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June 4, 2025
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CSR News: FedEx Express will support iRAP for Better Road Safety Measures

By
The CSR Journal
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The International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP), a registered charity dedicated to preventing road deaths through safer road infrastructure, in association with FedEx Express, the world’s largest express transportation company and a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. has announced the launch of the 5-Star Global Connections Initiative. The CSR programme will unlock the power of partnerships across India and share success across more than 100 countries who have their own RAP programme and project activity.
Last year, FedEx announced the next stage of its global community engagement program, FedEx Cares 50 by 50, whereby the company aims to positively impact 50 million people around the world by the company’s 50th anniversary in 2023.
iRAP is known worldwide for its 5-Star road safety rating system and its advocacy for 3-Star or better roads for all road users. This new initiative will serve to connect more than 100 iRAP affiliates around the world enabling them to better communicate, network, and collaborate.

What is 5-Star Global Connections about?

The programme will be rolled out in 4 phases:
– A Global Partner Management System called iRAP Connect will be developed to store and track programme and partner success across more than 100 countries and 14,000 partners.
– A 5-Star Global Connections strategy that utilizes the system and its data wisdom to connect people and resources for high impact local RAPs will be initiated.
– Using the new global system, the 5-Star Connections strategy will be piloted in India with a focus on supporting all of the government and industry partners across the country. The initiative will be piloted as a part of IndiaRAP, a programme launched three years ago, to address the highest risk roads around the country with support from FedEx.
– A Celebrating Success Package will be developed to support projects across India that achieve the UN Global Targets for 3-star and better roads as a framework for other countries to follow.
Speaking about the initiative, Jack Muhs, regional president Middle East, Indian Subcontinent and Africa (MEISA) for FedEx Express said, “We’re proud to support this important road safety initiative. It is estimated by the World Health Organization stated that by 2030, road traffic crashes will cause more fatalities than HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis and, at FedEx, we believe we can help change these outcomes with our focus on connecting people and possibilities. Our support for the 5-Star Global Connections initiative of iRAP and the local FedEx Express support for IndiaRAP will help unite partners striving to make roads safer and save lives.”
The development of iRAP 5-Star Global Connections is already underway and is integrating the activities of iRAP partners across more than 100 countries worldwide. The initiative is connecting the countries with partners, activities, projects, road assessments and upgrades, metrics, training and accreditation activities, knowledge and news.
“5-Star Global Connections will be a game-changer for the charity’s impact and see first results delivered in the pilot country of India, where 17 deaths occur on the roads every hour,” said iRAP Global Programme Manager, Judy Williams. “We are glad to be supported by FedEx Express in this initiative, and we can’t wait to put these insights and efficiency gains to work in India to inform, celebrate and leverage outcomes for the IndiaRAP programme – which in real terms is safer roads, reduced road trauma and more Indian families getting safely home.”

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

World Food Day 2020: Nutri-thali, New Coin and Roti Bank in India

By
Kasmin Fernandes
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World Food Day 2020 falls on the 75th anniversary of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) today. There is more buzz surrounding this day than usual. For one, the World Food Programme (WFP) bagged the Nobel Peace Prize this week. The award-winning WFP is the food assistance branch of the United Nations, fighting hunger and food insecurity. WFP has been working with the Indian central and state governments for five decades.
Another reason for the attention to World Food Day 2020 is the increased attention on food security. There is doubt in Asia and Africa about where the next meal is going to come from, in the wake of COVID-19 and locust outbreaks. Climate disasters, cyclones and forest fires have done nothing to quell the concerns.

World Food Day 2020 theme

World Food Day was established by the members of the FAO (part of the United Nations) in 1979. PM Narendra Modi is marking this special day and our nation’s good relations with the FAO by releasing a new 75-rupee coin at a special event. We need to grow more and newer varieties of food to nourish people and sustain the planet. Keeping this in mind, World Food Day 2020 is themed on “Grow, Nourish, Sustain. Together.”
In line with this theme, PM Modi will be dedicating 17 new “bio-fortified varieties” of eight different crops today. These have supposedly three-fold the nutritive value. A statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said that these new varieties and other ingredients will transform the popular thali into a “nutri-thali”.

