Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages (HCCB) has recently formalized multiple strategic Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with four districts in Maharashtra to empower rural and tribal communities. These MoUs fall under HCCB's CSR initiative, Project SHINE. The partnerships were formalized in the presence of the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis, along with other government officials.

The partnerships aim to equip women, enhance water infrastructure, upgrade healthcare and education, upskill youths and uplift tribal communities in the regions of Ratnagiri, Palghar, Jalgaon, and Pune.

Under the MoUs, HCCB will plan, co-design, and execute relevant CSR initiatives across the four districts. These initiatives include deploying electric vehicles for waste collection, rejuvenating water bodies, upgrading schools and Anganwadis, and upgrading Primary Health Centres (PHCs), along with developing a comprehensive WASH ecosystem. The WASH ecosystem will provide hygiene, sanitation, and nutrition training, construction of Overhead Water Tanks (OHTs), and expansion of Naagrik Soochna Kendras (NSKs) to improve access to Government schemes.

The district administrations of Ratnagiri, Palghar, Jalgaon, and Pune will support the initiative by facilitating necessary permissions and approvals for project execution, beneficiary selection, stakeholder coordination, and community mobilization. By aligning district development plans with HCCB's initiatives, the administrations will help ensure successful project implementation and drive positive change in their communities.

The Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis, remarked that these partnerships with Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages are roadmaps that will support the communities in Ratnagiri, Palghar, Jalgaon, and Pune and achieve accelerated and inclusive growth. He also expressed pleasure in seeing HCCB extend their CSR efforts beyond urban centers into developmentally rural and tribal districts, which is a key focus of the Government's mission.

Himanshu Sekhar Priyadarshi, VP & Chief Public Affairs, Communications, and Sustainability Officer, HCCB, stated that the company is committed to creating ecosystems that empower communities to thrive and improve their quality of life. He also stated that these partnerships with the Maharashtra Government reflect their long-term commitment to the state and its people.

Tribal communities constitute a significant portion of India's population, with a majority residing in rural areas, often facing socio-economic and health challenges. These challenges include limited healthcare access, inadequate infrastructure, and reliance on traditional medicine. Initiatives like HCCB's Project SHINE can play a crucial role in addressing these disparities and promoting inclusive development in these regions.