National, September 29, 2026: InterGlobe Foundation, the philanthropic arm of InterGlobe Enterprises, and IndiGoReach, the CSR arm of IndiGo, India’s preferred airline and one of the fastest-growing carriers in the world, jointly hosted an immersive heritage walk in Mysuru. This specially curated experience was part of the ‘My City My Heritage’ campaign, designed to celebrate and promote the rich cultural heritage of Indian cities. By reconnecting citizens with their roots, the campaign fosters shared pride and a long-term commitment to cultural preservation.

The walk, themed ‘Markets, Museums and Mysuru’, was held in collaboration with Sahapedia and India Foundation for the Arts (IFA). It offered participants a unique opportunity to explore the city beyond its palaces and engage with the civic, commercial, and cultural landscape of Mysuru. Led by Aishwarya Kirit and facilitated by Raghuram SK, the 2.8-km walk moved through nine historic sites in Mysuru’s civic and commercial core, including Jaganmohan Palace, Lansdowne Building, K.R. Circle, Devaraja Market, K.R. Hospital, Cauvery Emporium, Makkaji Chowk, Sri Subramanyeshwara Temple and Town Hall.

Drawing on archival material from the Star of Mysore, the walk brought together newspaper reports, photographs, reader opinions, and letters to reveal how generations of Mysureans experienced, documented, and remembered these spaces. The experience also offered participants an opportunity to engage with Mysuru’s cultural traditions and intangible heritage at the historic Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion. A traditional string puppetry performance by S.N. Srikanta, a fifth-generation puppeteer, highlighted Karnataka’s rich storytelling traditions and craftsmanship. The event drew enthusiastic participation from the local community, government officials, and senior leadership of InterGlobe Foundation and IndiGo.

‘My City My Heritage’ is an ongoing initiative dedicated to raising awareness about India’s diverse cultural and historical legacy. Through engaging dialogues and meaningful partnerships, the campaign aims to preserve and promote both tangible and intangible heritage, encouraging citizens to rediscover and take pride in the stories that shape their communities. Similar walks have been held in twelve cities: Prayagraj, Bhubaneswar, Shillong, Nashik, Hyderabad, Kozhikode, Lucknow, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Ahmedabad, Puducherry, Gwalior, and Patiala, with each offering a unique experience. Mysuru marked the 13th city in this series.

Speaking on the occasion, Rohini Bhatia, Chairperson, InterGlobe Foundation, said, “India’s history is a living legacy, and through the ‘My City My Heritage’ campaign, we are committed to promoting the unique cultural identity of our cities. Mysuru, with its remarkable civic heritage, rich cultural institutions and living traditions, marked another significant chapter in our journey. By bringing together archival histories, historic urban spaces, and traditional art forms, this experience highlighted the many layers that shape the city. By engaging local citizens and heritage enthusiasts, we hope to inspire a sense of pride and collective responsibility, ensuring that our heritage remains a vibrant and cherished part of our future.”

Willie Walsh, Chief Executive Officer, IndiGo, said, “India’s cultural richness is reflected in the distinct identities of its cities, each contributing to the country’s diverse heritage landscape. Through ‘My City My Heritage’, our endeavor is to create experiences that encourage people to rediscover these unique cultural narratives. Mysuru’s remarkable heritage ecosystem, from its historic institutions and architectural landmarks to its vibrant artistic traditions, offered a compelling example of how culture continues to shape the future of our cities while preserving their unique character. At IndiGo, beyond connecting destinations, we are committed to enriching the communities we operate in.”

Both InterGlobe Foundation and IndiGoReach have undertaken various projects to promote heritage conservation and preservation in India. Key initiatives by InterGlobe Foundation include the conservation and cultural revival of Abdur Rahim Khan-I-Khanan’s mausoleum in Delhi, the cultural mapping and documentation of eighteen cities, the restoration of the ‘Indra Kund’ stepwell in Delwara, the tile restoration of Qutb Shah’s Mausoleum, and Heritage Fellowships. Similarly, IndiGoReach has supported projects to conserve Qutb Shah’s Mausoleum at the Qutb Shahi Heritage Park in Hyderabad and restore the interiors of the Lal Bagh Palace in Indore.

