Collective Newsroom (CNR) is proud to support the Indian Blind Women's Cricket Team through a partnership with the Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.
The Samarthanam Trust, a pioneering NGO that works closely with the team while promoting blind cricket across India, has long recognised sport as a powerful tool for inclusion and social mobility.
By partnering with them, Collective Newsroom reaffirms its commitment to drive meaningful impact by spotlighting the Indian sportswomen who have overcome extraordinary challenges to break stereotypes and gained remarkable achievements in the world of Indian and global sport.
Social responsibility
As part of the Collective Newsroom CSR initiative this year, CNR supported the Blind Women's Cricket Team through a contribution to the Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled, which works to help empower people with disabilities and promote their inclusion in society through diverse initiatives.
The cheque was presented on 16 February 2026 to Shailendra Yadav, director of the trust, by Amit Jain, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Collective Newsroom, alongside the founding leadership team, namely, Rupa Jha, CEO and Editor-in-Chief, Mukesh Sharma, Director of Journalism, Sanjoy Majumder, Managing Editor and Sara Hassan, Chief Operating Officer.
Later in March, a tournament was organised by the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI), the cricketing arm of the Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled, with support from Collective Newsroom.
The tournament, called "Beyond Boundaries Trophy 2026", was held in Delhi from 6 to 8 March 2026, showcasing talent, determination, and competitive spirit among visually impaired women cricketers from across India. It was held to mark the International Women's Day on 8 March.
Why it matters to CNR
At the heart of this commitment lies CNR's belief that storytelling should not only be credible and courageous but also enable real change.
"Supporting the women's blind cricket team as part of our CSR is not a symbolic gesture – it reflects the kind of organisation we want to be. One that uses its platform not just to tell stories, but to enable them," says Rupa Jha.
"By partnering with the Cricket Association for the Blind in India, we aim to create meaningful opportunities for visually impaired women cricketers to showcase their incredible talent on a larger stage. This initiative is not just about cricket - it is about breaking barriers, celebrating determination, and building pathways for the future of women's blind cricket in India. Carrying forward our commitment to spotlight the achievements of women in sport through the BBC's Indian Sportswoman of the Year Award, which we organise and manage annually, we are proud to support this cause that champions inclusivity, determination and empowerment," says Sara Hassan.
With this initiative, Collective Newsroom reaffirms its commitment to inclusion, equal opportunity, and supporting inspiring talent through the power of sport.
A broader vision for impact
Collective Newsroom's CSR journey is rooted in a simple but powerful idea: Every opportunity can change a life.
The initiative underscores a broader mission aimed at empowering Indian rural sportswomen and para-sportswomen, supporting athletes from marginalised communities and enabling access to higher education in sport, scholarships, mentorship, and training.
By investing in sportswomen - particularly those from underrepresented communities - the organisation is helping build a more inclusive, equitable future.