Residence initiative, which, focusing on learning-through-play as the pedagogical approach, transforms conventional spaces into immersive, playful learning environments for children. Held in an intentionally crafted space on the same floor as the Infinity Room by Yayoi Kusama, Light Atelier encourages children to imagine, experiment and create as they engage with light sources, reflections, colours, and shadows at seven different open-ended stations. Using simple materials and limitless possibilities, the exhibition inspires children to see the world through a fresh lens. The programme does not require much teacher/parent intervention, instead allowing for free play, risk-taking, active learning and trial and error that is essential to childhood development.

Blending elements of art, science, and design, the exhibition celebrates creativity, exploration, and the natural wonder that illuminates every child's imagination. Light Atelier is part of Dadu's Museum in Residence initiative, which, focusing on learning-through-play as the pedagogical approach, transforms conventional spaces into immersive, playful learning environments for children. Held in an intentionally crafted space on the same floor as the Infinity Room by Yayoi Kusama, Light Atelier encourages children to imagine, experiment and create as they engage with light sources, reflections, colours, and shadows at seven different open-ended stations. Using simple materials and limitless possibilities, the exhibition inspires children to see the world through a fresh lens. The programme does not require much teacher/parent intervention, instead allowing for free play, risk-taking, active learning and trial and error that is essential to childhood development.

This is the first time this initiative has been implemented in India, and the programme coincides with NMACC's annual Bachpan festival. This festival celebrates the joys of childhood with activations across dance, music, theatre, storytelling, visual art, games, interactive workshops, live science, and more. This year's edition is the most colourful and creative yet, from parent-child sessions to guided introductions to Kathak, Carnatic music, radio jockeying, and Gond and Lippan art. Light Atelier will enhance the already beloved Bachpan festival and is an extension of NMACC's dedication to education and to bringing the best of arts and culture to India, as well as Reliance Foundation's mission to create a strong foundation for lifelong learning and childhood development.

The exhibition aims to reach a broad audience through ticketed entries and school outreach programmes, hosting and providing packages for local schools to bring their children to experience the exhibition.

* Through Anna Seva, Reliance Foundation will serve nourishing, hot meals to lakhs of visitors

* 100 police aid posts have been set up, providing shelter for police personnel

* Over 4,000 volunteers deployed to help in crowd facilitation

Bhubaneswar, June 26, 2025: As Odisha gears up for the grand Rath Yatra, Reliance Industries Limited, in close collaboration with Puri district administration, has launched a comprehensive series of efforts to ensure that visitors enjoy a safe, comfortable, and enriching journey.

The annual chariot festival in Puri draws lakhs of devotees who gather to witness the majestic procession of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple.

Honouring the spirit of seva, Reliance Foundation, with its characteristic We Care spirit, is proud to support this 13-day sacred journey with meaningful contributions.

“Seva is deeply rooted in Reliance's 'We Care' philosophy, and the opportunity to serve devotees in Puri is truly a blessing. We believe that by serving pilgrims and personnel during the Rath Yatra, we are serving the divine. We are committed to enriching the experience of visitors through various initiatives, ranging from food to safety, making their journey smoother, safer and more comfortable,” said Shri Anant M Ambani, Executive Director, Reliance Industries Limited.

Key highlights of Reliance's Seva initiative:

Anna Seva: Reliance Foundation is serving hot, wholesome meals to lakhs of devotees and police personnel at six key locations along the yatra route, ensuring no one goes hungry.

Hygiene Focus: Installing contactless sanitisers at food stalls, supplying garbage bags for cleanliness in collaboration with the municipality, and extending sanitation amenities to police camps.

Crowd Management: Collaborating with municipal and police authorities to guide devotees with clear direction boards and markers, ensuring smooth navigation for visitors from afar.

Volunteer Support: Over 4,000 trained volunteers, wearing identifiable uniforms, will manage crowds and oversee water points to keep devotees hydrated in the summer heat.

Comfort in Heat: Distributing over 1.5 lakh eco-friendly hand fans to help pilgrims beat the heat.

Police Support: Setting up 100 police aid posts with shelters for on-duty personnel, offering accessible help points for devotees.

