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  • Bosch partners with Forests to plant 25K saplings in three cities

    Bosch partners with Forests to plant 25K saplings in three cities

    Bosch Global Software Technologies (BGSW), formerly known as Robert Bosch Engineering and Business Solutions (RBEI), has partnered with Forests by Heartfulness to plant 25,000 saplings in a mini-forest plantation drive to celebrate its 25 years legacy in India

    Bosch Global Software Technologies (BGSW), formerly known as Robert Bosch Engineering and Business Solutions (RBEI), has partnered with Forests by Heartfulness to plant 25,000 saplings in a mini-forest plantation drive to celebrate its 25 years legacy in India.

    This multi-city plantation across Bangalore, Coimbatore and Hyderabad kicked off in February.

    Speaking on the initiative, Mr RK Shenoy, SVP – Mobility Engineering and Member of Executive Leadership, BGSW, said, “This plantation drive marks our commitment to sustainability. BGSW focuses on improving the quality of life, and this is reflected in our commitment to developing new products and high-tech solutions that are intelligent, connected, and sustainable”.

    “We are celebrating 25 years of our legacy in India and our recent rebranding to BGSW through an initiative that will leave an enduring positive impact for many decades to come. Globally, Bosch has taken many steps on sustainability and is one of the first to be Carbon neutral. BGSW has been driving many initiatives, including lake rejuvenation. This is one more small but sincere step in conserving and maintaining the planet’s ecological balance. Together with the local community, we can fight climate change and create a healthy environment for the next generation.”, he said.

    President and Guide of Heartfulness Mr Kamlesh Patel said, ‘Forests by Heartfulness is our endeavour to create widespread awareness and enhance sustainable green cover for the future generations. The amount of flora that needs to be replenished for the natural ecosystem to be restored is not an overnight process, nor can it be a single entity initiative. It is a shared responsibility amongst various stakeholders – corporates, governments, NGOs, forestry, and individuals. We are greatly encouraged to see corporates’ interest in collaborating with this initiative towards actively building a green legacy. We congratulate Bosch Global Software Technologies (BGSW) towards taking up this large-scale multi-city mini-forest plantation drive across many cities marking their 25 years in India and commitment to sustainability.”

    With 25,000 Sapling across Bangalore, Hyderabad and Coimbatore, this project focuses on improving biodiversity, creating a microclimate to abate city pollution, providing naturally grown fruits and medicinal herbs to the local communities, raising the local water table, and reducing at least 5,000 tonnes of carbon emission over the next ten years. BGSW, with their NGO partner, Heartfulness, will collaborate with local communities to take care of saplings and provide the necessary technology for geotagging and monitoring their growth for at least two years to ensure nutrient management.

    The 25,000 saplings will be planted using Forests by Heartfulness proprietary Heartyculture High Density (HCHD) plantation method. This method involves extensive soil reconstitution using Activated Biochar, Vermicompost, Cow manure, and Cocopeat. BGSW will facilitate the plantation of over 100 different species of trees to create a mini forest. The trees selected for the plantation drive are native endemic and supported through an extensive root network.

  • Cement giants Ambuja and ACC to clean BBMB lake in Himachal Pradesh

    Cement giants Ambuja and ACC to clean BBMB lake in Himachal Pradesh

    Cement giants, Ambuja Cements and ACC Limited, have jointly announced a mammoth project to remove plastic waste by commissioning its second phase of bubble barrier technology in BBMB Lake located in Sunder Nagar, Himachal Pradesh

    Cement giants, Ambuja Cements and ACC Limited, have jointly announced a mammoth project to remove plastic waste by commissioning its second phase of bubble barrier technology in BBMB Lake located in Sunder Nagar, Himachal Pradesh. The cleaning project will be undertaken by the in-house waste management arm, Geocycle.

    Bubble Barrier is an intelligent and non-invasive technology used to remove plastic from the water bodies, reducing the problem of marine plastic pollution in our country.

