Gurugram: A sign language interpreter at a corporate event in India is a rare sight, but Hyundai Motor India Foundation took special care to put its best foot forward in displaying its inclusive practices. At its swanky headquarters in Gurugram, accessibility ramps, interpreters, and assistance for the blind were promptly available for the company’s ‘Samarth’ initiative on 8 July.
As part of the project, HMIF tied up with Bengaluru-based NGO GoSports Foundation to support 20 para-athletes competing at various national and international levels for the next three years. Athletes present at the event told ThePrint that a sum of Rs 11 lakh to be disbursed annually has been promised to them.
It was a typical corporate event with Hyundai’s top management personnel reading from immaculately written brief speeches in corporatespeak about the initiative and its importance. As is common for any event associated with celebrating the achievements of persons with disabilities, the words ‘inspiring’ and ‘motivating’ were thrown around frequently.
“I am sure these athletes will inspire countless others with their determination and courage and make India proud,” Unsoo Kim, managing director, said.
Shah Rukh Khan, the long-running brand ambassador of Hyundai, was invoked time and again in photographs and shown in brand films. “This initiative is very close to my heart,” Khan is heard saying in one such film.
The para-sports persons included Paralympians, para-athletics players, para-badminton players as well as wheelchair tennis players. The players hail from Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, and Karnataka. They sat in front rows wearing white T-shirts, branded with the logo of the Samarth programme. The Paralympians were felicitated on stage with a small memento and cheque.
“I only have my mother with me, my father is not there. This will help me support my family while pursuing my dreams. I am extremely happy,” Chirag, a para-athlete from New Delhi, told ThePrint.
The athletes enjoyed their time in the spotlight as they spoke about their vision and ambition to different media houses, posed for photographs and mingled with the top management of Hyundai.
Establishing a platform for the talented
Samarth initiative was launched by HMIF in association with Samartham Trust for the Disabled in late 2023 as part of its corporate social responsibility. Under this initiative, Hyundai says it aims to make its website, dealerships across the country, as well as cars friendly for persons with disabilities. It has introduced ‘turn plus’, which are swivel seats in their cars to ensure easier seating inside the vehicle. The programme is endorsed by Shah Rukh Khan.
GoSports Foundation is a national award-winning sports foundation that has represented 30 Paralympians, 15 Olympians and 10 Paralympic medal winners in the past.
Of the 20 sponsorships offered by Hyundai, 15 have been given to emerging athletes (aged 13 and above) and six to elite athletes (aged 16 and above).
At the event, the most organic speech was perhaps given by Deepthi Bopiah, CEO of GoSports, who recalled the 19-people-strong Indian contingent at the 2016 Paralympics. Bopiah mentioned that this was the largest contingent ever by India–to sparse applause–silenced by the next factoid–China’s contingent had more than 300 athletes. India’s para-athletes had a floor in the Olympic village for themselves, while Chinese athletes occupied two buildings.
“We aim to establish a platform for young and talented para-athletes to thrive and reach the pinnacle of para-sports, Paralympics,” she said.
In the 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo, India sent 54 athletes, almost three times bigger than the 2016 Brazil summer Paralympics. In 2024, there are reportedly 65 qualified competitors.