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April 30, 2025
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What are the Monitoring Agencies of CSR

By
The CSR Journal
-
What are the Monitoring Agencies of CSR
CSR has become a fundamental component of modern business practices especially in India where the government has made it mandatory for any profit making organisation. The purpose is to make corporates contribute to social welfare, benefit backward and underprivileged communities – be it their education, healthcare, skill development or basic needs, and at the same time doing something for environmental sustainability.
Regular monitoring and evaluation of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes and initiatives help to ensure that the projects attain their goals and create an impact. This is also necessary to help companies measure how much is the impact of their CSR goals, research on investments, and generate an evidence base. Monitoring of CSR activities enhances a company’s credibility in front of stakeholders.
What are the agencies that monitor CSR activities in India? The CSR Journal takes a look.

Why monitoring CSR activities is necessary

Monitoring the CSR activities of a company is necessary for the following reasons:

Helps to assess impact

Assessing the impact of CSR programmes and initiatives is necessary to understand their effectiveness and the extent to which they accomplish the proposed goals. Impact assessment involves systematically measuring the outcomes and changes resulting from CSR activities. This practice helps companies understand whether their CSR initiatives are creating any positive social, environmental, and economic impact.

Ensures Accountability and Transparency

Monitoring CSR initiatives enhances accountability and transparency, which are significant for building trust with stakeholders, including employees, customers, investors, and the community. Accountability ensures that companies adhere to their CSR commitments and are held responsible for their actions, while transparency involves openly sharing information about CSR efforts, successes, and challenges.
Regularly publishing detailed CSR reports (which is often included within the Integrated Annual Report of a company) allows stakeholders to see the progress and impact of Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives. These reports should include clear metrics, methodologies, and results, along with explanations of any shortcomings or failures to implement a particular CSR project. Transparency in reporting helps to build trust and credibility, which delivers a message to the stakeholders that the company is sincere in its efforts.

Helps in planning future CSR initiatives

Monitoring and evaluation provide useful insights that help in the planning and execution of future CSR initiatives. By analyzing the data collected, companies can identify trends, successes, and areas for improvement. This information enables businesses to make data-driven decisions, ensuring that resources are allocated efficiently and that future initiatives are designed to maximize impact.
However, monitoring CSR is not devoid of its share of challenges such as Complexity of Measurement, Data Collection and Management, Resource Constraints and difficulty in engaging Stakeholders.

Monitoring agencies of CSR

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities are monitored by multiple agencies including the government and third-party agencies. Some companies also monitor their own CSR initiatives and programmes.

1.Government of India

In India, the Central Government monitors the CSR provisions compliance through the disclosures made by the companies on the MCA 21 portal of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA). The Government of India has the authority to take action against the non-compliant companies for any violation of CSR provisions.
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has several mechanisms to monitor Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities in India. These include the National Foundation for Corporate Social Responsibility (NFCSR), Comptroller & Auditor General (C&AG) and the Parliamentary Committee on Public Undertakings (COPU).

National Foundation for Corporate Social Responsibility (NFCSR)

National Foundation for CSR is an apex National Institution being housed at the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA). It has been established to build an enabling environment for the corporate sector to work in collaboration with Government and civil society organization for effective contribution towards sustainable growth and development. NFCSR has been evolved as a national level institution that can effectively enable and inform the spirit of CSR legislation.
NFCSR not only provides research support to the MCA but also advocates for policy and helps to create a conducive environment for the corporate sector so that it is able to work with the government and civil society and contribute to a sustainable growth.

Comptroller & Auditor General of India (C&AG)

Mandated by the Constitution of India, Comptroller & Auditor General of India (C&AG) promotes accountability, transparency and good governance through high quality auditing and accounting and provides independent and timely assurance to the Legislature, the Public and the Executive, that public funds are being collected and used effectively and efficiently. The C&AG audits CSR policies with a focus on the expenditure of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs).

Parliamentary Committee on Public Undertakings (COPU)

The Committee on Public Undertakings examines the reports and accounts of Public Sector Undertakings (PSU.) The functions of this committee are mentioned in the fourth schedule of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha. The COPU conducts horizontal studies on the CSR of PSUs.

