Category: Sectors

  • ITC creating awareness on plastic waste management among students

    ITC creating awareness on plastic waste management among students

    To date, over 80 recycled benches have been deployed in schools across Bengaluru and the complete deployment is planned to be completed by the end of March.

    Diversified conglomerate ITC Limited today said its recently launched initiative “YiPPee! Better World – Trash to Treasure” is not only creating awareness among students but also using the collected plastic waste to make recyclable benches and desks.

      The plastic waste collected will contribute towards the creation of 1000 sets of benches and desks made from recycled plastic which will be deployed in schools that are devoid of this infrastructure, the company said in a statement.

      To date, over 80 recycled benches have been deployed in schools across Bengaluru and the complete deployment is planned to be completed by the end of March, it added.

      The “YiPPee! Better World – Trash to Treasure” program is designed to bring behavioural change in 3.5 million students across 100 plus cities through on-the-ground awareness programs in schools about plastic waste, its impact on the environment, and strategies to minimize, reuse, and recycle.

      Through this initiative, students are also being encouraged to collect household plastic waste and deposit them at designated collection points in the school.

      Speaking about the initiative, Kavita Chaturvedi, Chief Operating Officer – Snacks, Noodles & Pasta, ITC Foods Division said: “ITC is a global exemplar in sustainability with multi-dimensional initiatives for environmental stewardship and supporting large scale livelihoods. Taking inspiration from our organizational efforts to support the creation of a circular economy for post-consumer packaging waste, Sunfeast YiPPee! has embarked on a journey to create community champions in schools to help reduce, reuse and recycle plastic waste.”

      The company is confident that the initiative will educate and motivate school children to make a conscious effort towards creating a better world, she added.

      Sunfeast YiPPee! is ITC Ltd’s well-known instant noodles and pasta brand.

  • NSDL ties up with SBI Foundation to empower 375 persons with disabilities

    NSDL ties up with SBI Foundation to empower 375 persons with disabilities

    About 375 Persons with disabilities (PwDs) will be trained across Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru in BFSI and IT job roles under the project SAMEIP.

    National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL) and its subsidiary NSDL Database Management Limited (NDML) today announced its collaboration with SBI Foundation to execute Project SAMEIP to empower persons with disabilities.

     An agreement in this regard was signed between NSDL, NDML and SBI Foundation, an official statement said.

     Project SAMEIP (SBI Foundation and Microsoft India Employability Initiative for Persons with Disabilities) is a joint program by SBI Foundation and Microsoft India executed by the American India Foundation Trust (AIFT).

     About 375 Persons with disabilities (PwDs) will be trained across Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru in BFSI and IT job roles under the project SAMEIP.

     Further, the trained PwDs shall be provided with employment support and post placement support for retention in the employment.

     Project SAMEIP will be aligned with NSDL’s flagship program Artha SAMARTH, a special skill development and employability program.

  • Lotus Petal Foundation calls scholarship applications for underprivileged girl child

    Lotus Petal Foundation calls scholarship applications for underprivileged girl child

    Scholarship will be given 50 meritorious girls for undergraduate studies in medicine, engineering, nursing and pharmacy.

    Lotus Petal Foundation has invited applications for the Winnie Sun Scholarship Program under which financial aid will be provided to 50 meritorious girls for undergraduate studies in medicine, engineering, nursing and pharmacy.

    The deadline for application is January 15 and interested candidates can apply on www.lotuspetalfoundation.org.

    Gurugram-based NGO Lotus Petal Foundation said in a statement that it offers financial aid through a joint scholarship program with Concentrix Daksh Services Pvt Ltd.

    The aid is given to deserving female candidates from households having a combined family income of less than than 5 lakh per annum.

    A scholarship amount of up to Rs. 65,000 per annum (covering course fees, living costs, and travel) will be given to the student who has secured admission in any government or private college recognized by central or state board in India.

      Last year, out of 1200 applications received from across India, 25 candidates were identified from 10 states. These students have secured admissions in prestigious colleges like IIT Delhi, IIT Kharagpur, NIT Delhi, NIT Srinagar, Jorhat Medical College, Assam and more.

      “Three in every 4 children drop out of school in India between the age group of 6 to 14, due to the high cost of private education and the necessity to support their families. The Winnie Sun Scholarship is a need-based scholarship for such deserving girls from low-income families,” shared Saloni Bhardwaj, Co-founder & CTO, Lotus Petal Foundation.

