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Indian Express
a day ago
- Business
- Indian Express
IIT Madras, SBI Foundation to offer sports scholarship to para-athletes
The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) and SBI Foundation have partnered to launch Para Athlete Sports Scholarship programme. The scholarship programme is aimed at empowering 100 para-athletes across India. The programme seeks to provide selected athlete with a monthly stipend of Rs 40,000 each, supporting their journey toward National and International sporting excellence. Further, scientific training will also be provided under this initiative. Read More | IIT-Madras to offer mentorship, support to students admitted through FACE, ScOpE By combining financial support with scientific training, the scholarship ensures that para-athletes have access to the resources, data, and mentorship they need to compete at the highest level, an IIT Madras statement said. The goal, IIT Madras says, is to create a robust ecosystem of support and inclusivity in Indian sport, while building a strong pipeline for events like the Paralympics and other international events for para athletes. This marks a significant step forward in recognising and nurturing the potential of differently-abled athletes, aligning with both institutions' shared vision of inclusive growth and excellence, it added. The technical assistance for this initiative is being provided by Acrophase, an IIT Madras Center of Excellence for Human Performance under the leadership of Prof. Mohanasankar Sivaprakasam. The programme was formally launched on August 14 in the presence of Sanjay Prakash, Managing Director and CEO, SBI Foundation, and other stakeholders. Lauding the funding support, Professor Ashwin Mahalingam, Dean (Alumni and Corporate Relations), IIT Madras, said, 'At IIT Madras, we deeply value our partnership with SBI Foundation and the opportunities it creates. The Para Athlete Sports Scholarship program is clearly aligned with the values of diversity and inclusion in sports that we have been championing over the years. It levels the playing field for para-athletes by opening up avenues for them to aspire, dream and grow on both the National and International stage.'
The Hindu
22-07-2025
- The Hindu
Sustainable rice production: 10,000 farmers to receive DSR training from IIRR
Nearly 10,000 paddy farmers will soon undergo training in village and campus settings under the 'Promotion of Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) for Sustainable Rice Production' project launched by the Indian Institute of Rice Research (IIRR) with financial support from the SBI Foundation. 'We are conducting this training for farmers to promote mechanised Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) for sustainable rice production and improve farmers' income in the erstwhile Khammam and Nalgonda districts on a pilot basis. As part of this project, funded under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative by SBI Foundation, 500 selected farmers will also receive field-level support, including seed support and pest management,' said Director of ICAR-IIRR, R.M. Sundaram. Two vehicles, 'SBI Kisan Sarathi' and 'SBI Krishi Darshan', were flagged off to support DSR training activities on Monday. While 'Kisan Sarathi' provides free transportation for farmers to attend trainings at ICAR-IIRR and KVKs, 'Krishi Darshan' is a mobile awareness campaign vehicle equipped with audio-visual aids and a dedicated trainer conducting village-level training sessions and offering soil testing kit support. According to the Director of ICAR-IIRR, the IoT-enabled Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) sensors are installed in fields to monitor water levels in real-time and optimise irrigation practices as part of the project. A rainout shelter equipped with automated weather sensors has been established for training and research on DSR production at the ICAR-IIRR Hyderabad campus. SBI Foundation Managing Director, Sanjay Prakash, said that the foundation is committed to promoting sustainable agricultural practices through its CSR initiative. The project was informally launched during the last Yasangi season in these districts, and training will be provided to farmers over a period of another year. IIRR is also developing 12 paddy varieties suitable for the DSR method. What is Direct Seeded Rice? Direct Seeded Rice is a method of rice cultivation where seeds are sown directly in the field without raising a nursery and transplanting seedlings. It can be practiced in two main ways: sowing rice seeds directly in dry soil using a seed drill attached to a tractor before the onset of monsoon, or sprouting rice seeds and broadcasting them manually or using a drum seeder or tractor-mounted seed drills in wet fields. According to a senior scientist, in both methods, seed requirement is only 8-10 kg per acre, nearly 8-10 kg less than traditional transplanting, saving ₹400-₹500 per acre. Additionally, the absence of transplanting reduces dependency on labour, addressing labour shortages and lowering planting costs by ₹4,000-₹5,000 per acre. Since DSR avoids transplanting shock, the crop matures 10 days earlier, providing an opportunity for timely commencement of the second crop.