2.Third-party agencies

Third party agencies independently monitor and evaluate CSR projects. Their job is to make sure that projects are implemented as planned and achieve their desired impact.
For example, Consultivo is CSR Project Monitoring and Evaluation Consultancy which carries out Independent Midterm (or Midline) and End line Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) of CSR and other development projects in India during its entire life cycle. The company ensures that the projects are executed as per the plan.
ITAD’s independent monitoring and verification services make sure that the reported results are reliable, ensuring that programmes are achieving the expected outcomes and delivering for end users.
Another agency SoulAce has been working in the space of Monitoring for a long time and has an established approach, methodology and supportive tools. Their approach focuses on either obtaining Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), budget and timelines from MoU or formalizing the same with CSR and NGO team at the beginning of the project.
This is followed by check-in with NGO team and working with them to ensure the project progresses as per the planned timelines and budget to meet the committed KPIs. This agency also interacts with CSR team to update on the project specific progress and send formal updates on regular basis. It also works with CSR departments to ensure that all the information required for regulatory compliance is also available to them.

3.Companies

Some companies monitor their own CSR activities instead of being dependent on others. This is normally done through regular progress reports, staff performance monitoring, and other techniques.
For example, companies like Larsen & Toubro, Wipro, Hindustan Unilever Limited, Tata Consultancy Services, Vedanta, Axis Bank, Bajaj Auto Ltd, Grasim Industries Ltd, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank Ltd and HCL Technologies monitor their own CSR activities.
Companies which fall under Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013 must file Form CSR-2 to report their CSR activities. This has been made compulsory since 2021-22. This is an additional form apart from the annual financial statements filed by the organisation through Form AOC-4.
As instructed by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, companies undertaking Corporate Social Responsibility also mandatorily have to disclose their CSR activities undertaken in the said financial year in their integrated Annual Report. This should also include details about how much money have been spent on a particular project and the areas in which it is operational, implementing agencies if any for a specific CSR programme, and the project’s impact like how many individuals benefitted through the project in a given FY.

4.External Auditing Firms

External Auditing Firms calculate the return on investment (ROI) for CSR projects every six months. This is done until at least five years after the project’s completion.
For example, Green Edge Compliance Group Private Limited (Grecom) is a CSR, Social Compliance and QHSE Company. Grecom provides independent services ensuring business sustainability and have a global benchmark for CSR, Social Compliance, Integrity, Human Resources and QHSE for Food and Non Food Manufacturers, retailers and importers, who are engaged in Indian and International business. Grecom assists them to work in adherence to Indian industry, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and international regulations and norms.

Conclusion

Monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of a CSR project are necessary for the successful implementation to ensure that the said project achieves the required objective. It is also equally important to ensure that the project makes the desired impact. Therefore monitoring of CSR initiatives should be done at regular intervals.

 

 

India Lost Rs. 120 Cr to Digital Arrest Frauds This Year

By
Nitya Choubey
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India Lost Rs. 120 Cr to Digital Arrest Frauds This Year
Suppose your phone rings and on the other side is an officer from CBI. The officer charges you to be part of a massive drug chain and a consignment or parcel is about to reach your home, which the officer needs to seize. You deny your involvement in any such illegal activity, but the officer asks you to follow him. The officer further suggests that you constantly remain on video conferencing through Skype or any other platform to be under his surveillance. 
This situation typically makes up a new form of cybercrime called a ‘digital arrest’. The situation of a digital arrest involves a fraudster calling you by the name of an officer from the CBI, FBI, ED, TRAI, etc. The fraudster then approaches the intended target using audio or visual calls. The first step is to intimidate people and the second step is to extort money from them while confiding them to one location physically, usually the victim’s own house. This creates a situation of false pretence of an arrest in a digital form, and hence the cybercrime is called a ‘digital arrest’.

