Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon 2025 raises ₹3.75 crores as 60+ NGOs,15 Corporates and citizens join hands

(L-R) Ms. Aarti Kakatkar , Vice-President, Procam International; Mr. Vivek Singh, Joint Managing Director, Procam International; Ms. Simu Das, Captain, Indian Women’s Blind Team; Mr. Khurram Naayaab, General Manager, CSR and Head Governance, Vedanta Resources Limited; Ms. Saroj and Ms. Kusumlata, Representative from Udyogini – ETASHA; Ms. Devya Patney, Chief People and Culture Officer, Omnicom; Ms. Rachna Chugh, Head CSR, Genpact; Ms. Preeti, Alumni and Coach, Maitrayana Charity Foundation; Ms. Harleen Kaur, Project Lead, Lakshyaa. 

Rakesh Thapliyal

New Delhi: For 20 glorious years, the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon has broken barriers, serving as a beacon of national pride and re-shaping the way India unites in health, purpose, and generosity.   As one of India’s largest sporting platforms for philanthropy, this edition brought together citizens, corporates, and not-for-profits in an extraordinary celebration of giving.

For the first time, Lakshyaa, partnered with the race as its philanthropy partner and, in doing so, surpassed the fundraising benchmarks of previous years. Together with over 60 NGOs, 15 corporates, and more than 60 individual fundraisers, supported by countless of donors and runners, the platform has successfully mobilised over ₹3.7 crores. Since its inception in 2005, the Vednata Delhi Half Marathon has now collectively raised ₹85 crores, transforming millions of lives.

What makes the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon unique is its cause-neutral approach. This year, it was represented by 16 diverse causes across the development sector—from education, healthcare, and cancer care to organ transplants, disability inclusion, child development, livelihoods, and beyond. Many organizations came on board for the first time, underscoring the growing acceptance of the race as a trusted and nationally significant social impact platform.

Current fundraising figures include ₹3.04 crores raised through corporates, ₹47 Lacs raised through individual fundraisers. Direct donations amounting to ₹7 Lacs were made on NGO pages. NGOs also raised over ₹13 Lacs through charity bibs and offline efforts. The runners of VDHM 2025 have also generously contributed ₹2.5 Lacs during their registration for the run to the causes of their choice! Donations will continue to be accepted until October 28th 2025, through https://vdhm.lakshyaa.co.in/.

Commenting on the milestone, Nikhil Pant, CEO of Lakshyaa, said, “This edition of the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon truly embodies the power of collective action. With ‘Breaking Barriers’ as our theme, we have witnessed NGOs, corporates, fundraisers, and citizens come together with a shared purpose. At Lakshyaa, we believe in creating impact with compliance, ensuring that every rupee raised not only transforms lives but also strengthens trust in the philanthropy ecosystem and is rightfully used. The results this year show that together we can build a more sustainable, accountable, inclusive, and impactful movement for national development.”

The event’s title sponsor, Vedanta continues to champion #RunForZeroHunger through its social impact initiative, Nand Ghar. Over the last three editions, the movement has facilitated nearly 20 million meals. This year, for every kilometre run, Vedanta will provide one Poshan Pack—nutritious supplements designed to bridge gaps in children’s diets. For the fourth edition, Vedanta has pledged 5 million Poshan Packs for 5 million km. Alongside participants, Vedanta employees are also contributing meals, amplifying the initiative and showcasing the power of collective action.

Speaking on the same, Khurram Naayaab, General Manager-CSR and Head Governance, Vedanta, said, “We’re incredibly proud of our partnership with Procam and the Run for Zero initiative. Through this program, we’ve already delivered 1.7 million portion packs, and this year we’re targeting 5 million. But what makes this truly special is seeing our 270,000 women beneficiaries transform from recipients of support into changemakers themselves. They’re now driving impact in their communities across 9,000+ nutrition centres in 15 states. This is the power of sustainable, community-driven change.”

Vivek Singh, Joint Managing Director of Procam International

Adding to this, Vivek Singh, Joint Managing Director of Procam International, reflected on the journey of the race itself,  “Over two decades, the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon has been instrumental in breaking barriers in India, whether it is making long-distance running more accessible, encouraging more women to participate, providing an equal platform for all including people with disabilities, or bridging the gap between running for personal fitness and running for social good. Today, this platform is no longer just about sport; it has become a people’s movement, championing causes that matter and inspiring change at scale.”

