CSR News: Employee Volunteering Program ArtShala – Paint a School Initiative Hosted by Real Estate Conglomerate
As part of the ‘Time off for Volunteering Policy’, K Raheja Corp group, India’s leading Real Estate conglomerate recently hosted an employee volunteering activity christened ‘ArtShala Paint a School’, combing the English word ‘Art’ and the Marathi word ‘Shaala’ meaning school. As the name implies, the initiative saw art being done at the school, in partnership with ConnectFor, a volunteering platform dedicated to connecting volunteers with NGOs and fostering impactful programs. The engaging outreach and CSR program for employees across its businesses including Mindspace Business Parks REIT, K Raheja Corp Homes, Chalet Hotels Ltd. and Inorbit Mall, saw them coming together to refurbish classrooms and corridors of Nadkarni Park MPS School in Mumbai. The activity transformed the school’s classrooms and corridor walls into vibrant canvases of artistic expression. Over 40 employees of K Raheja Corp also engaged with the children and distributed stationary kits to them. Equipped with paints, brushes, and a lot of enthusiasm, the volunteers spent over 3 hours painting murals and interacting with students.
Urvi Aradhya, CHRO of K Raheja Corp said “At K Raheja Corp, we believe in giving back to the community and creating a positive impact through our initiatives. ‘ArtShala – Paint a School’ was a perfect blend of creativity, community service, and employee engagement. It was heartwarming to see our people come together, connect with the children, and contribute towards brightening their school environment. The ‘Time-off for Volunteering Policy’ encourages our employees to give back to the community. This policy not only benefits the community but also boosts employee morale and fosters a strong sense of purpose within our organization.”
Gargi Modi, Project Director, ConnectFor, said, “We were thrilled to collaborate with K Raheja Corp for ‘ArtShala – Paint a School.’ Initiatives like these not only bring joy to children but also enhance the quality of education. They offer volunteers a chance to make a lasting impact through art while fostering an appreciation for education within low-income communities. It’s truly heartening to see corporate entities like K Raheja Corp step up and engage meaningfully with the community.”
Upon asking the kids how they enjoyed the experience, excited Shwetha and Arati said, “It’s so nice to meet so many didi’s and bhaiya’s who have come here to paint out school. We painted with them, and we had so much fun together. It was lovely to paint outside of our books for a change.”
The evening was filled with laughter, camaraderie, and, above all, a sense of fulfilment as everyone came together to make a difference. By empowering its employees to give back to the community, K Raheja Corp has demonstrated its core values of social responsibility and employee well-being.
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CSR New: Bank distributes 250 bicycles to girl students in New Delhi under its CSR Initiative UMEED 1000
RBL Bank, one of India’s leading private sector banks, under its CSR initiative – UMEED 1000 – today reaffirmed its commitment to supporting girl child education by distributing 250 bicycles to underprivileged girls in New Delhi.
The initiative addresses one of the significant challenges of school dropouts among the girl students — the long distance between their home and school.
The bicycle donation drive was held at the MCD School Ground, RK Puram, New Delhi in the presence of prominent officials of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), including Ashwani Kumar, Commissioner and senior officials from RBL Bank. The event witnessed high enthusiasm from the girls.
Other MCD dignitaries included Shri. Amit Kumar Sharma, Addl. Commissioner, Education, MCD; Shri. Veer Singh Yadav, Additional Commissioner – Finance; Shri. Mohit Bansal, Director – Education Department; Shri. Shyam Sundar, DCA – Finance, MCD HQ; Smt. Seema Sharma, Additional Director, Education; Smt. Sujata Malik, Additional Director, Education; Shri. Muktmay Mandal, Additional Director, Education; Shri. Naveen Kumar, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Education; and Smt. Manju Khatri, Deputy Director – Physical Education.
