CSR Dashboard

Category: 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.

  • ACC Healthcare Outreach Transforms Life in Remote Tribal Village

    ACC Healthcare Outreach Transforms Life in Remote Tribal Village

    In the heart of a remote tribal hamlet in Gulitand village, Jharkhand where access to basic healthcare often feels like a distant dream, ACC—part of the diversified Adani Portfolio and India’s fastest-growing building materials powerhouse—is scripting stories of hope and renewal through its robust grassroots interventions.

    Community outreach efforts by ACC, in tandem with the Adani Foundation, have spotlighted the silent scourge of preventable blindness plaguing vulnerable families. Among those touched by this lifeline is 59-year-old Bhamuni Devi, whose world had faded into shadows due to untreated cataracts.

    Enter the unsung hero: a trained community volunteer, or “Sangini,” who became Bhamuni’s bridge to salvation. With unwavering support, the volunteer guided her through the process of securing an Ayushman Bharat card under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), India’s flagship health assurance scheme. This paved the way for seamless connection to an empanelled hospital, where free cataract surgery awaited—treatment that was once an insurmountable barrier for her modest means.

    The procedure proved a resounding success, shattering the veil of darkness that had confined Bhamuni. Today, she navigates her daily chores with renewed vigor, from tending to her home to cherishing moments with loved ones. This transformation isn’t just about restored vision; it’s a profound reclaiming of confidence, self-reliance, and dignity.

    ACC’s commitment to such ACC healthcare outreach underscores a broader mission: bridging healthcare gaps in underserved corners of India. By empowering local volunteers and leveraging government schemes like PM-JAY, the initiative is not merely treating ailments but fostering resilient communities. As Bhamuni’s story illustrates, every intervention ripples outward, illuminating paths to a healthier, more equitable future.

    For more on ACC’s social impact, visit Adani Foundation. Learn about PM-JAY at official PM-JAY portal.

  • Amway India Fights Child Malnutrition in Delhi School

    Amway India Fights Child Malnutrition in Delhi School

    Amway India, in partnership with the Nourishing Schools Foundation, hosted interactive workshops on child malnutrition and hygiene for students at a low-cost private school in the capital on Thursday, advancing the fight against childhood malnutrition.

    The event, under Amway’s Power of 5 programme, involved volunteers preparing healthy meals like fruit salads and sprout chaat with the children, followed by painting sessions, drawing contests and role-playing exercises focused on combating child malnutrition through sanitation and balanced diets.

    “Every child deserves the foundation of good nutrition and the opportunity to grow strong and healthy for a better tomorrow,” Rajneesh Chopra, managing director of Amway India, said in a statement.

    He highlighted government initiatives like Poshan Abhiyaan and Mission Saksham Anganwadi, adding that the company aims to embed practical education against child malnutrition early through such activities.

    Archana Sinha, co-founder of Nourishing Schools Foundation, described the sessions as “fun and impactful,” saying they help children internalise health messages.

    “Our shared goal is to empower school children with knowledge that can transform their fight against child malnutrition and future,” she said.

    Launched in 2018, Power of 5 has reached more than 730,000 people across India, including over 100,000 children, by promoting awareness of micronutrients and healthy habits to tackle childhood malnutrition.

    Amway India’s corporate social responsibility efforts also include women’s empowerment programmes that have trained over 4,000 underprivileged women in skills for self-employment, and community projects such as water conservation in seven villages and five telemedicine centres serving 35,000 patients annually.

    The company has received awards including the Golden Peacock CSR Award and CSR Health Impact Award for its initiatives against child malnutrition since 2018.

  • HCL Foundation donates medical equipment to UP hospital

    HCL Foundation donates medical equipment to UP hospital

    HCL Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of technology firm HCLTech, has donated advanced medical equipment to a government hospital in Uttar Pradesh state, the foundation said on Tuesday, as part of efforts to improve healthcare infrastructure in the region.

    HCL Foundation provided the equipment to the Government Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS) in Greater Noida, including a 3 Tesla high energy inductive therapy system for deep tissue healing, an intermittent compression therapy unit, a computerized balance evaluation system, a high power laser therapy unit, and a DEXA scan machine for bone health assessment.

    The new equipment is expected to benefit more than 30,000 patients annually from Noida, Greater Noida, the Delhi National Capital Region and surrounding areas, HCL Foundation said.

    “At HCL Foundation, we believe that quality healthcare should be accessible to everyone,” said Dr Nidhi Pundhir, Senior Vice President for Global CSR at HCLTech and Director at HCL Foundation.

    The donation by HCL Foundation supports the Uttar Pradesh state government’s efforts to strengthen medical infrastructure and expand healthcare access in the region.

