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April 27, 2025
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Union Budget 2024: Govt focuses on employment, skilling schemes for youth

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The CSR Journal
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Select Union Budget 2024: Govt focuses on employment, skilling schemes for youth Union Budget 2024: Govt focuses on employment, skilling schemes for youth
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first budget in his third term meant for the financial year 2024-25 puts employment and skill development for youths on priority, as announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday. While announcing the budget, the Finance Minister announced a Rs 2 lakh crore package for schemes which are aimed at creating jobs and skilling 4.1 crore Indian youth.
“Turning attention to the full year and beyond, in this budget, we particularly focus on employment, skilling MSMEs and the middle class. I am happy to announce the Prime Minister’s package of five schemes and initiatives to facilitate employment, skilling and other opportunities for 4.1 crore youth over a five-year period with a central outlet of Rs 2 lakh crore,” the Finance Minister said during her budget speech.

Union Budget 2024: Benefits for Students

E-vouchers for loans up to rupees 10 lakh for higher education in domestic institutions to be given directly to one lakh students every year for annual interest subvention of 3% of loan amount.
The model skill loan scheme will be revised to facilitate loans up to rupees 7.5 lakh with a guarantee from a government promoted fund expected to help 25,000 students every year.

 

Prime Minister’s Package: Focus on Employment and Skilling

Employment

Three schemes have been announced for ‘Employment Linked Incentive’

Scheme A: First Timers

Direct benefit transfer of one month salary in three installments up to rupees 15,000 to first-time employees registered in Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO). The eligibility limit will be a salary of Rs 1 Lakh/ per month. The scheme is expected to benefit 210 Lakh youth.

Scheme B: Job Creation in Manufacturing

Incentive to be provided directly to both employee and employers as per their EPFO contribution in the first four years of employment.

Scheme C: Support to Employers

Reimbursement to employers up to Rs 3000 per month for two years towards their EPFO contribution for each additional employee.

Skilling

The Prime Minister’s Package aims to boost skilling in collaboration with state governments & industry with a new centrally sponsored scheme. Under this 1000 ITIs to be upgraded in hub and spoke arrangements in 5 years. Also, the government plans to focus on outcome and quality in collaboration with states and industries
With a focus on internship in top companies, 1 crore youth to be skilled by India’s top companies in 5 years. The 12-month Prime Minister’s internship will grant a monthly allowance of Rs 5000.
As part of the fourth scheme under the Prime Minister’s package for skilling and collaboration with state governments and Industry:
–20 lakh youth will be skilled over a 5-year period
–1000 ITIs will be upgraded in Hub and Spoke arrangements with outcome orientation
–The Model Skill Loan scheme will be revised to facilitate loans up to Rs 7.5 lakh with a guarantee from government promoted fund.
–For helping our youth who have not been eligible for any benefit under govt schemes, a financial support will be given for loans up to Rs 10 lakh in higher education in domestic institutions.
Women India

Union Budget 2024: Benefits for Women

With a focus on Inclusive Human Resource Development & Social Justice, Rs 3 lakh crore has been announced for schemes benefitting women and girls
Working women’s hostels and creches will be set up in collaboration with industries.

Union Budget 2024: Other Key Highlights

Apart from the above, notable highlights of the budget include
— Announcement of 3 crore additional houses in rural & urban areas under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.
— Under the PM Awas Yojana Urban 2.0, housing needs of 1 crore urban poor & middle-class families will be addressed with an investment of Rs 10 lakh crore.
— Union Government to Work With States to Facilitate Development of ‘Cities as Growth Hubs’. 14 large cities with a population above 30 lakh will have Transit Oriented Development Plans.
— The government envisions a scheme to support the development of 100 weekly haats, or street food hubs over the next 5 years in select cities
–PM Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan to be launched to improve the socio-economic conditions of India’s tribal communities, which is expected to cover 63,000 villages and benefit 5 crore tribal people

— Three cancer treatment medicines will be exempted from basic customs duty.
— Labour Reform: The e-shram portal will be integrated with other portals to provide one-stop labour services solution; will include mechanism to connect job-seekers with potential employers and skill providers.

