Category: News

Aragen Life Sciences, formerly known as GVK Bio, has donated a fully-equipped ambulance to the Government of Telangana (GoT) as part of its CSR activities. A flag-off event of the vehicle was held in the presence of Minister for Health

Aragen Life Sciences, formerly known as GVK Bio, has donated a fully-equipped ambulance to the Government of Telangana (GoT) as part of its CSR activities.

A flag-off event of the vehicle was held in the presence of Minister for Health, Medical and Family Welfare and Finance T Harish Rao on Saturday, according to a company statement.

Aragen Corporate Services Vice President Ramesh Gambhir was also present at the event.

The ambulance is equipped with an advanced life support system and other equipment including a multi-channel monitor, defibrillator, ventilator, oxygen cylinder, humidifier amongst others to support in case of an emergency, the statement added.

Aragen’s CSR activities are focused on three main areas – education, environment, and healthcare.

Aragen Life Sciences Pvt Ltd (Aragen) is a global leader in providing discovery, development, and manufacturing solutions for life sciences firms. Established in 2001, Aragen now serves over 450 customers worldwide across multiple modalities and therapeutic areas.

The companies have spent a cumulative amount of ₹70,764.70 crore during 2017-18 to 2020-21, of which about 60 percent of the CSR expenditure has been spent through engaging implementing agencies, the government informed Parliament on Tuesday.

The companies have spent a cumulative amount of ₹70,764.70 crore during 2017-18 to 2020-21, of which about 60 percent of the CSR expenditure has been spent through engaging implementing agencies, the government informed Parliament on Tuesday.

Government provides the broad framework of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) through Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013 (‘Act’), Schedule VII of the Act and Companies (CSR Policy) Rules, 2014.

In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Corporate Affairs Rao Inderjit Singh said, “In the CSR legal framework, the word ‘Non-governmental Organisations (NGO)’ has nowhere been defined.”

Section 135 of the Act read with Rule 4 of the Companies (CSR Policy) Rules, 2014 prescribes that the Board of the company is empowered to undertake CSR activities either by itself or through engaging an Implementing Agency as mentioned in the said rule, he said.

The minister was responding to a query raised by DMK leader P Wilson on local funds not available for NGOs as most of the CSR goes to central government oriented projects.

The MP also asked the government for steps to fund NGOs through CSR as there has been a 90 per cent drop in donations from abroad for NGOs from 2017-21.

To which, the Minister said, “In the CSR legal framework, the word ‘Non-governmental Organisations (NGO)’ has nowhere been defined.”

Section 135 of the Act read with Rule 4 of the Companies (CSR Policy) Rules, 2014 prescribes that the Board of the company is empowered to undertake CSR activities either by itself or through engaging an Implementing Agency as mentioned in the said rule, the minister added.

On the basis of filings made by the companies in the MCA21 registry, the Minister said “companies have spent a cumulative amount of ₹70,764.70 Crores during the FY 2017-18 to 2020-21 of which approximately 60% of the CSR expenditure has been spent through engaging implementing agencies.”

Under the Act, CSR is a Board driven process and the Board of the company is empowered to plan, decide, execute and monitor CSR activities of the company based on the recommendation of its CSR Committee,he said.

“The Government does not issue any specific direction to the companies to spend in any particular geographical area or activity,” he added.

The Government provides the broad framework of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) through Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013 (‘Act’), Schedule VII of the Act and Companies (CSR Policy) Rules, 2014.

The CSR framework is disclosure based and companies are required to file details of CSR activities annually in the MCA21 registry, as part of their Profit & Loss Account and the same is required to be audited by the statutory auditors of the company.

Further, the Board of the company is also required to disclose the CSR Policy implemented by the company in its Board report. Thus, the corporate governance framework along with the existing legal provisions such as mandatory disclosures, accountability of the CSR Committee and the Board, provisions for statutory audit of accounts of the company etc. provide adequate safeguards in this regard.

Regarding CSR data for the financial year 2020-21, the Minister said it is informed that the companies are required to hold Annual General Meeting (AGM) within six months from the end of financial year.

Thereafter, financial statements and board reports containing disclosure about CSR, are to be filed in MCA21 within 30 days of the AGM. In view of the disruption caused by COVID-19 pandemic, Registrars of Companies had accorded extension of time till 30th November, 2021 for conduct of AGMs by companies.

The Ministry vide General Circular No. 22/2021 dated 29.12.2021 has relaxed the levy of additional fees till 15.02.2022 for filing of financial statement in respect of the financial year 2020-21, the minister added.

APM Terminals Pipavav has started a mobile science and maths laboratory at Rampara Primary School in Rajula in Amreli, Gujarat for the benefit of local students, an initiative that will benefit around 10,000 students and 200 teachers

APM Terminals Pipavav has started a mobile science and maths laboratory at Rampara Primary School in Rajula in Amreli, Gujarat for the benefit of local students, an initiative that will benefit around 10,000 students and 200 teachers.

According to the company, the local students did not have access to advanced technology and were dependent on bookish knowledge. However with this facility, the students will be able to get practical understanding on various subjects making “I do I learn” possible.

The “lab on wheels”, which was inaugurated on January 5, will help village students to perform science and maths experiments to gain practical insights and hone scientific skills, it said in a statement.

The lab will facilitate experiments on various topics along with the sky watching, celebration of National Science Day, National Mathematics Day and block level science and math exhibition.

The mobile lab was inaugurated by APM Terminals Pipavav Chief Operating Officer (COO) Captain P K Mishra in the presence of Sarpanch, Block Resource Coordinator and locals.

Speaking on the new initiative, Mishra said one the objectives of APM Terminals Pipavav is to empower the students in the surrounding villages in their pursuit of acquiring knowledge and hone their scientific skills.

“This lab will provide an opportunity to students to do experiments and learn from the same. It will also help teachers in expanding their learning horizon and improve scientific knowledge,” he added.

APM Terminals Pipavav is India’s first public private partnership (PPP) port in India and is a part of the APM Terminals global terminal network.

HCL Foundation (HCLF), the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of HCL Technologies, has flagged off a Sports for change (SFC) team bus in Chennai, Tamil Nadu under its flagship program. The SFC team bus will enable students

HCL Foundation (HCLF), the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of HCL Technologies, has flagged off a Sports for change (SFC) team bus in Chennai, Tamil Nadu under its flagship program.

The SFC team bus will enable students to travel and participate in competitions, attend coaching and training around the city.

Furthermore, the bus will also help to promote campaigns and spread awareness about sports in the communities and schools, the Foundation said in a statement.

The ‘Sports For Change’ team bus was flagged off by Nidhi Pundhir, Director HCL Foundation and Alvin Raj, Inspector of Police, Kannagi Nagar, at the Kannagi Nagar Playground in Chennai in the presence of Fr. Leo, Director Don Bosco Anbu Illam, among others.

Since its inception in 2015 as a volunteer-led initiative in Chennai, HCL Foundation’s Sports for Change has supported more than 21,000 athletes across India.

Sports for Change, HCL Foundation’s special initiative, works toward achieving the following objectives:

• Harnessing the positive transformative potential of sports by bridging the access-gap and promoting participation in sports at the grassroots (right to play)
• Promoting play or sports at grassroots, youth to help achieve larger development goals (linking sports with development outcomes)
• Empowering young leaders from disadvantaged communities by channelizing their energy toward play and sports (creating role models)

The aim of Sports for Change is to promote grass root sports among the young talents from the most difficult circumstance and deserving communities.

Families in India have shown great traction in their philanthropic actions over the last year as they deployed both short-term relief funding as well as longer-term grants to non-profits in the face of the coronavirus pandemic and the momentum

Families in India have shown great traction in their philanthropic actions over the last year as they deployed both short-term relief funding as well as longer-term grants to non-profits in the face of the coronavirus pandemic and the momentum is likely to continue this year as well, says a report.

Dasra, a strategic philanthropy foundation, on Wednesday released the top ten philanthropy trends for 2021, as per which, family giving is expected to witness an increase in 2021.

“Next-generation givers are also leaning into philanthropy now more than ever, even if their interest areas are largely varied compared to that of their families. Overall, family giving is expected to witness an increase in 2021,” it said.

Citing a recent survey by GiveIndia, it said the country’s appetite for giving has radically increased during the pandemic — 85 per cent of respondents plan to increase their giving, with 74 per cent more inclined to contribute to local communities.

“As normalcy resumes, priorities of retail givers might shift but at least a fourth of fresh givers are expected to remain active during this year. With the advent of new platforms such as the Social Stock Exchange (SSE) in the coming year, this thrust towards expanding the base of givers is expected to grow even further,” it noted.

Further, the report said that over the last year, CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) capital has drastically diminished, international funding has become increasingly restricted due to FCRA (Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act) regulations, and an increasing number of family givers are looking to own and operate their own programmes.

“Larger and more well-established non-profits are expected to receive much of the available philanthropic funding. For mid-size and smaller organisations, recovery will be much slower, if at all,” it noted.

Among corporates in India, while proximate giving has always been an important emphasis, the pandemic has heightened its significance and further pushed CSR funding towards areas in and around company offices or factories a trend that is expected to continue this year.

