CSR Dashboard

Blog

  • Godrej Agrovet gets certification under IPOS framework for adopting sustainable practices

    Godrej Agrovet gets certification under IPOS framework for adopting sustainable practices

    The IPOS Framework, established by the edible oils industry body SEA with assistance from Solidaridad, the Indian Institute of Oil Palm Research, and SOPOPRAD, has been created for the Indian industry and lays down a set of environment friendly, economically viable and socially beneficial practices and guidelines.

    Godrej Agrovet has become the first company in the country to be awarded a verification Certification under the Indian Palm Oil Sustainability (IPOS) Framework, issued by an independent international certification body, in recognition of the sustainable practices adopted by its oil palm business.

    The certification was presented to Godrej Agrovet’s oil palm plantation business CEO Sougata Niyogi, the company said in a statement.

     India, the world’s largest consumer of palm oil, is pushing ahead with its own ambitious plans to boost its production of the commodity.

     The IPOS Framework, established by the edible oils industry body Solvent Extractors Association of India with assistance from Solidaridad, the Indian Institute of Oil Palm Research, and SOPOPRAD, has been created for the Indian industry and lays down a set of environment friendly, economically viable and socially beneficial practices and guidelines.

     It is aimed at facilitating the well-being of farmers while ensuring that the growth is sustainable from environmental and social perspectives.

      Godrej Agrovet’s CEO, Oil Palm Plantation, Sougata Niyogi said “With more than thirty years of experience in the oil palm business, Godrej Agrovet is the largest developer and producer of Crude Palm Oil in India. The business plays a vital role in driving sustainability agenda in the production of Oil Palm and has therefore strived towards educating farmers on sustainable palm oil cultivation practices on a continuous basis.”

    “This certification is a result of our commitment in supporting farmers to enhance their farm management skills that lead to improved productivity. We are grateful to the Indian Palm Oil Sustainability Framework (IPOS) for recognizing our efforts and look forward to achieving greater milestones in the near future,” he added

    Over the years, Godrej Agrovet has developed plantations across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Maharashtra, Odisha, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh and Mizoram. Recently, Godrej Agrovet, has signed Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) with Assam, Manipur and Tripura State governments for development and promotion of oil palm cultivation in the region under the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) scheme.

    The MoUs signed are in line with the company’s long-term strategy to be the catalyst of India’s edible oil mission through sustainable growth of oil palm production and doubling of farmers’ income.

  • Adani Foundation gets Rs 60,000cr gift on Gautam’s birthday

    Adani Foundation gets Rs 60,000cr gift on Gautam’s birthday

    Billionaire industralist Gautam Adani claims to be connected to the common person with whom he shares his rural roots. His wife Priti and family decided to donate Rs 60,000 crore on his sixtieth birthday in 2022 to the Adani Foundation to boost health, education and skill development. Experts are being consulted to develop schemes to benefit the people at the lowest strata of society.

    In his first-ever interview with the media, Asia’s richest and the world’s third-richest business tycoon in the world, Gautam Adani, admitted to being a very shy person, yet shared his formula for success as being good intentions and hard work. He told India TV that he does not believe in the “Maya Jaal” of monetary growth, his focus is the nation’s development, and he is confident that India is on the path of rapid growth.

    Acknowledging the role of various people in his success, Gautam says whatever he has achieved today is due to the tremendous support he received from his acquaintances, friends and well-wishers. But acknowledges Dhirubhai Ambani as his role model due to his vision and struggle to establish the Reliance empire. Gautam Adani’s wealth increases by Rs 1600 crores daily and Rs 66 crore every hour. Despite this, he says no business is free of risks, but the risk-taking capacity impacts the growth of a business. But when you take a risk, you should be aware of its consequences. However, perseverance remains the key.

    Having seen death closely twice in his life, first when he was kidnapped and again when he found himself stuck in Taj Mumbai during the 26/11 terrorist attack. He says he saw death closely and recounts the first bullet being fired in front of his eyes at 10, shortly after he finished dinner with a friend from Dubai. But these incidents don’t bother him as he is adaptable and quickly moves on.

    Adani Group’s philosophy is to go through competitive bidding before getting into any business. “We will not touch anything without bidding and winning the contract”, he says – no business, whether ports, airports, powerhouses, etc., has been secured without competing. When someone comes first in an exam, you cannot ask the person how they topped. No one has alleged any favouritism the government shows towards the Adani group. Political statements against the Adani Group are merely political jargon.

    He says it is wrong to say that the loans secured by the Adani Group are with the help of political clout. In 2013 the Adani Group secured 80 per cent of loans from Indian Banks; today, that has come down to 35 per cent. The remaining borrowing is from international financial institutions where the Indian politicians do not have much say. The foreign banks want to lend loans to the Adani Group because the rating of the Group is at par with India’s financial rating.

