IndianOil (Indian Oil Corporation Limited) launched the fourth phase of its successful social outreach ‘Parivartan-Prison To Pride’ campaign that has emerged as a beacon of hope for thousands of inmates across prisons in India.

Under this outreach, IndianOil is facilitating training programs in various sports such as chess, basketball, badminton, volleyball and carrom across prisons in India to help improve the physical and mental well-being of inmates.

S M Vaidya, Chairman, IndianOil, launched the 4th phase of the campaign across 17 new prisons in nine states. Vaidya also announced the rollout of "Nai Disha - Smile for Juvenile", which would extend the benefits to over 2500 young inmates at three Juvenile Correction Centres in Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai. Since its launch, IndianOil's Parivartan has covered 37 Prisons spanning 20 states and 5 Union Territories, coaching over 1750 inmates in three phases.

Underlining the resounding success of this social outreach, Vaidya, said, "Parivartan is built on IndianOil's core value of Care. It builds on our other welfare and rehabilitation measures for Prison Inmates, such as Fuel Stations run by inmates". Speaking on IndianOil's newly launched Nai Disha endeavour, he added, "This outreach is very close to my heart. I look forward to thoughts and suggestions from the prison authorities on strengthening this outreach. As the Energy of India, we are well aware of our social responsibilities and reaching out to the future generation is among our foremost social priorities". Vaidya also elaborated on the plans to enhance the ecosystem for the welfare of Indian prison inmates, with a special focus on women prisoners.

The launch event, held on a hybrid platform, witnessed the participation of Prison Authorities from across the country, including B K Dak, DG(Prisons), Rajasthan; Barnali Sharma (IG) Prisons, Assam; Dhanasekara Pandian, Jt Director, Dept of Social Service; Rahul Kanithikar, Superintendent, Children's Observation Home, Umarkhadi; Urmila Minz, Superintendent, District Jail, Puri; Akhilesh Tomar, Senior Superintendent, Jabalpur Central Jail and Dr P Vijayan, Central Prison and Correctional Home, Kannur.

The Prison Authorities were effusive in their appreciation for the Parivartan outreach and underscored it as a great platform that would catalyse the integration of inmates into society with dignity and respect. The authorities also expressed their delight at the launch of Nayi Disha, and expressed the hope that the vehicle of sports would impart critical life lessons while infusing joy in young inmates.

Referring to the evolved welfare programs at Indian Prisons, B K Dak said that IndianOil's sports coaching program is strengthening the reformation mechanism for prisoners. Barnali Sharma appreciated how IndianOil is creating a lasting impact by reaching out to the most vulnerable sections of society. Speaking on the launch of ‘Nayi Disha’, Rahul Kanithikar and Dhanasekara Pandian expressed their gratitude to IndianOil for introducing such a unique sports coaching program which will help juveniles address mental problems through physical activities. They elaborated on how this program will help children to gain back their confidence and become responsible citizens again.