CSR Spending Grew by 53% from 2014 to 2022: Economic Survey 2024

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The CSR Journal
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Select CSR Spending Grew by 53% from 2014 to 2022: Economic Survey 2024 CSR Spending Grew by 53% from 2014 to 2022: Economic Survey 2024
The commitment of Indian conglomerates to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has seen a 53 per cent increase between financial years 2017-18 and 2021-22, according to the Economic Survey. The substantial and consistent growth in CSR spending sheds light on the hoslitic approach towards social development at the hand of both – government and private sector.
Corporate Social Responsibility has been mandatory for Indian companies as per the Companies Act 2013. The Economic Survey tabled by the government on July 22, 2024 has highlighted that CSR spending was ₹17,096 crore in 2017-18, rose to ₹20,217 crore in 2018-19, and reached ₹26,278 crore in 2021-22.
The survey has revealed that sector-wise, over three-fourths of the total CSR expenditure is concentrated in four key development areas: Education (32.4%), Healthcare & Sanitation (38.4%), Rural Development (6.9%), and Environment, Animal Welfare & Conservation (10.9%). This focus underscores the prioritisation of critical sectors that directly impact the quality of life and sustainability.
With the continued growth of the Indian economy and resultant spike in profits, the pool of mandatory CSR funds is expected to grow even further, fueling sustainable and inclusive development driven by non-profit organisations.

Exceeded Mandatory Obligations

From 2014 to 2022, Indian companies have spent a total of ₹1.53 lakh crore on CSR activities. Remarkably, more than half of this amount has been spent in the last three years alone, demonstrating a growing commitment to CSR compliance by India Inc.
Many companies have not only met their CSR obligations but have also exceeded them. For the past three years, annual CSR spending has consistently exceeded ₹25,000 crore, marking a 1.5-fold increase over eight years. According to the Economic Survey, public sector units, although comprising just 2% of the companies mandated to perform CSR, contribute nearly 17% of the total CSR spending, highlighting the significant role that public enterprises play in driving social welfare initiatives.
The implementation of CSR projects frequently involves partnerships with non-profit organisations, accounting for about half of the CSR funds. This collaborative model enhances the non-profit ecosystem, facilitating a cross-pollination of ideas and practices.
Companies benefit from the community engagement and inclusive perspectives brought by non-profits, while the latter gain from the analytical and process-oriented rigour of their corporate partners.
Despite the overall increase in CSR spending, the distribution of funds remains concentrated around corporate headquarters, leaving underdeveloped regions relatively underserved.
To achieve regionally balanced CSR investments, there is a pressing need to strengthen the organisational growth and capacity building of non-profits operating in these underdeveloped areas.

CSR Collaboration to empower women from rural Maharashtra

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The CSR Journal
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CSR Collaboration to empower women from rural Maharashtra
The first cohort of 52 women from rural Maharashtra graduated from the Young Women Fellowship Programme (YWFP) jointly run by IndoSpace, India’s largest developer and manager of Grade A industrial real estate along with Magic Bus India Foundation.
These women were selected from areas around Chakan and Khopoli in Maharashtra – where Indospace operates two large logistic parks.
The Young Women Fellowship Programme at IndoSpace aims to equip every woman from the selected cohort with life skills, entrepreneurial knowledge, and leadership skills necessary to become self-reliant and change agents for their communities.
This comprehensive programme was marked by a rigorous candidate screening, identification and enrolment process. It included extensive training modules, exposure visits, personality enhancement, business acumen skills workshop and mentoring sessions. Participants engaged in practical tasks, and the programme culminated with implementation of several community leadership projects and new business set ups.
 The graduating young women were felicitated by management of IndoSpace and provided with certificates and business kits.
“At IndoSpace, we believe that empowering women is not just a moral imperative but also a critical driver of economic and social progress. Our women empowerment projects are designed to create lasting impact by focusing on education, health, economic empowerment, and community development,” Rajesh Jaggi, Vice Chairman – Real Estate, The Everstone Group, said.
“By empowering women through projects like YWFP, we help break down the structural barriers and create an inclusive and prosperous society. Our efforts in women’s empowerment are not just about individual success stories but about transforming communities, Mr. Jaggi added
  