Weather Preparedness: Keeping the rainy season in mind, 3,500 raincoats have also been distributed among police staff. Volunteers, municipal staff, and police personnel will be provided with refreshment kits. Earlier this year, during Maha Kumbh 2025, Reliance had engaged in service for several lakhs of visitors in Prayagraj with initiatives from meals to health to transport services. With a strong commitment to supporting communities during spiritual events, Reliance has been demonstrating a deep commitment to ensure a safe, healthy, experience for all. The activities during this year's Rath Yatra at Shri Kshetra are yet another opportunity to serve humanity and the divine.

Mumbai, 23rd June, 2025: The Olympic spirit was on full display as Reliance Foundation marked Olympic Day 2025 with a vibrant celebration featuring 1,450 school children and a stellar line-up of Olympians and national champions at Reliance Foundation School, Navi Mumbai.

Joining the celebrations were Olympians (archery) Deepika Kumari and Atanu Das, alongside athletics stars Ancy Sojan, Tejas Shirse, and Sakshi Chavan. Together, they inspired young students to embrace sports and embody the core Olympic values of Excellence, Respect, and Friendship.

Deepika Kumari, who also signed a book with a chapter on her for the kids, said, “The energy here has been tremendous, and the kids are so eager to learn and adopt a lifestyle that involves sports. I was really impressed to hear that so many of them already play sports and follow the Olympics as well. I hope they incorporate key Olympic values as a way of life as well."

Tejas Shirse urged the kids to play multiple sports and not just one sport, saying, “At a young age, it is important to enjoy sport and discover what sport gives you the most joy. It is commendable that the IOC and Reliance Foundation are introducing you to key Olympic values and the spirit of Olympism at such a young age, as such initiatives will fast-track India's development as a sporting nation."

In line with the 'Let's Move India' theme of Move with Your Plus+1—encouraging students to participate alongside a friend, classmate, teacher, or teammate—the Olympic Day celebration saw the school come alive with Olympic colours, symbolising unity, friendship, and the joy of movement.

Highlights of the Day Included:

Archery Masterclass: Deepika Kumari and Atanu Das introduced children to archery, offering them hands-on experience in the sport.

Buddy Games Booth: Students teamed up with their friends to participate in fun physical challenges alongside the athletes.

Pledge Board Signing: Athletes and students together committed to leading an active and healthy lifestyle.

'Move with the Champions' Session: An engaging and energetic interaction with the athletes culminated in a dynamic dance workshop led by the Shiamak Davar troupe, getting every child on their feet.

This celebration forms part of the broader "Let's Move” initiative, launched by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in collaboration with the World Health Organization in 2023. Supported by partners like the Abhinav Bindra Foundation and Reliance Foundation, the initiative has already reached over 20 million people in India, emphasising the importance of daily movement and the joy of sport.

Olympic Day, celebrated each year on 23 June, commemorates the birth of the modern Olympic Games in 1894. With initiatives like "Let's Move", the Olympic Movement continues to promote health, inclusion, and active lifestyles globally.

Together, let's move +1, India!

Join the movement at @OlympicKhel

#OlympicDay #LetsMove

About the Reliance Foundation's Sports Initiatives

Reliance Foundation's sports initiatives have touched the lives of over 23 million young people since 2013 across the country from over 13,000 schools and colleges, providing an opportunity for talented children anywhere to be able to achieve their dream of a career in sport. It is especially committed to ensuring more presence and the success of girls and female athletes in India, and designs its programmes in a manner that offers them maximum opportunities.

Reliance Foundation's sports programme aims to develop the sporting ecosystem in India starting from the grassroots. Through its scholarship and athletics programmes, the foundation currently supports over 200 athletes in more than 10 Olympic sports. It also operates three world-class athletics training facilities in India, and has partnerships with the IOC, IOA, AFI and Odisha government.

Reliance Foundation runs the Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC) football academy, which is India's highest-rated football academy, with many graduates going on to represent various ISL clubs. The Foundation's approach to developing the football ecosystem includes organising four grassroots competitions: Reliance Foundation Youth Sports, RFYC Naupang League, RFYC Coastal League and Reliance Foundation Development League.

