Coca-Cola dedicates 200th rebuilt school

Coca-Cola India, in association with NGO partner Plan India, Saturday dedicated 200th school under the company's Support My School campaign, aimed at rebuilding schools in rural and semi-urban India, a statement said.

Irial Finan, executive vice president, the Coca-Cola Company along with senior government functionaries dedicated the Nallagutta School in Ranigunj, Secunderabad.

The dedication marks the completion of revitalisation work in 200 schools under Season 2 of the campaign, touching the lives of one lakh students across India, said a company statement.

Pledges of over Rs. 3.5 crore were raised for revitalization work under the second leg of the campaign, which was officially kicked off in August 2012.

Campaign partner Plan India provided the contributions to restore and revamp the Nallagutta School.

APSA, the local NGO, worked on ground to help revitalise facilities including better access to toilets for boys and girls and clean drinking water, sports facilities and a rainwater harvesting unit.

Rekha Rani, additional joint collector, Hyderabad, and B. Janardhan Reddy, commissioner and director, municipal administration, Hyderabad, were also present.

"India provides a great example of the way business will partner with communities going forward. In order to grow sustainably, we must first ensure the communities in which we do business are on solid footing and that we are making investments in the future of those communities and its people," said Finan.

Launched in January 2011, the Support My School campaign aims to create happy and healthy learning environments for students across rural and semi-urban India by providing schools with basic amenities such as access to water and proper toilets for girls and boys. Over 43,000 students across 10 states were impacted during Season 1 of the campaign.