CSR Dashboard

Author: csr-admin

  • Re Sustainability, Janyu ink MoU for transformative robotics waste management

    Re Sustainability, Janyu ink MoU for transformative robotics waste management

    Re Sustainability Limited, a leading integrated waste management firm, and Janyu Technologies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to pioneer transformative robotics waste management solutions across India.

    The strategic partnership combines Re Sustainability’s three-decade expertise in handling hazardous, bio-medical, and industrial waste with Janyu Technologies’ advanced, remotely operated robotic systems.

    The collaboration targets high-risk areas such as sludge removal, confined-space cleaning, and hazardous waste handling, significantly reducing human exposure while boosting operational efficiency, consistency, and traceability.

    India’s waste management industry, valued at over USD 20 billion, is experiencing rapid growth amid stricter regulations, heightened compliance demands, and rising ESG priorities.

    This alliance accelerates the deployment of automation and deep-tech innovations to tackle complex challenges in regulated waste operations.

    Leveraging Re Sustainability’s extensive nationwide network, regulatory knowledge, and execution prowess alongside Janyu’s indigenous robotics tailored for hazardous environments, the partners aim to deliver scalable, safety-first models that align with India’s circular economy and sustainability goals.

    “Safety, compliance, and operational excellence are core to Re Sustainability,” said Masood Mallick, Managing Director & Group CEO.

    “This partnership with Janyu Technologies marks a transformative leap in integrating advanced robotics into high-risk waste management, minimizing human exposure and elevating efficiency, consistency, and traceability.”

    Abhimanyu Raja, Managing Director of Janyu Technologies, added: “India’s industrial progress must prioritize worker safety and dignity. Our human-enabling robotic systems for hazardous tasks like sludge handling and confined-space cleaning shift workers to safer, skilled roles while generating data for AI-driven analytics. Together with Re Sustainability, we are building safer, more competitive industrial infrastructure through Indian innovation.”

    The partnership establishes a foundation for next-generation, human-safe, technology-enabled waste and environmental infrastructure, promoting safer workplaces, robust compliance, and enduring environmental benefits.

  • Eco Survey: Southern states lead green ease of doing biz

    Eco Survey: Southern states lead green ease of doing biz

    Ease of doing business got a major green upgrade in southern India, with Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh emerging as trailblazing models, according to the Economic Survey 2025-26.

    The pre-Budget document presents clear evidence that these states have dramatically improved ease of doing business by slashing environmental clearance timelines under the Business Reform Action Plan (BRAP) — while smartly weaving sustainability right into their industrial and economic strategies. This shows that faster approvals and stronger environmental protection can — and do — coexist.

    Kerala used BRAP 2024 to turbocharge ease of doing business through streamlined business registration, digitised land and tax records, and simplified environmental clearances. Simultaneously, the state accelerated renewable energy adoption, rolled out carbon-neutral gram panchayats and launched large-scale waterbody rejuvenation — delivering quicker business setup alongside meaningful ecological gains.

    Tamil Nadu strengthened its ease of doing business ranking with single-window clearances, fully digitised approval processes and progressive land reforms. It is aggressively promoting massive solar parks, district-level decarbonisation plans and statewide energy efficiency programmes.

    The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board maintains rigorous oversight of industrial effluent treatment and actively facilitates Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) for pollution-intensive clusters like tanneries and textiles, ensuring treated wastewater consistently meets strict discharge standards.

    Andhra Pradesh advanced ease of doing business under BRAP 2024 with single-window industrial clearances, online land registration and electronic environmental approvals. The state expanded its Online Consent Management & Monitoring System, allowing businesses to apply for consents digitally, track real-time progress and significantly reduce delays — while greatly improving transparency and coordination between industries and the Pollution Control Board.

    “Some evidence suggests that states streamlining processes to boost ease of doing business while embedding sustainability can cut delays, increase transparency and deliver better environmental outcomes at the same time,” the Survey notes.

    These pioneering and balanced efforts send a strong signal: enhancing ease of doing business no longer means compromising on green goals — it can actually reinforce renewable energy growth, tighter pollution controls and digital-first governance.

  • Eco Survey 2025-26: Pollution trading schemes can be a game-changer even in developing countries, Surat pilot proves

    Eco Survey 2025-26: Pollution trading schemes can be a game-changer even in developing countries, Surat pilot proves

    Market-based tools like emissions trading — long hailed as successful in the US and Europe — can deliver big wins for cleaner air in developing nations too, the Economic Survey 2025-26 has asserted, citing a pioneering experiment in Gujarat’s Surat city.

    Traditionally, experts doubted whether pollution trading schemes could work in lower-capacity settings due to weak monitoring, limited enforcement, and low state credibility. Regulators often struggle to track emissions accurately or ensure polluters buy permits for every unit released.

    But the Survey points to strong counter-evidence from the world’s first particulate matter emissions trading market, launched in Surat — a major industrial hub — and evaluated in the seminal 2023 study by Greenstone et al.

    The scheme, run by the Gujarat Pollution Control Board, covered 317 large industrial plants (mostly coal-burning units in textiles and other sectors). It replaced old command-and-control rules (tech mandates and concentration limits) with a cap-and-trade system, backed by mandatory Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems (CEMS) for real-time tracking of particulate emissions.

    Key findings from the randomised trial:

    The market worked smoothly — active trading took place, and plants achieved near-universal compliance (99% of emissions covered by permits vs just 66% under the old regime).

    Participating factories slashed particulate emissions by 20-30% compared to those under traditional regulation.

    For the same pollution level, abatement costs dropped by 11-14%, thanks to firms trading permits based on their differing marginal costs.

    The Survey calls this a breakthrough proof that, with credible real-time monitoring like CEMS in place, pollution trading schemes can achieve major emissions cuts at much lower compliance costs — even in challenging developing-country contexts.

    “This shows market-based environmental regulations are not just for rich nations. When supported by strong tech-enabled enforcement, they offer an effective and cost-efficient path to cleaner air,” the document notes.

    The Surat pilot has already inspired expansions in Gujarat (including Ahmedabad) and discussions in other states, highlighting its potential as a scalable model for tackling industrial air pollution across India.

  • Eco Survey 2025-26: No Capital shortage, but huge climate finance gap

    Eco Survey 2025-26: No Capital shortage, but huge climate finance gap

    There is no shortage of money in the world for fighting climate change — the real problem is that this cash is simply not reaching the countries that need it most, the Economic Survey 2025-26 has warned.

    Tabled in Parliament by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday, the pre-Budget document says the core issue is not lack of capital but a deep structural misalignment between huge pools of global liquidity and extremely low risk appetite among lenders and investors when it comes to projects in developing nations.

    “Global capital markets are flush with funds, yet flows to sustainable development and climate action in the Global South remain badly constrained by entrenched risk aversion built into the global financial system,” the Survey notes.

    This blockage shows up most clearly in two places: the conservative lending models of Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) and tough prudential rules in rich countries.

    MDBs still prefer safe, sovereign-guaranteed loans to protect their AAA ratings. This limits their ability to recycle balance sheets and pull in large-scale private money. High capital charges under Basel III and Solvency II make long-term infrastructure bets in emerging markets unattractive for banks and insurers in developed nations.

    On top of that, big institutional investors want standardised, easy-to-trade securities — while climate projects in poorer countries are usually custom-made, small and illiquid.

    The Survey calls the situation urgent and demands big-ticket reforms to fix it:

    • Recapitalisation of MDBs
    • Shift to “originate-to-share” model using guarantees, insurance and blended finance
    • Recalibration of global regulations
    • Strong governance to protect public money

    It points to a recent game-changer example: In 2025, the Inter-American Development Bank and Brazil’s Central Bank set up a mechanism that unlocked up to $3.4 billion in long-term forex hedging. This tackles currency risk without piling more debt on governments — making projects far more attractive to private investors.

    Without such active risk-sharing and a move away from pure risk avoidance, the Survey warns, energy poverty and climate vulnerability will keep rising in the developing world despite trillions sitting idle in global markets.

  • SOS India holds free eye check-up camp for 137 kids

    SOS India holds free eye check-up camp for 137 kids

    SOS Children’s Villages India, in collaboration with Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital, conducted a one-day free eye check-up camp that screened 137 children and caregivers from its Family Like Care and Family Strengthening Programmes.

    In an era when myopia (near-sightedness) and hypermetropia (far-sightedness) are increasingly prevalent among children in India—with studies showing myopia rates rising with age and affecting learning—early detection is essential to prevent issues like reduced concentration and impaired academic performance.

    Vulnerable children often face limited access to basic healthcare, including eye screenings, making initiatives like this vital for their development.

    Sumanta Kar, CEO of SOS Children’s Villages India, emphasized the importance of the partnership: “Children today are more vulnerable to eye-related issues, and at their young age, they often struggle to articulate challenges they face. Our core commitment is the overall well-being of children and mothers in our care. This collaboration with Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital has enabled timely screening and preventive care, helping participants address vision concerns effectively.”

    The transformative camp focused on early diagnosis of conditions such as weak eyesight, colour blindness, and lazy eye (amblyopia). A team of qualified doctors and staff from Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital provided screenings, basic consultations, and preventive guidance to children and caregivers. For cases requiring further treatment, recommendations for additional diagnosis were offered.

    Dr Karthikeya, Senior Consultant – Vitreoretina, Uvea & ROP at Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital, highlighted the impact: “Many eye problems in children remain unnoticed without regular screening. Early identification prevents these issues from hindering studies and daily activities. Through outreach camps like these, we deliver quality eye care to underserved children who might otherwise miss timely help.”

    This collaboration underscores the shared goal of both organizations to advance children’s healthcare, providing empowering basic medical services to support the holistic growth of vulnerable youth.

  • Adani Foundation empowers Gangavaram youth through sports initiative

    Adani Foundation empowers Gangavaram youth through sports initiative

    The Adani Foundation is empowering youth in Gangavaram, Andhra Pradesh, by nurturing sporting talent via the Adani Coaching & Fitness Centre, a transformative initiative launched in 2022.

    The centre offers structured training in Kabaddi, Kho-Kho, Shuttle Badminton, and fitness programmes, enabling aspiring athletes from fisher folk communities to pursue sports ambitions alongside education.

    Success stories highlight the programme’s impact. Sixteen-year-old Yeripalli Komali and Badi Divya, both from fisher folk families, have progressed from school-level to representing Andhra Pradesh in national Kabaddi tournaments. Similarly, 20-year-old Perla Divya has competed for Andhra University in the All-India Kabaddi tournament and now serves as a Physical Education teacher, earning ₹7,000 monthly.

    The Adani Foundation provides professional kits, mentorship, and competitive exposure. Leading the centre is 23-year-old Nolli Theja, a national-level Kabaddi player from Gangavaram who has participated in 14 national tournaments. Having overcome financial challenges himself, Theja now coaches and inspires the next generation.

    To date, the centre has trained over 72 players, including 30 girls, turning sports into a pathway for empowerment, confidence, and community pride in Gangavaram.

  • HDFC Bank boosts Parivartan Startup Grants with Rs 20 crore

    HDFC Bank boosts Parivartan Startup Grants with Rs 20 crore

    HDFC Bank, India’s largest private sector lender, on Monday announced the launch of the FY26 edition of its Parivartan Startup Grants programme, committing Rs 20 crore in non-dilutive grants to boost social impact-driven innovations.

    The initiative will support 10 strategic programmes across key sectors including climate innovation, agriculture and sustainable livelihoods, manufacturing and MSME innovation, financial inclusion, gender diversity and inclusion, as well as emerging fields such as AI and deep technology.

    Grants will primarily fund pilots, validation and early-stage scale-up for selected startups.

    The programme operates on an incubator-led model, with partners handling outreach, evaluation, mentoring and impact reporting. FY26 emphasises deeper sector focus, with collaborations including IIT Madras Incubation Cell for deep-tech, IIM Bangalore-NSRCEL for financial inclusion, and BITS Pilani for climate innovation.

    It also includes ecosystem-building efforts in Punjab and a nationwide incubator capacity programme in partnership with the Indian STEP and Business Incubator Association (ISBA).

    “Parivartan Startup Grants has evolved as a benchmark in the industry that works closely with institutions to support innovation addressing clearly identified social and environmental challenges,” said Kaizad Bharucha, Deputy Managing Director, HDFC Bank.

    Arup Rakshit, Group Head – Treasury, added that the programme provides structured institutional support through leading incubators.

    Since 2017, Parivartan Startup Grants has backed over 500 startups via more than 130 incubators, deploying over Rs 85 crore. Nearly 40% of supported startups are from Tier II and III cities, with supported ventures raising over Rs 900 crore externally.

    Applications will be handled through partner incubators.

  • Mankind Pharma unveils Digital Smart Classrooms in Ghaziabad

    Mankind Pharma unveils Digital Smart Classrooms in Ghaziabad

    Mankind Pharma Limited has launched transformative digital smart classrooms in Ghaziabad as part of its flagship CSR platform KindCare, underscoring its dedication to empowering technology-driven education in government schools.