For more information, go to: https://www.rfyouthsports.com/

The International Olympic Committee (IOC)'s global movement campaign "Let's Move" returns to India this Olympic Day (23 June) with its new edition, “Let's Move +1”, in partnership with the Abhinav Bindra Foundation and the Reliance Foundation. This year's theme focuses on the joy and motivation of moving together—inviting people across India to experience the power of sport to boost both physical and mental wellbeing.

Marking Olympic Day on 23 June, the campaign shines a spotlight on the benefits of playing sport or working out with someone else—encouraging people to take the first step and bring a friend, sibling, colleague, or family member along. As part of the celebrations, over 50 sports venues across India will open their doors to the public for free paired sessions in sports such as football, padel, cricket, badminton and pickleball. Anyone can take part—just bring your +1 and move together.

Nearly 50 per cent of adults in India, and 81 per cent of young people globally, are failing to reach the recommended activity levels for optimal health (World Health Organization, 2024). Taking part in physical activities with others can help people start moving and keep going - through shared goals, encouragement, and enjoyment. Sport is more than moving, it is also an opportunity to spend time with others, connect and build community. This can create a sense of belonging and help fight loneliness - something the WHO has identified as a growing concern for people's health - and support mental wellbeing.

As part of the Olympic Values Education Programme (OVEP), schools across the nation are invited to join the movement. Through OVEP, in collaboration with the IOC and the governments of Chandigarh UT, Odisha and Assam, the Abhinav Bindra Foundation initiative has already positively impacted over 10 million children by enhancing physical activity, gender inclusivity and educational outcomes.

This summer, more than 12 million schoolchildren are expected to take part across Chandigarh, Odisha, and Assam - including practising teamwork and balance through paired yoga, and rhythm and coordination through group dance sessions. There will be a variety of sports and movement activities to try, including skipping, football, cricket, volleyball and kho-kho - together with Olympic-themed arts and crafts on 23 June.

Olympic gold medallist in shooting at Beijing 2008 and IOC Athletes' Commission member Abhinav Bindra said: “Through the Olympic Values Education Programme in Chandigarh, Assam and Odisha, and the inaugural 'Let's Move' campaign in India, we have witnessed how sport can inspire, uplift, and empower the next generation. 'Let's Move +1' carries this spirit forward, reminding us that sport is not just about physical strength—it is about fostering connection, mutual support, and a shared sense of purpose."

The Reliance Foundation, as part of its commitment to OVEP, will be curating a number of initiatives to get more young people moving. These include activating their network of schools with fun “Let's Move” activities. A special Olympic Day celebration on 23 June will see 1,450 schoolchildren move and interact with Olympians, including celebrated archers Atanu Das and Deepika Kumari.

“Sport has shaped who I am - it's given me strength, taught me resilience, and opened opportunities. It has also shown me the value of having someone in your corner - to lift you up, to help you focus, to bring joy to the journey. That's why I am excited to pay it forward by inviting young people to move with me, and share everything that sport brings,” said Reliance Foundation-supported athlete and four-time Olympian Deepika Kumari.

“Let's Move” launched in collaboration with the WHO on Olympic Day 2023, aiming to create encouragement and opportunities to move more. It forms part of the Olympic Movement's mission to make the world a better place through sport, setting out to highlight the positive impact that sport and fitness have on physical and mental health. Through local physical and digital activations, and partnerships with the Abhinav Bindra Foundation and Reliance Foundation and their ongoing OVEP initiatives, “Let's Move” has already engaged over 20 million people in India.

"Let's Move" is the theme of Olympic Day, the global celebration of sport and getting active that takes place on 23 June each year to commemorate the founding of the modern Olympic Games in 1894. It will continue beyond Olympic Day, with the ambition, along with the support of the Olympic Movement, to continue to inspire and enable people to move and enjoy physical activity through resources, activations, and content.

Join the movement at @OlympicKhel #OlympicDay #LetsMove.

Photo credit: © 2025 International Olympic Committee. All Rights Reserved.

