The MoU was signed by Sachin Tendulkar at a function in the presence of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis and Minister for Medical Education Girish Mahajan.

The Maharashtra government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Sachin Tendulkar appointing the former cricketer as the ‘Smile Ambassador’ for its oral hygiene campaign. The agreement is valid for five years. The campaign is a part of the Indian Dental Association’s push for oral health.

The MoU was signed at a function in the presence of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis and Minister for Medical Education Girish Mahajan.

Deputy CM: Sachin never endorses tobacco products

“While many celebrities are endorsing cancer-causing tobacco products, Sachin never does that. We are thankful to him for being the brand ambassador for our Swachh Mukh Abhiyan (oral hygiene campaign). Our aim is to send the message of oral hygiene to all the people of Maharashtra,” Fadnavis said.

Tendulkar says important to maintain good health

Tendulkar stressed the importance of maintaining good health. “When I was young I used to play many sports. I realised how a disciplined life is crucial to maintaining good health,” he said.

The Bharat Ratna awardee said he was proud to be part of the campaign and thanked the government for associating him with the drive. “Today is a special day for me… I thought that this initiative is so good that I need to be a part of it and contribute to it,” he added.

COLOMBO: Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar pitched for a nutrient-rich diet and quality education for children during his school visits in Sri Lanka where he also teamed up with people impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the country’s worst economic crisis.

Addressing an event, the iconic cricketer, in his role as UNICEF‘s Goodwill Ambassador, said, “Children are the future; if we support them today, they will make us proud tomorrow.”

Tendulkar said he was sorry to know that many households in Sri Lanka can’t afford to give quality and the quantity of food required by children.

“Many children suffer from stunting,” he said at an event hosted by UNICEF.

Tendulkar, 50, was appointed UNICEF Ambassador for South Asia in 2013 to advocate good hygiene and sanitation across the region.

“When I played school matches, the tendency was if I was batting at lunchtime not to have anything to eat. I would have a couple of soft drinks and a bat,” he said.

Tendulkar said he had to prepare differently when the playing standards got better. “This preparation was something I unknowingly ignored,” he said.

The cricketer later learned that not having a proper lunch impacted his view. “I got out after lunch at an important match, and the first thing I wanted to do was to eat,” he said, calling it a big lesson in nutrition.

“Children require a nutrient-rich diet and quality education to reach their full potential. By investing in their education and nutrition, we are not only investing in their future but also every country’s future,” said Tendulkar.

Pointing out that measures have been taken in India to tackle child malnutrition, Tendulkar said, “Something unique has started in India, which is local therapeutic foods, ready-to-eat packages.”

Through his role as a UNICEF Regional Goodwill Ambassador, Tendulkar has been committed to promoting child rights, protection, and development across the South Asian region.

“Children are the best teachers. They help us see (the) wisdom in the simplest of things. In this school situated in a serene Sri Lankan village, we observed compassion towards all beings,” Tendulkar posted on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

“All children take a few portions of food from their plates and keep it on a common plate – which is then served to birds. Such a beautiful thought on sharing, being grateful for our blessings and compassion. Something all of us can emulate,” he said.

On Monday, he visited the UNICEF programmes in the rural Sabaragamuwa province and met with children and parents impacted by the COVID-pandemic and the 2022 economic crisis.

Tendulkar also visited a preschool supported by UNICEF’s midday school meal programme and served children food.
“Every child should have the right to education. It is the foundation for every child,” Tendulkar stressed.

“When you spend time with children, you learn a lot of things”, Tendulkar said, recalling his days as a student and a cricketer. He also urged Sri Lankan children to play sports.

Tendulkar recalled warm memories associated with Sri Lanka during his earlier visits, both as a cricketer and as part of his engagements with UNICEF in 2015, a UNICEF press release said.

His last trip was in 2015 and was made to promote hand washing as a hygienic practice.

Tendulkar said he had been touring Sri Lanka since 1993 and had made many friends here, including Muttiah Muralitharan, the legendary Sri Lanka spinner.

Tendulkar, considered one of the greatest batsmen of all time in cricket, has been associated with UNICEF for over a decade for various causes.

In 2003, he was chosen to take the lead in the initiative to create awareness and promote polio prevention in India, according to UNICEF.

Later in 2008, he was roped in to create and promote hygiene and sanitation among communities and continues to do so over the years.

In 2019, he went on a three-day trip to Nepal to raise awareness for UNICEF Nepal’s ‘Bat for Brain Development’ campaign.

