Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation of India (EVFI) offers free education to over 1 million rural children, as part of a drive to help eradicate illiteracy. The curriculum of these schools (36,783 in number) is tailored to teach the children basic literacy and life skills to inculcate self-confidence to pursue higher education or rural occupations. In short, Ekal extends healthcare education and empowerment to the marginalised sections of society. Ekal received the National Award in 2011 by Lala Dewan Chand Trust, Delhi for its contribution in India.

To help drive social transformation we have always played a proactive role. Our initiatives comprise:

ROAD SAFETY
collaboration with the Highway Authorities of Maharashtra to promote road safety last year, Zee Talkies and Zee Marathi had another successful campaign in 2012. This was done during the promotion of the film 'Zhakaas'. Sixty hoardings were put up on Mumbai Pune Expressways, NH4 (Mumbai - Pune), NH3 Mumbai - Nasik and other six important highways of Maharashtra with the popular stars of Zee Marathi and Zee Talkies' newly launched movie Zhakaas. The initiative drew attention to safe driving habits through the use of popular slogans like 'Don't drink and drive', 'Use Helmet', 'No rash driving', 'Follow Signals and many other Traffic Rules'.

WOMEN'S SAFETY AND EMPOWERMENT

Zee Marathi also arranged for a symposium with the help of various social and cultural groups like Shabdagappa, Majestic group, Vanita Samaj, Punya Nagari Sai, Dadar Bhagini Samaj, and Dombivli Mahila Sangh. The forum communicated the message: Tumchi Mulgi Surakshit Ahe Ka (Is your daughter safe?). The initiative to safeguard women from harassment attracted the participation of social activists, police officers, renowned journalists and performing artists.

On the Women's Day, Zee TV announced the launch of 'Project Protsahan', a drive towards women empowerment. In the inaugural ceremony, the leading ladies of the channel's prime time shows addressed the media and felicitated four extraordinary women who have made a significant contribution across different walks of life. The project will identify issues affecting women and work in a focused manner towards improving the economic and social status of Indian women.

RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS PARENTS
Zee TV's widely acclaimed soap, Pavitra Rishta, is an attempt to sensitise the audience towards social issues like helplessness of senior citizens. Abandoned by their children, they are compelled to choose old-age homes for support and medical care. The programme promotes a humane approach towards senior citizens.

SCARING OFF EXAM BLUES
Through its prime time show Afsar Bitiya, Zee TV attempts to offer 'Umeed' in the lives of its viewers through an innovative tie-up with Competition Success Review (CSR) magazine. Afsar Bitiya has tied up with the CSR magazine to create a counselling committee for students to help them beat examination blues. Notably, many promising students fall victim to examination blues and even commit suicide.

To combat this stress, a committee of eminent educationists will reach out to students, provide them guidance and help solve their psychological predicament. A first-of-its-kind initiative by any General Entertainment Channel in India. Over 500 students have written to afsarbitiya@zeenetwork.com till now, seeking counselling from the expert panel.

ADDRESSING REMARRIAGE CONCERNS
In India, remarriage (Punar Vivaah) is always considered to be a social taboo. At Zee TV, we have launched a movement against this secret menace, by disseminating relevant information to people. The show provides a platform to interact and share views on the issue, through various helpline, panel discussions, and social media including facebook, Twitter and blogs. Till date, around 15,000 Facebook fans are engaged in a discussion on remarriage. Multiple panel discussions were organised in several cities (Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmadabad, Lucknow and Indore) where a wide cross-section of around 2,000 people (housewives, social activists, remarried couples, divorcees, widows, educationists, students, psychotherapists, marriage bureaus, writers, theatre/ film personalities, politicians and NGOs) participated.

FACILITATING A LIFE OF DIGNITY
Zee Salaam's initiative, Pehal – Ek Koshish, took up the issue of rehabilitation of sex workers and tied-up with the Jaitpur, Delhi based NGO IFRA, which addresses the issues of women forced into prostitution and the subsequent health concerns. As a part of this drive, Zee Salaam and IFRA have successfully rehabilitated women, helping them lead a life of dignity.

We believe 'green is good' for life and business. The answer to unbridled natural exploitation and resource depletion is a collective concern for the environment. At ZEE, we undertook several green initiatives. One such initiative by Zee Café celebrated the World Environment Day by launching 'Green Turn' across four key cities: Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Pune. On the eve of World Environment day (June 4th), young environmentalists distributed saplings, along with Zee Café's Green Turn at Hiranandani Garden Powai, Mumbai. On 5th June a sapling drive, along with the distribution of ecofriendly bags, was conducted at Barista outlets.

Zee Café conducted an eco-event to create awareness about herbal plants and vermi composting, as well as sapling distribution, together with a tree plantation. Zee Bangla has also created a green awareness drive for children. The participants of the Dance Bangla Dance Junior planted trees at Nicco Park, Kolkata in the esteemed presence of Sri Partha Chatterjee, Honourable Minister, Government of West Bengal.