      This year, 50 meritorious girls from across India will receive the scholarship, she said.

      The students applying for scholarships must have completed their grade 10th and 12th exam with minimum 70 percent marks or appeared in grade 12th from a recognized state or central board. Minimum Min 60 per cent marks in Grade 10th and 12th for reserved category students (SC/ST/OBC).

  • Piramal Foundation invites applications for Gandhi Fellowship

    Piramal Foundation invites applications for Gandhi Fellowship

    The last date of application is 31st March 2023. Interested applicants can log onto www.gandhifellowship.com and apply.

    Piramal Foundation has announced the call for applications for Gandhi Fellowship. Gandhi Fellowship, an initiative of the Piramal Foundation, is a 2-year program for the youth to work at the grassroots of India and acquire in-depth experience across areas of Public Health, Education, Climate Change and Digitization.

      The Fellowship endeavours to mould self-motivated youth across the country into becoming leaders of tomorrow by providing them with an opportunity to make a difference on the ground.

      This deep-dive Fellowship identifies youth based on their existing skills and competencies, customised according to the aspirational path identified, enabling Fellows to realise their aspirations on the firm foundation of on-ground and grass root public realities.

      These young people are also equipped with the necessary soft skills to successfully cope with and navigate every situation in the 21st century. They play critical roles in bringing about sustainable change.

      Interested applicants can log onto www.gandhifellowship.com and apply. The last date of application is 31st March 2023. For queries, please write to register@gandhifellowship.org

      Aditya Natraj, the CEO of Piramal Foundation, shared his thoughts on the Gandhi Fellowship – “We started ten years ago when there was no other fellowship in the country to get involved in building self and building the nation. Recruiters want to recruit Gandhi Fellows because they are ethical, grounded, know how to influence government, know how to get things and know how to lead people. So, that’s the brand we want to build for the country.”

      India has the highest youth population in the world in the age group of 15-29 years, comprising 27.2 percent of the nation’s population (as per the Report of Technical Group on Population Projections, 2020, constituted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare). Leveraging this vast youth power is a crucial way of realising Hon. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of India as a developed nation by 2047.

  • Religare joins hands with AWWA to develop Asha Schools

    Religare joins hands with AWWA to develop Asha Schools

    REL will develop the Asha School in Delhi as a model school before moving on to the schools at other locations.

    Religare Enterprises Ltd (REL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA) to support the latter in managing their schools for specially-abled children.

      REL will develop the Asha School in Delhi as a model school before moving on to the schools at other locations. Currently, AWWA operates six Asha Schools across the country.

      Under the MOU, REL will support and facilitate a world-class learning experience for AWWA’s Asha Schools students.

      REL will be adopting a module-based approach to activate its association with AWWA. Each module will cover a specific intervention area, including the development of the curriculum, infrastructure and the faculty’s capabilities, medical and nutritional assistance to the students, augmentation of the transportation facilities, vocational guidance and placement/internship assistance.

      REL Executive Chairperson Rashmi Saluja said, “REL visualises a world with equal opportunities for all. It has been our constant endeavour to equip India’s citizens with facilities for growth. AWWA has been doing a fabulous job mentoring and nurturing specially-abled children, enabling them to exceed their potential. We are proud to be able to contribute to their endeavours.”

      The ultimate goal is to make the students of Asha Schools Atmanirbhar and enable them to lead independent lives. Our partnership will enable more specially-abled children to shine in society, she added.

      AWWA has established Asha Schools as a ‘Temple of Learning’ for specially-abled children. These schools aim to empower children to make them productive members of society and enable them to live with dignity. REL’s contribution will further equip the schools with world-class technology and facilities for effective learning.

  • Xiaomi comes together with YouWeCan to help cancer warriors

    Xiaomi comes together with YouWeCan to help cancer warriors

    As part of the initiative, Xiaomi India has launched Mi Scholarship to support and help cancer warriors achieve excellence in their educational journey.

    Smartphone leader Xiaomi has announced a partnership with the YouWeCan Foundation to contribute towards education for 200 cancer warriors as a part of its #ShikshaHarHaath initiative. The partnership reiterates Xiaomi India’s commitment to giving back to society and empowering future generations with the life-changing gift of education.