Jayant Rastogi, Global CEO, Magic Bus India Foundation, said, “Empowering women through the Young Women Fellowship Programme is a pivotal step towards economic and social progress. By equipping women with essential life skills, entrepreneurial knowledge, and leadership skills, we are fostering self-reliance and enabling them to become catalysts of change within their communities. Through our collaborative effort with IndoSpace, women have successfully started their entrepreneurial journey, and implemented community projects to address local issues, showcasing the profound impact of this initiative.”
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CSR: TCI Foundation Inaugurates State-of-the-Art Computer Lab at Birsa College, Khunti

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The CSR Journal
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CSR: TCI Foundation Inaugurates State-of-the-Art Computer Lab at Birsa College, Khunti
The Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of Transport Corporation of India (TCI) Ltd, in collaboration with the District Administration of Khunti, successfully inaugurated a state-of-the-art computer laboratory at Birsa College, Khunti. The event took place on Saturday, July 18, 2024, at 11:00 AM in the Multipurpose Hall of Birsa College, Khunti.
The inauguration ceremony was led by distinguished guest Shri Nilkanth Singh Munda, Honorable MLA, Khunti. The event was also graced by Shri Lokesh Mishra, Deputy Commissioner, Khunti, and Mr. Naveen Gupta, Senior Vice President of Transport Corporation of India Limited on behalf of TCI Foundation.
TCI Foundation has been working at the grass root level to enrich the lives of the children and women in Khunti and surrounding areas.  Alongside various existing programs like TCI DAV Public School, IT Skilling Center and the Sewing Center, this is another initiative as a part of the organization’s continued efforts to promote essential professional skills in the region.
This Computer Lab will extend the upskilling & learning benefits to the youth and active workforce, supporting them to seek gainful employment & become self-reliant. It will also help bridge the digital divide, promote social inclusivity & enhance competitiveness to empower the growing aspirations of the local youth, enabling them to walk in step with the rest of the world.
A spokesperson on behalf of TCI Foundation said: The newly inaugurated computer laboratory, sponsored by the CSR arm of TCI and facilitated by the District Administration of Khunti, represents another step towards enhancing educational opportunities and career prospects for students in the region. With the new computers, the lab will serve as a crucial resource for youth to develop digital literacy and practical skills necessary in today’s technology-driven world.
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CSR: Food Packaging and Processing Company Reaffirms Commitment with Bal Vikas Dhara to Improve the Lives of Waste-Workers