The UMEED 1000 initiative seeks to provide a practical and sustainable solution by ensuring underprivileged girls have access to reliable transport. The bicycles will enable them to travel to school in an energy-efficient and environmentally friendly way. Earlier this year, RBL Bank successfully distributed 2,000 bicycles and school kits across India, benefiting students in cities like Patiala, Jaipur, Nagpur and Guwahati.
Speaking on the occasion, R. Subramaniakumar, MD & CEO, RBL Bank said, “At RBL Bank, we believe that education is the cornerstone of a bright future. Through our CSR initiative, UMEED 1000, we strive to address critical barriers that prevent children from accessing quality education. By providing bicycles and school kits, we aim to empower young girls to overcome obstacles and pursue their dreams. This initiative underscores our commitment to creating a more inclusive and equitable society, where every child has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.”
With a focus on enabling education and fostering opportunities, RBL Bank continues to lead impactful outreach programmes that bring meaningful change. The distribution of bicycles and school kits is yet another step toward building a brighter, more sustainable future for India’s youth.
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Sustainable waste management company is is turning waste into resources at the Perungudi landfill
Chennai, India: Blue Planet Environmental Solutions Pvt. Ltd. (Blue Planet), a global leader in sustainable waste management and circular economy solutions, has reclaimed over 96 acres of land at Perungudi— India’s largest landfill— transforming hazardous dumpsite into usable space. The company has processed more than 1.73 million Cubic meters of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), paving the way towards a circular economy and a cleaner future.
During the Perungudi site visit, while addressing the attendees, Prashant Singh, Co-Founder & CEO of Blue Planet shared the remarkable feat of the company, emphasising the need to act decisively on mounting environmental concerns. He informed that in a short span of time, Blue Planet has cleared over 13 million tonnes of waste and reclaimed 650 acres of land for municipal use across India.
Prashant Singh, Co-Founder & CEO, reaffirmed Blue Planet’s mission to lead the transition towards a circular economy. He said, “Waste is not inevitable; it is a choice. And with the technology and means available in modern times, we have the choice to transform it. We, at Blue Planet, are committed to making that transformation a reality.The success of the Perungudi project is a reflection of your commitment to addressing environmental concerns through cutting-edge technology and sustainable practices.”
The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) awarded the tender to dispose of the waste at the Perungudi dump yard to Blue Planet’s portfolio company, Zigma Global Environ Solutions Pvt. Ltd in February 2021. The area under GCC generates around 5500 MT of Solid waste per day, which is transferred to the two dumpsites– Perungudi and Kodungaiyur. The mining project at Perungudi was initiated to reclaim 225 acres of land with 30,63,123 cubic meters of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW).
After successful reclamation efforts at the Perungudi landfill, Blue Planet also secured 50% of the contract of a project to bio-mine the Kodungaiyur dumpyard,which spans 352 acres and contains approximately 74 lakh cubic meters/66 lakh metric tonnes of garbage, posing significant environmental and public health risks.
The landfill visit was held on the sidelines of the AVPN South Asia Summit 2024 organised in Chennai. As an anchor partner of the summit, Blue Planet played a key role in driving meaningful discussions and actions towards environmental sustainability.
Earlier in the summit, while participating in a panel discussion on 09 December 2024, Blue Planet CEO underscored the importance of public-private partnerships to make a positive impact on the planet. He said, “To bring about change, we need to work at the grassroots level, where the collaboration of all stakeholders is necessary. Building resilient cities demands collective effort, and together, we can reimagine urban futures and create sustainable, thriving communities for generations to come.”
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CSR News: Bengaluru FC partners with Parinaam Foundation to raise awareness on Women’s Safety
Bengaluru, India: As part of the ‘Louder than Ever’ initiative launched by Bengaluru FC earlier this year, the JSW Sports-owned Bengaluru franchise has announced their partnership with Parinaam Foundation today.
