CNN Central News & Network–ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: Even as it gears up for what is set to be India’s biggest IPO ever at around 25,000 crore rupees, Hyundai India on Monday afternoon made it clear that there are some things that are more important than money. Like, having a heart in the right place.
The Gurugram-based automaker announced that it has onboarded 20 para athletes for a period of three years under its Samarth Para-Sports programme. The initiative launched late last year is aimed at structured support to para-athletes including financial aid, expert sports science guidance, access to assistive devices, soft skill development assistance and mentorship from renowned coaches and experts.
“We are committed to fostering a world where each individual can contribute meaningfully,” said Hyundai India managing director Unsoo Kim, adding, “This aligns with our vision of ‘Progress for Humanity’ and aims to foster an inclusive society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.”
Hyundai has tied up with the NGO GoSports Foundation which has worked in institutionalised support to para-athletes. The 20 athletes selected through a nationwide process range across eight key sport categories: Para-athletics, para-swimming, para-badminton, wheelchair tennis, para-archery, para-rowing, para-canoeing and para-cycling. The selected athletes who will receive resources and mentorship will excel at a global level include the likes of polio-afflicted Yash, a bronze winner at world para-canoeing championships who has qualified for the upcoming Paris Paralympics, as well as Shreyansh, national 100 metres sprint winner and a medal hopeful at Paris.
Hyundai has been active in empowering people with disabilities on a big scale, especially since the launch of the Samarth by Hyundai initiative. Its company website is user-friendly for people with disabilities as are most of its dealer showrooms across the country. Additionally, Hyundai India had recently developed and introduced Turn Plus, a swivel seat accessory that can move almost 360 degrees so that a person in a wheelchair can easily slip into the passenger seat. In a note, the company said that it is committed to introducing more such devices.