    The CEO India Holcim and Managing Director cum CEO of Ambuja Cements. Neeraj Akhoury said, “We are committed to building a sustainable future by adopting clean and green technologies. Our efforts and expertise in co-processing have created a unique solution to sustainable disposal of the marine plastic waste that creates pollution. This initiative will also contribute towards promoting a circular economy. Taking this mission ahead, we will continue our efforts to implement this innovative technology across the country.”

    The company has received a NOC from BBMB to install this innovative technology which will remove approximately 1500 tonnes per year of waste from the lake.

    The BBMB Lake has been floating with light organic material, which has been accumulated over the years resulting in choking at the discharge point of the lake. The Company’s Geocycle Bubble Barrier technology will collect plastic and lighter materials like floating debris, organic wastes, etc., from the lake, thus reducing the chances of choking.

    This technology has been installed in Himachal Pradesh with ACC Gagal Plant, which will serve as the co-processing centre for the plastic recovered from the lake. This project aims to co-process only a non-recyclable portion of the material collected, thus moving it to the existing waste disposal site of Sunder Nagar.

    The recovered recyclable plastics will be sent to recycling facilities. In contrast, the non-recyclable plastics will be taken to Geocycle’s facility for pre-processing, then co-processing in ACC cement kilns at the Gagal plant.

    The collection of plastics from leaking into the rivers will help the local community around the plant. Furthermore, the company has commissioned its pilot project in Agra, which has removed 500 tonnes of plastic waste from the Yamuna River. The company has recently received a NOC from Varanasi Municipal Corporation to install another bubble barrier technology.

  • Urban Company partners with Project Baala to boost female hygiene

    Urban Company partners with Project Baala to boost female hygiene

    Urban Company has partnered with Project Baala to distribute eco-friendly reusable pads among its female partners and raise awareness on menstrual wellness and hygiene. The aim is to target the economically marginalized sections of society who don’t have access to sanitary

    Urban Company has partnered with Project Baala to distribute eco-friendly reusable pads among its female partners and raise awareness on menstrual wellness and hygiene. The aim is to target the economically marginalized sections of society who don’t have access to sanitary facilities.

    Aimed to ensure every menstruator has access to affordable and sustainable practices, Urban Company is using its distribution channel to get Project Baala’s eco-friendly pads across Delhi NCR for now.

    Project Baala has already conducted pan-India virtual workshops to educate and dispel myths and misinformation around menstruation. The feature-rich pads can be reused for up to two years, reducing plastic waste.

    Commenting on the pilot project’s launch, Nikhil Shanker, VP – Customer Experience and Partner Experience at Urban Company, said, “We at Urban Company are committed towards the welfare and well-being of our partners. After speaking to Project Baala, we realized a huge gap between understanding menstrual wellness and hygiene and safe, sanitary practices. We are happy to have partnered with Project Baala and take a step towards creating sustainable and long-term impact for our female partners.”

    Project Baala’s Outreach Head, Khushali Samriya, said, “For most of us, Urban Company service providers have been the immediate support for all our household services with and without the pandemic. As a menstrual hygiene organization, the least we aim to do is provide a long-term sustainable solution for their period needs. The combination of holistic menstrual awareness and sustainable product dissemination will fill up all knowledge gaps on menstrual health and provide tips on hygiene management, with a gradual non-subscription to myths. This is an extraordinary collaboration for us!”

    The project is a part of Urban Company partner welfare initiatives. It comes on the heels of the company’s recent health awareness workshops conducted in collaboration with HCG Hospitals and, more recently, Max Healthcare. While the pilot phase focused on Delhi NCR for the distribution of sanitary kits, awareness workshops were conducted for all female partners across India.

    Urban Company focuses extensively on partner livelihood through its skilling programs and other security benefits. All active partners on the UC platform in India are covered under the Group Life and Accidental Insurance cover, in partnership with ACKO. Some of the key aspects covered under the policy are life insurance (INR 6 lakhs), disability cover (INR 6 lakhs), accidental hospitalization (INR 70,000), accidental OPD treatment (INR 10,000) among others. Further, all UC Plus partners in India have access to additional health insurance benefits, which includes up to INR 2 lakh in-hospitalization treatment, room/ICU expenses, OPD, medical equipment and 12 free online doctor consultations in a year.