Digital Arrest Frauds in India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the first quarter of the year 2024, highlighted that India has lost approximately Rs.120.30 crores in digital arrest frauds. According to the data from the Ministry of Home Affairs, digital arrests have become a prevalent method of digital fraud lately. The ministry also monitors the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre.
The base for many such frauds comes out to be Southeast Asian countries, like Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia. Approximately 46% of cyber frauds reported between January to April this year were from these three countries. The total value of money lost by victims can be estimated to be touching Rs.1,776 crores. 
Data from the national cybercrime reporting portal also showed that Rs. 7.4 lakh complaints were made between January to April while Rs.15.56 lakh complaints were received in 2023. A year before in 2022, Rs.9.66 lakh complaints were reported, which was higher than the figure of Rs.4.52 lakh complaints reported in 2021. These trends point towards the growing magnitude of cyber arrests in India.
The targets for these crimes are chosen very carefully and would be contacted over Skype or other video calling platforms, which can secure the identity of the caller. According to the Cyber Fraud Mitigation Centre situated in New Delhi (also called 14 C), there are four categories of digital scams. These include digital arrests, trading scams, investment scams, and romance scams. The daily newspaper Indian Express reported the official court of the chief executive officer of 14C, Rajesh Kumar, who revealed the surprising figure of money lost in all the scams, 
“We found that Indians lost Rs.120.30 Cr in digital arrests, Rs. 1,420.48 Cr in trading scams, Rs. 222.58 Cr in investment scams and Rs. 13.23C in Romance scams.”
“The cybercrime operations based in these countries employ a comprehensive array of strategies, including recruitment efforts by exploiting social media to lure Indians with fake employment opportunities.” Kumar added further.

Security from Digital Crime

The space for physical and mechanical mobility has been taken up by the digital world. This has increased the ambit of digital platforms. Everything from rural benefit transfers to Aadhaar cards has been digitised. It then becomes important to ensure personal security.
This can be done by using strong passwords and multi-factor authentication in all your bank accounts and digital devices. It can come out to be less convenient for personal use, but given the increasing cybercrime, this is the only way out. In case of theft or data breach, always keep a backup of your personal data so that you can erase everything from a device whenever you want. An active virus plan can further add to the security wall of your device.
Being the victim of a cybercrime should not be taken as a fault of the victim because these crimes are planned in an organized manner. The targets are carefully selected, and the fraudsters have a lot of practice to use different methods of intimidation. Hence one can go beyond judging a victim and reporting immediately to the cyber security cell without hesitation or delay.

CSR Initiative to Upgrade School Facilities in Chennai & Coimbatore

By
The CSR Journal
-
CSR Initiative to Upgrade School Facilities in Chennai & Coimbatore
Native Medicare Charitable Trust (NMCT), with financial backing from NTT DATA, a global leader in digital business and IT services, has successfully upgraded facilities in government schools across Chennai and Coimbatore. This partnership is part of NTT DATA’s ongoing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts, aimed at improving education and health infrastructure in underprivileged schools.
The initiative includes renovating classrooms, upgrading sanitation facilities, installing clean drinking water systems, and constructing midday meal sheds. Additionally, the program has introduced handwashing stations, and a capacity-building initiative focused on Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WaSH) to foster better hygiene practices among students.
At a recent event, Gopa K, Vice President of NTT DATA, officially handed over newly constructed facilities for students to the Headmasters of the Government High Schools in Mugalivakkam and Poothapeta, Chennai, benefiting over 500 students. The handover was attended by Ms. Gayathri, State Coordinator of Namma School Namma Ooru Palli (NSNOP), and Mr. A. S. Sankaranarayanan, Managing Trustee of NMCT, along with members of the NTT DATA team.
Last month, similar enhancements were completed by NMCT with support from NTT DATA and handed over to the school management at Government Schools in Ashokapuram and Somayanapur, Coimbatore, benefiting 182 students. Additional projects benefitting 500 more students are underway and are expected to be completed by December.
Commenting on the occasion, Mr. A.S.Sankaranarayanan, Founder & Manging Trustee, NMCT said, “NTT DATA, through its Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, is creating a tangible impact on Government schools in Tamil Nadu. This collaboration reflects NTT DATA’s commitment to fostering educational opportunities and improving health and hygiene for students in the region.”
“At NTT DATA, our mission is to bridge the educational divide by ensuring that every child, regardless of their background, has access to quality learning opportunities. We are honoured to have partnered with NMCT for several years, bringing positive changes to government schools. Together, we are fostering an educational ecosystem that empowers students to reach their full potential and inspiring a culture of lifelong learning,” said Gauri Bahulkar, Senior Director of Global Corporate Social Responsibility at NTT DATA.
Disclaimer: This media release is auto-generated. The CSR Journal is not responsible for the content.