In his almost two-decade-long partnership with UNICEF, Tendulkar has been vital in furthering the campaigns, especially the ones aimed at providing a better future for underprivileged children.

“Together nations can do wonders, and that is the aim of my trip here. A brilliant learning experience for me, thank you so very much, UNICEF,” he said.

As the country’s economy makes gradual recovery, 3.9 million people, including children, are unable to afford adequate food, and 4.8 million children are struggling to keep learning.

COLOMBO/ KATHMANDU, 8 August 2023: Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar visited Sri Lanka in his role as the UNICEF South Asia Regional Goodwill Ambassador. Sachin visited UNICEF programmes in the Sabaragamuwa Province and met with children and parents impacted by the COVID-pandemic and the 2022 economic crisis.

Tendulkar recalled warm memories associated with Sri Lanka during his earlier visits, both as a cricketer and as part of his engagements with UNICEF in 2015. He lauded the efforts of all government and non-government organisations in their efforts towards bringing a positive change despite challenging environments.

During the field mission, Sachin visited a pre-school, supported by UNICEF’s ongoing mid-day school meal programme, and helped serve nutrient-rich food to children. Since August 2022, UNICEF’s midday meal programme has been providing nutritious meals to 50,000 preschool children in nearly 1,400 schools across the country. The meal programme has also helped boost pre-school attendance.

“Children require a nutrient-rich diet and quality education to reach their full potential. By investing in their education and nutrition, we are not only investing in their future but also every country’s future,” said Sachin.

At another school Tendulkar visited, he observed teaching and learning activities for grade 3 children where many students shared their desire to stay in school and follow their dreams. Sachin then joined the senior school girls and boys on the pitch for a game of cricket.

“The children I spoke with, are showing great tenacity, and their hope for a better future remains strong. We need to continue supporting them so they keep achieving their goals,” added Sachin.

Tendulkar also visited families living in plantations, to understand their lives better. As part of the support for economic recovery, UNICEF provided cash transfers to more than 110,000 families with children up to two years of age to buy nutritious foods and other vital supplies needed for their children.

Tendulkar also took time to speak to a group of young people from Sri Lanka, in a close ‘Cricket Catch-Ups’ session during which he shared his experiences growing up, in overcoming obstacles, remaining resilient and focused in pursuing his goal. These young people are a part of the UNICEF-supported Children’s Club network of the Department of Probation and Child Care Services.

Sachin Tendulkar was appointed as the first UNICEF Regional Goodwill Ambassador for South Asia in 2013. Since then, he has been playing a pivotal role in improving the lives of children in South Asia.

Sachin Tendulkar has been an advocate of women’s empowerment through sports for along time.

Sonali Sorenearned a call-up to a national training camp organised by the All India Football Federation camp for U-20 girls in Chennai last month.

Hailing from a poor tribal family in the Kalna region of east Burdwan, she had very few resources to continue her passion. But her dreams became a reality thanks to the support from the Sachin Tendulkar Foundation (STF).

The cricket maestro learnt about the plight of several girls of her ilk from Shreeja India, an NGO, and tied up with its Dhatrigram centre in mid-2022 as part of its ‘Football and Beyond’ programme.

Around 250 girls from 55 villages are enrolled under this sports-based education programme aimed at eradicating gender inequality and ensuring girls lead a life of dignity. The NGO also runs a similar facility in Birbhum.

“Shreeja India believes that sports (football) can be used as a powerful tool to engage, educate, enrich and thereby empower girls,” Somasree Basu, programme manager of Shreeja India, told The Telegraph.

“We are extremely grateful to STF for becoming our partner in this journey to empower girls. We especially want to thank his wife Anjali ji for being actively involved in assuring that every girl here gets wholesome nutritious food every single day,” Basu said.

The initiative provides intensive football coaching and out-of-school learning to the girls, who need support inbreaking away from evils of the society, including early marriage.

Tendulkar has been an advocate of women’s empowerment through sports for along time. STF supports the football programme which includes training, jerseys, nutritional support, education and other requirements.

“STF especially focuses on their nutrition. All the girls are served nutritious food every day,” Basu said.

Mumbai – With an aim to empower young students, Spreading Happiness InDiya Foundation (SHIF), a non-profit collaboration between cricketing icon Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar and Schneider Electric India is on a mission to provide access to digital education in more than 150 Rural Indian schools by 2025 under the SMITA Program. Through this association, they also aim to introduce the concept of Digi Green wherein they will provide access to digital education infrastructure powered by solar energy and create awareness among the children of the country about the conservation of energy and the environment.

