The spirit of collective action and social commitment illuminated New Delhi during the 20th edition of the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon, where thousands converged not just to run, but to drive meaningful change across communities.
Record-Breaking Participation and Philanthropy
On October 12, the capital city witnessed an extraordinary display of determination as 40,500 runners filled the streets, each step representing their dedication to various social causes. The energy of the marathon extended beyond physical endurance to create substantial social impact.
The event's philanthropy segment, supported by partner Lakshyaa, achieved remarkable success with corporates, individual fundraisers, and 56 NGOs collectively raising Rs 4.1 crore for 16 different social initiatives this year. This contribution adds to the event's impressive legacy of having generated Rs 88.6 crore since its inception in 2005.
Celebrating Change-Makers and Their Contributions
The philanthropy awards ceremony shifted focus to those creating impact beyond the racing track. The proceedings commenced with the 'Best Published Photograph' award, where TOI lensman Jatin Kumar secured the top position for his compelling visual storytelling.
Among individual fundraisers, Deepak Sharma emerged victorious in the 'Social Impact Champions' category for raising an impressive Rs 25.6 lakh for Udayan Care. Sharma expressed heartfelt gratitude to the 165 contributors who supported his mission. Meanwhile, Dr. Anurag Gupta received recognition as the 'Social Impact Leader' for collecting Rs 4.3 lakh for MOHAN Foundation.
In an inspiring display of youth leadership, 12-year-old April Bhalla emerged as the top young leader, raising Rs 25,000 for Don Bosco Tech Society, proving that age is no barrier to making a difference.
Corporate Commitment and Expanding Social Impact
The corporate sector demonstrated growing commitment to social responsibility, with sustainability serving as the cornerstone of their involvement. This year witnessed 15 corporates, 1,077 employees, and 2,716 individual donors uniting to champion diverse social causes.
In the 'Corporate Champions' category, Genpact led with a contribution of Rs 1.1 crore to United Way Delhi. Hitachi India followed as the second-highest contributor, donating Rs 73 lakh specifically toward women's mental well-being initiatives.
The top fundraising NGOs included United Way of Delhi (Rs 1.8 crore), Udayan Care (Rs 32.7 lakh), and Cancer Patients Aid Association (Rs 24.8 lakh), each addressing critical societal needs through their specialized programs.
Sustained Initiatives and Future Vision
Vedanta continued its impactful #RunForZeroHunger initiative under Nand Ghars, which has enabled the distribution of nearly two crore nutritious meals over the past three editions. For the 2025 event, Vedanta distributed 50 lakh Poshan packs, corresponding to the 5 million kilometers run by participants.
The company expanded its humanitarian reach to include animal welfare through The Animal Care Organisation (TACO), reflecting its comprehensive 'One Health' philosophy that addresses interconnected wellbeing across species.
Nikhil Pant, founder of Lakshyaa, shared insights from his three decades working at the intersection of policy, purpose and people, noting that becoming the philanthropy partner for VDHM 2025 gave new meaning to his belief that real change occurs when passion meets intent.
Priya Agarwal Hebbar, chairperson of Hindustan Zinc Limited and non-executive director at Vedanta Limited, emphasized that through #RunForZeroHunger and the Poshan packs, they are helping ensure that children at Nand Ghars receive essential nutrition to grow, learn and thrive. She highlighted that when communities run with purpose, the impact extends far beyond the finish line.
Vivek Singh, joint MD at Procam International, noted that the platform proudly aligns with all UN social development goals and, over two decades, has united citizens across diverse backgrounds, demonstrating that every run can inspire hope and drive collective progress.
As part of its commitment to transparency, the event unveiled its annual 'Philanthropy Docket' in the presence of partners and dignitaries, ensuring accountability and clear reporting of how funds are allocated to create maximum social benefit.