Planning to buy Gold this Dhanteras? Try Gold ETF instead

By
Hency Thacker
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Planning to buy Gold this Dhanteras? Try Gold ETF instead
Gold holds a venerable position in Indian culture. Almost every significant festival, event or milestone in an Indian household is celebrated by purchasing some amount of gold. It has been estimated that Indian housewives hold about 11 per cent of the world’s gold, i.e. about 27,000 tons. To put this into perspective, the Reserve Bank of India holds over 800 tons of gold in its reserves. Even the gold reserves of the USA, the IMF, Switzerland, and Germany put together is not as big as the gold held by Indian households.
India mines less than 1 per cent of the total gold consumed by the country. The percentage of the gold consumed that comes after recycling is about 14-15 per cent. The remaining gold consumed by Indians has to be imported, which adds up significantly to the import bill of the country. This, in turn, is not that great for the economy. So why do we keep buying more and more gold?

Why is gold preferred over other investments?

Gold is one of the most trustworthy assets. If the economy is down, the inflation is rising, and markets are falling, the gold prices are set to be rising. Mainly because if people cannot trust to invest elsewhere, they invest in gold, increasing the demand for gold exponentially.
In current times, as we face economic uncertainties because of ongoing conflicts at a global level, the economy is suffering causing stock market prices to fall, and gold prices to rise.

What is an alternative to buying gold?

Most Indians, when considering investment in gold, prefer to buy physical gold in form of jewellery, or blocks. An alternative to this is investing in Gold ETF.
Just like individual stocks, investment funds known as ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds) are traded on stock exchanges. ETFs invest in a diverse range of assets, including currencies, commodities, stocks, and bonds. Specifically, gold ETFs invest in actual gold or derivatives of gold, including futures contracts, to track the development of the gold price.
Investors who invest in gold ETFs buy shares of the fund, which are traded on the stock market and whose value is based on the price of gold.
Gold ETFs offer an easy way to invest in gold without owning physical gold. Investors can easily buy and sell Gold exchange traded funds on the stock exchange, making them more liquid than physical gold. They also offer lower costs compared to other gold investment options.

List of the Best Gold ETFs to Invest in India

Here is an educational list of the 10 best gold ETFs for investment in the Indian Stock Market:
Gold ETFs
1Y Returns
HDFC Gold ETF
10.1%
SBI Gold ETF
9.4%
ICICI Prudential Gold ETF
9.7%
Axis Gold ETF
10.6%
Kotak Gold ETF
11.4%
Aditya Birla Sun Life Gold ETF
9.6%
Nippon India Gold ETF
9.5%
Invesco India Gold ETF
10.1%
Quantum Gold ETF
9.5%
UTI Gold ETF
10.7%
Disclaimer: Please note that the above list is for educational purposes only, and is not recommendatory. Please do your own research or consult your financial advisor before investing.

Merck and Tinkle Partner to Launch Comic Books Raising Food Safety Awareness for Kids