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The CSR Journal
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Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi graces library inauguration for waste-workers in Delhi
In a heartwarming event that highlighted the power of collaboration and commitment, Bal Vikas Dhara, a pioneering non-governmental organization, and Tetra Pak, a global leader in food processing and packaging solutions, inaugurated a new library at the Asha Ki Kiran center for the waste-picker community. The library symbolizes a 20-year partnership between Tetra Pak, and Bal Vikas Dhara, dedicated to transforming thousands of lives.
The significance of this event was further elevated by the presence of Nobel Peace Laureate Shri Kailash Satyarthi and esteemed leaders such as Shri Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Director General of Meteorology India, Shri Byas Anand, Head of Corporate Communication & CSR at Dabur India, and Juhi Gupta, Director of Sustainability -Tetra Pak South Asia.
Nobel Peace Laureate Shri Kailash Satyarthi commented, “These children are like vibrant flowers in a garden, waiting to bloom. With the support of Bal Vikas Dhara, and companies like Tetra Pak and Dabur, they have gained the confidence, courage, and clarity to thrive and make a positive impact in society.”
For the past twenty years, Tetra Pak and Bal Vikas Dhara have been at the forefront of social change, running six non-formal education centers across the national capital region to reintegrate school dropouts into mainstream education. Beyond education, their efforts have extended to enrolling waste-picker families into essential social welfare schemes, providing free medical check-ups, and establishing income-generation projects like tailoring centers to boost household earnings.
The newly established library, brimming with a diverse collection of books ranging from curriculum-based materials to popular fiction such as the Harry Potter series, and essential topics like child labor laws in India, is designed to support children from marginalized communities. This space is intended to foster holistic development, nurturing both the intellect and imagination of young minds.
Juhi Gupta, Director of Sustainability -Tetra Pak South Asia, emphasized Tetra Pak’s dedication to sustainable community development, stating, “Tetra Pak is committed to creating a sustainable future through impactful community engagements. Our long-standing partnership with Bal Vikas Dhara exemplifies this commitment, fostering significant social change and providing over 5,000 workers and their families with opportunities for a better life. Our non-formal education centers have helped bring over 500children from the waste-picker community into mainstream education per year, and we are committed to giving wings to many more dreams.”
Debendra Kumar Baral, Founder-President of Bal Vikas Dhara, reflected on the partnership’s achievements, adding, “This event is a celebration of the incredible strides we’ve made together with Tetra Pak in improving the lives of countless families. The new library is another strong example of our ongoing efforts to ensure every child has access to quality education and a nurturing environment to grow.”
The inauguration coincided with Bal Vikas Dhara’s Annual Children’s Meet, a vibrant gathering where children participated in cultural activities and expressed the importance of education. Nobel Peace Laureate Shri Kailash Satyarthi graced the occasion as the chief guest. A highlight of the event was an inspiring play, conceptualized and presented by the students, focusing on making environmentally conscious choices. The organization also shared a compelling case study on Geeta Kumari, a student from Bal Vikas Dhara’s educational center who aspires to become a doctor and now works closely with the NGO to inspire others.
Initiatives like these are more than just events; they are milestones in the journey toward a brighter, more equitable future. Each step, each effort, contributes to a larger movement of transformation, empowering individuals and uplifting communities. Together, these actions create a world where every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive, paving the way for a more prosperous and just society.
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CSR: CSR Initiative engages local communities in and around Madhepura

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The CSR Journal
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CSR: CSR Initiative engages local communities in and around Madhepura
MELPL, a Joint Venture between Alstom, a global leader in sustainable transportation and Indian Railways has announced two impactful initiatives in and around Madhepura as part of its commitment to the communities. It has launched “Care on Wheels” mobile medical unit and moved ahead in its commitment towards skill development for the rural youth. These initiatives reflect the commitment to improving lives echoing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 3 and 4.

‘Care on Wheels’ – Bringing Essential Healthcare Closer to Home

In partnership with the Impact Guru Foundation (IGF), the “Care on Wheels” initiative aims to bridge the healthcare gap by bringing essential medical services directly to underserved communities in and around Madhepura. This innovative mobile medical unit, was launched at a heartwarming ceremony in Utkramit Madhya Vidyalay, Ganesh Asthan, Saugarh-2, and will provide:
– Free medical consultations and basic diagnostic tests
– Essential medicines at no cost
– Regular health check-ups and screenings for diabetes and blood pressure
– Health education and awareness sessions on disease prevention, healthy living, and disease management
“Care on Wheels” will travel to villages surrounding MELPL’s electric locomotives factory, reaching approximately 20,000 residents across six villages. Alstom is committed to working closely with local healthcare providers, community organizations, and government agencies to ensure the long-term sustainability of this vital program.