    Brig. (Dr.) Rakesh Gupta, Director of GIMS, said the support from HCL Foundation would “significantly strengthen” the institute’s healthcare infrastructure and patient care capacity.

  • Transformative Himachal Pradesh Vision Care Initiative Treks to 5,000

    Transformative Himachal Pradesh Vision Care Initiative Treks to 5,000

    The Government of Himachal Pradesh has partnered with online bus ticketing platform redBus and VisionSpring Foundation to launch the Himachal Pradesh vision care initiative, a transformative effort to deliver vision care services to underserved Himalayan communities.

    Targeting 5,000 people, this initiative provides eye screenings and eyeglass distribution to bridge a critical gap in eye care access.

    In Himachal Pradesh, 3 million people lack proper vision care, part of India’s 550 million residents without necessary corrective eyewear.

    Studies show eyeglasses can boost earning potential by up to 33.4% and increase productivity by 32%. The Himachal Pradesh vision care initiative addresses this need, empowering communities with clearer vision and brighter futures.

    From Oct. 9-18, VisionSpring teams, government officials, and health experts are trekking across Shimla and Kinnaur districts, reaching remote areas like Chitkul, India’s first village, and hazardous mountain roads near Reckong Peo. This Clear Vision Trek, a cornerstone of the Himachal Pradesh vision care initiative, marks the 25th anniversary of VisionSpring founder Jordan Kassalow’s journey that inspired the organization’s mission.

    “Everyone has the right to see clearly, no matter where they live,” Kassalow said, emphasizing the trek’s goal to deliver “life-changing eyeglasses across some of the most challenging terrain on earth.”

    The Himachal Pradesh vision care initiative includes three transformative programs: See to Earn for working adults, See to Learn for students, and See to be Safe for commercial vehicle drivers navigating mountainous roads. These efforts ensure comprehensive vision care tailored to diverse needs.

    Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu launched the Clear Vision Trek in Shimla on Oct. 9, aligning with World Sight Day celebrations. Partners like the National Programme for Control of Blindness & Visual Impairment, World Health Organization, and Indiahikes bolster this transformative Himachal Pradesh vision care initiative, setting a model for accessible healthcare in remote regions.

  • Inspiring Bathinda Nutrition Centres empower rural health

    Inspiring Bathinda Nutrition Centres empower rural health

    When 45-year-old Kulwinder Kaur first heard about a Bathinda nutrition centre opening in her village, Mehma Sawai, she was skeptical. “Another government scheme,” she thought, accustomed to promises that rarely reached her doorstep in rural Bathinda.

    But when a local health volunteer knocked on her door with seeds for a kitchen garden and advice on managing her borderline diabetes, something shifted. “She spoke in our language, understood our kitchens, our budget,” recalls Kulwinder. “For the first time, health advice didn’t feel like it was meant for city people.”

    A Trusted Face in a Medical Desert

    In Mehma Sawai, like many villages across Bathinda, the nearest proper healthcare facility is miles away. For women managing households on tight budgets, taking time off to travel to a clinic—let alone affording consultation fees—remains a luxury. Non-communicable diseases like diabetes and hypertension quietly creep into families, often undiagnosed until complications arise.

    Recognizing this gap, Ambuja Cement established a community Bathinda nutrition centre in the village as part of its CSR health initiative. But the real transformation came through people like Savita, a trained health volunteer from the village itself, who became the centre’s beating heart.

    Where Street Plays Meet Diabetes Awareness

    Savita’s approach was refreshingly simple: meet people where they are. She organized street plays featuring local talent dramatizing the consequences of ignoring health warnings. She distributed vegetable seeds door-to-door, turning kitchen gardens into practical nutrition lessons. During harvest season, she held cooking demonstrations showing how to prepare diabetic-friendly meals without abandoning traditional recipes—focusing on diabetes prevention tips like balanced Punjabi staples.

    “I tell them: you don’t need fancy diets or expensive medicines to start,” says Savita. “Just add more greens, walk after dinner, check your blood pressure once a month. Small changes, big impact.”

    Slowly, the Bathinda nutrition centre became more than a health outpost—it became a gathering place where women shared recipes, compared blood sugar readings, and held each other accountable. Mehma Sawai’s women, many of whom had never learned to read warning signs of hypertension, now confidently discuss symptoms and prevention.

    Nine Villages, One Mission

    The success of Mehma Sawai’s Bathinda nutrition centre caught attention. Ambuja Cements has now replicated the model across nine villages in Bathinda, each anchored by a trained community volunteer who understands local barriers and speaks the language of lived experience. These empowering efforts are fostering sustainable health habits, one village at a time.

    For Kulwinder, the impact is deeply personal. Her blood sugar levels have stabilized. Her kitchen garden now supplies fresh vegetables year-round. But more importantly, she has knowledge—and that has given her agency.

