Noble cause: Rajasthan Royals, Rahul Dravid 'bat for the girl child'

Mumbai, May 14: Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Rajasthan Royals (RR) have started batting for a noble cause. All players including team's mentor Rahul Dravid will "bat for the girl child".

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"Rajasthan Royals today embarked on an innings of a different kind. The franchise announced its support for the development and welfare of the Girl Child and pledged 2% of the annual profits of the company for the current financial year towards the cause," the team announced yesterday (May 13) on its website. (Suspense over IPL playoff spots)

"The franchise has tied-up with 2 NGOs - Educate Girls and Aangan who will be the beneficiaries of this funding. The British Asian Trust (BAT), part of HRH Prince of Wales Charities, will work as the Implementation Partner with the Rajasthan Royals," they added.

Taking inspiration from the Indian Government's 'BetiBachaoBetiPadhao' initiative, the franchise wishes to heighten awareness around the issues facing the girl child, engage with its fans and other cricket lovers, utilize its digital assets to reach out to audiences and seek to make a difference by contributing brand support and monetary resources towards this cause.

The CSR initiative will support the 2 NGOs on issues that affect the future of the girl child - education of girl children, knowledge of gender discrimination the overall survival, protection and empowerment of the girl child.

RR propose to engage with 2 NGOs - "Educate Girls" (www.educategirls.in) - funding the enrollment, retention and improved learning outcomes of girl children in public schools across Rajasthan and "Aaangan" (www.aanganindia.org) - funding the girl safety programme (SHAKTI) to keep girls safe, supported and connected to a peer network that empowers them.

To create awareness of the campaign "Bat for the Girl Child", RR will conduct two activities during their home match against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on 16 May at Mumbai's Brabourne Stadium. Spectators and players will release 1000 balloons with the "Bat for the Girl Child" logo to showcase their support for this cause.

Rahul Dravid supports the #BatForTheGirlChild initiative. RT if you'd like to partner him! http://t.co/vduZulKbEw pic.twitter.com/N5OfyPros1

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) May 14, 2015

.@stevesmith49 is here to #BatForTheGirlChild. RT if you support Smithy and the cause! http://t.co/vduZulKbEw pic.twitter.com/dj8v0gvUEC

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) May 14, 2015

.@ajinkyarahane88 is all for the cause! RT if you support #BatForTheGirlChild initiative too! http://t.co/vduZulKbEw pic.twitter.com/UM8K4cK7XQ

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) May 14, 2015

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