Empowering Youth through Skills Training

In addition to “Care on Wheels,” MELPL is fostering technical skills in the youth including women through its Skill Development Project. The initiative includes mainstreaming youths including women with National Skills Qualification framework (NSQF) aligned vocational training programs leading to formal industry endorsed certification. This will lead to improved access to formal employment opportunity for the underprivileged/ inaccessible sections of the society. In addition, the company also organised a job fair, in partnership with SEEDS Foundation, at the Alstom Skills Center, to connect prospective employers with the rural youth in and around Madhepura with the right skill set.
Commenting on this initiative, Olivier Loison, Managing Director, Alstom India said, “The collective success of MELPL, our JV with Indian Railways, is intertwined with the growth of the communities in and around our factory in Madhepura. These programs are a testament to our long-term commitment to advance socio-economic mobility in India and will lead to a positive multiplier effect of better-educated, healthier families and eventually more prosperous communities”.
Disclaimer: This media release is auto-generated. The CSR Journal is not responsible for the content.

Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi graces library inauguration for waste-workers in Delhi

By
The CSR Journal
-
Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi graces library inauguration for waste-workers in Delhi
New Delhi, India: In a heartwarming event that highlighted the power of collaboration and commitment, Bal Vikas Dhara, a pioneering non-governmental organization, and Tetra Pak, a global leader in food processing and packaging solutions, inaugurated a new library at the Asha Ki Kiran center in Rangpuri Pahadi, Delhi for the waste-picker community. The library symbolizes a 20-year partnership between Tetra Pak, and Bal Vikas Dhara, dedicated to transforming thousands of lives.
The significance of this event was further elevated by the presence of Nobel Peace Laureate Kailash Satyarthi and esteemed leaders such as Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Director General of Meteorology India, Byas Anand, Head of Corporate Communication & CSR at Dabur India, and Juhi Gupta, Director of Sustainability -Tetra Pak South Asia.
Nobel Peace Laureate Kailash Satyarthi commented, “These children are like vibrant flowers in a garden, waiting to bloom. With the support of Bal Vikas Dhara, and companies like Tetra Pak and Dabur, they have gained the confidence, courage, and clarity to thrive and make a positive impact in society.”
For the past twenty years, Tetra Pak and Bal Vikas Dhara have been at the forefront of social change, running six non-formal education centers across the national capital region to reintegrate school dropouts into mainstream education. Beyond education, their efforts have extended to enrolling waste-picker families into essential social welfare schemes, providing free medical check-ups, and establishing income-generation projects like tailoring centers to boost household earnings.
The newly established library, brimming with a diverse collection of books ranging from curriculum-based materials to popular fiction such as the Harry Potter series, and essential topics like child labor laws in India, is designed to support children from marginalized communities. This space is intended to foster holistic development, nurturing both the intellect and imagination of young minds.
Juhi Gupta, Director of Sustainability -Tetra Pak South Asia, emphasized Tetra Pak’s dedication to sustainable community development, stating, “Tetra Pak is committed to creating a sustainable future through impactful community engagements. Our long-standing partnership with Bal Vikas Dhara exemplifies this commitment, fostering significant social change and providing over 5,000 workers and their families with opportunities for a better life. Our non-formal education centers have helped bring over 500 children from the waste-picker community into mainstream education per year, and we are committed to giving wings to many more dreams.”
Debendra Kumar Baral, Founder-President of Bal Vikas Dhara, reflected on the partnership’s achievements, adding, “This event is a celebration of the incredible strides we’ve made together with Tetra Pak in improving the lives of countless families. The new library is another strong example of our ongoing efforts to ensure every child has access to quality education and a nurturing environment to grow.”
The inauguration coincided with Bal Vikas Dhara’s Annual Children’s Meet, a vibrant gathering where children participated in cultural activities and expressed the importance of education. Nobel Peace Laureate Kailash Satyarthi graced the occasion as the chief guest. A highlight of the event was an inspiring play, conceptualized and presented by the students, focusing on making environmentally conscious choices. The organization also shared a compelling case study on Geeta Kumari, a student from Bal Vikas Dhara’s educational center who aspires to become a doctor and now works closely with the NGO to inspire others.