By
The CSR Journal
-
Merck and Tinkle Partner to Launch Comic Books Raising Food Safety Awareness for Kids
Merck, a leading science and technology, today launched two engaging comic books in collaboration with Tinkle at Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru.  These books were unveiled in the presence of over 200 students from Government Schools in Bengaluru as part of its campaign which focused on food safety – SafeFoodFirst.
Titled ‘Rishi’s Great Farm Adventure’ and ‘Rishi’s Street Food Discovery,’ these comic books are designed to demystify the complex subject of microbial contamination, making it accessible and engaging for younger audiences, while instilling critical food safety awareness from an early age.
The Merck-Tinkle comic books explore the impact of microbial contamination in food and promote safe food practices throughout the supply chain from the farm to the table, then going on to create awareness about safe food habits.
Several engaging activities were organised to create an interactive environment for the students. The event featured food safety quizzes, where children were asked to decide whether to eat or discard food based on expiration dates, promoting awareness of safe consumption. Additionally, paintings by children depicting their favourite food superhero were celebrated and appreciated. The event also included a Kids’ Q&A session, where Dr. Veena Panicker addressed the students and asked questions, sparking curiosity and deepening their understanding of food safety. To conclude, the children took a food safety pledge, committing to healthy eating and good hygiene practices, reinforcing the importance of maintaining safe food habits.
The event was attended by more than 200 students from government schools, who following the engagement session participated in the SPARKTM program and explored the topic of ‘germ detection’, encouraging curiosity and understanding around the topic of microbial safety.
The event also showcased a food safety video titled “Science Behind Food Safety,” aimed at educating viewers on lesser-known facts about the people responsible for making food safe right from the producer to the packager to the consumer. The video can be viewed here – features experts from the lab, to regulatory, to the farmer. It highlights the urgent need for continuous innovation in food safety techniques, emphasising how advanced testing technologies play a crucial role in ensuring food quality.
The launch of the Merck-Tinkle comic books and the video is part of Merck’s broader #SafeFoodFirst campaign, aimed at raising awareness about microbial contamination—a critical yet often overlooked aspect of food safety.
Disclaimer: This media release is auto-generated. The CSR Journal is not responsible for the content.

CSR: Smt. Nita M. Ambani Pledges Free Screenings and Treatment to over 1,00,000 Women and Children from Marginalized Communities

By
The CSR Journal
-
CSR: Smt. Nita M. Ambani Pledges Free Screenings and Treatment to over 1,00,000 Women and Children from Marginalized Communities
Smt. Nita M. Ambani, Founder and Chairperson of Reliance Foundation, announced the launch of a New Health Seva Plan that prioritises essential screenings and treatments for children, adolescent girls and women.  As part of this New Health Seva Plan, Smt. Nita M. Ambani has pledged free screening and treatment for congenital heart disease amongst 50,000 children, free screening and treatment of breast and cervical cancer amongst 50,000 women and free cervical cancer vaccination for 10,000 adolescent girls to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Sir H. N. Reliance Foundation Hospital.  
Smt. Nita M. Ambani, Founder and Chairperson of Reliance Foundation, said, “For 10 years, Sir H. N. Reliance Foundation Hospital has been driven by our vision to make world-class healthcare accessible and affordable to every Indian. Together, we have touched millions of lives and offered hope to countless families. As we celebrate this milestone, we have launched a New Health Seva Plan, free of cost, for children and women from marginalized communities. For we believe that good health is the foundation of a prosperous nation, and healthy women and children are the bedrock of a thriving society.”
 Sir H. N. Reliance Foundation Hospital has completed a decade of providing exceptional healthcare services. In the past decade, our Hospital has touched the lives of 2.75 million Indians, including over 1.5 lakh children. Sir H. N. Reliance Foundation Hospital is a pioneer in delivering best in class clinical care to its patients, state of the art technology and achieved remarkable milestones in the past decade. Among the innumerable achievements, Sir H. N. Reliance Foundation Hospital has conducted more than 500 organ transplants, and hold the record for transplanting 6 organs within 24 hours saving multiple lives. Sir H. N. Reliance Foundation Hospital has also been recognized as the No. 1 Multi-Specialty Hospital in India consistently.
Disclaimer: This media release is auto-generated. The CSR Journal is not responsible for the content.