The world is at the cusp of unfathomable risk due to the effects of climate change. Thus, it is critical that sustainable solutions are adopted at every step of the way, be it at a corporate level or at an individual scale. This requires a shift in mindset and an acknowledgment of our current times that is massively impacted by the ongoing climate crisis. Addressing two issues with a single solution, Spreading Happiness InDiya Foundation has come up with an innovative concept of solar-powered “Digi Green” classrooms that use the latest technologies to conduct virtual training for students. Through this seamless combination of solar energy and technology, the “Digi Green” classrooms are eco-forward and help save money for schools in terms of running costs, while also providing virtual training modes to optimize learning outcomes. Since these classrooms are run completely on solar power, it has a ‘net-zero’ carbon footprint, further enabling the schools to earn carbon credits.

Sharing his thoughts on the Digi Green program, Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar said, “Our goal through Spreading Happiness InDiya Foundation is to provide access to digital education to students in rural schools while creating awareness among them on the absolute need to build a ‘sustainable future’. This initiative is our contribution towards helping create a better world through responsible, aware, and active citizens of the future. Through Digi Green, we are leveraging the power of digital technologies to bring parity amongst rural and urban students in terms of access to modern means of education.”

To date, SHIF has supported 14,593 students from 81 schools across 6 districts in Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Karnataka under the SMITA program. In FY 22-23, the foundation plans to implement this initiative and set up Digi Green classrooms in 35 Rural Government Schools across different states of India benefiting more than 8,000 students.

Access to quality education is the main driver for the development of society. Emphasizing the need to develop modern education infrastructure, Anil Chaudhry, Zone President, India and CEO & MD, Schneider Electric India Pvt. Ltd.-, said, “We believe that access to energy and digital is a basic human right. It is imperative for all of us to come together to create a meaningful impact on the lives of the children by creating awareness about the conservation of energy and the environment. Through our collaboration with Spreading Happiness, we have created equal opportunities for children, even in remote areas, by providing an advanced learning infrastructure through Digi Green, powered by clean solar energy. We are delighted to be a part of this initiative with Mr. Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar to prepare and sensitize our next generation on climate change and sustainability.”

Under the Digi Green Program, students are also provided with an interactive learning program on Environment and Energy conservation wherein they are not only made aware of the judicious utilization of resources but are also made ‘Green Ambassadors’ to take the cause forward in society. Students and Teachers have been trained on various Environment & Energy Conservation topics through interactive sessions, ultimately making them Green Ambassadors. To further the cause of sustainability, more than 8000 saplings have been planted by the students.

Sport inculcates in us the spirit to fight back after a loss, and never give up. This Republic Day, let us wish for a tomorrow where we value failures, and grow to achieve the best for us and India.

When neighbourhood parks resonate with the cheers of children playing a friendly (but serious) cricket match against the setting sun, parents take delight in watching their children play. When their child’s team wins, they celebrate. But even when their child’s team loses, they console and support them. In sport, it is not just success that matters. Equally important is how one deals with loss or failure — when one has to come back and play again the next day, with the same enthusiasm and energy.

Sport has always been an integral part of our country, with a history that goes back a thousand years. The precursors of chess, the ultimate game of strategy, are said to have originated in India. We have been world champions in disciplines as diverse as cricket, hockey, kabaddi, chess, wrestling, badminton, billiards, and more. But there have been times when we have also lost, only to rise again and play to win another day.

This sense of not giving up in the face of adversity inculcates in us a fighting spirit, indomitable by failures. In today’s hyper-competitive world where we are judged by success, we must not forget the importance of failure and the lessons we can learn from it. We all have a right to fail, and there cannot be a better domain to understand its significance than sport. Sport is the greatest teacher of perseverance and determination in the face of repeated failure.

Last year, India fell in love with a “new game”, lawn bowls, as Rupa Rani Tirkey, Pinki, Nayanmoni Saikia and Lovely Choubey brought home the first Commonwealth Games medal in the sport for India. The four of them had started playing in different disciplines. They would have lost a few games in their career and won many times, but they never gave up. They got together to play a sport that was new to them and not known to many. It is this perseverance that helped them achieve success and emerge triumphant. It is this tenacity of spirit that sport brings to an individual.

