Indian Oil launches Phase-IV of ‘Parivartan-Prison To Pride’ campaign

New Delhi: During the 74th Republic Day Celebrations, Indian Oil (Indian Oil Corporation Limited) launched the fourth phase of its successful social outreach "Parivartan-Prison To Pride" campaign that has emerged as a beacon of hope for thousands of inmates across prisons in India. Under this outreach, Indian Oil is facilitating training programs in various sports such as chess, basketball, badminton, volleyball and carrom across prisons in India to help improve the physical and mental well-being of inmates. In a special event on January 26, Indian Oil's Chairman SM Vaidya launched the 4th phase of the campaign across 17 new prisons in nine states. He also announced the rollout of "Nai Disha – Smile for Juvenile", which would extend the benefits to over 2500 young inmates at three Juvenile Correction Centres in Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai. Since its launch, Indian Oil's Parivartan has covered 37 Prisons spanning 20 states and 5 Union Territories, coaching over 1750 inmates in three phases.

Underlining the resounding success of this social outreach, Vaidya said, "Parivartan is built on Indian Oil's core value of care. It builds on our other welfare and rehabilitation measures for Prison Inmates, such as Fuel Stations run by inmates." Speaking on Indian Oil's newly launched Nai Disha endeavour, Vaidya added, "This outreach is very close to my heart. I look forward to thoughts and suggestions from the prison authorities on strengthening this outreach. As the Energy of India, we are well aware of our social responsibilities and reaching out to the future generation is among our foremost social priorities." Vaidya also elaborated on the plans to enhance the ecosystem for the welfare of Indian prison inmates, with a special focus on women prisoners.

The launch event, held on a hybrid platform, witnessed the participation of Prison Authorities from across the country, including DG (Prisons), Rajasthan BK Dak; Barnali Sharma (IG) Prisons, Assam; Dhanasekara Pandian, Jt Director, Dept of Social Service; Rahul Kanithikar, Superintendent, Children's Observation Home, Umarkhadi; Urmila Minz, Superintendent, District Jail, Puri; Akhilesh Tomar, Senior Superintendent, Jabalpur Central Jail and Dr P Vijayan, Central Prison and Correctional Home, Kannur.

The Prison Authorities were effusive in their appreciation for the Parivartan outreach and underscored it as a great platform that would catalyse the integration of inmates into society with dignity and respect. The authorities also expressed their delight at the launch of Nayi Disha and expressed the hope that the vehicle of sports would impart critical life lessons while infusing joy in young inmates.

Referring to the evolved welfare programs at Indian Prisons, BK Dak said that Indian Oil's sports coaching program is strengthening the reformation mechanism for prisoners. Ms Barnali Sharma appreciated how Indian Oil is creating a lasting impact by reaching out to the most vulnerable sections of society. Speaking on the launch of 'Nayi Disha' Rahul Kanithikar and Dhanasekara Pandian expressed their gratitude to Indian Oil for introducing such a unique sports coaching program which will help juveniles address mental problems through physical activities. They elaborated on how this program will help children to gain back their confidence and become responsible citizens again.

The event also witnessed the participation of leading Indian Oil sports persons who will be catalysing the outreach programmes. They include carrom stars Kajal Kumari and K Srinivas; Chess icons Soumya Swaminathan, Murali Karthikeyan, Mary Ann Gomes, and Padmini Rout; Tennis player Rushmi Chakravarthy; Hockey star Aarmaan Kureshi and Badminton player Jaseel Ismail.

Under Parivartan outreach, conceived by Vaidya, inmates are provided with sporting equipment and are empowered with focused coaching by International-level sportspersons from IndianOil. The phenomenal impact of the campaign came to the forefront when the Chess Team of inmates from Pune Yerawada Prison emerged as the first Indian team ever to secure a Bronze medal at the Intercontinental Chess For Freedom Online Championship for Prisoners, organised by FIDE (World Chess Federation) in 2022.

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