Inmates were trained under IndianOil’s Parivartan- Prison to Pride social
stewardship initiative
New Delhi: In a remarkable showcase of talent and dedication, the Indian teams, represented by Yerawada Central Jail Pune, and Children Correctional Home, Bhopal, have clinched the Gold Medal in the Open and Youth Categories respectively at the Intercontinental “Chess for Freedom” online chess championship for prisoners.
Felicitating theteam membersfrom both the locations, Mr. Shrikant Madhav Vaidya, Chairman, IndianOil said, “My heartiest congratulations to both the teams for making us and India shine at this global stage. We are extremely proud of this ‘beyond business’ intervention and successes like this give us confidence to further invest in such social stewardship initiativesthat have the potential to truly make a difference at the grassroots.This remarkable achievement will further strengthen our resolve to uplift the lives of inmates and offer resilience, hope, and second chances.”
The teams have been coached under Parivartan – Prison to Pride, a flagship social stewardship initiative by Indian Oil Corporation Limited, to rehabilitate prison inmates and juveniles across the country through various sports coaching programs. Since its inception in 2021, the initiative has covered in105 prison and juvenile homes , 29 state and UT over 5000 inmates and juveniles in five phases.
In the open category, team from Yerawada Central Jail Pune, who had secured a bronze in the previous edition, beat El Salvador in a climatic showdown to win the title. The team from Children Correctional Center, Bhopal, clinched a convincing win against Serbia to come out on top in the finals.
Previously, to select the teams for the championship, the Corporation and All India Chess Federation had jointly organized the second ‘Parivartan – Prison to Pride Online Chess Tournament’ in September 2023 wherein a total of 21 prisons and correctional homes across India, had participated in this unique event. The Corporation, in association with the All India Chess Federation (AICF) and Prison Authorities, has provided essential facilities for the tournament, including training, computers, and internet access to all participating Indian prisons.
This three-day tournament, organized by the World Chess Federation (FIDE) from October 11-13, 2023, aimed to promote chess as a valuable tool for the rehabilitation and reintegration of incarcerated individuals. The tournament brought together 118 teams from 50 countries, representing all continents, offering inmates a unique opportunity to connect with peers across the globe.
About Parivartan- Prison to Pride, a unique social stewardship initiative by IndianOil Parivartan- Prison to Pride, a brainchild of Mr. Shrikant Madhav Vaidya, Chairman, IndianOil, is an initiative to engage and rehabilitate prison inmates across the country through various sport disciplines. Launched on 15th August 2021 as a part of India’s 75th Year of Independence celebrations, this initiative reflects IndianOil’s core value of care and aims to rehabilitate prison inmates and juveniles through sports coaching programs.
Under this initiative, IndianOil provides training in various sports, including chess, basketball, badminton, volleyball, and carrom, to inmates across prisons in India, promoting their physical and mental well-being. This novel corporate initiative is the first of its kind in the country, using sports to help inmates overcome the stigma associated with imprisonment.
The IndianOil coaches include Manjusha Kanwar (former Women’s National Champion, Abhinn Shyam Gupta (Arjuna awardee), S Arun Vishnu (former Doubles National Champion), in Badminton; Chess Woman Grand Masters (WGMs) Soumya Swaminathan, Padmini Raut and Grand Masters (GMs) Lalith Babu, Abhijit Kunte; Tennis ace Rushmi Chakravarthi (former Women’s National Champion) and renowned International Carrom players Yogesh Pardeshi, MohdGufran&Kajal Kumari. Mr. B G Joglekar,a former first- class cricketer, has guided the inmates throughout the programme.
IndianOil has garnered recognition and accolades for this outstanding social work. It received the “Sports for Social Good” award from “The Hindu” and Sports Star for its remarkable contributions through the Parivartan – Prison to Pride Initiative. The award was conferred upon Chairman Shri Shrikant Madhav Vaidya in a glittering ceremony on February 27, 2023, in Mumbai.
IndianOil’s commendable efforts were also acknowledged on the global stage, with the World Chess Federation (FIDE) inviting the team to the first “Chess for Freedom” conference in Chicago in May 2023.
About Indian Oil Corporation Limited
IndianOil is a diversified, integrated energy major with presence in almost all the streams of oil, gas, petrochemicals, and alternative energy sources. With a net profit of Rs. ₹8,242 croresfor the fiscal 2022-23, IndianOil is one the largest and most trusted corporates in the country, touching the lives of over a billion Indians. With a 31,000 plus workforce, extensive refining, distribution & marketing infrastructure, and advanced R&D facilities, IndianOil has provided energy access to millions of people across the length and breadth of the country through its ever-expanding network of customer touchpoints, currently numbering over 60,000.
Visit www.iocl.com to know more.