About the International Olympic Committee

The International Olympic Committee is a not-for-profit, civil, non-governmental, international organisation made up of volunteers which is committed to building a better world through sport. It redistributes more than 90 per cent of its income to the wider sporting movement, which means that every day the equivalent of USD 4.7 million goes to help athletes and sports organisations at all levels around the world.

About the Abhinav Bindra Foundation Trust

The Abhinav Bindra Foundation Trust (ABFT) is a national non-profit organisation committed to advancing sporting excellence and driving social transformation through the power of sport. Founded by India's first individual Olympic gold medallist, Abhinav Bindra, the Foundation is built on the belief that sport is not just a pursuit of medals but a vehicle for holistic development, health, and education.

ABFT's mission is rooted in four core pillars—Education, Mental Wellness, Sports Science Intervention and Social Upliftment. At the heart of this vision is the Olympic Values Education Programme (OVEP), a global initiative of the IOC that ABFT is leading in India. Through deep partnerships with state governments and local education systems, ABFT has already reached over 12 million schoolchildren across Odisha, Assam, and the Union Territory of Chandigarh—embedding the Olympic values of excellence, respect and friendship into daily classroom and community life.

Beyond education, ABFT's work extends into athlete development and support through high-performance training scholarships, injury rehabilitation programmes, and mental wellness initiatives tailored for sportspersons. The Foundation also runs the Abhinav Bindra Sports Medicine and Research Institute (ABSMARI) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha—an advanced academic and clinical hub that integrates global best practices in physiotherapy and sports science education.

In the environmental space, ABFT is pioneering the Olympic Forest Project, a large-scale ecological restoration initiative in Odisha that combines carbon sequestration, indigenous afforestation, and rural livelihood enhancement across over 1,500 hectares.

Through these diverse yet interlinked initiatives, ABFT is building an ecosystem that promotes human development, resilience, and dignity—where sport serves not just as a goal, but as a means to achieve broader societal impact.

www.abft.in

About the Reliance Foundation's sports initiatives

Reliance Foundation's sports initiatives have touched the lives of over 23 million young people since 2013 across the country from over 13,000 schools and colleges, providing an opportunity for talented children anywhere to be able to achieve their dream of a career in sport. It is especially committed to ensuring more presence and the success of girls and female athletes in India, and designs its programmes in a manner that offers them maximum opportunities.

Reliance Foundation's sports programme aims to develop the sporting ecosystem in India starting from the grassroots. Through its scholarship and athletics programmes, the foundation currently supports over 200 athletes in more than 10 Olympic sports. It also operates three world-class athletics training facilities in India, and has partnerships with the IOC, IOA, AFI and Odisha government.

Reliance Foundation runs the Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC) football academy, which is India's highest-rated football academy, with many graduates going on to represent various ISL clubs. The Foundation's approach to developing the football ecosystem includes organising four grassroots competitions: Reliance Foundation Youth Sports, RFYC Naupang League, RFYC Coastal League and Reliance Foundation Development League.

For more information, go to: https://www.rfyouthsports.com/

* To positively impact students across 700 education institutions

* The first in a series of joint regional events aimed at strengthening India's skilling ecosystem

Bhopal, April 17, 2025: Reliance Foundation and National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) launched Future Ready Skills Initiative to empower 5 lakh students across 700 educational institutions, including colleges, polytechnics, and ITIs in Madhya Pradesh. The initiative was launched at the MP Future Ready Skills conclave organised today at Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya.

Aligned with the National Education Policy 2020 and the Skill India Mission, the Future Ready Skills Initiative offers 100 courses in emerging fields like EdTech, Cybersecurity, and Artificial Intelligence to prepare India's youth for jobs of tomorrow. At the end of the course trainings, students will undergo AI-proctored online assessments to evaluate their proficiency in the courses, ensuring fair and secure evaluations.

In February 2024, Reliance Foundation and NSDC announced their partnership, followed by the launch of the Reliance Foundation Skilling Academy in September 2024.

The MP Future Ready Skills conclave is the first in a series of regional events by the two organisations. Policymakers, industry leaders, and academia discussed integration of skilling with mainstream education while students shared impact of their skilling journeys.