In a society hardwired to succeed, it is difficult to stay motivated all the time. Everyone has their share of self-doubt and disappointment stemming from failures, but we need to understand that while success may not be guaranteed, we still need to continue playing the game. We must recognise the value of trying without being afraid to try new things. Sport can help us change a fearful mindset to one that is open to any new challenge.

A Mirabai Chanu may fall short of lifting a medal-winning weight once, a PV Sindhu may miss a match-winning shot, a Bajrang Punia may find his grip slipping in a final, a Mary Kom may mistime a knockout punch, and a Virat Kohli may return to the pavilion without scoring. But each one of them returns to the arena, to the court, to the field, to the ring, to try once more, to give their best for themselves — for their team and for their country.

Every champion has their moment of doubt, the occasion for failure, and share of misfortune. However, what is important is their reaction and response to the situation and learning from it to come back stronger. In the end, this is all that counts. India has a large pool of talent across different disciplines. With significant reforms and infrastructure development, the possibilities are endless as we groom the champions of tomorrow. The upcoming inaugural women’s Indian Premier League, for instance, will give youngsters scope to prove their mettle on the world stage.

Tapping talent at the grassroots level and giving them a supportive environment where they can learn, try, fail and triumph are of paramount importance. The hunger for victory has to be balanced by the ability to accept failure with a positive attitude. The lessons that failures teach us to amplify the significance of the next big win and instill resilience. This value of accepting failures as they come, if inculcated at a young age, can open the door to a promising and sustainable future.

Sport is a great leveller. It gives us the freedom to find an avenue to express ourselves, choose to do what we enjoy, and utilise our capabilities to the fullest. Be it a narrow miss at the goal, an “out at 99” in cricket, a defeat in a World Cup final, or an early exit from a league, failures prepare us for victories ahead.

This Republic Day, as we gather to honour our Constitution and the rights it gives us, let us also celebrate our journey through the years, moving forward despite the obstacles, trying, failing occasionally, but most importantly, bouncing back stronger with the collective strength of all citizens working together as a team. Let us wish for a tomorrow where we value failures, learn and grow to achieve the best for us, as well as for the nation.

Bharat Ratna Sachin Tendulkar is former captain of the Indian cricket team The views expressed are personal

MUMBAI: It was a day to remember for children at Happy Feet Home (HFH) as cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar paid a surprise visit at Sion centre in Mumbai on Wednesday to celebrate Christmas early with them.

The centre was started in August 2014 with the aim to provide free of cost emotional, psycho-social, educational/vocational and nutritional support to children and teens with life-threatening and life-limiting illnesses such as HIV, Thalassemia major and Cancer.

It was an ardent wish of the children under-care to meet their idol someday, which the Master Blaster fulfilled duly by joining in the pre-Christmas celebrations.

Earlier, the Sachin Tendulkar Foundation contributed financially to support the centre in healthcare and hygiene, educational or vocational programmes, home visits and Hospital activities.

Happy Feet Home is working closely with Sion Hospital, with the aim of providing holistic day-care services to children under palliative care.

The donation would reach over 400 children for their caretaking.

For the children residing at the centre and the ones under care, it was a dream to meet with Sachin Tendulkar.

He joined the young dreamers for casual interaction and became one among them as laughter and joy filled the air.

The children were elated in the company of the Master Blaster.

New Delhi [India], November 18 (ANI): World Children’s Day was celebrated today in a festive event where children played a friendly futsal match, performed a choreographed dance with leaders and celebrities on their side, sending a fervent message on how important it is for them to feel celebrated, included, and be treated fairly and equally whoever they are and wherever they live.

Hundreds of children gathered in Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium in South Delhi. A team of 20 children played a friendly futsal match with the legendary cricketer and UNICEF Regional Goodwill Ambassador Sachin Tendulkar and celebrated Bollywood Star and UNICEF’s Celebrity Advocate Ayushmann Khurrana as read in a statement by UNICEF.
Legendary cricketer and Regional Ambassador for UNICEF South Asia, Sachin Tendulkar, said, “I’ve always believed that sports liberate us from many shackles and help us be better human beings. It plays a more important role for girls and women as it equips them with more power and confidence to make their mark. Today’s game showed this. UNICEF’s efforts to link play and child rights are commendable. The game is yours as long as you have the passion in your heart.”

Renowned musician Ricky Kej, also a Celebrity Advocate for UNICEF, conducted a musical concert for, about and with children. Nearly a hundred children rendered an art performance creatively depicting unity in diversity, inclusion and equality.

