The Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS), Rashtrapati Nivas, Shimla, is set to receive a battery-operated golf cart under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative of the State Bank of India (SBI). The formal handover and launch ceremony will take place on 06 April 2026 at 3:00 PM near the Institute’s Ticket Booth. This initiative marks a key step towards promoting green energy, reducing pollution, and enhancing environmentally conscious visitor facilities on the campus.
Professor Himanshu Kumar Chaturvedi, Director of IIAS, had earlier emphasized that alongside improving visitor amenities, the Institute would adopt measures to support sustainable mobility and environmental responsibility. The introduction of this eco-friendly golf cart aligns with that vision, offering convenient transport for visitors while reducing reliance on conventional fuel-based vehicles, thereby cutting air and noise pollution.
The golf cart service will primarily facilitate transport from Gorkha Gate to the Ticket Booth, available at a nominal charge. It is expected to especially benefit senior citizens, differently-abled visitors, and others who face difficulty walking on the approach road, reflecting IIAS’s commitment to an inclusive and sustainable visitor experience.
The programme will feature an introduction highlighting the environmental and practical benefits of the golf cart, followed by the symbolic handover of keys to the IIAS Director by senior SBI officials. The cart will then be blessed with a ceremonial Puja and flagged off for its first run. The event will conclude with light refreshments and distribution of sweets and laddoos for guests, media personnel, and staff.
The IIAS views this initiative as more than a visitor facility; it is a step toward a greener campus, cleaner environment, and responsible public infrastructure, enhancing convenience and sustainability for all visitors to the heritage campus.
Nurturing Creativity – Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla
