VOL V April-May, 2015 1 P a g e
Message from the Chairman CSR Newsletter is published every month for PHD Chamber Fraternity. The newsletter aims to update our esteemed members about recent activities and endeavors in the field of Corporate Social Responsibility. This month various new practices were observed in the CSR world like cooperate funding for the Animal welfare, new courses introduced by IICA and St. Stephens College for CSR practitioners. Some more interesting articles are mentioned in the newsletter. PHD Chamber organized a conference on Skilling India for Global Competitiveness on 17th April 2015 at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi. The objective was to discuss and deliberate the concept of making India a skill capital of the world. The deliberations focused on the perspective from the supply and demand for effective implementation of Skill based education. We will be glad to have your article/publication in our newsletter. We look forward for your suggestions and will like keep you informed through our monthly newsletters. Dr. Suresh Goyal Chairman 2 P a g e
Wildlife finds CSR funding Animal welfare through CSR Many companies as a part of their CSR activity have shifted their focus towards the welfare of the animals. In recent past many companies like Muthootgroup, Sony India Pvt Ltd, Tata Capital Housing Finance Ltd, have signed papers with World Wildlife Fund (WWF- India) to work for the protection of the endangered species. Under the Schedule VII of the Companies Act 2013 several activities are mentioned amongst which ensuring environmental sustainability, ecological balance and protection of flora and fauna, animal welfare, conservation of natural resources, agro forestry, maintaining quality of soil, air, water is one where CSR activity could ne done. Endangered species are the one which are very much likely to become extinct. The Companies are funding such CSR the projects like conservation of the Great Indian Bustard (desert national park in Jaisalmer and Barmer, Rajasthan), red panda (in the community-owned forests of western Arunachal Pradesh) and one-horned rhinoceros (Laokhowa- Borachapori Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam). The donations will be made for the next three years. At the time of inception when launched in 2013, Companies Act did not comprised Animal welfare as a a CSR activity but amendments were made in 2014 Companies act after receiving the feedbacks from the animal welfare organizations. Animals which are under consideration are Tiger, one-horned rhinoceroses, red panda etc. This funding will be for wild animals only and not for domestic animals. Under the Schedule VII several activities are mentioned amongst which Ensuring environmental sustainability, ecological balance and protection of flora and fauna, animal welfare, conservation of natural resources, agro forestry and maintaining quality of soil, air, water is one where CSR activity could be done Other than this funding,csr activities will include use of technology like providing cameras, lenses, projectors for documentation and filming for raising awareness in the states of Arunachal Pradesh for protection of red pandas and snow leopards. 3 P a g e
Infrastructure Development through CSR Andhra Pradesh government has asked the industries to invest for the infrastructure development as a part of their CSR activities. These investments will be made in the villages surrounding the industries. As per Mr. N. Chandrababu Naidu, the Chief Minister of State, every company should invest in different developmental activities for a vast and diverse development. The focus will be more in the areas where new units are established since former developments made did not attracted much attention. New courses introduced for CSR practitioners Indian School of business has tied up with Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) for a Short Term certificate program in CSR (corporate social responsibility) management. IICA is an autonomous institute running under Ministry of Corporate Affairs. This course will be first introduced for junior to mid-level managers so that they could offer a well planned CSR activity undertaken by the corporate under the provision of Companies Act 2013. Institutional Social Responsibility a new concept to study Citizenship and Cultural Richness St Stephen's College and Network 18 both have taken an initiative to start a lifelong learning course. The idea is to merge knowledge of Educational institutions and media establishments together so that the current available resources can be utilized to the fullest to develop a sense of Institutional Social responsibility. The concept of ISR is very similar to CSR but in ISR the focus is on human and intellectual resources that hold much more importance than money for the livelihood. The ISR will promote discipline for lifelong learning experiences, enrichment 4 P a g e of cultural and intellectual resources and will generate a sense of belongingness. Indian school of business has tied up with Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs for a Short Term certificate program in CSR St Stephen's College and Network 18 have taken an initiative to start a lifelong learning course
Computer Education on wheels Students of Pune Zila Parishad schools will now be availing the facility of computer education in a mobile bus. The bus will be having around 18 laptops with some computer based technologies which will help students to become a part of digital India. This program is a part of CSR initiative by IN& FS Transportation Network Limited (ITNL) as a part of their CSR initiative and is named as The Digital Duniya Computer Education on Wheels This bus will provide computer education to 1561 students from 17 identified government schools in Khed, Ambegaon and Junnar. Along with the student school teachers, aanganwadi workers, government officials and local youth after-school hours and during school-holidays will be provided with this facility. This programme was launched in March 2015 and is running successfully so far. Ericsson, Smile Foundation and NASSCOM partnered for CSR activities Erricsson will carry out two programs named: STeP Smile Twin e-learning program and Smile on Wheels as per the MOU signed between Smile Foundation and NASSCOM Foundation. These two initiatives will be performed under their CSR practices. This program will provide education training in basic computer, telecom and retail sales management skills along with skill of proficiency in spoken and written English to the deprived youth. There will be around 30 STeP centers in Gurgaon, Noida, Bengaluru, Chennai and Kolkata which will be supported by Ericsson for the next three years. Topics like personal development; career counseling and placement support will also 5 be Pa part g e of the curriculum. Erricsson will carry out two programs named: STeP Smile Twin e-learning program and Smile on Wheels as per the MOU signed between Smile Foundation and NASSCOM Foundation. These two initiatives will be performed under their CSR practices.