    The initiative, implemented in partnership with SEEDS Impact, was inaugurated by Sunil Kumar Sharma, Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Minister for Information Technology and Electronics, alongside Sheetal Arora, Promoter and CEO of Mankind Pharma Limited.

    This marks a significant step in Mankind Pharma’s Digital Smart Classroom Initiative, which aims to enhance access to quality education via interactive digital environments. With a community-first strategy, the program targets district-level rollout for lasting grassroots impact.

    The broader effort covers 400 schools in Uttar Pradesh, with 460 digital smart classrooms now operational. These use tools like the K-Yan device for audio-visual teaching, boosting student engagement in resource-limited settings.

    Teacher empowerment is central to sustainability. Over 2,400 educators have received training, including hands-on sessions, simulations, and ongoing support via helplines and digital networks.

    Sharma praised the effort: “Mankind Pharma’s Digital Smart Classroom Initiative addresses key gaps in digital literacy and access, with a sustainable focus on teacher empowerment.”

    Arora added: “Through KindCare, we adopt a community-first approach to empowering underserved students and teachers in a digital world, ensuring dignity and opportunity.”

    R Purushotham, CEO of SEEDS Impact, said the partnership nurtures India’s youth and could scale further with continued commitment.

    The Digital Smart Classroom Initiative anchors KindCare’s focus on education, alongside health, hygiene, environment, and livelihoods.

    Mankind Pharma, a leading Indian pharmaceutical firm, emphasizes affordable quality products across formulations and consumer healthcare.

    SEEDS is a non-profit advancing inclusive development in education, skills, farming, and health.

  • BrahMos CEO flags alarming digital dementia in youth

    BrahMos CEO flags alarming digital dementia in youth

    In an era of rapid technological advancement, the alarming rise in digital dependency among youngsters and teenagers is triggering serious psychological impacts, akin to symptoms of digital dementia – a term describing cognitive decline from excessive screen time, including memory loss, reduced attention span, and impaired focus.

    Dr Jaiteerth R. Joshi, Managing Director and CEO of BrahMos Aerospace, sounded this warning while inaugurating the fourth edition of Manappuram Foundation’s mental health awareness programme on digital dementia at ITC Kakatiya Hotel in Hyderabad.

    Dr Joshi stressed the urgent need to address these psychological consequences, emphasising that mental health protection and psychological safety must be given equal importance alongside technological progress.

    Leading the session was Dr Manoj Sharma, a renowned de-addiction expert on technology dependence and Professor at NIMHANS, Bengaluru. Dr Sharma detailed various mental ailments emerging from overdependence on digital devices and advocated for judicious use, including regular breaks to maintain health.

    The event, organised by Manappuram Foundation and supported by Manappuram Finance Ltd, received widespread appreciation.

    During the programme, V P Nandakumar, Chairman and Managing Director of Manappuram Finance Ltd, honoured Dr Joshi for his outstanding contributions to India’s defence technology sector.

    “Under Dr Joshi’s leadership, BrahMos Aerospace continues to achieve remarkable technological breakthroughs and global recognition,” Nandakumar noted.

    BrahMos, the India-Russia joint supersonic cruise missile, symbolises national technological excellence with its superior speed, precision, and multi-platform capabilities.

    Approximately 200 prominent business leaders and professionals attended. K M Asharaf, Senior PRO of Manappuram Finance, welcomed the guests, while Lion’s Club International leader Saju Antony Pathadan delivered the vote of thanks.

  • Ambuja Cements drives transformative nutrition awareness in Bathinda

    Ambuja Cements drives transformative nutrition awareness in Bathinda

    Ambuja Cements, the cement and building materials arm of the Adani Group’s diversified portfolio, is advancing transformative nutrition awareness in rural Bathinda through its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

    In villages where wheat-based meals have long been the staple, residents are increasingly turning to maize and millet flour, signalling a marked improvement in dietary patterns driven by the company’s health outreach.

    At a local flour mill, owner Balveer Singh has observed surging demand for maize flour year-round, beyond its traditional winter consumption. This shift stems from heightened nutrition awareness under Ambuja’s CSR health programme, educating villagers on how millet and maize aid in managing blood sugar levels, bolstering heart health and boosting daily energy.

    Adapting to these evolving preferences, Singh has introduced multigrain blends, transforming his mill into a community hub for healthier food options and empowering families to prioritise nutritious staples.

    This grassroots change underscores the impact of combining education with accessible solutions. By engaging local entrepreneurs and championing food-based interventions, Ambuja Cements is fostering a sustainable wellness culture rooted in daily habits.