  • Honda (India) collaborates with ITI for skill enhancement

    Honda (India) collaborates with ITI for skill enhancement

    Committed to Skill India Mission, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. (HMSI) has started Delhi’s third Skill Enhancement Centre at Malviya Nagar, collaborating with Government Industrial Training Institute (ITI), Delhi. The new centre became operational in February 2022

    Committed to Skill India Mission, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. (HMSI) has started Delhi’s third Skill Enhancement Centre at Malviya Nagar, collaborating with Government Industrial Training Institute (ITI), Delhi.

    The new centre became operational in February 2022 and aimed at empowering local youth with job-oriented technical skill training in the city.

    The inauguration was witnessed by top dignitaries of the industry and the government. These included O.P. Shukla (Joint Director Planning, Department of Training & Technical Education, Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi), BS Negi (Deputy Director Training, Department of Training & Technical Education, Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi), Vijay Kumar (Principal, Government Industrial Training Institute, Malviya Nagar, New Delhi), Rahul Sharan (Senior Manager – Skill Enhancement, Customer Service Technology & Customer Relations, HMSI) and other dignitaries from Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India Private Limited.

    HMSI’s Skill Enhancement Centre at ITI Malviya Nagar has a fully functional workshop with two-wheelers and service infrastructure to give practical training to students on technical aspects of two-wheelers maintenance and repair. HMSI will also support recruitment opportunities to successful candidates at HMSI dealerships after completion of the training program.

    Pradeep Pandey, Senior Vice President – Customer Service, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India Pvt. Ltd., said, “Fulfilling our commitment to up-skill local youth and enhance their employability, we are proactively supporting the Skill India Mission to empower Indian youth. The BSVI emission norms have raised the demand for a skilled technical workforce in the automobile sector. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, students could not get hands-on practical training. HMSI’s third Skill Enhancement Centre in Delhi at Malviya Nagar will provide an improved facility to recoup for practical training while ensuring all safety protocols. Further, we will continue to inaugurate more centres in other parts of the country.”

    Fulfilling its corporate social responsibility, HMSI has taken several initiatives in Skill Development. To bridge the requirement and availability of trained human resources in the automotive sector, HMSI is setting up Skill Enhancement Centres across India. Currently, HMSI operates 48 skill enhancement centres across 19 states in India.

  • Vedanta joins hand with TERI to protect the environment, to invest ₹200cr on R&D

    Vedanta joins hand with TERI to protect the environment, to invest ₹200cr on R&D

    Vedanta has signed an MoU with TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute) to promote “Sustainable Use of Resources for a Resilient Planet through Transformative Actions”. The MoU was signed at the World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS), where Prime Minister Narendra Modi

    Vedanta has signed an MoU with TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute) to promote “Sustainable Use of Resources for a Resilient Planet through Transformative Actions”. The MoU was signed at the World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS), where Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered the inaugural address.

    A global natural resources company, Vedanta is committed to the sustainable use of resources. At the same time, TERI, a multi-dimensional Not for profit organization (NPO), aims to create a sustainable world by leveraging both the organizations’ strength in the ESG space.

    Vedanta plans to invest around ₹200 Cr over the next 5 to 10 years on R&D and sustainability initiatives to promote and build a sustainable ecosystem. The partners will create a sustainable future by engaging with governments, civil society and peers to encourage a more extensive ecosystem for climate change, resource efficiency, and circularity, harnessing cleaner energy, sustainable supply chains, and people-centric development.

    TERI’s DG, Dr Vibha Dhawan, has said, “Businesses can play a paramount role in meeting development goals of the UN Development plan of 2030. Towards fulfilling this ambition, Vedanta and TERI have come together to work in the pursuit of solving pertinent issues that are critical towards achieving a sustainable future.”