Speaking at the event, Union Secretary, Youth Affairs, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Meeta Rajivlochan said, “The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports focuses on tailored and holistic well-being and development of young people through country-wide volunteering organisations. Let us commit today to ensuring that every child and young person in this country has the resources, skills, opportunities, and spaces to voice their views to lead India to a brighter tomorrow.

In opening remarks, UNICEF Representative to India, Cynthia McCaffrey said, “World Children’s Day is a time for all of us to renew our collective promises for every child, especially for girls, to be included and protected and reach their full potential, unhindered by gender stereotypes, inequalities, and other barriers. When it comes to #ChildRights, there can be only one team! UNICEF India is privileged to support this cross-sectoral movement in India, a country that has made remarkable strides in improving outcomes for its youngest stakeholders and sees children as force multipliers for generational transformations. I thank the Secretary of Youth Affairs and celebrities who joined today and reinforced the message of fighting discrimination and symbolically kicking it out of the park through sports.”

Bollywood actor and UNICEF Celebrity Advocate Ayushmann Khurrana, said, “When we play, we become a team and realise that our determination, passion, and enthusiasm are all that matter. This is what we are here to celebrate. Let’s empower girls and boys to promote equality and inclusion for all children. UNICEF, thank you for organising this event on a theme I care about.”

Two-time Grammy award winner and UNICEF Celebrity Supporter, Ricky Kej along with virtuoso musicians from across the country performed a specially crafted audio-visual experience dedicated to children and future leaders of the world – meant to not only inspire change but also encourage children to tap into their creativity.
Famed Indian sprinter Hima Das joined the children-centred activities of UNICEF Assam in marking World Children’s Day.

A creative art presentation by 100 school children highlighted stories of inclusion and non-discrimination in a captivating dance form.
This World Children’s Day’s theme is on sports as a powerful means to promote inclusion, equality and non-discrimination. Sports also help children develop important life skills such as leadership, discipline, teamwork, tolerance, hard work and cooperation. (ANI)

There can’t be a better time to celebrate India’s stellar show at the CWG than the month the nation is observing 75 years of Independence. Sport has been a vehicle of growth for all, especially for women. It has helped them gain self-esteem, courage and a force with which to smash the hurdles of patriarchy and stigma. It has the power to unite everyone.

When Saikhom Mirabai Chanu dropped the barbell with a successful 109 kg lift, a thunderous applause roared through the hall. Chanu only stepped back gently, with her usual smile and humble ‘Namaste’. Everyone was awed by the way Chanu went on to not only register India’s first Gold this Commonwealth Games, but also to write a new record to her name. This is after Sanket Sargar’s silver and P Gururaja’s bronze, which opened India’s account.

For 11 days, the entire nation was following up on this mega event with bated breath. As the curtains fell, a triumphant Indian contingent returned with one of the best performances at the Commonwealth Games with 61 medals – 22 gold, 16 silver and 23 bronze, that too without inclusion of shooting, one of our strong points. There cannot be a better time to celebrate this victory than the month the nation is observing 75th Independence Day as part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.

On the brink of victory, all athletes also resonated their stories of perseverance and agility in the face of adversity. These stories may be more challenging for women contingent, who triumphed not only the bars set by their immediate competitors, but also the bars set by society, family, and other external authorities. From Sushila Devi Likmabam, and Tulika Maan’s individual silver in Judo to Sakshi Malik, and Vinesh Phogat’s individual gold in wrestling; from Nitu Ghangas and Nikhat Zareen’s individual gold to PV Sindhu’s gold in badminton, we’ve seen some incredible performances this year. Our women’s hockey team also clinched bronze in a nail-biting match.

Apart from the regular action, India also awakened to witness a ‘new’ sport, Lawn Balls, where our Women’s fours team struck gold. Progressing slowly but with great precision and dedication in a sport that was almost alien to an entire nation, and then winning the first ever medal and that too gold, is truly incredible. It is interesting to note that the team comprising Rupa Rani Tirkey, Lovely Choubey, Pinki Singh and Nayanmoni Saikia all had different beginnings.

Rupa was once a kabaddi player, Nayanmoni a weightlifter, Pinki a cricketer, while Lovely was a sprinter. They all chose to tread on a path less taken and have achieved glory in that.

The glory, however, is not singular for women in sports. As much as it is imbibed with the hurdles of the past, going ahead, it provides a sense of empowerment to them, an empowerment sport is providing in current times. Sport has the power to unite everyone irrespective of caste, creed, or gender in achieving the ultimatum both personally and professionally. We shall, however, also acknowledge how some world events included women’s participation in some sports very lately.

