ITC Limited :: Newsroom :: Media Releases

As India's youth become a formidable force with the potential to transform the future of the nation, Yuvraj Singh, Brand Ambassador, ITC's Classmate cheered on the youngsters who have contributed the most remarkable ideas to the Classmate Ideas for India Challenge, an ITC Centenary initiative.

ITC, one of India's largest multi-business conglomerates, completed a 100 years on the 24th of August 2010. In order to commemorate this momentous milestone the Education & Stationery Products brand, 'Classmate', had launched a unique programme - 'Classmate Ideas for India Challenge'. The challenge seeks to recognize ideas of the youth that have the potential to transform their India of tomorrow. The nationwide competition that is set to be the largest student contact programs by a brand in the country has reached out to 25 lakh students across 30 cities, 500 schools & 200 colleges and echo's ITC's credo of "Let's Put India First".

Commenting on the occasion, Chand Das, Chief Executive of ITC's Education & Stationery Products Business (ESPB) said, "Classmate Ideas for India Challenge has received an overwhelming response. We have received close to 60,000 entries within a span of 40 days and have short listed 500 of the best ideas. This reiterates our belief that the youth of today want to be taken as serious partners in the nation building process, and have eagerly shared their ideas in shaping the India of their dreams. The next stage of this program will be a presentation round where these select 500 winners will compete at their respective cities. One Winner from each city will enter the national finals slated for December 2010. Classmate as a brand believes in the big ideas that are there in each one of us & how these ideas could be brought alive to make a real change. The 500 who have made it through to the next round will be given a unique opportunity to do just that. We hope they will do exceedingly well and wish them luck."

Interacting with the students, Yuvraj Singh, Brand Ambassador, ITC Classmate said, "It feels great to be announcing the winners of a programme such as 'Classmate Ideas for India'. As a brand, Classmate believes in encouraging the ideas of the youth and this program facilitates the youth of today to come forward and express themselves. Some of the ideas that have come out are truly amazing- like earning encashable credit for every unit of energy saved! Or a new electoral system based on merit and education! All the 500 ideas are superb! Congratulations to all 500 and I wish them all the best for the next round. I hope we see some really revolutionary ideas that will propel the development of our Nation and truly make India a Super Power."

Speaking on the ITC Centenary initiatives, Nazeeb Arif, Vice President, Corporate Communications, ITC Limited said, "ITC's Centenary is a momentous milestone in the company's history. Echoing ITC's credo of "Let's Put India First", 'Classmate Ideas for India Challenge' is aimed at encouraging young India to contribute to the Nation building process. The response we have received for this programme reiterates that the youth of today are indeed brimming with ideas on how to write India's destiny."

Classmate Ideas for India Challenge is an initiative that provides a platform for the youth to express & bring alive their innovative ideas that not only address the many challenges confronting the nation today but also contribute in taking the country to a higher orbit of growth & development. With program partners like the CII-ITC Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development, WWF-India, Tony Blair Faith Foundation, Janaagraha, Akshaya Patra Foundation and many other organisations of repute, finalists will receive internships with relevant program partners, besides cash prizes & other rewards. Additionally, the top 5 winners will be sent to a 1-week international educative tour.