Hyundai India celebrates first year of ‘Samarth by Hyundai’ for disability support

Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) celebrated the first anniversary of its initiative ‘Samarth by Hyundai’, aimed at supporting and empowering people with disabilities across India.
Launched in 2023, the program reflects Hyundai’s global vision of “Progress for Humanity” and underscores the company’s commitment to fostering inclusivity in society.

The event saw the presence of esteemed government officials including Shri Mansukh Mandaviya, Hon’ble Minister of Sports, Dr. Virendra Kumar, Hon’ble Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment, and Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Union Minister of State for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship. During the celebration, HMIL presented the ‘Charter of Recommendations for Enhancing Accessibility and Inclusivity’ to the Government of India and announced the ‘Samarth Hero Awards’ to recognize individuals and organizations working to empower people with disabilities.

Key Highlights from the Event:

• Felicitation of Indian Paralympians: HMIL honored seven Indian Paralympians for their remarkable achievements, reinforcing its commitment to supporting para-athletes under the ‘Samarth by Hyundai’ initiative.
• Charter Presentation: Hyundai Motor India presented its “Charter of Recommendation for Enhancing Accessibility and Inclusivity” to the government, advocating for improved policies and inclusive infrastructure for people with disabilities.
• Samarth Hero Awards: The launch of the ‘Samarth Hero Awards’ was announced to celebrate individuals and organizations making significant contributions to empowering people with disabilities.
Unsoo Kim, Managing Director of HMIL, expressed, “At Hyundai, our mission goes beyond mobility. ‘Samarth by Hyundai’ is a reflection of our dedication to creating a more inclusive and equitable society. We are proud of the progress made in our first year and look forward to driving further change with the support of our partners and the government.”

Achievements Over the Year:

• Accessibility Improvements: HMIL has made dealerships across India more accessible, ensuring wheelchair-friendly spaces. Additionally, it introduced TurnPlus, a swivel seat mechanism for disabled-friendly vehicle access.
• Awareness Campaigns: Hyundai’s 360-degree media campaign, featuring brand ambassador Shah Rukh Khan, has reached over 300 million people, raising awareness about the challenges faced by people with disabilities.
• Strategic Partnerships: Collaborations with organizations like GoSports Foundation and Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled have been key to supporting blind cricket, para-sports, and the distribution of assistive devices. Over 200 assistive devices were distributed in 2024 alone, with plans to provide 684 devices over the next three years.

Looking ahead, Samarth by Hyundai aims to further its commitment by continuing its support for para-athletes, expanding assistive device programs, and promoting inclusivity in technology and infrastructure.