Tata Mumbai Marathon 2020 – Running For A Cause

The Tata Mumbai Marathon is not just about running the race and achieving or improving your race timings. But there is something more that attracts the Mumbaikars and participants from other cities. The event enables participants to provide support to various NGOs by raising funds for their causes. It’s all about giving back to society. Most of the Mumbaikars and participants from other cities participate to support various NGOs.

According to TMM website, the TMM 2020 has raised over Rs. 33 crores for 291 NGOs, making it the biggest philanthropic sporting platform in Asia. This year, around 54932 runners across India participated in this event. The previous year’s charity collections record was around INR 40.7 crores. The marathon galvanizes true sporting excellence through a strong commitment towards causes and communities.

The funds collected support myriad causes such as Education, Healthcare, Women Empowerment, Civic & Community Development, Livelihood, Animal Welfare & Environment, Art, Elderly initiatives across the country. One more evidence of the significance of the Tata Mumbai Marathon as a philanthropy platform is the record participation of 204 corporates and fielding 321 teams and 8,391 runners. For corporates, this event helps to achieve their CSR goals, promote activities such as team building and employee engagement.

In the past, I along with my better half, Varsha had participated in Dream Run to support the Nanhi Kali project. This year too, we successfully completed the Dream Run (5.9 km) at TMM 2020. Apart from enjoying the run, it was nice know about various NGOs and the work they do. The surprising part was to receive the participation medals for the first time 🙂

About Project Nanhi Kali

Nanhi Kali is one of India’s largest programmes enabling underprivileged girls to complete 10 years of schooling with dignity. The project was started by Mr. Anand Mahindra, Chairman Mahindra Group, in 1996 and is jointly managed by K.C. Mahindra Education Trust and Naandi Foundation. Over the last two decades, Project Nanhi Kali has educated more than 350,000 girls from economically and socially disadvantaged backgrounds and is currently supporting over 154,000 girls in 11 states of India.

The project provides girls with academic support for every school day, through Nanhi Kali Academic Support Centres, where trained tutors engage the girls in concept based learning. Digital tablets, preloaded with engaging audio-visual content in English and Maths, are provided to the girls at the Secondary School level.

In addition, every girl receives an annual school supplies kit comprising a school bag, shoes, socks, innerwear, a raincoat/pullover, stationery, notebooks and feminine hygiene products, all of which help her attend school. Through regular contact with the families of the girls and community stakeholders, the project creates conducive, girl-friendly ecosystems in tribal, rural and urban poor areas across India.

-> Know more about Nanhi Kali

-> Sponsor a Nanhi Kali

Here are some photos captured by me.

References:
1. Wikipedia – Mumbai Marathon
2. Tata Mumbai Marathon website
3. TMM Charity Docket 2019 Edition
4. Nanhi Kali

Also Read:
Mumbai Marathon 2019

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