New Delhi (NVI): Children can now play badminton even after sunset at five playgrounds in rural government schools in Haryana’s Mewat district, thanks to the illumination done by Signify, a leader in lighting, under its CSR programme called ‘Khel Jyoti’.
These playgrounds have badminton courts that are illuminated using high-mast LED lighting, powered by solar energy. The programme has benefitted more than 1,200 school children and will create more opportunities for young sportsmen.
Signify has partnered with the Gurgaon-based SRF Foundation for this project, which will be further expanded to 18 more playgrounds in the same district in its next phase, potentially benefiting an additional 5,000 students, according to a statement issued by the company.
Under the Khel Jyoti program, Signify (Euronext: LIGHT) seeks to create opportunities for young and budding sports talent to play for longer hours even after sunset and enhance their skills by lighting up their playgrounds. It also aims to strengthen a child’s physical fitness and holistic development.
“Even though India is a country of 1.3 billion people, it has only produced a handful of Olympians and talented sportsmen owing to lack of adequate sporting facilities. With more than half of its population under the age of 25, there is a lot of potential for India to leverage its demographic advantage and create its mark in international sports in the future,” said Natasha Tandon, Head – Integrated Communications and CSR for Signify in India.
“At Signify, our vision is to unlock the extraordinary potential of light for brighter lives and a better world. By illuminating their playgrounds using solar power, we enable budding athletes to come out and play even after sunset and practice their sport more rigorously without any constraints,” she added.
Dr. Suresh Reddy, Director, SRF Foundation said, “SRF Foundation has been working in 42 government schools across 19 villages in Nuh block, Mewat district of Haryana for the past decade. Our students have represented their block at both District and State Level Badminton Competitions and have secured leading positions in all the categories consistently.”
He added, “We are delighted to facilitate Signify’s ‘Khel Jyoti’ Program as it enables our students to enhance their expertise and actualize their expanding potential in badminton even during the evening hours.”