The India Philanthropy Trends 2021 is based on collective foresight from the Community of Foundations, a group of professional philanthropic leaders representing 20 of the most influential Indian and international foundations such as The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, Azim Premji Philanthropic Initiatives, Omidyar Network and Nilekani Philanthropies.

Smile Foundation has partnered with IIT-Kanpur’s premier Technical and Entrepreneurship Festival Techkriti ’21 to support the latter’s social welfare initiatives. On February 12, Techkriti conducted a drawing completion as a part of its social

Smile Foundation has partnered with IIT-Kanpur’s premier Technical and Entrepreneurship Festival Techkriti ’21 to support the latter’s social welfare initiatives. On February 12, Techkriti conducted a drawing completion as a part of its social initiative BLISS – Brightening Lives by Igniting Social Support in collaboration with Smile Foundation’s Shiksha Na Ruke campaign.

Techkriti is a meeting of minds, an excellent platform to collaborate and bring about positive change in the education sector. The much-awaited festival witnesses nearly 20,000 participants with over 1,000 participants from abroad. Through the pandemic, Smile Foundation has implemented a blended learning approach under its Shiksha Na Ruke initiative to ensure the continued education of school children to mitigate disruption from COVID-19.

Smile Foundation’s blended learning approach improves access to education for students across India through multiple means – smartphones, tablets, television sets, radio and even through feature phones. The blended learning approach includes a methodology for continued learning, even after schools gradually re-open.

Speaking about the partnership, Santanu Mishra, Co-Founder, and Executive Trustee, Smile Foundation said, “At Smile, we believe that real and permanent change on the ground is only possible with the active participation of civil society. In the pandemic, people from all walks of life and organizations and institutions came together as one and showed up a resilient front which helped the most vulnerable survive the crisis. But there is a lot more to be done to get them back on their feet. Working with children for almost two decades now, we feel that children have been one of the worst sufferers of the pandemic. Particularly, less privileged children, who could not continue their education properly as they had little or no access to digital learning. Through our Shiksha Na Ruke initiative, we are making efforts to provide continued access to education for all children through a blended learning approach so that they do not drop out of the fold of education. We are grateful to Techkriti’21 for lending their support to the cause and the student volunteers who are dedicating their time to make learning engaging and fun for our children”.

Supporting NSS volunteers who continue to serve the nation even during COVID-19 uncertainties, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. (HMSI) today announced that its road safety training ‘Honda Road Safety E-Gurukul’ has successfully

Supporting NSS volunteers who continue to serve the nation even during COVID-19 uncertainties, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. (HMSI) today announced that its road safety training ‘Honda Road Safety E-Gurukul’ has successfully empowered over 23,000 National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers across India on staying safe on roads, that too digitally, from the safety of their homes.

Across India, Honda’s specialized road safety instructors digitally trained the National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers aged 16 years + on the important aspects of road safety. Noteworthy, that in just 8 months beginning June 2020, Honda reached out to the NSS volunteers of over 200 colleges of 13 universities across 30+ towns & cities of India – From East (Dhanbad, Sambalpur, Medinapore, Gaya, Durg) to West (Ahmednagar, Nashik & Pune); North (Bilaspur, Gurugram, Udaipur, Delhi) to South (Kannur, Trivandrum, Calicut, Ernakulam, Thrissur).

Speaking on this milestone achievement, Mr. Prabhu Nagaraj, Senior Vice President – Brand & Communications, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. said, “For 20 years, Honda has been aggressively working in India towards its vision of ‘Safety for Everyone’ on roads. We respect the grit of NSS volunteers across the nation who continued serving the society even in the challenging times of COVID-19. To enhance their safety & inculcate safer riding habits, Honda has digitally trained more than 23,000 NSS volunteers of over 200 colleges in just 8 months. With this initiative, Honda aims to sensitize all type of road users, be it existing or new riders, pedestrians or pillions of their responsibility on roads.”

Keeping it informative yet engaging, Honda’s road safety instructors conducted a 2-hour long Road Safety Webinar based on a mix of theory, videos & case studies.

NSS volunteers were given an understanding of road safety rules, signs & markings (the difference between mandatory, cautionary & informative signs; yellow, white or double lines) and traffic lights & signals (stop, move, left turn, right turn, go straight or slow down).

The volunteers were also briefed on how they can pro-actively avoid road accident injuries by scientific techniques like the correct driving/riding posture, the importance of wearing a seatbelt or helmet and riding gears.

Further, Honda’s safety instructors also educated the NSS volunteers on road sharing manners (sticking to your lane, use of bicycle tracks & footpaths by bicycle riders & pedestrians).

The government on Tuesday informed Parliament that five central public sector enterprises (CPSEs) including BHEL have undertaken up CSR works in 41 aspirational districts in 15-odd states in last two years

The government on Tuesday informed Parliament that five central public sector enterprises (CPSEs) including BHEL have undertaken up CSR works in 41 aspirational districts in 15-odd states in last two years.