CSR: Mobile Dental Clinic Brings Advanced Care to Ladakh’s Remote Villages

By
The CSR Journal
-
CSR: Mobile Dental Clinic Brings Advanced Care to Ladakh’s Remote Villages
Ladakh, India: JCBL Limited, a JCBL Group Company is one of India’s leading mobility solution providers specializing in the manufacturing of mobile medical vans, is pleased to announce the successful delivery of Dental Clinic on Wheels for Project Smile Himalaya. This initiative, led by Rotary International (Germany & Bangalore), Swami Vivekananda Sewa Trust (Karnataka), and Vision Himalaya (Ladakh), aims to bring advanced dental care to the remote villages of Ladakh, where healthcare access remains a significant challenge.
The Dental Clinic on Wheels is a state-of-the-art mobile clinic designed by JCBL to navigate the rugged terrain of Ladakh, bringing essential dental services to communities with limited healthcare access. JCBL’s involvement demonstrates its commitment to delivering cutting-edge, high-quality mobility solutions that address specific regional and environmental challenges.
The mobile clinic was designed and manufactured by JCBL, ensuring optimal integration of all dental equipment within the examination area and boot space. The clinic is equipped to treat one patient at a time while accommodating 2-3 additional patients in waiting. Key features include a foldable dental chair, wall-mounted fixtures, and a base stool for medical staff. By transforming a Caravan chassis into a fully functional dental facility, JCBL has created a solution that allows for minor operations and essential dental care, even in hard-to-reach areas.
Built for long-term use in remote locations, the Dental Clinic on Wheels is capable of remaining stationary for 3-4 days at a time, delivering healthcare services to remote populations. The vehicle includes essential features such as a first aid kit, a toolbox, a document box, an ambulance siren, and a foldable ladder to ensure easy access and functionality in tough conditions.
Mr. Dinesh Dua, Bussiness Head, JCBL Limited (A JCBL Group company) remarked, “We are proud to have fulfilled the unique requirements of Project Smile Himalaya by delivering a fully equipped mobile dental clinic designed to meet the specific challenges of Ladakh’s terrain. At JCBL, we leverage decades of expertise in manufacturing mobile healthcare vehicles, and we remain committed to providing innovative solutions that enable access to quality healthcare, even in the most remote regions.”

 

 

Disclaimer: This media release is auto-generated. The CSR Journal is not responsible for the content.

 

 

Shiksha Samvaad Ignites National Momentum for Improving India’s Public Education System

By
The CSR Journal
-
Shiksha Samvaad Ignites National Momentum for Improving
Mumbai, India: Shikshagraha, a people’s movement dedicated to enhancing the quality of education in India’s public schools, took centre stage at Shiksha Samvaad – a collective dialogue on education equity, hosted by Shibulal Family Philanthropic Initiatives. This gathering in Mumbai brought together civil society, philanthropists, industry, education leaders, and community advocates for a groundbreaking dialogue to accelerate improvements in India’s public education system, which impacts more than 140 million students across the country. Shikshagraha is being supported by Axis Bank, L&T Technology Services, Caring Friends, Rotary Club of Queen’s Necklace Mumbai, and Amazon Web Services.
“Shikshagraha is not just a movement; it’s a blueprint for systemic transformation in India’s public education. We are at a pivotal moment where the collective will of stakeholders—across Sarkaar, Samaaj, Bazaar, and Sanchaar sectors—can redefine the future of 140 million children. As a movement, Shikshagraha will focus on tailored problem-solving based on contextual knowledge and proven solutions towards continuous school improvement. Ultimately, the movement will centre on restoring individual and community agency, to tear down barriers and build an education system that equips every child with the tools to thrive in a rapidly changing world,” SD Shibulal, Former CEO and Co-founder of Infosys and Permanent Trustee of Shibulal Family Philanthropic Initiatives.
With the goal of improving all 1 million public schools in India by 2030, Shikshagraha unites all stakeholders—government bodies, educators, civil society, industry, media and communities—into a powerful coalition for educational equity. It addresses the chronic challenges faced by public school systems across the country. It aims to create an ecosystem where every child, regardless of their background, gender and abilities, receives quality education and the opportunity to fulfil their potential.
At Shiksha Samvaad, the audience engaged in dynamic conversations around reshaping public education. A fireside chat between SD Shibulal and Apurva Purohit, Co-founder of Aazol and Independent Director at LTIMindtree, highlighted the path forward for systemic change. Additionally, Soumitra Pandey, Co-founder and Partner at India Impact Sherpas moderated a discussion with Dr. Santhosh Mathew from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Advisor- ShikshaLokam and Ms. Urmila Kumari, Co-founder of Jyoti Mahila Samakhya, Muzaffarpur, Bihar. The session explored establishing and upholding the principles of the movement, addressing conflicts, and ensuring all participants embodied these values. It also provided practical insights into translating these principles into effective on-ground actions.
The event also introduced the Shikshagraha Leadership Award, which honours key contributors to the education ecosystem— school leaders, youth leaders and community leaders. Nominations for the awards are now open and the winners will be announced at InvokED 4.0, an annual global education leadership event scheduled in Bengaluru on March 7-8, 2025.
The movement has brought together over 30+ partners who are working towards enabling improvements in over 10,000 schools across 27 districts in 12 states. “Shikshagraha is about redefining what’s possible when every stakeholder—government, civil society, industry, and communities—comes together with a shared purpose. This is not a challenge any single organisation or institution can tackle alone. The future of millions of children rests on our ability to collaborate and innovate. If we want to see real, sustainable change, we must treat this movement as critical to India’s long-term growth because the strength of our education system will ultimately define the strength of our nation,” Khushboo Awasthi, Co-founder and COO – ShikshaLokam, a Co-builder of Shikshagraha.
With over 50% of children enrolled in public schools, there is a growing consensus that improving infrastructure, teaching quality, and learning outcomes is critical for the country’s socio-economic growth. Shikshagraha, the movement, aligns with the government’s vision, as highlighted in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

