Tag: Anandana

  • Water ATMs flow hope in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

    Water ATMs flow hope in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

    MUMBAI: Making a splash in rural Maharashtra! Community-managed Water ATMs are transforming life in ten villages of Phulambri block, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Installed by Anandana, The Coca-Cola India Foundation in partnership with the S M Sehgal Foundation, these kiosks deliver safe, affordable drinking water while boosting groundwater recharge and strengthening local livelihoods.

    Part of Anandana’s Refreshing Difference campaign, the Water ATMs have already sparked real change. Digital films capture stories from residents who are seeing tangible benefits every day. Savitri, an Asha worker, shares how she no longer relies on unsafe water or expensive bottled supplies. Kalpana, an Anganwadi Sevika, highlights the relief women feel by avoiding long treks to fetch water. Meanwhile, Kailash, the Water Management Committee secretary, points to savings and improved livelihoods thanks to affordable water access.

    Other voices like Nanda and Yogesh describe fewer waterborne illnesses and healthier families, allowing more time for school and agriculture. These accounts reveal the human side of sustainable technology, showing how community engagement and partnership come together to make a real difference.

    S M Sehgal Foundation CEO Anjali Makhija said, “The Water ATMs provide families with daily access to safe water while our recharge initiatives improve local water security. This partnership offers long-term relief for villages.”

    Anandana director Rajiv Gupta added, “These Water ATMs are more than clean water. They restore dignity, support livelihoods, and create sustainable ecosystems. Through our Refreshing Difference campaign, we are proud to showcase the power of community partnerships.”

    Anandana and the Sehgal Foundation have been expanding safe drinking water access across India through Project Jaldhara, enhancing water availability in drought-prone regions and supporting agriculture and rural development in Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka.

    This initiative proves that a simple drop can ripple into lasting change, quenching more than just thirst in India’s villages. 
     

  • National women’s hockey league final round tees off with Coca-Cola India

    National women’s hockey league final round tees off with Coca-Cola India

    MUMBAI: The final showdown of India’s premier women’s hockey competition kicked off yesterday in Ranchi, as eight elite teams clash in a battle for national supremacy. The National Women’s Hockey League 2024-25, now in its climactic phase, runs until 28 March with backing from soft-drink behemoth Coca-Cola India and its charitable arm Anandana.

    Following a rollicking first phase last spring, the tournament continues to serve as both talent showcase and potential national team audition. The cream of Indian hockey—drawn from Hockey Haryana, Hockey Maharashtra, Hockey Jharkhand, Hockey Madhya Pradesh, Hockey Bengal, Hockey Mizoram, Manipur Hockey, and Hockey Association of Odisha—are slugging it out on the turf after qualifying through the 14th Senior Women National Championship.

    For Coca-Cola, the league forms part of its #SheTheDifference campaign, which aims to boost women’s participation in sports. The partnership delivers more than just fizzy drinks, providing specialized coaching, training kit, nutritional advice and tournament organization.

    “We are thrilled to host the final phase of the National Women’s Hockey League,” said Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey, barely containing his excitement. “This partnership is instrumental in elevating women’s hockey in India, providing young athletes with the resources and opportunities needed to excel.”

    Hockey India secretary general Bhola Nath Singh, , struck a similar tone, praising the “steadfast commitment” from Coca-Cola that has “created a strong foundation for female athletes.”

    The initiative represents more than mere corporate box-ticking for the beverage giant. “The National Women’s Hockey League is not just a tournament—it’s a platform that nurtures the next generation of women athletes,” explained Coca-Cola India Foundation  director Rajiv Gupta, waxing lyrical about the power of sport.

    Through their #SheTheDifference campaign—a name that would make even the most hardened marketing executive wince—Coca-Cola aims to inspire “more young women to break barriers and pursue their passion in sports.”

    Whether this corporate largesse helps India’s women hockey players match the gold-medal-winning exploits of their cinematic counterparts in “Chak De! India” remains to be seen. For now, all eyes are on Ranchi, where sticks are swinging, balls are flying, and dreams of national glory hang in the balance.

  • Artists and Coca-Cola India use comics to inspire change at Maha Kumbh 2025

    Artists and Coca-Cola India use comics to inspire change at Maha Kumbh 2025

    MUMBAI : At Maha Kumbh 2025, comics and visual art are driving a powerful environmental message, turning the event into a catalyst for change. Led by Gaysi Family in partnership with Coca-Cola India and its foundation Anandana, the Maidaan Saaf campaign brings together renowned artists, including Aravani Art Project and Priyankar Gupta, to craft compelling visual narratives. Through striking illustrations, the initiative promotes waste segregation, recycling, and recognition of sanitation workers, making sustainability both engaging and impactful.

    These illustrated panels, integrated into women’s changing rooms made from recycled plastic waste, span a 12-km stretch of the river ghats. They depict relatable characters and everyday scenarios, demonstrating the impact of responsible waste management. The initiative not only educates visitors but also highlights the dignity of sanitation workers, emphasizing how proper waste segregation supports their essential work.

    “Using art to communicate complex ideas in a simple, accessible way is key to inspiring behavioral change,” said Gaysi Family creative director Priya Dali. Illustrator Gupta added that comics, like traditional Patachitras, are powerful tools for mass communication.

    With millions attending the Maha Kumbh, Coca-Cola India’s ESG Value Creation senior director Saloni Goel, sees this as a unique opportunity to instill lasting environmental responsibility. “By blending art, culture, and sustainability, this campaign fosters meaningful shifts in public attitudes,” she stated.

    Through creative storytelling, the Maha Kumbh is not just witnessing history it’s shaping a more sustainable future.