    Vedanta Group CEO Sunil Duggal said, “At Vedanta, we keep communities, people and planet at the centre of business decisions. We believe the partnership with TERI will create a larger ecosystem to support the global agenda of a sustainable world. This collaboration will help us traverse our ESG commitments on ‘Transforming for good’. TERI has a great track record of developing innovative and sustainable solutions in waste utilization, clean energy, resource efficiency and community welfare, which augurs well with our defined ESG aims. We aspire to work in tandem to achieve our common vision with this partnership.”

    With this MoU, Vedanta and TERI will look at opportunities to work on common areas of interest until 2050. The partnership will provide a platform to promote individuals and organizations to adopt sustainable practices by creating Vedanta-TERI ESG awards and building a sustainable supply chain.

    Vedanta is planning to be the ESG leader in the natural resources sector and has committed to reducing carbon emissions to zero by 2050 or sooner. The company has pledged $5 billion over the next ten years to accelerate the transition to net-zero operations. As part of the process, the company has repurposed its mission statement to Vedanta – ‘Transforming for Good’, to make a meaningful difference to society.

  • Aragen Life Sciences donates a fully equipped ambulance to Telangana govt

    Aragen Life Sciences donates a fully equipped ambulance to Telangana govt

    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.

  • Companies spent 60% of ₹70,764cr CSR expenditure in last four years via implementing agencies: Govt

    Companies spent 60% of ₹70,764cr CSR expenditure in last four years via implementing agencies: Govt

    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.

  • Alstom partners with UWB for rural development

    Alstom partners with UWB for rural development

    Alstom has partnered with United Way Bengaluru (UWB), an NGO, to kickstart ‘Rural Rising‘– an integrated rural development program as part of its CSR initiative. The project is run at Selakarachal Gram Panchayat, Sultanpet Block in Coimbatore. It aims at improving the overall condition

    Alstom has partnered with United Way Bengaluru (UWB), an NGO, to kickstart ‘Rural Rising‘– an integrated rural development program as part of its CSR initiative. The project is run at Selakarachal Gram Panchayat, Sultanpet Block in Coimbatore. It aims at improving the overall condition of the gram panchayat in the areas of environment, sanitation and education.

    At the inaugural and Bhoomi Puja, Alstom handed over a tractor to the Gram Panchayat to strengthen the Solid Waste Management (SWM) system. The gram panchayat has been implementing a proper solid waste management system.

    This tractor support will help put in place a systematic door to the door collection process and timely transport of the garbage, ensuring better hygiene and sanitation in the area. Kandasamy V.P. MLA, Sulur Constituency graced the inaugural event; Navamani, Block Development Officer; Maragathavadivu Karupsamy – President, Gram Panchayat and representatives from Alstom and United Way Bengaluru.

    In addition to the Solid Waste Management initiative, community toilet construction and usage awareness activities have commenced helping the gram panchayat to improve the sanitation condition of the village and encourage toilet usage among the community members.

    S Selvakumar, Site MD, Alstom, has said, “This project is a stellar example of Alstom’s commitment to promoting and funding initiatives that improve the living conditions and economic possibilities of communities. We are looking forward to providing holistic development to the people of Selakkarichal Gram Panchayat through this initiative. We have engaged a team of active and passionate employee volunteers who are keen to implement these interventions over the next three years”.

    “Our commitment to helping rural societies develop their education, health and environment situation is echoing with our CSR partner Alstom and the Selakarachal Gram Panchayat. This initiative is a perfect private-public-partnership model of collaboration. This project has been implemented with a vision to empower the community members and ensure long-term sustainability,” said Rajesh Krishnan, Executive Director, United Way Bengaluru.

    Alstom and United Way Bengaluru are also strengthening the Anganwadi Centres by building a new one and upgrading two more Anganwadi Centres with new services, facilities and infrastructure to make the centres happier, safer and conducive for children.

    United Way Bengaluru’s early childhood education program, called the Born Learning Campaign, will be running in these Centres to ensure the enhancement of the developmental domains of children and capacity building of Anganwadi workers and parents. Apart from this, the project will also undertake livelihood initiatives, especially for women and youth. Overall, the Rural Rising initiative in Selakkarichal Gram Panchayat will benefit a population of approximately 6000 over the next three years.