 

 

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

 

 

CSR: Kids clothing brand partners with Access Life Assistance Foundation to empower underprivileged children

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The CSR Journal
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CSR: Kids clothing brand partners with Access Life Assistance Foundation to empower underprivileged children
Mumbai, India: Sooper Dooper Kids is a clothing brand for kids with a difference. It’s a platform for teaching children the values of kindness, inclusivity, and giving. Their mission is to teach kids that fashion is not just about wearing but also about caring and sharing. The impact-driven brand works on the philosophy of ‘One Purchased = One Donated’- which means that every time one shops from the brand, one t-shirt goes to a less-privileged child across India.
This month, they partnered with Access Life Assistance Foundation, an Indian not-for-profit organization offering holistic support to more than 2050 underprivileged children with cancer and their families- as part of their series of impact initiatives.
Nevil Darukhanawala, Founder Sooper Dooper Kids, says, “Sooper Dooper Kids was launched with a vision to empower young minds to make a difference, fostering a generation that values kindness and inclusivity. When children learn to give back and support others, they contribute to a ripple effect of kindness and compassion that strengthens communities and inspires others to do the same.”
The brand believes that every child is a Sooper-Dooper kid. For July’s event, they spent time with the spectacularly brave kids of Access Life Assistance Foundation, created art, danced and sang with them, and gifted them Sooper Dooper Kids’ t-shirts.
“One hour with the kids taught us a lifetime of lessons in resilience and the spirit of joy. Many parents, especially mothers, buy our T-shirts. Everyone that shopped from us, made this event possible”, adds Darukhanawala.
Ankeet Dave, founder Access Life, adds, “At Access Life, we believe in partnering with organizations that are committed to creating awareness about childhood cancer, which is the need of the hour. Our association with Sooper Dooper Kids represents a shared vision for a brighter future for these young fighters. We are excited and thrilled to embark on this long-term collaboration and look forward to the impactful events and initiatives that lie ahead.”
This NGO partnership is the first of its series of strategic events to create a community of mothers, children, and those from lesser privileged backgrounds and provide them with a platform for sharing joy. Additionally, Sooper Dooper Kids is open to corporate and CSR partnerships to expand its reach and encourage kids to shop with a purpose.

 

 

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CSR initiative empowers underprivileged students with Computer Lab in Chennai

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The CSR Journal
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CSR initiative empowers underprivileged students with Computer Lab in Chennai
Chennai, India: Orion Innovation, a leading digital transformation and product development services firm, proudly announces the launch of a new corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative aimed at empowering underprivileged students through technological education. This initiative will benefit students from the TV Nagar High School Ambattur in Chennai, which is a government-aided school and supported by the Rotary Club of Ambattur.
During the Inauguration, Pradeep Menon, Global Delivery Head for Digital Transformation, expressed his deep satisfaction and strong commitment to leading this initiative. He stated, “We are thrilled to celebrate this significant milestone by launching a cutting-edge computer lab for the local students. The dedication and enthusiasm of our employees and their family members, who volunteered to teach STEM subjects over the weekends, fill us with immense pride.”
The new computer lab, funded by Orion Innovation, features desktop computers, smartboards, and enhanced learning facilities, including air-conditioning units. This marks a significant upgrade from the school’s previous setup, which consisted of a basic chair and table and five desktop computers.
Ramesh Babu Muthuvel, Vice President – Global Delivery, is leading the CSR program and commented, “Every child regardless of their social status should be provided with education to succeed and survive in this digital era. We are extremely proud of this Computer Lab Launch as it gives us immense satisfaction in giving something back to the society.”
OI Empower, Orion’s flagship CSR initiative, aims to provide underprivileged communities with access to quality education and technological resources, fostering growth and development. This initiative will include a series of projects designed to enhance learning environments and equip students with the necessary skills to thrive in the digital age. Through OI Empower, Orion Innovation reaffirms its dedication to creating a lasting, positive impact on society.

