Born into a farming family with a monthly income of barely ₹5,000–6,000, Pranjali often suffered from fatigue and frequent illness. Despite repeated visits to local health centres, her condition remained unidentified. Like many families in rural India, her parents had never heard of Congenital Heart Disease (CHD), one of the most common birth defects affecting children worldwide.

A turning point came when a child heart screening team under Project Nanha Sa Dil – NCL visited her village. The initiative, supported by Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL) and implemented by Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Hospitals, conducts heart screenings for children in remote rural and tribal regions. During a screening conducted in collaboration with Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) personnel, healthcare professionals suspected a cardiac condition and referred Pranjali for further evaluation.

Subsequently, an echocardiogram performed at a camp organised under the project at Community Health Centre, Deosar, confirmed that she had a hole in her heart. The diagnosis devastated her parents, who could not imagine arranging the expensive treatment required to save their daughter.

However, Project Nanha Sa Dil ensured that financial constraints would not stand in the way of treatment. NCL covered the entire cost of her medical journey, including diagnostic tests, counselling, travel, accommodation, surgery and follow-up care. Pranjali underwent successful heart surgery at Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Hospital in Palwal, Haryana, completely free of cost.

Today, she has returned home healthy and active, symbolising the transformative impact of the initiative on vulnerable families across the region.

Building an End-to-End Child Heart Care Ecosystem

Congenital Heart Disease can often be treated successfully if diagnosed early. Yet for thousands of children living in remote areas, access to specialised diagnosis and treatment remains limited.

To bridge this gap, NCL partnered with Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Hospitals in 2025 to implement Project Nanha Sa Dil across Singrauli and Sidhi districts of Madhya Pradesh and Sonbhadra district of Uttar Pradesh. The initiative was designed to support children throughout the entire continuum of care—from awareness generation and screening to diagnosis, surgery and long-term follow-up.

Over the past year, the programme has conducted 534 screening camps, screened 38,315 children, performed 764 echocardiograms and facilitated 255 life-saving heart surgeries, all free of cost.

Beyond screenings, the project has focused on strengthening community-level healthcare systems. Health workers have been trained to identify potential heart conditions, while awareness campaigns have been conducted in schools and Anganwadi centres to educate families about early symptoms and available treatment options.

A dedicated CHD Screening Centre has also been established at NCL’s Bina Hospital. The programme leverages advanced screening devices and digital health technologies in partnership with HD Medical USA to improve the early detection and referral of children requiring specialised care.

At the heart of the initiative is Nanhe Dil Ka Safar, a digital tracking platform that monitors each child’s journey from screening to surgery and post-operative follow-up. The system helps healthcare teams ensure that no child diagnosed with a heart defect is lost in the treatment pathway.

Part of a Larger National Movement

NCL’s efforts form an integral part of Coal India Limited’s flagship child heart care programme, Project Nanha Sa Dil, which is being implemented across multiple subsidiaries including NCL, South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), Central Coalfields Limited (CCL) and Western Coalfields Limited (WCL).

Together, these partnerships have created one of India’s most comprehensive CSR-led child healthcare interventions. Over the past two years, the initiative has screened more than 1.75 lakh children across rural and tribal communities and facilitated treatment for nearly 1,400 children diagnosed with congenital heart disease.

What sets the programme apart is its holistic approach. Awareness generation, community screening, diagnosis, transportation support, accommodation, surgery, post-operative care and long-term monitoring are integrated into a single continuum of care, ensuring that children receive uninterrupted treatment regardless of their family’s financial condition.

As India intensifies efforts to reduce child mortality and improve access to specialised healthcare, Project Nanha Sa Dil demonstrates how partnerships between industry, healthcare institutions, technology innovators and government systems can create sustainable public value.

For children like Pranjali, the initiative has meant far more than a medical procedure. It has restored health, renewed hope and given them the opportunity to live a normal childhood. And as the programme continues to expand its reach, NCL stands prepared to bring the same hope and healing to countless more children whose tiny hearts need care and cure.

The post NCL’s ‘Nanha Sa Dil’ Initiative Gives New Life to Children with Congenital Heart Disease appeared first on Indian PSU CSR.

