Page 2 - Reliance Foundation - The Change Maker - Issue 45

2 The ChangeMaker

Education and Sports for All (ESA) – an

opportunity to entertain, enthrall and inspire

appiness is an experience, a magical back a lot of cherished memories from snacks from boxes handed out to them,
Hmoment that fills your heart with this experience and the power and while experiencing the match jitters –
joy. As Reliance Foundation and Mumbai courage to believe in their dreams.” the fours, sixes, wickets – all on a sunny
Indians embarked on a journey this year Mrs Ambani also delved into the Sunday afternoon in the company of
to make children happy, ESA Day was various lessons that the children can Mrs. Ambani.
orchestrated to capture the imagination take from the field of play which can aid The children’s pure innocence,
and hearts of more than 18,000 children, them in their growth and development. thrill and excitement of witnessing
including 200 children with special needs “We started ESA 14 years ago and it has cricket – that most of them would have
at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday, reached out to 22 million children across played in the gullies and maidans of
7th April. As Mumbai Indians faced Delhi India. As Sachin says, I believe every child Mumbai before – came to life, giving
Capitals, the action in the stands aimed should have a right to play and a right them aspirations to pursue sport,
to encapsulate Mrs. Nita M. Ambani’s to education. Children learn as much professionally or unprofessionally. If not,
vision of giving the youth opportunities on the playground as they learn in the this ESA day hopefully acted as a catalyst
and letting them chase their dreams, classrooms. Sports teaches them so to help them push harder; to merely
without any inhibitions. Mumbai many things like discipline and hard work dream. The evening came full circle
Indians registered a thumping win over and more than anything how to take with Mrs. Ambani, the Mumbai Indians
Delhi Capitals as thousands of children wins and losses in their stride. ESA opens team, and team icon Sachin Tendulkar
witnessed their heroes live in action and the doors to millions of opportunities for taking a lap of honour around the
created a cheerful atmosphere at the these young children from the remotest Wankhede. This moment would have
iconic venue. villages and towns of India,” been a full circle one for the children;
Speaking about the Education and Hailing from diverse NGOs across from watching their heroes on TV, they
Sports for All initiative’s significance, Mumbai, these children travelled to had their heroes wave out to them, as
Mrs Ambani said, “The children are MI’s fortress to cheer on their favourite a sign of acknowledging their relentless
bringing so much positivity and joy to team and their heroes in designated support and cheering them on.
the stadium. 18000 children are in the BEST buses, accompanied by 2000 With Mumbai Indians completing 16
stands today from different NGOs. I volunteers. As the children donned years in the Indian Premier League,
believe that sport does not discriminate their blue ESA t-shirts, they brought ESA remains at the core of entertaining,
and talent can come from anywhere. with them unparalleled enthusiasms of enthralling and inspiring; while giving
Maybe one of these kids will reach the the unknown, as they danced to their the right opportunities to the younger
pinnacle of sport and I hope they take favourite music, munched delectable generation since the past 14 years.