“No country can really develop unless its citizens are educated. Any nation that is progressive is led by people who have had the privilege of studying.” — Nelson Mandela

Being a responsible metal & mining company, Hindustan Zinc has a strong focus towards uplifting the communities residing near its business locations. One such initiative is ‘Yashad Sumedha Scholarship Program’ where Hindustan Zinc is sponsoring engineering degree of select 87 students who belong to household having annual income of less than Rs 2.5 lakhs and have scored marks above 75%. Out of these 87 students, last year, 50 students were supported and this year too, HZL continues to support these existing 50 students’ scholarships along with awarding scholarships to 37 new students. Hindustan Zinc organized a Yashad Sumedha Scholarship Distribution Ceremony on 26th February, 2018 at Head Office, Udaipur.

Hindustan Zinc has been sponsoring students for several years and in this process, the company has partnered with Sumedha Foundation in identifying these selected students who are appearing in 1st and 2nd year of their Engineering degree in different Government Engineering Colleges located in 5 districts of Rajasthan – Udaipur, Bhilwara, Chittorgarh, Rajsamand & Ajmer.

Hindustan Zinc will be spending Rs 20 lakhs this year where the company will be paying partial annual fees of these students.

While addressing these students, Jayita Roy – Dy. HR Head, HZL emphasized on the importance of Education and how hard-work and right attitude along with the talent will help them in pursuing their dreams.

Before the event commenced, these students visited Nand Ghars at Debari, Udaipur that are constructed by Vedanta Hindustan Zinc in partnership with the Ministry of Women and Child Development. It is an extension to the existing Anganwadi initiative for providing a better environment to the children of India by addressing issues relating to pre-primary education, health care, nutrition and economic empowerment for women in rural India.

During the event, Mahesh Todkar – Head Projects, HZL spoke about Hindustan Zinc’s philosophy of giving back to the society and how this scholarship program is helping in giving both economical and moral support to Engineering students.

Neelima Khetan – Head CSR, HZL explained about the Yashad Scholarship Project that has been sponsoring students from last several years and how such program has given a platform to students to motivate others.

In rural areas, only 3.7% of males and a mere 1.6% of females have gone up to graduation or beyond. Also, only around 30% of Indian graduates are currently considered employable (at a graduate level). Yashad Sumedha Scholarship program is enabling academically brilliant and economically underprivileged students in India to complete their higher education in Engineering.

Pavan Kaushik – Head Corporate Communication, HZL informed “Hindustan Zinc through its educational programs like Shiksha Sambal, Unchi Udaan and other coaching programs to appear in Govt. Competitive Exams have always focussed on inclusive growth of students from rural background. ‘Yashad Sumedha’ is one such initiative where young minds are motivated financially to come forward and secure their future”.

Also present were, Sanjay Sharma – AVP HR, HZL, Rashmi Jain – Secretary, Sumedha Foundation, Mahendra Mehta – Board Member, Sumedha Foundation along with other HZL representatives during the program.