    Reacting to his sharp criticism by Congress Party and its leader Rahul Gandhi, Gautam Adani said it was due to the continuous political attack naming him as a beneficiary of the Modu Government after 2014 that the people of India have come to know his identity and who he was. But at the same time rubbished all allegations saying there was no truth in any allegation, and he did not read anything more in Rahul Gandhi’s statement than political compulsion. People understand that there is a difference between a political statement and a genuine allegation.

    Adani Group, he said, was committed to developing the potential not only in Rajasthan but also to developing the potential in every state of the country. Irrespective of any political narrative, Rahul Gandhi or his party is not anti-development. The Adani Group is working with state governments across India, ranging from Ashok Gehlot in Rajasthan to the left government in Kerala, Mamta Banerjee in West Bengal and Navin Patnaik in Odisha and KCR in Telangana. The Adani Group has businesses in 22 states across India. People try to use Adani to attack Prime Minister Modi for political reasons, but no one finds any problem with the Adani business model.

    Reacting to allegations of receiving land at Rs 1 per acre for the Mundra port, Gautam Adani said that there was no land; the Adani Group reclaimed land underwater and used its resources to develop the port by setting up railways lines and roads at its own cost. The government spent only a few paise on the Mundra port, which has become the largest private port in India in the last ten years. The entire development in Mundra has been based on collaboration with the local farmers and the community.

    Rubbishing the charges that farm laws were introduced to help the Adani Group, Gautam Adani said his Group has minimal exposure to agriculture-related business. His company made some warehouses for the state-run Food Corporation of India (FCI), and all the wheat stored in them belonged to the FCI and not to the Adani Group. FCI procures wheat at MSP and supplies it to people below the poverty line. The Adani Group has nothing to do with what is stored inside these warehouses. Linking us with this is baseless. The farm laws were good and impacted 40 to 50 per cent of people connected with agriculture in some way or another. If the laws had been implemented, Adani could have helped develop agricultural infrastructure.

      As told to IndiaTV

  • G20 sherpa Amitabh Kant flags off Mina Guli’s marathon campaign in India

    G20 sherpa Amitabh Kant flags off Mina Guli’s marathon campaign in India

    Global chemical and pharma major Bayer has joined Mina Guli as a campaign partner in its effort to address the global water crisis.

    Mina Guli, water activist and ultramarathon runner, began the India chapter of the run on Sunday as part of her global ‘Run Blue’ campaign aimed at raising awareness about water crisis in the run-up to the UN Water Conference to be held in March this year.

      G20 sherpa and former Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant flagged off the India’s leg of the run at Nehru Park here in the national capital, said German chemical and pharma major Bayer.

      Bayer has joined Mina Guli as a campaign partner in its effort to address the global water crisis.

      Guli, who is also CEO of non-profit organisation Thirst Foundation driving action on water, has completed 151 of the 200 marathons since May 2022 and moved into India. She will be running five marathons in India. After Delhi, she will run in cities like Varanasi, Thane, and Mumbai, Bayer said in a statement.

      After flagging off the marathon run at Nehru Park here in the national capital, Kant said: “Climate change is having a huge impact on countries around the world and especially on developing countries like India. Its adverse effects on agriculture, water resources, forests, etc are quite evident. Coupled with the rapid depletion of many critical natural resources, we face a challenging future”.

      Hence, it is imperative for countries to come together to achieve the sustainability goals set by the United Nations. India has continuously met its nationally defined contribution targets on sustainability and the government’s efforts at rapidly increasing access to clean water are bearing fruit, he said.

      “But water conservation will also require a collaborative effort between, companies, government, and civil society and Run Blue can be an important catalyst in building up this coalition,” he said, adding that the Run Blue campaign supported by Bayer will inspire people and encourage social transformation for a better tomorrow.

      Beginning her run in India, Guli said the world is experiencing acute water shortages and more than 2 billion people are without access to safe drinking water. India is home to about 18 percent of the world’s population but has only 4 percent of freshwater resources.

      “So, it is imperative to conserve water and use it judiciously – and to protect and restore the rivers, lakes, and wetlands that provide it. If we do not act now, all of us will face a severe water crisis. Through my runs in various cities of India and along the Ganga, I hope to raise awareness about water conservation and also inspire companies, governments, and communities to commit to conserving this precious resource – and the freshwater ecosystems that provide it and that underpin our societies and economies,” she added. Bayer said it Bayer has made conscious business choices in tandem with its commitment to water conservation and sustainable growth.

      In Asia, the partnership between IRRI and direct-seeded rice is contributing to economic and ecological sustainability. At the Vapi manufacturing site, Bayer has installed rainwater harvesting systems, zero liquid discharge wastewater treatment plants, and put an action plan in place to reduce the overall consumption of water.

      With the Better Life Farming initiative, Bayer is working with like-minded partners within the agri-industry to promote efficient water management systems and a sustainable ecosystem.

     Bayer Pharmaceuticals in South Asia Managing Director Manoj Saxena said the company’s decision to partner for the Run Blue campaign comes from its firm commitment towards sustainability, including water. “In our role as a global leader in agriculture and health, Bayer aims to usher in innovations and technologies that will drive sustainable usage of water and encourage its conservation,” he added.