 

 

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CSR Report: HDFC Bank Spends Rs 945.31 crore towards CSR in FY 2024

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The CSR Journal
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HDFC Bank, one of the highest CSR spenders in India, reported an expenditure of Rs 945.31 crore on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives for the Financial Year 2023-24 in its Integrated Annual Report. The bank had spent Rs. 820.89 crore in FY 2023, which means there has been an increase of Rs 124.42 cr in the latest FY.
Under the umbrella of its CSR brand, Parivartan, HDFC Bank’s initiatives have thus far impacted 10.19 crore lives, reaching over 9,000 villages and more than 10 lakh households, including coverage in 85 out of 112 districts identified in the Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP) of the Government of India. Focused on creating sustainable livelihoods for marginalised communities, especially women, Parivartan operates across 28 states and 8 Union Territories, the bank shared in an official announcement.

HDFC Parivartan

Parivartan is the Bank’s umbrella brand for all social efforts. It aims to drive positive change in people’s lives by empowering them, to become self-sufficient and integrated with the society through direct or indirect interventions. Parivartan is also at the forefront of natural disaster response, successfully restoring infrastructure and rehabilitating communities. Parivartan works under six thematic areas. Based on the identified focus areas, the bank has set seven goals and 11 sub-goals that guide its community development activities.
According to Mr. Kaizad Bharucha, Deputy Managing Director of HDFC Bank, “Our CSR initiatives under Parivartan reflect our commitment to holistic development. Our goal is to drive economic and social development by empowering communities across the country. By addressing the critical areas of rural development, education, skill enhancement, healthcare, financial literacy, and the environment, we aim to create sustainable and inclusive growth in the communities in which we operate.”

1. Rural Development

The Bank’s Holistic Rural Development Programme (HRDP) focuses on comprehensive development through activities under NRM, Education, Skill Development and Livelihood, Financial Literacy and Healthcare. These activities are based on the belief that rural development is key to India’s growth.
The Natural Resource Management theme rests on the twin goals of enhancement of natural resources and their optimal utilisation for the economic development of the community. Under this theme, HDFC Bank has defined three goals. First, irrigating of 2 Lakh acres of unirrigated land and covering 1 Lakh acres with vegetation, to increase the area of land under cultivation, as well as to increase the cropping intensity of cultivable land.
Second, reducing the carbon and ecological footprint of communities by promoting clean and renewable energy solutions. This includes undertaking projects such as tree plantation for carbon sequestration and biodiversity conservation. The Bank is targeting 1,000 villages to have clean and renewable energy solutions and a minimum of 10 solar lights in each village. In addition, it is providing solar home lights, biomass chulha, biogas plant, solar study lamp, and a solar irrigation unit, covering 25% of the households in each village. The biomass stoves have helped improve indoor air quality, creating a direct positive impact on women’s health. Further, it targets to plant 2.5 Million trees by FY25.
Third, HDFC Bank has been promoting the use of chemical-free farming, to maintain the soil, environment, and human health by combining tradition, creativity and science. It trains farmers on different agricultural techniques for improving productivity and using locally produced manure and fertilisers, which not only aid in chemical-free farming but also help avoid expenditures on chemical fertilisers.
Through its rural development interventions the bank has managed to reach over 9.88 lakh households in over 3,335 villages in India. The Bank has covered over 9000 villages as of March 31, 2024, as per an announcement.