 

Disclaimer: This media release is auto-generated. The CSR Journal is not responsible for the content.

 

 

CSR: Swachhata Hi Seva Campaign in Collaboration with MCD, Driving Community Cleanliness and Responsibility

By
The CSR Journal
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CSR: Swachhata Hi Seva Campaign in Collaboration with MCD, Driving Community Cleanliness and Responsibility
Re Sustainability Limited (ReSL), through its subsidiary Delhi Municipal Solid Waste Solutions Limited (DMSWSL), is happy to announce the successful culmination of the Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) campaign. The campaign was organized in collaboration with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), promoting cleanliness and community responsibility under the theme of ‘Swabhav Swachhata Sanskaar Swachhata.’ The campaign aimed to create a lasting cultural shift toward cleaner, healthier environments across multiple zones in Delhi, engaging citizens and communities in various impactful activities.
The IEC (Information, Education, and Communication) team of DMSWSL spearheaded this campaign across five key zones: Civil Line, Rohini, Keshav Puram, Narela, and City SP. Activities were thoughtfully designed to foster widespread community engagement, instil cleanliness habits, and promote environmental sustainability. One of the major highlights was the series of rallies held in ten different locations, which drew participation from MCD staff, local councillors, and notable figures, amplifying the message of collective responsibility in keeping public spaces clean. The rallies set the stage for broader community participation, with citizens actively contributing to the campaign’s success.
Community outreach and education were central to the campaign’s approach. Six workshops were held with Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) to empower local communities to take ownership of their surroundings. This was further reinforced through workshops in schools, where students were sensitized to the importance of cleanliness from a young age. Painting competitions in two zones allowed children to express their vision for a cleaner future through art, while nine street plays creatively conveyed the significance of maintaining cleanliness in public spaces. These interactive formats ensured that the message resonated deeply across all age groups, leaving a lasting impression on participants.
On-the-ground action was also a key component, with several initiatives aimed at cleaning the city. Seven cleanliness drives were conducted across different zones, inviting citizens to roll up their sleeves and contribute directly to cleaning public spaces. Tree plantation drives in five zones emphasized the importance of combining cleanliness with green practices, promoting the environmental benefits of planting trees alongside maintaining cleanliness. Clean-up efforts also extended to often-overlooked areas, with targeted drives focusing on neglected back lanes in five zones, while plogging drives – combining physical fitness with litter collection – were conducted across five zones, offering a dynamic way to engage the community in keeping public spaces clean.
A special focus was given to informal waste collectors, whose role in the city’s waste management system is critical. DMSWSL organized health check-ups and training sessions in three zones to support and educate informal waste collectors, ensuring they remain safe and empowered as key players in the cleanliness mission. Human chains formed in two zones symbolized unity and collective strength in the fight for cleanliness, further motivating communities to come together for this shared cause.
In recognition of outstanding contributions, Mr. Santosh Gupta was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation by the Deputy Commissioner of Rohini Zone. Mr. Gupta, who achieved 1st position as a Goodwill Ambassador for the Swachh Bharat Mission 2024, was recognized for his exceptional efforts in promoting cleanliness and fostering community participation, embodying the spirit of the Swachhata Hi Seva campaign.
The campaign’s success was reinforced by the presence of special guests, including Deputy Commissioners, Councillors, Assistant Commissioners, and Supervisory Staff from the MCD. Notably, Mr. Sharad Kumar, Silver Medallist at the 2024 Paralympics, graced the campaign as a special guest, lending his support to the cause and inspiring others to participate in this movement toward a cleaner, healthier Delhi.
Mr. Lalit Vijay, Associate Vice President, DMSWSL, commented, “The Swachhata Hi Seva campaign has been a long, rewarding effort that was enthusiastically welcomed by all participants. This campaign reflects the goodwill and the welcoming attitude of the communities towards sustainability efforts, and it has played a significant role in driving environmental awareness. It’s a testament to the positive impact that these initiatives can have, not just on cleanliness but also on the overall quality of life in the areas we serve.”
Through these diverse and community-driven activities, Re Sustainability Limited’s subsidiary DMSWSL has successfully instilled cleanliness as a lasting cultural norm, driving sustainable change. The Swachhata Hi Seva campaign demonstrates ReSL’s commitment to creating a cleaner and more responsible society, laying the groundwork for a healthier, more sustainable future for all.
Disclaimer: This media release is auto-generated. The CSR Journal is not responsible for the content.