  • Samsung announces innovative designs for better sustainable living

    Samsung announces innovative designs for better sustainable living

    Through close collaboration, technological breakthroughs, and a commitment to becoming the world’s most energy-efficient appliance brand, Samsung aims to lead the way to a more sustainable future.

    Consumer electronics maker Samsung today announced innovations designed to bring about a new era of sustainable living.

    With services like ‘SmartThings Energy’ setting new standards for household efficiency, Samsung’s latest ‘Bespoke’ home appliances empower users to save both energy and money. Together with technologies including a new wash cycle and filter that significantly reduce microplastic emissions from washers, Samsung’s newest advancements make it easier than ever for consumers to reduce their impact on the environment and support the health of the planet.

    “The technologies we’re unveiling at CES 2023 place sustainability at the core of the user experience,” said Moohyung Lee, EVP and Head of the R&D Team of the Digital Appliances Business at Samsung Electronics.

    “Our ambition is to become the most energy-efficient appliance brand globally, and our latest products and partnerships will help make sustainable living a reality for more people and more communities,” Lee said in a statement.

     SmartThings maximizes energy savings

    With more than 80 million connected devices, the SmartThings platform continues to expand while unlocking more ways for users to reduce their carbon footprint at home.

    Now, SmartThings Energy’s AI Energy Mode is more powerful than ever, offering support for more devices and regions and even more significant energy savings. “This includes up to 15 percent more savings for compatible refrigerators, up to 20 percent for compatible air conditioners, and up to 35 percent for compatible washers on select cycles,” the company claimed.

    The company has also bagged the industry’s first Smart Home Energy Management Systems (SHEMS) certification from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

    The certification recognizes smart home appliances and services that manage and automate connected devices to help consumers gain insights into their energy use, thereby inspiring energy-saving behavior, reducing costs, and helping to facilitate demand response measures that minimize stress on the grid.

    The EPA has also awarded base model Samsung home appliances 260 ENERGY STAR® certifications, including 43 “Most Efficient” recognitions. Samsung is a long-standing leader with more than a decade of ENERGY STAR award leadership, and a rare recipient of the prestigious ENERGY STAR Corporate Commitment Award.

        Making net zero homes a reality — offering households the ultimate in energy efficiency

      To empower more people to enjoy energy independence at home, Samsung has unveiled the next phase of its net zero home initiative: the Smart City Project.

    Working with Sterling Ranch and its long-time technology partner Siemens, the Smart City Project will help establish Sterling Ranch as a master-planned sustainable housing community designed to house 30,000 residents in Littleton, Colorado.

    SmartThings Energy will serve as the residents’ primary interactive app to monitor data, with Samsung appliances offering residents real-time insights on their energy, water and natural gas use.

      Throughout the community, solar panels and household batteries will produce and store energy, while energy-efficient appliances reduce power and monitor water use to save resources. Together with smart infrastructure solutions from Siemens paired with smart home and energy optimization solutions from Resideo Technologies, Samsung technologies will make it easier for the residents of Sterling Ranch to enjoy a net-zero lifestyle.

    Samsung’s collaboration with Resideo extends beyond the Smart City Project. Samsung and Resideo are exploring an opportunity to integrate Samsungs appliances with Resideo’s smart grid solutions to connect customers with energy management programs in California and Texas.

    In future, this work could help make more communities smart-grid ready by expanding Resideo’s best-in-class demand response offering and optimizing SmartThings Energy’s savings.

      Tackling microplastics head-on with ‘less microfiber’ technology

     For over a year, Samsung and Patagonia have been working together to address the challenge of microplastics shedding during the laundry process and polluting oceans and other bodies of water. Samsung’s new Less Microfiber Cycle and Filter are the products of that collaboration.

      A breakthrough in the fight against microplastics, the Less Microfiber Cycle cuts microplastic emissions by up to 54 per cent. Now available in Europe, the cycle will roll out to compatible washers in Korea from February this year and in the US soon.

      Like the Less Microfiber Cycle, Samsung and Patagonia’s newly developed washing machine filter has the potential to have a real impact on the health of aquatic ecosystems.

    The Less Microfiber Filter reduces microplastic emissions by preventing them from escaping into the ocean at the end of wash cycles. It will be available in select Samsung washing machines in Europe beginning in the second half of 2023, and can also be purchased separately and applied to any washer on the market, regardless of brand.

    Samsung’s latest laundry innovations will make it easier for consumers to reduce environmental waste for years to come. So too will its washers and refrigerators’ class-leading 20-year warranties.

    Covering the appliances’ digital inverter technologies, the warranties open the door for additional waste reductions by extending Samsung washers and refrigerators’ lifespans. Bespoke refrigerators also feature customizable door panels that support longer use by allowing users to easily update their existing appliance’s design instead of replacing it with a new one.

    Through close collaboration, technological breakthroughs, and a commitment to becoming the world’s most energy-efficient appliance brand, Samsung aims to lead the way to a more sustainable future.

  • 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.