2. Promotion of Education

HDFC Bank is implementing a programme to promote education in line with India’s Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan. Under this theme, a multi-faceted support is provided to schools, to enhance the quality of education – which includes training the teachers, providing scholarships and career guidance to students, as well as infrastructure support to schools, such as building toilets and improving classrooms.
The Bank has dedicated programmes for improving teachers’ skills and scaling up no-cost solutions for improving existing systems and processes. It has also been working towards establishing libraries, scientific labs and digital classrooms. Under this theme, the aim is to enhance the quality of education in government schools through a three-dimensional, target-driven approach.
The first dimension aims to convert 2,500 traditional schools into smart schools, to establish a favourable learning environment and enable teachers to utilise various efficient teaching-learning methods. The second dimension aims to support meritorious yet underprivileged students with scholarships, to not let the financial crises interrupt the development of bright young minds. The third dimension targets quality of education in schools.
The Bank aims to achieve 70% of students in all schools (those under intervention) at class appropriate learning (CAL) levels. The CAL levels are assessed as per the NCERT defined framework in classes 3, 5, and 8 through the National Achievement Survey in language, mathematics, EVS, science, and social science.
The Bank has reached over 2 crore students till date for initiatives that focus on improving the quality of education through teacher training, scholarships, career guidance, and infrastructural support to schools, it announced.

2.1 Digital Classrooms

The Smart Classrooms by Parivartan in the state-run schools are equipped with a pre-loaded projector and an interactive board. The in-built e-content is aligned with the concerned state curriculum, making learning fun and engaging for the students. For effective implementation of the digital classrooms initiative, the Bank provides training to the teachers making them the experts and custodians of the infrastructure.
Under its education initiatives, lives of over 2.09 crore students have been impacted across the country.

3. Skills Training and Livelihood Enhancement

Under the Skills Training and Livelihood Enhancement theme, the Bank focuses on the economic development of farmers and youth in rural areas by providing means of generating income through agricultural or non-agricultural activities. Since its beginning, this initiative has assisted around 3 Lakh+ people. The overarching objective of it is to empower the disadvantaged by providing them with greater possibilities, assisting them in finding local jobs, increasing their household income and discouraging migration.
The initiative also supports women Self Help Groups (SHGs) or Joint Liability Groups (JLGs) by providing occupational skills training, financial literacy, credit counselling, livelihood finance, and market linkage.
Vocational training and skill development programmes aim to enhance employability and create sustainable livelihoods. The Bank has created over 9 lakh women entrepreneurs and trained over 3 lakh youth as of March 31, 2024, it announced.

4. Healthcare and Hygiene

The Bank has adopted an integrated approach related to healthcare and hygiene. It has not only been provisioning healthcare services to communities in the form of health clinics, nutrition programmes and immunisation drives, but has also been working on hygiene and sanitation in schools and communities.
To complement its community-led sanitation efforts directed toward the proper disposal of wastewater, the Bank has been working on the institutionalisation of waste pickers through social and financial inclusion for dry waste management.
Over 1.87 lakh people have benefitted from health camps held up to March 31, 2024, the bank announced. Health camps, mobile clinics, and sanitation projects address healthcare needs and promote hygiene practices in underserved communities.

 

5. Financial Literacy and Inclusion

The first step towards true financial inclusion is financial literacy. Financial literacy camps are periodically conducted at the Bank branches. In addition to this, HDFC Bank has set up financial literacy centres across India. It is also working with non-profit partners to enhance financial literacy. The camps are designed to provide communities with information about the fundamentals of saving, investing and organised finance, enabling them to make informed decisions.
Digidhan, the flagship plan of the Bank under this pillar, is a mobile financial literacy programme that travels the length and breadth of the country’s hinterland, presenting the advantages of digital banking in an audio-visual format.
Financial literacy camps and workshops educate individuals on banking, savings, and financial planning to promote financial inclusion. The Bank has organised over 23 lakh financial literacy camps, reaching 1.71 crore people through these initiatives over the years.

6. Environment

Environmental initiatives include reforestation, tree plantation, clean energy projects, and waste management to promote sustainability and reduce the carbon footprint. The Bank has committed to achieving carbon neutrality for Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by FY32.
“From promoting financial literacy and supporting entrepreneurship to championing environmental conservation and advancing social inclusion, our CSR efforts are guided by a steadfast commitment to creating lasting change in the communities we serve,” stated the Bank’s Integrated Annual Report.

Conclusion

Through its various initiatives, HDFC Bank has impacted the lives of over 10.19 crore people across the country.

 

 

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