Champions of Change

Devya Patney, Chief People & Culture Officer, Omnicom: Omnicom Global Solutions, believes in investing in a better tomorrow through sustainable practices for social well-being. Rooted in their core value of Leading by Example, their CSR initiative ‘Building for Tomorrow’ is focused on nurturing the community by supporting causes that drive long-term impact & upliftment of society at large. Their participation in VDHM is a deliberate step to amplify our support for ETASHA Society, our NGO partner working towards achieving UN’s Sustainable Development Goal of No Poverty in India. Through this collaboration, they aim to empower underserved youth with the skills necessary for career readiness and life success, thereby breaking down barriers to employment and social inclusion.

Rachna Chugh, Head CSR, Genpact said, “Genpact has consistently demonstrated leadership in corporate social responsibility, channelling its resources into initiatives that drive meaningful change. Through its partnership with United Way Delhi, Genpact has made a significant contribution via the VDHM 2025 platform, supporting their Better Planet Pillar aligned to its CSR focus, for tree plantations across the country in order to strengthen efforts at Environment Conservation and Climate Action. This generous support underscores Genpact’s commitment to making a tangible difference in society and empowering communities to thrive.”

Simu Das: All-rounder, Indian Cricket Team (World Cup for the Blind):  Hailing from Assam, Simu Das is a powerhouse of talent, determination, and inspiration. A key all-rounder in the Indian Women’s Blind Cricket Team, she played a pivotal role in India’s gold-medal victory against Australia at the 2023 IBSA World Games in England and was selected again in 2025 for the inaugural Women’s T20 World Cup for the Blind in India and Sri Lanka. Her extraordinary achievements have earned her national recognition, including the Axom Divyanga Ratna Award and a cash prize of one lakh rupees from the Assam government. Beyond records and accolades, Simu stands as a beacon for women with visual impairments, showing that courage, skill, and relentless determination can overcome any challenge. Through her journey, she inspires countless others to dream big and redefine the limits of possibility.

“It feels amazing to be part of the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon — this is my first time here, and I’m really excited to participate alongside my entire Indian team. Events like these motivate and support us, especially as we prepare for the upcoming Blind Cricket World Cup. The support we’ve received from Samarthanam has given us the confidence and opportunity to move forward. Representing India on the world stage is a matter of immense pride — when we won gold in the 2023 World Games in the UK, it was a dream come true. Playing for the country is a feeling beyond words,”_ *Simu Das said.*

Saroj Kanwar: ETASHA (Participant & Beneficiary) A Strong Step Towards Self-Reliance: From a small Rajasthani village to becoming a symbol of courage, Saroj Kanwar’s story is one of quiet transformation. A widow and mother, she longed to start her own business but lacked resources. With the support of ETASHA Society— which also completes 20 years of fundraising in VDHM in this landmark edition., Saroj set up her village’s first flour mill. Today, she earns a steady income, serves her community, and inspires other women to take charge of their futures. Her journey reflects the true impact of VDHM’s philanthropy — turning every runner’s effort into empowerment on the ground.

Speaking at the Press Conference, she said, “I come from a humble background, but with the help of the Etasha Society, I was able to start my own small business with an atta chakki. Today, I earn my own living and aspire to become self-reliant. I want to inspire other women like me to move forward and build better lives for themselves. Participating in the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon is a dream come true — I’m proud to represent women who are working hard to change their futures.”

Preeti: Programme Associate, Beneficiary: Maitrayana Charity Foundation:  For Preeti, life changed the day she discovered sports in 8th grade. What began as a simple game of netball became a powerful classroom for confidence, independence, and self-belief. Through sports, she learned to speak up, understand her rights, protect herself, and navigate the world fearlessly — lessons that would shape her future. After school, she became a community sports intern, saving her stipend to complete college, support her family, and invest in her own growth. As a junior coach, she traveled across Punjab and Mumbai, facilitating training sessions, completing her post-graduation, and contributing to her family’s well-being, even helping with the construction of their home. When societal pressure to marry arose, Preeti stood firm, negotiating for her education and her dreams — because by then, she saw herself as a leader. Now, inspired by the fundraisers who invested in her journey, Preeti is stepping into their shoes — determined to raise opportunities for other girls, ensuring that the spark that changed her life reaches countless others.