Parinaam is a non-profit foundation based in Bengaluru focusing on empowering children from underprivileged communities. They have been engaging with urban, low-income communities in India since 2006. Their vision is to eliminate generational poverty through education, social inclusion, and financial literacy.
Through this partnership, BFC will invite young girls from the NGO’s network to walk alongside BFC first-team players as ushers. This initiative aims to empower young girls, many of whom are the first educated members of their families. By giving them the opportunity to proudly walk onto the pitch, we hope to inspire not just them but also other girls and women and create a meaningful impact.
“We started this season with a very special and significant initiative called ‘Louder Than Ever.’ To have these young girls from Parinaam Foundation walk out with our players is a proud moment. As a club, we want to make a positive impact in the community and women’s empowerment and safety is at the heart of it,” expressed Darren Caldeira, Director of Football for BFC.
“It was quite a proud moment for us to walk out with the children from Parinaam Foundation. It was a significant step towards our club’s community outreach and each of us players feel strongly towards engaging in helping underprivileged communities in whatever way we can,” expressed BFC Captain Sunil Chhetri.
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Rajasthan stands at the forefront of India’s renewable energy revolution: Union Minister Pralhad Joshi
Delhi India: Underscoring Rajasthan’s pioneering contributions to India’s renewable energy goals, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi said “Rajasthan stands at the forefront of India’s renewable energy revolution”. The Minister was addressing the session on the ‘Transition Towards a Sustainable Energy Economy’ at the ‘Rising Rajasthan Summit’ in Jaipur. With bold targets, forward-thinking policies, and recent investments, Rajasthan is most definitely on the path to becoming a renewable energy powerhouse”, the Minister said.
Union Minister Joshi lauded the recent launch of Rajasthan’s Integrated Clean Energy Policy 2024, which aims to achieve 125 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030. He emphasized that this ambitious policy will significantly contribute to the national target of 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030, as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “These incentives reflect Rajasthan’s commitment to creating a thriving ecosystem for renewable energy investments,” Shri Joshi said.
Highlighting the state’s achievements, the Minister noted that Rajasthan has an installed renewable energy capacity of 30.31 GW, with solar power contributing 24.55 GW, making it the national leader in this domain. He also appreciated the Rajasthan Investment Promotion Scheme 2024, which provides generous incentives to investors in renewable energy.
India’s renewable energy sector has grown immensely in the last 10 years under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. The Union Minister urged the state to expedite the implementation of key initiatives such as the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana to maximize their benefits. He also called for the swift operationalization of the state’s Green Hydrogen Policy to position Rajasthan as a hub for emerging green technologies.
The Minister highlighted the innovative discussions and breakthroughs in renewable energy technologies like solar, wind, and hydrogen as well as innovative financing mechanisms and investment opportunities that were held in the Summit. “Rajasthan has the potential to become a global hub for renewable energy innovation,” Shri Joshi said.
Union Minister Joshi announced the approval of a 2000 MW Solar Park project of Rajasthan Solar Development Corporation at the event which will also have 30% Central Financial Assistance. The Minister said that Union Government will work together with all stakeholders to boost the Renewable Energy sector.
The event was also graced by Bhajan Lal Sharma, Chief Minister, Government of Rajasthan, Heera Lal Nagar, Minister for Energy, Government of Rajasthan, and other dignitaries.
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What is Bima Sakhi Yojana launched by PM Modi in Panipat, Haryana?
As a step towards women empowerment and financial inclusion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the ‘Bima Sakhi Yojana’ of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) during his visit to Panipat, Haryana on Monday.
“Empowering women economically strengthens the nation. The Bima Sakhi Yojana will not only provide employment opportunities but also enhance women’s role in advancing financial inclusion. Under the Bima Sakhi Yojana, we aim to provide employment opportunities to 2 lakh women. Sisters and daughters who have passed the 10th standard will receive specialised training, financial assistance for three years, and allowances. According to industry data, an LIC agent earns an average monthly income of Rs 15,000. This means that our Bima Sakhis can expect to earn more than Rs 1.75 lakh annually. This income will provide much-needed financial support to their families,” PM Modi said while launching the scheme.