Delivering the keynote address at the conclave, Shri Raghuraj Rajendran, IAS, Secretary, Technical Education, Skill Development & Employment, Government of Madhya Pradesh, emphasised the critical role of aligning with the industry requirement in skill development and technical education for a rapidly evolving job market. “All stakeholders in the skilling process need to take up the responsibility for suitably facilitating an environment where skilling happens with quality, utility, efficiency, sustainability and also provides timely access to everyone,” he said.

Shri Ved Mani Tiwari, CEO of NSDC and MD of NSDC International, said, “The initiative will transform the future of over 5 lakh students by giving them practical skills in fields like AI, cybersecurity, and others. By aligning education with industry needs, we are preparing our youth to lead India's technological revolution. Through quality training, industry partnerships, and proper assessment, we are taking concrete steps towards Prime Minister Modi's vision of making India the skill capital of the world."

Smt. Nupur Bahl, Head, Skilling, Reliance Foundation, said, “At Reliance Foundation, we believe that future-ready skills are not just about adapting to change — they are about leading it. Through our partnership with NSDC and higher education institutions across the country, we are expanding access to high-quality skills trainings that empower young people. Together, we aim to build a workforce that is agile, resilient, and equipped to thrive in the jobs of tomorrow."

The Future Ready Skills Initiative aims to drive the establishment of placement cells, international certification alignments, industry partnerships, and online student outreach. For effective delivery of courses, a series of Training of Trainers (ToT) programmes will be conducted for lecturers and professors in identified higher education institutions. Students also earn credits from their institutions up on course completion. So far, the Future Ready Skills Initiative has reached more than 1 lakh youth in various other parts of the country.

At the conclave in Bhopal, experts discussed key issues such as aligning education with industry advancements, updating curricula to integrate emerging technologies, strengthening industry-academia collaboration, and emphasising soft skills.

Panellists included Shri Niraj Sahay, Director, External Relations, SSRGSP; Shri Alok Kumar, CEO, NSDC International; Smt. Nupur Bahl, Head, Skilling, Reliance Foundation; Dr. Sudhir S Bhadoria, Director, University Institute of Technology, RGPV; Shri Vijay Bajpai, CHRO, Symbiotic Pharmalab Pvt Ltd; and Prof. (Dr.) Lt Gen R K Anand, COO, KEDMAN.

Students shared their skilling journeys with the Future Ready Skills Initiative, highlighting the critical role the initiative plays in empowering youth with real-world, industry-relevant skills.

To access courses under the Future Ready Skills Initiative, visit Reliance Foundation Skilling Academy www.rfskillingacademy.com.

About NSDC

Giving boost to Indian Government Skill India Mission, NSDC, a nodal skill development agency, working under the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Government of India, is a unique Public Private Partnership (PPP) that aims to catalyze the creation of a large and quality vocational training ecosystem in India. Since inception, NSDC has trained over three crore people in different sectors through its collaboration with training partners pan India. NSDC has established 37 Sector Skill Councils (SSCs) and implements the Government's flagship skill development schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS), among others. NSDC also funds enterprises, companies and organizations that provide skill training. The organization enables private-sector capacity building in skill development by offering concessional loans, other innovative financial products, and strategic partnerships. For more information, please visit https://nsdcindia.org.

*This is the second in a series of convenings by Reliance Foundation and United Nations India, to share best practices, for India's future readiness in Disaster Risk Management

*Stakeholders from multiple Indian states and countries in the Global South came together

*Localised, sector-based Early Warning Systems, lessons and best practices from Gujarat discussed

*Learnings from India and the Global South on Anticipatory Action and the need to reach last-mile populations, focus of discussions

Bhuj, March 25, 2025: Experts called for bold and transformative actions for future readiness in Disaster Risk Management systems at the Reliance Foundation and the United Nations India convening here on Tuesday. The event 'Early Warning and Early Action - A Multi-Hazard, Multi-Stakeholders Approach: Experiences, Learning & Sharing' fostered crucial discussions and knowledge sharing to enhance disaster risk management in India.