Women’s Boxing, for example, where we have our champions Mary Kom, Nikhat Zareen, and the likes, was only introduced at the 2012 London Olympics for the first time. Women’s cricket, on the other hand, debuted only at the Commonwealth Games, where our team made us proud with a silver.

Nevertheless, sport has been a vehicle of growth for all, especially for women for years. It has helped them gain self-esteem, courage, and a force to smash the hurdles of patriarchy and societal stigma. With modernity steeping in, as society progressed, we saw various upliftment in sports around the world. Several champions have been born, who are not only medal winners, but also leaders and advocates for their sport and for budding players. This virtue of leadership is something sport teaches us all.

Let us also not shadow the fact that most of our women sportspersons come from rural, underprivileged areas. It is with their thriving efforts that they earn some bread and due respect.

It is hence upon us to make better provisions with collective efforts so that our girls get the required support and assistance right from a young age to prosper in their respective sports. With proper recognition and equal opportunities, women can be great movers of society and the nation’s economy.

In today’s fast-moving world, the hurdles faced by our women players might be different. Some are ridden with poverty, some with societal stigma and gender discrimination, some don’t have required infrastructure, and some struggle under the wrath of patriarchy. It is hence imperative to say when a Chanu, Nikhat, or Sindhu win, they inspire a million others who await that glimmer of light, hope and accomplishment to take a step forward.

Therefore, to grow as a society and nation for a better tomorrow, we should empower our women through sports. Because, every time they kick a ball, it is not only the ball but also the shackles that are tied to them; every time they lift up a barbell, it is not only the plates they lift up, but all hurdles they face, before crashing it down to the ground.

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], May 16 (ANI): The legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar will continue as UNICEF‘s ‘Goodwill Ambassador’ for a record 20th year, working for the welfare of underprivileged children.

Sachin Tendulkar has been associated with global causes for many years. He has been consistently active in batting for the good of underprivileged children. Sachin’s individual, as well as collaborative efforts towards health, education & sports initiatives for children, has been commendable.

Honouring his relentless efforts to voice for the rights of children, UNICEF has extended their partnership for a record 20th year.

In a tweet reply, Sachin said, “It’s been great working with UNICEF all these years. Wonderful memories of the impactful work the team has executed. The efforts towards giving wings to children’s dreams are very satisfying. Looking forward to our next phase of the partnership. @UNICEFROSA @G_LaryeaAdjei.”

Sachin has been associated with UNICEF for long for various causes. In 2003, he was chosen to take lead in the initiative to create awareness about polio and promote polio prevention in India. Later in 2008, he was roped in to create and promote hygiene and sanitation among communities and has been continuing to do so over the years. In 2013, he was appointed UNICEF Ambassador for South Asia to advocate for good hygiene and sanitation across the region.

With the Government of India launching the Swachh Bharat Mission, Sachin extended his role to lead the Team Swachh Bharat campaign for UNICEF in India. This campaign reached every nook and corner of the country.

He was awarded the “Most Effective Swachh Bharat Ambassador” award by the President of India during an awards function in 2020. Sachin has been vocal through these campaigns about the importance of washing hands before meals and sanitizing after defecation, primarily aimed at teaching children the basics of cleanliness.

Over the years, Sachin has been to many remote places to interact with underprivileged children, empower girls to take up sports, and to launch many projects for their welfare. His visit to the Ratnagiri district in the western state of Maharashtra to interact with the visually challenged boys and girls staying at a residential school, his visit to remote areas of Madhya Pradesh to interact with underprivileged kids are few of the examples.

In 2019, he went on a three-day trip to Nepal to raise awareness for UNICEF Nepal’s ‘Bat for Brain Development’ campaign. These are but a few examples of the continuous humanitarian efforts Sachin has been making through his association with UNICEF. These visits not only gave the campaign momentum but also gave people hope through the words of Sachin.

Being an inspiration and idol for many both on and off the field, Sachin Tendulkar has been a key influencer with his social work. In his almost two-decade-long partnership with UNICEF, he has been vital in furthering the campaigns, especially the ones aimed at children.

“One day, every child will be vaccinated against deadly diseases. One day, every child will have clean water.” – Sachin can be heard saying these lines in one of the promotional videos for UNICEF. Given the pandemic period we live in, and with UNICEF bestowing immense faith on Sachin for a record 20th year, the determination associated with these lines is set to grow stronger. (ANI)