Hans India
12-07-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Promoting wellness in slums through healthcare services
Visakhapatnam: Thereis a need to build a joyful society through promoting good health, said S Vikas Balaraju, the director of Nature organisation. Briefing about the organisation's initiative here on Friday, Vikas Balaraju stated that voluntary organisation is providing healthcare services to the public in 20 urban slum areas of Visakhapatnam district through the SBI Sanjeevani project. The initiative has been taken up in collaboration with the SBI Foundation. On Friday, an awareness camp was organised at Relli Veedhi. About 193 people took part in the camp held in the presence of GVMC staff, ward members, secretariat personnel, and health workers. A mobile medical unit consisting of Dr Aditya Ranganath Vempala, Mounika, pharmacist, Parvathi, lab technician, among others, reached out to the residents of the locality. As part of the medical services, a dedicated team comprising a doctor, pharmacist, lab technician, staff nurse, and vehicle operator visit the urban slum areas twice a month, conduct health checkups and blood tests. Those, who need further treatment, will be referred to relevant government hospitals, thereby helping many families lead healthy lives, the director of the organisation informed. So far, the project has provided various healthcare services to 1,603 people, he added. According to the project coordinator, sanitation drives, awareness camps, and a mega specialised medical camp are organised once in three months to ensure healthcare services are accessible to slum dwellers and residents in rural areas.
The Hindu
19-06-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
Initiative to transform science education for primary school students in Raichur
In a major step towards strengthening science education in rural India, Prayoga Institute of Education Research has partnered with the State Bank of India Foundation (SBIF) and SBI Funds Management Private Limited to expand its flagship Kriya programme to 12 government schools in Raichur district. The collaboration, officially launched at Government Model Primary School in Station Bazaar, Raichur, on June 17, is part of SBIF's Integrated Learning Mission (ILM) titled Reimagining Science Education. Block Education Officer, Raichur, Eranna Kosagi, SBI Foundation Managing Director Sanjay Prakash and Prayoga Managing Trustee Vallish Herur were among those present at the launch in Raichur, along with teachers and education officers at both block and cluster levels. Sanjay Prakash stated that the partnership is a significant step towards bridging the educational gap in rural India. 'By providing quality science education and the necessary resources, we are enabling students to experience science in a practical and engaging manner. We believe this initiative will inspire students in Raichur to pursue careers in science,' he said. Vallish Herur added that that Prayoga would, through the Kriya programme, like to provide government school children in Raichur an opportunity to explore science in engaging, hands-on ways. 'Science, when learnt experientially, enables students to build capabilities beyond textbooks. With support from the SBI Foundation and encouragement from local education authorities, we aim to create a brighter future for children in Raichur. The initiative aligns with Prayoga's mission of improving education quality through research-driven practices tailored to the Indian context. Marking its 10th year, the institute continues to focus on strengthening STEM education, especially in underserved regions, through scalable and sustainable programmes,' he said. The organisers said that the Kriya programme, which had already impacted over 11,000 students across 77 schools in Karnataka, focuses on experiential learning in science. It is designed for students from classes 6 to 10, and aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 by emphasising hands-on scientific inquiry and critical thinking.
Hans India
18-06-2025
- General
- Hans India
Book launch to herald revival of water heritage in Moodbidri
Moodbidri: In a significant step toward documenting and celebrating a decade-long grassroots environmental movement, the book 'Lakes and Tanks of Jaina Kashi—Moodbidri' will be officially released on June 18 in Moodbidri. The book captures the remarkable journey of a small heritage town in coastal Karnataka that has led a modern-day Bhagiratha effort to rejuvenate its ancient lakes and tanks. Of the town's 18 historically significant water bodies, 13 are currently under various stages of rejuvenation, with five already restored to their original vitality—just in time for the monsoon. The book, a collaborative initiative supported by the SBI Foundation, Rotary Club, CDD India, and several citizen groups, documents the town's struggle and success in reviving water bodies that had been forgotten or neglected for decades.