With an outlay of ₹9.17 crore, the 24-month initiative will organise 700 screening camps, screen 52,500 children, conduct 1,600 echocardiograms and support 500 cardiac surgeries/interventions. The programme will cover Singrauli, Sidhi and Rewa in Madhya Pradesh, and Sonbhadra and Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, with screening conducted through schools, Anganwadi centres and health facilities.

The initiative builds on the success of its first phase, which screened 38,315 children through 534 camps, conducted 909 echocardiograms and completed 300 cardiac surgeries/interventions. NCL also provided counselling, travel, accommodation, surgery and post-treatment care to beneficiaries, strengthening early detection and access to specialised cardiac treatment for children in underserved communities.

CIL’s Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojna, implemented in coordination with Thalassemics India across four phases with a total outlay of Rs 130 crore, provides financial assistance of up to Rs 10 lakh per patient directly to empanelled hospitals for bone marrow procedures. Complementing this, CIL’s pediatric cardiac program in partnership with Sri Sathya Sai Health and Education Trust has screened over two lakh children using advanced diagnostic tools across mining belts, providing completely free surgeries alongside travel and hospitalization coverage. Spearheaded by CIL subsidiaries SECL, CCL, NCL, and WCL, these programs reflect a shift toward outcome-driven CSR that delivers direct health benefits to vulnerable families in coal-mining regions.

This CSR initiative aims to strengthen waste management across five major industrial areas in the Ghaziabad district through regular, door-to-door collection of industrial garbage. By deploying these dedicated tippers, the collaboration between BEL and UPSIDA seeks to maintain cleaner industrial zones, boost overall sanitation standards, and foster healthier environmental conditions for surrounding communities.

Alongside immediate relief, specialized Indian field operations are underway to support complex search, rescue, and identification efforts. A 24-member Indian tunnel rescue team has been deployed alongside Chinese specialists and the Nepal Army at critical hydropower sites in Chilime, using improvised floats to navigate subterranean passages under high-risk, marshy conditions. Concurrently, Indian forensic experts are working with their Nepalese counterparts to conduct DNA analysis to speed up victim identification. Meanwhile, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that 163 Indian nationals have been safely rescued from disaster-affected regions in Nepal, while 151 others have left neighboring China.

Designed to advance gender inclusion and economic opportunity, the initiative combined industry-aligned technical instruction with communication and workplace-readiness training, followed by placement support. Leading automobile dealerships and service centres in Rewari district, including Vashu Motors, Vardhaman Automobiles and Kia Car Showroom, supported the programme by facilitating on-the-job training and employment opportunities. More than 90 per cent of the participants have subsequently secured employment.

Speaking on the impact of the skilling initiative, Rohit Vats, Country Finance Controller, Johnson Matthey India Private Limited said, “Johnson Matthey always believes in giving back, especially to support those who are underprivileged in our society. It is wonderful to see so many people benefit from the STEM initiative rolled out by JM, supporting participants to learn, get placed and become self-dependent. We are always looking out for such opportunities wherein, apart from STEM, we can take people along and have a healthy balance from a Diversity & Inclusion Perspective.”

Highlighting the importance of connecting skills with tangible livelihood opportunities, Arun Kabra, President, Enterprise & Skilling Business and CFO, TimesPro, said, “For young people, meaningful skilling must lead beyond certification to confidence, opportunity and sustainable livelihoods. Our work with Johnson Matthey brings industry exposure closer to local communities, helping learners build relevant capabilities, enter the workforce with purpose and create greater economic agency for themselves and their families.”

The programme has assumed particular significance in Haryana’s Rewari district, where access to quality, employment-oriented skill development remains limited. By equipping young people from marginalised communities with capabilities aligned to industry requirements, the initiative has created pathways towards sustained employment, financial independence and long-term professional growth.

The award recognises REC’s continued commitment to using sports as a powerful tool for youth empowerment, inclusion and community development, creating opportunities and enabling aspiring talent across the country.

REC’s CSR interventions in the sports sector reflect its focus on nurturing talent, promoting inclusivity and creating avenues for youth to realise their potential. By supporting sports development, REC Foundation continues to contribute towards building a more inclusive and empowered society.