Besides Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL), Andrew Yule and Co Ltd (AYCL), Bridge and Roof Co (India) Ltd (B&R), The Braithwaite Burn and Jessop Construction Co Ltd (BBJ) and Rajasthan Electronics and Instruments (REIL) have taken up CSR activities in 41 aspirational districts during the 2018-19 and 2019-20 fiscal years.

In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Prakash Javadekar said BHEL is working in 34 aspirational districts in 12 states including Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh in last two years.

Whereas B&R is doing CSR works in three districts of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, while REIL in three districts of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.

Andrew Yule and Co Ltd has taken up two districts in West Bengal and BBJ one district in Assam in last two years, the minister added.

The minister also informed that the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) in its December 2018 guidelines had told CPSEs to give preference to aspirational districts under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

Jaipur Rugs, the iconic family-run business, has been working towards bridging the gap between the weaver at the grassroots and the urban consumers through the revival of the dying art of carpet weaving. The brand, led by founder NK Chaudhary, envisions a society where equality

Jaipur Rugs, the iconic family-run business, has been working towards bridging the gap between the weaver at the grassroots and the urban consumers through the revival of the dying art of carpet weaving. The brand, led by founder NK Chaudhary, envisions a society where equality, justice and peace prevail through socio-economic development.

Jaipur Rugs’ key aim has been to provide opportunities for all, with the insurgent mission to serve as a social innovator promoting the cause of artisans by providing them with job opportunities, resulting in an uplifted rural society. As an inclusive development practitioner committed to promoting creativity everywhere it goes, especially in places where others are reluctant to venture, Jaipur Rugs is working with close to 100 inmates across Jaipur Central Jail, Bikaner Central Jail and Dausa Central Jail to provide them with meaningful and fulfilling work by teaching them the art of carpet weaving.

Crime tends to go hand-in-hand with poverty and illiteracy, and imprisonment makes the lives of the families of inmates even more difficult, especially if the one incarcerated is the breadwinner. One way to change this destructive cycle is economic empowerment. Jaipur Rugs feels that the capacity to imagine brings motivation, which then adds to the prestige and prosperity of individuals if nurtured appropriately.

“Let goodness, fairness and, most importantly, love prevail in business. Profits will inevitably follow,” says NK Chaudhary, Founder, Jaipur Rugs Company.

“This innovative initiative by Jaipur Rugs and the Prison Department is much needed. Through this, prison inmates are trained in rug weaving and production and their efforts get appreciated globally, leading the way for reformations. The earnings from this initiative help the families of the inmates. Additionally, 25% of the earned income goes to the victim’s families,” says Rakesh Mohan, Jail Superintendent, Jaipur Central Jail.

Jaipur Rugs also helps inmates open bank accounts to receive payments for their work directly, which makes it easy for them and their families to access their earnings. Ordinarily, inmates are given work that lacks a purpose to keep them occupied. It undermines their potential and eventually leads to an inability and unwillingness to work. Through the initiative by Jaipur Rugs, in which training and workshops are conducted and a source of income is generated, these inmates get access to socio-economic development and are empowered through support and sustainable livelihood.

The Freedom Manchaha collection is an ode to these inmates who want to express themselves creatively and still support their families through the odds.

Myntra, India’s leading fashion and lifestyle destination collaborates with Teach For Change, of which famous Tollywood Actor-Producer Lakshmi Manchu is the Trustee and Chairperson. Through this partnership Myntra is supporting the less privileged children

Myntra, India’s leading fashion and lifestyle destination collaborates with Teach For Change, of which famous Tollywood Actor-Producer Lakshmi Manchu is the Trustee and Chairperson. Through this partnership Myntra is supporting the less privileged children from various government schools across Hyderabad to spread cheer and positivity in their lives.

As part of this initiative, clothes and footwear by Myntra were distributed among 1000 children by the actor The children are beneficiaries under the Teach For Change program, an initiative to improve literacy and life skills among children studying in government schools.

Commenting on this initiative, Lakshmi Manchu, Trustee and Chairman said “I am thrilled to collaborate with Myntra to bring smiles among these children and hope they enjoy the clothes that we have curated. I had a great time distributing these boxes to the children personally. I hope that schools reopen soon and the children are back in the classroom.”

Speaking on the occasion, Amar Nagaram, CEO Myntra, said, “It is our honour to be able to
serve the children associated with Teach For Change. We feel fortunate to get the opportunity to extend a small, yet meaningful support and bring cheer to these children. This effort is truly in line with our vision of ‘making the world a colourful and happier place’ and we are extremely proud of it.”