      As part of the initiative, Xiaomi India has launched Mi Scholarship to support the dreams of these cancer warriors and help them achieve excellence in their educational journey.

      Commenting on the partnership, Muralikrishnan B, President of Xiaomi India said, “The #ShikshaHarHaath initiative is aimed to bolster the nation’s educational development agenda and enable the future creators and innovators. Through our partnership with YouWeCan Foundation, we are committed to equipping and nurturing the students to access the world of possibilities and charter a bright future for themselves. We are optimistic that this small step from Xiaomi India and YouWeCan foundation will encourage and help them shape their career trajectory in a positive direction.”

      Founder of YouWeCan Foundation, Yuvraj Singh, said, “We are thankful for Xiaomi India’s support in helping us extend this initiative to form the future of these cancer warriors. With this partnership, both organisations are committing to support the needy, focusing on providing them with access to education and empowering them to nurture their dreams.”

      The Xiaomi #ShikshaHarHaath initiative aims to create young leaders of tomorrow by giving underprivileged students across the country access to the benefits of education. The goal is to enable the students and help them achieve their dreams.

  • SBI donates 10 EVs under the “Go Green” initiative to AIIMS Delhi

    SBI donates 10 EVs under the “Go Green” initiative to AIIMS Delhi

    These EVs will help in reduction in carbon emission and traffic congestion within the AIIMS campus.

    State Bank of India (SBI) has donated 10 electric vehicles to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi as part of its CSR “Go Green” initiative.

      SBI’s Chairman Dinesh Khara handed over the e-vehicles to AIIMS Director Dr M Srinivas here, the bank said in a statement.

      Speaking on the occasion, Khara reiterated the Bank’s commitment towards sustainable environment and also emphasized the country’s commitment towards achieving a carbon neutral status by 2070.

      Khara complimented AIIMS Director for taking up an environment friendly initiative. He wished a great success to this endeavor and thanked AIIMS for inviting SBI to be a partner in this green initiative.

      The AIIMS Director said these EVs will help in reduction in carbon emission and traffic congestion within the AIIMS campus.

      He also said that this was a part of a number of initiatives planned by AIIMS for making AIIMS a green campus, which would benefit the patients, doctors, all other employees as well as visitors to the facility.

  • India among 11 countries to receive grants for regenerative agri projects under PAO fund: PepsiCo

    India among 11 countries to receive grants for regenerative agri projects under PAO fund: PepsiCo

    Launched in August 2021, the PAO Fund offers PepsiCo market teams co-investment to accelerate diverse and innovative Positive Agriculture projects.

    PepsiCo has announced the continuation of its global agriculture accelerator, the Positive Agriculture Outcomes (PAO) Fund, by granting funding to 14 business projects in India and 10 other countries to address some of the most intractable challenges facing agriculture today.

      Projects from the PAO Fund’s inaugural investment are the focus of PepsiCo’s latest, four-part digital video series, “Growing Our Future.”

      The series looks at how PepsiCo is working with farmers in Thailand to help them adapt to climate change, how farmers in Greece are adopting more efficient irrigation systems to adapt to increased drought, and how PepsiCo is supporting research in Brazil to help potato farmers improve soil health.

      For India, the series elaborates on how PepsiCo has partnered with farmers in Punjab to develop kilns that can turn their agricultural waste into fertilizer known as biochar.

      In recent years, PepsiCo India’s Pep+ (Pep Positive) agenda in the supply chain of potatoes have created awareness and impact in Punjab and West Bengal helping farmers manage paddy crop residue by ploughing back into soils and conversion of paddy straw into “biochar ” through the process of pyrolysis. PepsiCo India is also funding the infrastructure (retort kilns) to help growers in these states.

      This includes carbon farming under regenerative agriculture through: Moldboarding of crop residue into the soil and conversion of crop residues through pyrolysis process into biochar with 40 percent carbon.

      These two initiatives have helped improve the soil health and reducing practices such as stubble burning that release carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

      Launched in August 2021, the PAO Fund offers PepsiCo market teams co-investment to accelerate diverse and innovative Positive Agriculture projects. The investments are designed to “de-risk” promising initiatives while accelerating the development of innovative technologies and approaches that can help scale the adoption of regenerative agriculture practices.

