CSR Initiative by RBL Bank’s Umeed 1000 Cyclothon Culminates in Bengaluru

Umeed 1000 Cycothon, a CSR initiative by RBL Bank, which was flagged off in Mumbai on November 30, 2018, has culminated at Manipal Global Academy of BFSI campus in Thanisandra. The closing ceremony was attended by DGP of Karnataka Police – Neelamani Raju along with India Cricketer Gautam Gambhir in the presence of Rajeev Ahuja, Executive Director – RBL Bank and Ravi Panchanadan, MD & CEO – Manipal Global Education Services.

Jasmeet S. Gandhi, a cycling enthusiast passionate towards contributing for girl child education, along with RBL Bank employees, led the Cyclothon to garner funds for Udbhav School in Hyderabad. Cyclothon, which was flagged off in Mumbai rallied across varied cities of Pune, Satara, Kolhapur, Belagavi, Hubballi, Ranibennuru, Tumkur and Bengaluru. 50 participants from Karnataka Special Reserve Police also joined from Belagavi to extend their support.

Speaking on the occasion, Neelamani Raju, DGP of Karnataka Police said, “We are proud to be associated with such a noble cause. I congratulate RBL Bank and Manipal Global Education for taking up this cause and making a difference in the lives of the underprivileged young girls. I wish them all the very best and I am sure this will bring the much needed change in our society.”

Addressing the gathering, Gautam Gambhir said, “This is indeed an initiative which will bring in a huge wave of change. Children are the future of our nation and thus it is imperative to educate every child for a better India. RBL Bank employees have showcased phenomenal grit and determination by cycling 1000 kms to raise awareness and funds for girl child education. My good wishes to Umeed 1000.” 

Umeed 1000 was launched by RBL Bank as a CSR initiative in 2014. This year RBL Bank is supporting the IIMAAA Hyderabad Chapter Charitable trust to build and support another underprivileged school in Fatehnagar that has been catering to the education needs of students coming from urban slums in the vicinity.

Rajeev Ahuja, Executive Director – RBL Bank said, “Promoting education has always been a significant CSR pillar of the Bank. Umeed 1000 which started as a vision in 2014 has now culminated into a movement aimed towards providing access to quality education to the girl child of our nation. As an organisation, we stand united to support this noble cause and spread awareness of the plight of girl children. The entire time at RBL Bank is extremely proud of the cyclists who have braved this 1000 kms journey from Mumbai to Bengaluru to sponsor the education of the students at Udbhav School.”

Shanta Vallury Gandhi, Head - HR, CSR and Internal Branding, RBL Bank said, “Manipal Global Academy has always partnered with RBL Bank to encourage and advocate education for the development of the nation. Umeed 1000 is another such step to lift the social and economic plight of girls from the weaker sections by providing them with a holistic education and opportunities for personal growth. We would like to thank and extend our appreciation to Manipal Global Academy of BFSI for hosting the closing ceremony of this event. We congratulate the cyclists from RBL Bank along with lead cyclist Jasmeet Gandhi who have tested their endurance and overcome challenges to raise funds for these students and help them lead their lives with freedom, dignity and equality.”

Speaking on this occasion Ravi Panchanandan, MD & CEO of Manipal Global Education Services said, “We are priviledged to host the closing ceremony of Umeed 1000 which has brought new hope and a wave of change in the lives of underprivileged girls who are deprived of basic education. Manipal Global Education Services has been providing education by nurturing talent and providing the right platform for students to give them the ability to realise their career dreams. We constantly strive towards excellence in bringing nothing but the best on table for all our students. Though urban education has grown rapidly, underprivileged children are denied basic education. We must strive to provide education in order to make them productive members of the society and I think this is the perfect way to do it. My heartiest congratulations to RBL Bank for putting up brilliant efforts.”

S.Viswanathan, President IIMA AA, Bangalore Chapter said “ Education of the girl child should be one of the highest priorities in our education system. The literacy levels as with several other social measures are heavily skewed in favour of males - 81 %  against 65 % at the last count - and corrective measures are urgently needed to set right these injustices in our predominantly patriarchal society. I'm privileged to be associated with Udbhav who are doing their bit to restore this anomaly. I and the  IIMA AA Bangalore Chapter will be glad to participate  in events like Umeed and assist Udbhav in any other manner  in their endeavours now and in the future. I wish them all the best in their plans for spreading this initiative to other cities and in increasing  the number of beneficiaries to 10000 from the current level of 800 over the next few years. “