Mumbai, January 30, 2016: Mahindra Lifespace Developers Limited (MLDL), the real estate and infrastructure development arm of the Mahindra Group, in association with Central Railways and NGO Die Hard Indian, today successfully conducted its first Urbanscaping project at Mumbai’s Sion Station. Termed ‘ Mumbai Sparklers’, this one of a kind initiative, aimed at restoring and beautifying public spaces in large cities, witnessed volunteers from multiple walks of life come together at Sion Station for a common cause – the renovation and beautification of one of Mumbai’s oldest and busiest railway stations via tree planting, wall painting and cleaning activities.
Anita Arjundas, Managing Director, Mahindra Lifespaces, while attending the Urbanscaping event at Sion Station said, “As pioneers of sustainable development in India, we believe that public spaces play an important role in shaping the ethos and identity of our urban areas. The Mumbai Sparklers Urbanscaping initiative is representative of our ongoing efforts to promote urbanisation best practices that leverage community participation to collectively nurture the future of our cities.”
Mahindra Lifespaces’ Urbanscaping projects are aimed at improving public spaces through basic infrastructure provision, renovation efforts and cleanliness drives, combined with the efforts of artists to create an aesthetic and vibrant identity for public spaces. In the run up to the Mumbai Sparklers Urbanscaping event at Sion Station, nearly 500 volunteers (including students of Vallabh Vidyalaya and MP Bhuta Sion Sarvajanik schools) have participated in repair work on pavements and the restoration and painting of walls over the last few months, resulting in a radical improvement in the overall appearance of the station.
Mahindra Lifespaces’ employees today joined local community members and other volunteer groups to plant saplings, clean the station premises and paint the entrance wall; during the course of the day, the wall was painted in murals to the theme of ‘Mumbai City’ and is now colourful and inviting. Dr. Alok Badkul, Senior Divisional Commercial Manger (DCM), Central Railways, also graced the occasion. Sion station is today cleaner, brighter and impeccably maintained, with clear signage, to the delight of passengers and passersby.
Mumbai Sparklers at Sion Station is Mahindra Lifespaces’ second sustainable urbanisation linked CSR initiative. In 2015, the company launched the second edition of its ‘Green Army’ initiative after a successful first edition in 2014; this outreach program has identified children as primary change agents of the future and aims to educate them on sustainable living habits and choices, while encouraging them to spread the word amongst friends and family.
NGO Die Hard Indian (www.diehardindian.com) was founded by Gaurang Damani in the year 2000 and has led several cleanliness and renovation drives in Mumbai, including pioneering the adoption of a railway station in India.
Corporate Comm India(CCI Newswire)
