Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) has marked the first anniversary of its ‘Samarth by Hyundai’ initiative focusing on supporting people with disabilities across India. Launched in 2023, the programme is part of Hyundai’s global vision to promote inclusivity and raise awareness about the challenges faced by people with disabilities.
Hyundai presented a “Charter of Recommendations for Enhancing Accessibility and Inclusivity” to the Government of India, urging the development of policies and infrastructure that benefit people with disabilities. The company also launched the ‘Samarth Hero Awards’ to recognise individuals and organisations working towards the empowerment of people with disabilities. These efforts reflect Hyundai’s commitment to advocating for an inclusive society, both in India and globally.
The celebration was attended by key government officials, including Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of Sports, and Dr Virendra Kumar, Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment. They were joined by Hyundai's executives, including Managing Director Unsoo Kim, who reaffirmed the company’s dedication to driving change through social responsibility initiatives.
The company introduced the TurnPlus swivel seat mechanism, which allows people with disabilities to easily enter and exit vehicles. This feature is available at Hyundai dealerships across the country and is compatible with most of their passenger vehicles. Hyundai has also focused on creating awareness within its own workforce, conducting knowledge sessions to educate employees about inclusivity.
Hyundai Motor India Foundation (HMIF) has played a key role in extending the reach of the ‘Samarth by Hyundai’ initiative. Through partnerships with organisations such as the GoSports Foundation and Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled, Hyundai has supported para-athletes and visually impaired cricketers. The company organised an international blind men’s cricket series and launched a Samarth Para-Sports Programme, which provided financial aid and mentorship to 20 para-athletes. Several of these athletes represented India at the Paralympics, with two winning medals.
Additionally, Hyundai’s efforts to raise awareness about assistive devices have been recognised through the Samarth Assistive Devices Conclave, which provided 228 assistive devices in 2024. The company has committed to delivering a total of 684 devices over the next three years, furthering its goal of making daily life easier for people with disabilities.
Looking ahead, Hyundai plans to continue supporting para-athletes, expanding its efforts to raise awareness about inclusivity in schools and communities. The company has reached over 50,000 students through its awareness campaign, spreading the message of inclusion across 120 schools. Hyundai also launched a corporate visitor wall in support of para-athletes, gathering signatures from over 4.87 lakh individuals who pledged to support the initiative.
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