Reliance Foundation and the UN in India have partnered to foster regional learning and innovative solutions in disaster risk reduction. As part of this partnership, a series of convenings are being held to enhance Early Warning Systems and Early Action with multi-hazard, localised, and sector-based approaches, emphasising the translation of warnings into effective life-saving actions.

The second in the series of convenings, was held at the Smritivan Earthquake museum in Bhuj. The city that has demonstrated remarkable resilience through devastating earthquakes and cyclones, provided a relevant setting for the discussions.

In her keynote address, Dr Jayanti S Ravi, Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Gujarat, emphasised the need for bold steps for the sake of the current generation and generations to come. “Kutch has faced multitude disasters from devastating earthquakes and cyclones to floods. Something very special about the culture of the state is its resilience as Kutchis are very resourceful. As we discuss mutual learnings, we also celebrate and take away special attributes of the people that we learn from. Even as these convenings enrich our own library of learnings, inspired by the vision of the Hon Prime Minister, we want this venue, Smritivan, to go further, to becoming a multi-hazard preparation, planning and training centre for social and behaviour change. This is the vision that we can collectively work towards, as part of 'Smritivan 2'," she said.

Mr Anupam Anand, IAS, CEO, Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority, mentioned the context of the Sendai framework and the PM's 10-point agenda for DRR reflecting on how Gujarat had made significant strides, with multi-departmental coordination integrated into state-level plans at the state, district and taluka level. In the case of Cyclone Biparjoy, for example, departments collaborated effectively to ensure zero casualty and economic loss.

The UN Resident Co-ordinator in India, Mr Shombi Sharp said, “Over 1.2 billion people could be displaced globally by 2050 due to extreme weather and natural disasters. Disaster risk, however, is not just about nature; it is about preparedness, speed and effectiveness of early warning and early action. The convening, part of the broader partnership between the UN in India and the Reliance Foundation, seeks to help strengthen multi-hazard, multi-stakeholder approaches for anticipatory action in our new reality of climate change. It is apt that this conversation is happening in Gujarat, a state where the UN has been a steadfast partner and that faces numerous natural hazards, but has also demonstrated excellence in preparedness and response. Through these convenings, we hope for a much stronger focus, sharing from India's experiences and best practices with countries in the global South and learning from experiences abroad. Together we can ensure that every life, every livelihood and every future is protected. Saath hai, to saambhav hai."

Mr Sudarshan Suchi, Chief Development Officer at Reliance Foundation said, “At Reliance Foundation, we understand that building true disaster resilience requires a collective effort. Through this series of convenings, we underscore our commitment to collaboration across sectors. We aim to create a platform for sharing vital knowledge and innovative solutions by harnessing the power of technology and data, so we can empower vulnerable communities to withstand future challenges. From the Bhuj earthquake to Biparjoy, Reliance has been with the state of Gujarat at every turn. From innovation to community engagement, from swift action to strong partnerships, all our actions are guided by Reliance's overarching 'We Care' philosophy."

Key dignitaries and speakers included Mr Anand Babulal Patel, IAS., District Collector, Kutch and Lt. Col. Sanjeev Kumar Shahi, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). Representatives from the Government of Gujarat, NDMA, GSDMA, GIDM, UN agencies, civil society organisations shared learnings and solutions. A field visit to Rapargarh and Jakhau the previous day, and a curated walk through the Smritivan Museum during the event, emphasised importance of early localised action.

Impact-based early warning system technology, lessons from the Global South, anticipatory action strategies and slow-onset disasters like drought and protection of livestock were discussed. Participants emphasised the need to invest in community response capacity and disability inclusion.

The previous convening in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha, in November 2024, had highlighted the state response and focus on livelihoods and gender. The Bhuj convening went another step forward to call for multi-sectoral coordination and a deeper understanding of technology.

The 'Early Warning to Early Action' convening series will document best practices, identify innovations, and aim for impactful policy-level outcomes to save lives and livelihoods. The Bhuj convening concluded with a call to step up momentum for early warning solutions to enhance disaster preparedness in India to ensure that no one is left behind.