  • Cosmo blankets provide warmth to the needy

    Cosmo blankets provide warmth to the needy

    As North India reels under biting cold, Cosmo Foundation, the philanthropic wing of Cosmo Films Ltd., has come to rescue the needy by distributing free blankets and woollens in association with South Delhi Police. To help the underprivileged living under the harsh winter conditions

    As North India reels under biting cold, Cosmo Foundation, the philanthropic wing of Cosmo Films Ltd., has come to rescue the needy by distributing free blankets and woollens in association with South Delhi Police.

    To help the underprivileged living under the harsh winter conditions, 1,000 blankets and 200 woollens were distributed in the slums of the Sangam Vihar area, with Benita Mary Jaiker, DCP South Delhi, taking the lead.

    Ram Sundar, ACP Sangam Vihar; Vijay Pal Khatri, SHO; Surendra Kumar Rana, SHO, and Rajnish Choudhary, SHO, all chipped in their bit.

    Talking about this drive, Yamini Jaipuria, Managing Trustee, Cosmo Foundation, said, “We hope that our continuous efforts to help others motivate others too to come forward and give the underprivileged a hope and respite from their lives and motivate them to look forward to a better tomorrow.”

    “We are happy to be a part of this initiative, and this is a commendable initiative by the Cosmo Foundation. We can make this world a better place for the underprivileged with such initiatives and work together. Looking forward to being a part of such initiatives in the near future”, said Ms Benita Mary Jaiker, DCP South Delhi.

  • LG CSR bid to benefit children of veterans

    LG CSR bid to benefit children of veterans

    Under its KarSalaam initiative, LG Electronics has pledged to contribute Rs. 1 Crore to Republic Day’s Armed Forces Flag Day Fund (AFFDF). Launched in 2017, the ‘Kar Salaam’ initiative has been dedicated to the veterans of the Indian Armed Forces by saluting their spirit of service to the nation

    Under its KarSalaam initiative, LG Electronics has pledged to contribute Rs. 1 Crore to Republic Day’s Armed Forces Flag Day Fund (AFFDF). Launched in 2017, the ‘Kar Salaam’ initiative has been dedicated to the veterans of the Indian Armed Forces by saluting their spirit of service to the nation. The contributions made in 2021 were utilized in funding the education of children.

    LG Electronics has been investing in several CSR initiatives to help the community in every possible aspect. Ahead of India’s 73rd Republic Day, LG Electronics has pledged to support the chivalry and sacrifice of India’s brave soldiers for their unmatched contribution to the nation. The contribution made by LG Electronics will help the dependents of heroic martyrs, veterans and their families.

    Commenting on the occasion, Young Lak Kim- MD LG Electronics India, said, “LG Electronics has been operating in India for the past 25 years, and we have always been committed to the welfare of society. Our Kar Salaam initiative underscores this philosophy and is grateful to the brave hearts who have selflessly contributed to the nation. We thank the Kendriya Sainik Board (KSB) for helping us implement this initiative and hope we would be able to bring some positivity and joy to the families of thousands of ex-servicemen of the Defence Forces.”

    Air Commodore B Ahluwalia, VSM, Secretary KSB, said, “We would like to thank LG Electronics for their continued support and for inspiring others to come forward and contribute to the welfare of those who had dedicated their lives for the nation. The Kar Salaam initiative has, over the years, created a lot of awareness and helped generate funds. We are confident, this year, more people come forward and contribute to the cause that helps us improve the lives of war widows, children of martyr’s, war disabled soldiers & Ex-servicemen.”

    To further support the cause, LG will be conducting a public awareness drive to request and urge people to come forward, show support for the cause and contribute to the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund. LG Electronics will also run a TV, radio, and digital campaign between January 20 and January 31, 2022, to further amplify communication across the masses for the initiative. The awareness campaign will also run at 7,000 retail stores across the country.