Boxes of Happiness: New Shoes, New Smiles at Jan Seva

It was a wonderful opportunity for the children of the Jan Seva Crèche from the surrounding slum communities to receive new school shoes through the generous support of Coal India Limited, in collaboration with Footsteps Foundation and Cir Qula. The timely distribution, organized at the onset of the monsoon season, brought immense joy and relief to the children.

The initiative, titled "Shoe Distribution Amongst the Children of Slum Areas," was undertaken by Coal India Limited as part of Swachhata Pakhwada 2025, a Government of India campaign. The programme reflected the belief that every child deserves to walk with comfort and confidence. By providing an essential necessity, the initiative promoted dignity while ensuring that children from underserved communities had access to quality footwear.

For many of the children at Jan Seva, this was a much-awaited gift. Several had outgrown their old shoes, while others had no proper footwear to protect their feet. Receiving a new pair of school shoes brought bright smiles to their faces and offered much-needed protection from waterlogged and muddy roads during the monsoon season. Children enrolled in both the ECCEC and UDAAN programmes received the shoes with great excitement and gratitude.

The distribution programme was held at SICW – Jan Seva on 8 July 2026 at 11:00 a.m. Representatives from Coal India Limited, Footsteps Foundation, and Cir Qula were present to mark the occasion. Representing Coal India Limited were Mr. Anupam Rana, Manager (Public Relations), and Mrs. Nikita Bhadani, Manager (Corporate Social Responsibility), who handed over the much-awaited "boxes of happiness" to the children. The event was also graced by Mrs. Shakuntala Chanda from Footsteps Foundation and Ms. Priyasha Singhania and Mr. Abhiygan Chanda from Cir Qula. Mrs. Sarita Dhir, Board Member of SICW and Administrator of the UDAAN Programme, welcomed the guests and appreciated their support for the children.

The shoes distributed were manufactured by Bata, a trusted brand renowned for its quality, comfort, and durability. Specially designed for young children, the shoes provide a comfortable fit, easy wearability, and lasting support for both classroom activities and playtime.

The distribution process was carefully planned and executed. Prior to procurement, the shoe size of every child was collected and shared with Footsteps Foundation to ensure accurate ordering. Once the shoes were procured, the boxes were delivered to Jan Seva a day before the event, allowing sufficient time for sorting, size verification, and proper organization.

The programme was conducted smoothly by the dedicated staff of Jan Seva, led by Mrs. Twisha Ganguli, Project Coordinator, and Mrs. Anindita Sengupta, Programme Coordinator. Their meticulous planning ensured that every child received the correct shoe size and the appropriate box.

The day concluded on a joyful note, with every child returning home, carrying not just a new pair of school shoes, but also renewed confidence, comfort, and happiness. This thoughtful initiative stands as a meaningful example of how collaborative efforts between corporate organisations and social partners can positively impact the lives of children and strengthen their journey towards a brighter future.