      In 2022, the PAO Fund is making investments in projects that span a range of commodities, supply chains, time horizons and PepsiCo business units, but all are focused on either testing a new regenerative technology or approach, helping farmers build climate resilience, or developing new sustainable “landscapes”.

      In total, the PAO Fund is providing ongoing support to over 20 different projects around the world through grants totaling more than USD 7.4 million awarded in 2021 and 2022.

      We’re in a race to reach the world’s 1.5 degree target and, to do our part, PepsiCo has set a range of ambitious PepsiCo Positive goals, including expanding regenerative agriculture practices and building the resilience of those in our agricultural supply chain by preparing them for a changing climate,” said Rob Meyers, Vice President of Global Sustainable Agriculture.

      “Reaching PepsiCo’s – and our planet’s – goals will require fresh thinking and innovation from our agriculture teams and partners all over the world, which is why the PAO Fund was created to make it a bit easier for good ideas to get off the ground,” he added.

  • SJS Enterprises adopts 7 villages in Bengaluru for door-to-door garbage collection

    SJS Enterprises adopts 7 villages in Bengaluru for door-to-door garbage collection

    SJS Enterprises Managing Director K A Joseph said the company took up this step after witnessing the plight of the villagers as they were facing major health problems due to poor waste management.

    Garbage disposal is major concern for most urban and rural areas in India. In many parts of the country, garbage is simply dumped in landfills, which is an unhygienic and unsustainable practice. The inappropriate technique of dumping garbage waste can cause irreversible damage to humans and the environment.

      To address this major concern, SJS Enterprises took up the initiative of helping Agara Panchayat Jurisdiction by providing door-to-door garbage collection across seven villages — BM Kaval Village, Tataguni, Vaderahalli, Agara Village, Dodapalya Village, Lakshmipura and Byresandra village — in Bengaluru.

      A fleet of three vehicles were provided for collecting both wet and dry garbage from October 1. These trucks have a load capacity of 600-650 kg. Each truck can carry 0.50 tonnes of garbage every day and handed it over to the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike team, which will further segregate and dispose of the garbage in an eco-friendly manner, Agara Panchayat President Venkatesh said.

      SJS Enterprises Managing Director K A Joseph said, “SJS team took up this step after witnessing the plight of the villagers as they were facing major health problems due to poor waste management. Currently, the villagers are relieved as now they can live a better life with less risk of health problems.”

  • Tata Chemicals’ initiative saves over 850 whale shark in Gujarat

    Tata Chemicals’ initiative saves over 850 whale shark in Gujarat

    The initiative has garnered extensive support from the fishing communities of Gujarat resulting in a decline in cases of poaching from around 600 in 1999-2000 to zero in 2021.

    Tata Chemicals through its ‘Save Whale Shark Campaign’ has saved over 850 of these endangered species till date in the Saurashtra region along the coastline of Gujarat.

      This initiative of Tata Chemicals, Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) and the Gujarat Forest Department has garnered extensive support from the fishing communities of Gujarat resulting in a decline in cases of poaching from around 600 in 1999-2000 to zero in 2021.

      For effective implementation of this project, migration research studies of Whale Sharks from Gujarat Waters have been conducted. So far eight satellite transmitters on rescued Whale Sharks have been deployed. The results were analysed in collaboration with the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) and published in the International Journal of Frontiers in Marine Science.

      About 18 Genetic study samples have been collected and analysed from rescued Whale Sharks in Gujarat waters.

      Talking about this initiative, Tata Chemicals Head HR and CSR R Nanda said, “Corporates through CSR can do a lot for our environment. This campaign is a reflection of Tata Chemicals’ commitment to environmental conservation. Designed to make the community a stakeholder in our endeavor to save this Whale Shark, this initiative has ushered a significant behavioral change.”

      The concerted efforts of the company and the partners have resulted in the whale shark becoming the second wildlife pride in Gujarat, after the Asiatic lions and seven coastal cities in Gujarat, including a non-coastal city, Ahmedabad, have adopted the whale shark as their city mascot.

      The Whale Shark conservation project has sensitized over 50,000 fishers and 100,000 coastal students through campaign awareness drive to inculcate the message of conservation.

      The project has been represented in the International Whale Shark conferences held globally, including the ones in Doha in 2016 and Australia in 2019. It has won the India Biodiversity Award by UNDP for the conservation of the whale shark, under the co-management category in 2014; the Green Governance Award by BNHS in 2005.