    “Earlier, illness felt like fate. Now I know I have choices,” she says, tending to her thriving spinach patch. “And I’m teaching my daughters the same.”

    In villages where healthcare often arrives too late, these Bathinda nutrition centres are proving that prevention, rooted in community trust and practical wisdom, can be the most powerful medicine of all.

  • Haribol Revives Ancient Water Mills: Eco-Flour Magic in Uttarakhand!

    Haribol Revives Ancient Water Mills: Eco-Flour Magic in Uttarakhand!

  • From darkness to dignity: Murlidhar’s journey of hope with ACC’s MSMM Program

    From darkness to dignity: Murlidhar’s journey of hope with ACC’s MSMM Program

    In the quiet village of Parmadoh, Chandrapur, Maharashtra, Murlidhar Waralu There — a farmer from an economically weaker family — faced a fading world due to an eye disease. Surgery was the only solution, but financial barriers stood in the way—until ACC, a leader in the Adani Portfolio, and the Adani Foundation brought hope through their Meri Sangini Meri Margdarshika (MSMM) program.

    A Champion for Change

    Mamatai Vabhitkar, a dedicated Sangini under the MSMM initiative, discovered Murlidhar’s struggle during a village meeting. With compassion and determination, she introduced him to the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, guiding him through enrollment and documentation. Thanks to her efforts, Murlidhar’s surgery was fully funded, saving him Rs 20,000 and restoring his vision.

    With his eyesight back, Murlidhar resumed his work and regained his independence. His story inspired over 160 villagers in Parmadoh to enroll in the scheme, unlocking access to vital healthcare.

    Building Stronger Communities

    The MSMM program empowers women like Mamatai to bridge the gap between rural communities and government welfare schemes. Through ACC and the Adani Foundation’s efforts, families in Chandrapur are gaining access to healthcare, financial stability, and a brighter future.

  • Nagaland ropes in Vitamin Angels for child nutrition drive

    Nagaland ropes in Vitamin Angels for child nutrition drive

    The pilot’s formative research is slated to kick off by June-July this year.

    In a bid to tackle malnutrition among children, the Nagaland government has partnered with Vitamin Angels India to roll out a special drive to provide vitamin A supplements and deworming tablets to kids under five years across three districts.

    The National Health Mission (NHM) of Nagaland signed an agreement with the non-profit organisation to undertake the nutrition intervention in Dimapur, Niuland and Chümoukedima districts through 2024-25, an official statement said.

    The project, extending an existing partnership, aims to strengthen nutritional interventions using an “implementation science” approach focused on community needs. An NHM-Vitamin Angels team will monitor the drive.

    Only 46 per cent of Nagaland’s children aged 9-35 months received vitamin A doses as per National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-5 data, much lower than the 71 per cent national average. Vitamin A boosts immunity, and its deficiency can cause blindness and increase disease susceptibility.

    “We’ve made progress in improving nutrition levels but need to do more. This pilot will help address supply-demand gaps,” said Dr Khelito Zhimomi, Joint Director at the state’s Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent Health plus Nutrition (RMNCAH+N) wing.

    Vitamin Angels India’s Shruti Menon stressed the NGO’s commitment to taking services to the “last mile” aided by the state’s resolve.

    The pilot’s formative research is slated to kick off by June-July this year.

    Vitamin A is crucial for boosting immunity and its deficiency can cause blindness, increase susceptibility to diseases like measles and diarrhoea among kids. Guidelines recommend nine doses at six-month intervals for under-five children from nine months of age.

  • Hyundai Motor India gives assistive devices to disabled

    Hyundai Motor India gives assistive devices to disabled

    HMIL plans to provide a total of 684 such devices over three years to aid mobility, vision, hearing and communication of the disabled under the programme run by the Hyundai Motor India Foundation (HMIF) and Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled.

    Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL) has  distributed 72 technologically advanced assistive devices, including hearing aids, wheelchairs and bionic limbs, to disabled people in partnership with an NGO as part of its social initiative “Samarth by Hyundai”.

      HMIL plans to provide a total of 684 such devices over three years to aid mobility, vision, hearing and communication of the disabled under the programme run by the Hyundai Motor India Foundation (HMIF) and Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled.

      The first “Samarth Assistive Devices Conclave” hosted by HMIL saw panel discussions on enabling inclusion through assistive technology, challenges around disability in India and investment in technologies for para sports.

      “We aim to create a more inclusive society and ease the way of living for people with disabilities in India,” Tarun Garg, chief operating officer at HMIL, told the event.

      The automaker said its global vision of “Progress for Humanity” was aligned with the initiative to empower the disabled.

      Mahantesh G Kivadasannavar, founder of Samarthanam Trust, said the collaboration created “an inclusive society where technology and compassion converge to enhance the lives of people with disabilities”.