Organised from May 21 to June 10, 2026, the 21-day camp is designed for children aged 7 to 14 years, offering a structured and inclusive platform that combines sports, arts, culture, and personality development. Over the years, Aarohan has evolved into one of the region’s most impactful youth engagement initiatives.

From CSR Initiative to Community Movement

Launched in 2018 as a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, Aarohan began with just 1,200 participants and 46 coaches. In its seventh edition, the camp has grown nearly fourfold, reflecting the increasing trust of parents and the wider community.

Of the 4,700-plus children enrolled this year, 2,149 are wards of NCL employees, while 2,569 children belong to surrounding peripheral villages and communities, underscoring NCL’s commitment to inclusive and equitable development.

Professional Training Across 13 Disciplines

Participants are receiving expert coaching in 13 sports, artistic and cultural disciplines, including:

• Football
• Cricket
• Badminton
• Table Tennis
• Volleyball
• Kabaddi
• Basketball
• Athletics
• Skating
• Swimming
• Judo and Karate
• Music & Dance
• Arts & Crafts

Training is being imparted by NCL employees who have excelled at Coal India and PSU-level competitions. Activities are being conducted at specialized facilities across NCL areas and units. While swimming sessions are held at the modern facility in Jayant, Kabaddi training is centered at the Kakri Area, ensuring participants benefit from quality infrastructure and expert guidance.

Focus on Holistic Personality Development

Beyond sports and recreation, Aarohan aims to nurture well-rounded individuals. Dedicated sessions throughout the camp focus on developing essential life skills such as:

• Leadership
• Self-confidence
• Discipline
• Teamwork
• Communication skills
• Positive values and character building

The initiative seeks to prepare children not only for competitive success but also for responsible citizenship and future leadership roles.

Alumni Making Their Mark Nationally and Internationally

The impact of Aarohan is evident in the achievements of its trainees.

At the 12th Mount Everest International Karate Championship 2026 in Nepal, Aarohan participants competed against athletes from seven countries and secured:

• 2 Gold Medals
• 2 Silver Medals
• 1 Bronze Medal
• 3 Participation Awards

Similarly, at the 61st Madhya Pradesh Athletics Championship 2025, Aarohan-trained athletes won 20 medals, including:

• 5 Gold
• 4 Silver
• 11 Bronze

In addition, more than 50 players have represented their regions at Senior and Junior National and State-level Kabaddi tournaments, while six badminton players have earned selection at national and state levels.

A Model for Youth Empowerment

The steadily rising enrollment and the success of its alumni highlight Aarohan’s growing reputation as a premier platform for youth development in the Singrauli-Sonbhadra region. By combining sports excellence, creative expression and personality development, NCL is helping shape confident, disciplined and talented young citizens, reinforcing its role as a socially responsible corporate committed to community transformation.

The post NCL’s ‘Aarohan 2026’ Emerges as a Massive Success, Engaging 4,700 Children in Sports, Arts and Personality Developmen appeared first on Indian PSU CSR.

The evening commenced with the traditional lighting of the lamp, followed by a soulful rendition of the NTPC Geet, setting a warm and festive tone for the gathering.

Welcoming the dignitaries and employees, Sanjib Kumar Saha, CGM (Vindhyachal), struck a lighter note in his address, encouraging everyone to immerse themselves in the cultural richness of the station. A specially curated video capturing glimpses of the assessors’ journey and key station activities added a nostalgic touch and drew appreciation from the visiting team.

The cultural segment featured enthralling dance performances by students from Suhasini School, De Paul School and DPS, highlighting vibrant Maharashtrian folk themes and the mythological connect with the Holi festival. The performances left the audience mesmerised with their energy and artistic expression.

The evening further sparkled with a soulful flute recital by Saurabh Banaudha, DGM (IT), and a captivating presentation by Ravindra Mishra. In a delightful surprise, Deepak A. Deshpande and members of the assessment team joined for an impromptu performance, reflecting their shared journey and camaraderie during the assessment process.

Gracefully anchored by Kamna Sharma, DGM (HR), the programme stood as a fine example of seamless teamwork and coordination among the HR, TAD and Vindhya Club teams. The celebration not only honoured the CII assessors but also showcased NTPC Vindhyachal’s commitment to excellence, engagement and cultural vibrancy.

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