Taking to X, the PM wrote, “Our government has taken unprecedented steps for women empowerment in the last 10 years. Today I am very happy to launch the Bima Sakhi Yojana and inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of development projects in Panipat, Haryana.”
What is Bima Sakhi Yojana
LIC’s ‘Bima Sakhi Yojana’ initiative is designed to empower women aged 18-70 years, who have qualified Class X. As part of this scheme, these women will receive specialized training and a stipend for the first three years to promote financial literacy and insurance awareness. After training, they can serve as LIC agents and the graduate Bima Sakhis would have the opportunity to qualify for being considered for Development Officer roles in LIC.
The government plans to appoint 200,000 Bima Sakhis over the next three years, starting with 25,000 appointments this year, as informed by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at the event in Panipat. To apply for the scheme, candidates must provide proof of age and address, and educational qualification certificates.
Every Bima Sakhi will be given a target of insuring two individuals every month or 24 individuals in a year to be eligible for getting the commission. Each woman insurance agent volunteer will be given a stipend of Rs 7,000 per month in the first year, Rs 6,000 per month in the second year, and Rs 5,000 per month in the third year, as stated by the Finance Minister. Once the training is successfully completed, participants will become LIC agents, helping bridge the gap in insurance penetration in rural and semi-urban areas.
“If they fail to meet this target, they will not receive a commission but will continue to receive their stipend, ensuring financial support during the initial training and onboarding phase. After completing the three-year period, the women insurance volunteers will no longer receive a stipend but can earn a commission for each insurance policy they secure. However, if they fail to meet their yearly target after the three-year stipend period, their agent registration may be cancelled,” LIC Chairman Siddhartha Mohanty told the media.
The PM says
“The Bima Sakhi scheme has just been launched here to create employment opportunities for the women and daughters of the nation. Certificates under the Bima Sakhi initiative have been distributed to daughters here today. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the women across the country,” PM Modi said while talking about the newly launched scheme.
इंश्योरेंस सेक्टर में बीमा सखी की अहम भूमिका होने वाली है, जिससे Insurance for All के हमारे मिशन को और मजबूती मिलेगी। pic.twitter.com/unI3RTFsi6
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 9, 2024
“Even after 60–65 years of independence, most women in Bharat did not have their personal bank accounts… Just as women were once excluded from banking, they were also not part of the insurance ecosystem. Today, a campaign has been launched to make lakhs of women insurance agents, or Bima Sakhis. This initiative enables women, who were once denied access to insurance services, to become key players in connecting others to these services. In doing so, they will also lead the expansion of the insurance sector. To build a developed Bharat, we require the additional strength of our countless mothers and sisters, whose contributions will be our greatest source of inspiration. Today, women-led self-help groups, Bima Sakhi, Bank Sakhi, and Krishi Sakhi are emerging as vital pillars of a developed Bharat,” he further said.
Centre’s efforts at Women Empowerment
Prime Minister Modi also spoke about the efforts of the BJP Government in empowering Indian women.
“To empower women, it is crucial to ensure they have ample opportunities to progress and that every obstacle is removed from their path. When women are given opportunities to advance, they, in turn, unlock new opportunities for the nation. For years, there were many professions in our country where women were barred from working. Our BJP government resolved to eliminate every barrier hindering our daughters.
Today, you can see that women are being deployed on the front lines of the army. Our daughters are also becoming fighter pilots in significant numbers. Many women are now joining the police force. Moreover, our daughters are leading prominent companies. Across the country, there are 1,200 producer associations or cooperative societies of farmers and cattle rearers that are being led by women. Whether in sports or education – our daughters are excelling in every field. Additionally, lakhs of women have benefited from the extension of maternity leave to 26 weeks,” the Prime Minister shared.