Latest news with #Anandana
Hans India
05-07-2025
- General
- Hans India
Anandana – The Coca-Cola India Foundation Launched ‘Used PET Bottle-Free Puri Rath Yatra 2025'
To drive collective action on waste management in Puri, Odisha; Anandana, The Coca-Cola India Foundation, in collaboration with Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages (HCCB), Puri Municipality, District Administration (Puri), Odisha Development Management Programme (ODMP), and Y4D Foundation launched the 'Used PET Bottle-Free Puri Rath Yatra 2025' initiative. The launch ceremony commenced on 26th June 2025 with a used PET bottle clean-up drive from Digabareni Square to Swargadwar, in the esteemed presence of Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia, Hon'ble Minister for Forest, Environment and Climate Change, Government of Odisha; Jayanta Kumar Sarangi, Former Member of Odisha Legislative Assembly; and Shri Abhimanyu Behera, Executive Officer, Puri Municipality. As part of the Maidaan Saaf campaign, nearly 200 volunteers were deployed to collect used PET bottles and raise awareness among the visitors on responsible waste management practices. Over 200 PET collection bins were installed across select high-footfall areas in the city. Additionally, 10 help desks, manned by trained vendors, were set up at strategic locations intended to guide and educate visitors on eco-friendly disposal practices. Recognizing the initiative, Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia, Hon'ble Minister for Forest, Environment and Climate Change, Government of Odisha, stated, "The Puri Rath Yatra is one of Odisha's most revered and high-footfall events. It is our collective responsibility to ensure it remains clean and environmentally sustainable. I commend the efforts of Anandana, The Coca-Cola India Foundation, Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages (HCCB), and their partners for launching this meaningful initiative. By engaging communities and deploying practical waste management solutions, they've set a strong example of how collaboration drives real change on the ground." Delete Edit Commenting on the effort, Devyani R L Rana, Vice President – Public Affairs, Communications & Sustainability, Coca-Cola India and Southwest Asia, said, 'Coca-Cola India is humbled to support the city of Puri by enabling used-PET bottle collection across public areas. Along with our partners, every element of this initiative has been designed in alignment with the city's needs and built on the principle of collective action. We see this as an opportunity to contribute to a larger purpose, and to do it with intent. Integrating the Maidaan Saaf campaign into this initiative, demonstrates how innovative recycling solutions can be deployed to encourage visitors to adopt eco-friendly practices." With a focus on creating a social impact, Himanshu Priyadarshi, Chief Public Affairs and Sustainability Officer, HCCB, stated, 'As we rejoice in a grand cultural and social celebration in Puri, that brings together people from across the country, we recognize our shared responsibility to care for the host city. Our 'Green Sweep' initiative is built on the principles of environmental stewardship, where strategic collection points play a pivotal role in collecting, segregating, and transporting used-PET bottles to recyclers. With the trained safai sathis and engaging traditional storytelling through Nukkad Natak in Odia, we aim to make the celebration in Puri free of used PET bottles, together with Anandana, The Coca-Cola India Foundation, and the Odisha government." A series of community-focused clean-up activities included a beach clean-up drive near GM Law College in Penthakotta and a plog run from Gundicha Temple to Badasankha. These collective efforts reflect a shared responsibility to environmental stewardship and demonstrate how collaboration between civic bodies, corporate partners, and local communities can drive meaningful change.
Hans India
26-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
The Coca-Cola India Foundation Brings Drinking Water Access to Ayodhya Through New Water ATMs
In a continued effort to strengthen public access to drinking water infrastructure, Anandana, The Coca-Cola India Foundation, in partnership with SM Sehgal Foundation, a rural development organization, and Ayodhya Nagar Nigam, has supported the installation of community Water ATMs across key locations in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. These Water ATMs have been strategically placed in high-footfall areas identified that need reliable water access. Each Water ATM is directly connected to the Nagar Nigam municipal supply and supported by overhead storage tanks to ensure continuity. The water passes through Reverse Osmosis (RO) filtration and is stored in stainless steel chilled tanks and dispensed through hygienic public taps mounted on the kiosk exteriors—offering easy access to clean drinking water throughout the day for residents and visitors alike. Rajiv Gupta, Director, The Coca-Cola India Foundation, said, "Access to drinking water is a fundamental pillar of public health and community well-being. Our partnership with Ayodhya Nagar Nigam and the SM Sehgal Foundation is a strategic initiative that demonstrates our commitment to help improving water accessibility in the region through better infrastructure and local collaboration." Anjali Makhija, Trustee and CEO, S M Sehgal Foundation said, "Water is vital, and through our collaboration with Anandana, The Coca-Cola India Foundation, we help create solutions for communities. The installation of water ATMs in Ayodhya marks a significant step towards ensuring access to hydration, especially in a city that welcomes millions of pilgrims and visitors each year." Santosh Sharma, Municipal Commissioner, Ayodhya Nagar Nigam said, "This initiative underscores the positive role of public-private partnerships in enhancing urban infrastructure. Together with Coca-Cola India Foundation, we're addressing the need for reliable drinking water across key areas in Ayodhya, benefiting both residents and visitors. By strengthening the city's water access, this effort is a crucial part of our broader commitment to improving civic amenities and ensuring a sustainable, community-centered development." This latest initiative builds on the foundation's legacy of water stewardship. Through initiatives like Project Jaldhara, Anandana and the SM Sehgal Foundation have implemented water conservation and access projects across several water-stressed regions including Kolar in Karnataka, Anantapur in Andhra Pradesh, and Aurangabad in Maharashtra. These efforts have included check dam construction, desilting of traditional tanks, and decentralized drinking water systems that have directly benefitted over a million people across India. In Ayodhya, this effort continues that journey—supporting local governance, easing pressure on existing infrastructure, and enabling safe water access for all, regardless of background or status.