Mumbai International Airport Brings Back ‘Pawfect’ to ‘Pawsitively’ Enhance Your Travel Experience

By
The CSR Journal
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Mumbai International Airport Brings Back ‘Pawfect’ to ‘Pawsitively’ Enhance Your Travel Experience
Travel just got a whole lot more comforting and fun! Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) is thrilled to announce the return of its wildly popular ‘Pawfect’ initiative. Ready to melt stress away and turn the airport experience into a fun-filled adventure, this delightful programme features nine adorable dogs at Terminal 2. Passengers can prepare to be charmed and comforted by these furry ambassadors of happiness before embarking on their journey. This cheerful pack includes a Golden Retriever, a Maltese, a rescued Husky, a Shih Tzu, a Lhasa apso, a Labrador and more—all specially chosen and trained to spread joy and soothe travellers.
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CSMIA’s Pawfect programme is a pioneering initiative in an Indian airport, featuring stars like Bella, a gentle and affectionate golden retriever known for her warm and uplifting personality. Bella’s specialised training in bringing joy to travellers and engaging with children with special needs beautifully complements her calm demeanour, creating a delightful oasis amidst the bustling airport. Alongside her team, Bella continues to create smiles and comfort countless travellers, brightening their journey through CSMIA.
Commenting on this fun development, CSMIA spokesperson, commented, “At Mumbai International Airport, we take pride in ensuring that every passenger is taken care of. Traveling and taking a flight can be hectic and challenging for many, which is why we continuously seek innovative ways to enhance the passenger experience. Our Pawfect initiative, which was very popular before the Pandemic, not only helps to reduce travel-related anxiety but also brings a sense of joy and comfort to our passengers.”
By reintroducing the ‘Pawfect’ programme, CSMIA creates memorable and enjoyable experiences for passengers, enhancing the overall ambience of the terminal. Moreover, these furry companions encourage social interactions among travellers, who share heartwarming stories and memories of their pets, further enriching the community spirit at the airport. Get ready for some tail-wagging joy and cuddles that will make your travel experience truly special!
Disclaimer: This media release is auto-generated. The CSR Journal is not responsible for the content.
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