Hyundai Motor India’s ‘Samarth’ Initiative Provides Advanced Assistive Devices to Promote Inclusion
Bangalore, 23 May 2024: Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) today hosted its inaugural ‘Samarth Assistive Devices Conclave’ as part of its ongoing commitment to fostering an inclusive society. Under the banner of its ‘Samarth by Hyundai’ social initiative, the event highlighted the company’s dedication to leveraging technology for empowerment. Partnering with the Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled, Hyundai Motor India distributed 72 technologically advanced assistive devices, underscoring a significant milestone in its mission to enhance the lives of people with disabilities.
Over the next three years, HMIL has pledged to provide a total of 684 assistive devices, ranging from hearing aids and wheelchairs to digital kits for the visually impaired and bionic limbs. These innovations are designed to improve mobility, vision, hearing, and communication capabilities for recipients, promoting a more equitable society.
The day-long conclave provided a platform for vital discussions on topics such as enabling inclusion through assistive devices, challenges faced by people with disabilities in India, and the role of assistive technologies in para sports. Esteemed panelists, including Vineet Saraiwala, Founder & CEO of Atypical Advantage, Arman Ali, Executive Director of the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP), Aditya Mehta, Founder of the Aditya Mehta Foundation, and wheelchair basketball player Inshah Bashir, shared their insights, emphasizing the need for increased awareness and accessibility of assistive devices.
Tarun Garg, COO of Hyundai Motor India Limited, expressed the company’s commitment to social empowerment, stating, “Hyundai Motor India is proud to spearhead the ‘Samarth by Hyundai’ initiative, reflecting our dedication to leveraging technology for the empowerment of individuals with disabilities. Through this initiative, we aim to create a more inclusive society and enhance the way of living for people with disabilities in India. Providing assistive devices is a step towards strengthening our commitment to the nation’s comprehensive development.”
Dr. Mahantesh G Kivadasannavar, Founder and Managing Trustee of Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled, added, “Progress for humanity means empowering every individual to reach their full potential. Our collaboration with Hyundai Motor India under the ‘Samarth’ initiative is a significant step towards creating an inclusive society where technology and compassion converge to enhance the lives of people with disabilities. We are committed to fostering a world where everyone can contribute meaningfully, and this partnership brings us closer to that vision.”
Launched in November 2023, the ‘Samarth by Hyundai’ initiative aims to create an inclusive, progressive world through the power of mobility. As India’s first automobile company to launch an inclusive mobility project on a mass scale, Hyundai Motor India is ensuring that its digital and physical business locations are accessible to people with disabilities. Additionally, the company is developing swivel seats and other accessories to enhance vehicle accessibility.
Through its collaboration with the Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled, HMIF will support individuals with disabilities by providing assistive devices and promoting physical and social development through activities such as blind cricket. This partnership will organize training camps and international bilateral series for visually impaired cricketers, giving them platforms to showcase their talent.