In the second programme named Smile on Wheels program, five medical units will be supported for next three years in the cities like Noida, Gurgaon, Kolkata, Chennai and Bengaluru. Through this they will focus on improving the health conditions of the deprived and weaker section of the society. CSR for a natural Calamity The government of Maharatshtra has planned to involve corporate to work for the drought affected areas in order to address social issues like suicide of farmers. Some parts of Maharashtra are facing major drought due to water crisis. Some of the NGOs will also be involved in this initiative. So far more than 400 villages have been adopted by the corporate and many more are expected to be adopted. Conservation of Water which is a natural resource is on the priority which will be done through water conservation schemes. Modern schools for backward areas Gujarat Government has asked the Public Sector Units of Gujarat to work for the schools located in the backward areas of the society. Top private schools in collaboration with the PSUs will start modern schools with high education quality for the poor students under their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. The education department of the state has written a letter to the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE) and departmental heads to inculcate this concept in their agenda in their CSR policy. In 2015-16 PSUs like Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation Limited, Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation Ltd, Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation etc will start this activity with two schools. The schools should be located either in the backward areas or in those areas where they are already working for the area development. The land for the schools will be provided by the State Education Department and expenses will be handled 6 P a g e by the PSUs.
CHAMBER THIS MONTH Skilling India for Global Competitiveness L-R Mr. Gopal K Saxena, Chairman, Skill Development Committee, PHD Chamber; Mr. Alok B. Shriram, President,PHD Chamber ; Hon ble Shri M Hamid Ansari, Vice President of India; Mr. Gopal Jiwarajka, Vice President, PHD Chamber; Ms. Karuna B. Shriram Chairperson, Dr. Bansi Dhar School, Kota 7 P a g e
L-R Dr (Ms) Jyoti S A Bhat, Scientist G, Ministry of Science & Technology, Govt. of India; Mr. Kamlesh Vyas, Director, Advisory Services, Ernst & Young; Mr. Atul P Anand, Co-Chairman, Skill Development Committee, PHD Chamber; Shri Gopal Jiwarajka, Vice President, PHD Chamber; Mr. M V V Prasada Rao, Director (Vocational), Central Board of Secondary Education; Ms. Gouri Gupta, Head, MIS and Monitoring, National Skill Development Corporation To reinforce Skill Development as a key thrust area, PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry organized a conference on Skilling India for Global Competitiveness on 17 th April 2015 at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi. The rationale of the conference was to provide a forum to discuss and deliberate on the concept of making India a skill capital of the world. The deliberations focused on the perspective from the supply and demand for effective implementation of Skill based education. The Chief Guest Shri M. Hamid Ansari, Hon ble Vice President of India addressed the gathering at the conference On this occasion PHD Chamber along with EY India launched a Knowledge Report entitled Skill Development in India: Way Forward. Among others who spoke on the pressing need for skilling India were, Vice President of PHD Chamber Mr. Gopal Jiwarajka; Chief Operating Officer(Skills), Ministry of Rural 8 P a g e
Development, Government of India, Ms. Gayatri B. Kalia, Head; MIS and monitoring, National Skill Development Corporation Ms. Gauri Gupta and Director (Vocational) CBSE, Mr. M.V. Prasada Rao. Mr. Alok B. Shriram, President of PHD Chamber of Commerce spoke about the initiatives taken up by PHD Chamber to encourage skilling in both rural and urban India. In his address he also spoke about how skill development is not only a part of economic upliftment but also social inclusion of the marginalized groups into the society.. 9 P a g e
For suggestions / queries please contact: Dr. Jatinder Singh Senior Secretary, jatinder@phdcci.in Snigdha Bhushan Management Trainee, snigdha.bhushan@phdcci.in PHD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY PHD House, 4/2 Siri Institutional Area, August Kranti Marg, New Delhi 110016 Tel: 91-11-26863801-04, 49545454 Fax: 91-11-26855450, 49545451 Website: www.phdcci.in E-mail: phdcci@phdcci.in 10 P a g e
Disclaimer CSR Newsletter is designed to provide information of some recent activities happening in the field of CSR. The information shared in this is for informational and educational purpose only. None of the information should be considered for any kind of advisory services The opinions and interpretations expressed within are those of the author only and may not reflect those of other identified parties. PHDCCI CSR Task force does not warrant the accuracy and completeness of this newsletter, nor endorse or make any representations about its content. In no event PHDCCI CSR Task force will be liable for any damages whatsoever arising out of the use of or reliance on the contents of this newsletter. 11 P a g e