Goodyear in India collaborates with Plan India to improve the lives of children in Delhi and Mumbai

New Delhi, 4 March, 2015: Goodyear in India has extended its campaign of spreading joy on the road to now also spread joy off the road for many children in New Delhi and Mumbai. The leading tyre manufacturer has partnered with Plan India, a child centered community development organization, to support Plan India’s “Early Childhood Care Development Centers” (ECCDs) in both cities.

Goodyear’s collaboration with Plan will benefit hundreds of children, who will receive immunizations and have their health monitored regularly. It will also ensure they will get age appropriate nutrition through regular meals each day.

“With growth of infrastructure and development activities in urban areas, there are large numbers of labourers moving to our major cities,” said Mr. Rajeev Anand, vice chairman & managing director of Goodyear in India. “In many cases, they come with their families and children from rural areas and reside in temporary housing near the construction sites where it can sometimes be difficult to access services in healthcare and education. We chose to partner with Plan India for this project as they have over 10 years of experience and an excellent record in early childhood care and development approaches for children living in and around construction areas in India.”

The ECCDs provide a safe and quality learning environment for the children of construction labourers, along with offering counseling to the parents on ante natal/post natal care such as child feeding practices, hygienic living and immunization. The centres also assist parents in admitting their children in government school once they reach the requisite age.

“Early childhood encompasses the period of development from pre-natal through the transition from home or ECCD centre into the early primary grades,” said Bhagyashri Dengle, executive director, Plan India. “It includes health, nutrition, education, social science, economics, child protection and social welfare. The ECCDs strives to ensure young children’s overall well-being during the early years. Plan aims to improve holistic care for the development of children between 0-6 years at home and in centers by strengthening the government systems and structures as well as building capacities of parents and communities.”

About Goodyear in India
Goodyear’s presence in India is more than 92 years old, with two tyre plants/companies, one each in Ballabgarh and Aurangabad. In the passenger car segment, Goodyear in India supplies tyres to many of the leading Original Equipment Manufacturers. Goodyear in India has been a pioneer in introducing tubeless radial tyres in this segment. In the farm segment, in India, Goodyear tyres are supplied to all the major tractor companies. For more information about Goodyear and its products, go to www.goodyear.co.in

About Plan India
Plan India is an Indian NGO and part of Plan International, one of the world’s largest community development organizations. Plan India is working to improve the lives of marginalized children, their families and communities through an approach which puts children at the centre of community development. For last 35 years, Plan and its partners have worked with communities throughout India to break the cycle of poverty by helping children access their rights to protection, basic education, proper healthcare, a healthy environment, livelihood opportunities and participation in decision which affect their lives. We encourage children to express their views and be actively involved in improving their community. Plan India currently works in 14 states in India, across 5,400 communities and has touched the lives of millions of children. For more information log on to www.planindia.org.