Indian govt. celebrating World Food Day 2020

A special event today ties in with the past collaborations with the Nobel prize-winning WFP and with FAO apart from the recent Poshan Maah. “The event on World Food Day 2020 marks the highest priority accorded by the government to agriculture and nutrition, and is a testament of the resolve to completely eliminate hunger, undernourishment and malnutrition,” said the statement.
The government has plans to upscale the production of biofortified crop varieties, which will be linked with the mid-day meal scheme and Anganwadis to make India Kuposhan Mukta. The government is also looking at increasing farmer incomes and bringing in new entrepreneurs with these ingredient

Hunger Action Month

NGO Rise Against Hunger India (RAHI) has designated not only this day but the entire month of October as Hunger Action Month with a series of virtual activities. Rise Against Hunger India will highlight the stories of people across the food chain who work hard every day in tough conditions to make sure that food reaches our homes. Hunger Action Month will showcase the real Food Heroes – the farmers, agri-producers, volunteers, suppliers and others in the chain.

Roti Bank on Wheels

While some children complain about giving up outdoor sports during the lockdown, there are many underprivileged kids who were deprived of basic nutrition. The management of Modern Public School in Shalimar Bagh, New Delhi, is reaching out to these kids during the pandemic with their “On Wheels” initiative.
Roti Bank on wheels for World Food Day
Roti Bank on Wheels by Modern Public School is distributing free food to underprivileged kids in Delhi
A bus deemed Roti Bank on Wheels is collecting food packets from the homes of socially conscious, responsible citizens, and delivering food to underprivileged families. The school’s social initiative seeks to honour the UN SDGs 2 and 3: of “Zero Hunger” and “Good health and well-being” respectively.
Meanwhile, a school in Mumbai has taken a more interactive approach to World Food Day 2020. Jasudben ML School, an ICSE school in Khar, had students and their dads compete in a virtual cooking competition. The school pre-celebrated the Day last weekend so that the maximum number of fathers could participate since they are working from home on weekdays.
Damayanti Bhattacharya, Principal, Jasudben ML School says the idea was to inculcate healthy eating habits in a fun way, since “this year has been hard for everyone”. The teachers had observed that students were learning new things during the lockdown that included chopping veggies and baking. The contest put their new skills to good use, under their dad’s careful supervision. “These are tiny steps towards understanding the sustainability of food,” says Bhattacharya.
What are you doing this World Food Day?

CSR News: Panasonic launches #DiwaliWaliSafai Campaign

By
The CSR Journal
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Intending to build a greener ecosystem and deliver a better tomorrow for the coming generations, Panasonic India launched an awareness CSR campaign. #DiwaliWaliSafai is about responsible disposal of E-waste.
Marking the International E-Waste Day, the campaign encourages consumers to be more responsible this Diwali with their cleaning by giving their old unused electronic devices for recycling.
Diwali, being one of the biggest festivals in India involves a lot of customs and practices; be it lighting diyas, playing cards, cooking delicious meals or replacing old items with new ones. And among these rituals is that of cleaning, an important and common practice in every household. #DiwaliWaliSafai by Panasonic is an endeavour to not only educate but also help consumers to responsibly dispose of their E-waste by offering free of cost home pick-ups for large appliances and assistance in identifying closest collection centres.
Ritu Ghosh, Head, Corporate Affairs & CSR, Panasonic India said, “Through our flagship CSR programme, Harit Umang – Joy of Green, we aim to nurture the ecosystem by developing sustainable practices and imparting knowledge on responsible environmental behaviour by actively engaging with consumers and communities. #DiwaliWaliSafai is an extension towards this belief, committed towards safe collection and disposal of e-waste. Through these active engagements, we want to spread awareness and encourage eco-friendly practices amongst young and old minds alike.”
As part of #DiwaliWaliSafai campaign, Panasonic is also running an exciting contest inviting consumers to share images and their stories of the E-waste they are disposing responsibly this Diwali on its social media handles; wherein five lucky participants stand a chance to win Panasonic home appliance including Microwave, LED TV, Washing Machine, Air Conditioner and Refrigerator. The contest is live till 25th October 2020.
Shirish Agarwal, Head – Brand & Marketing Communications, Panasonic India, said, “With Diwali just around the corner, the cleaning spree that precedes the festival and is a common practice across households, will start soon. While we all get much engaged during this time of the year, we usually don’t pay attention to dispose of our old electronics safely. With #DiwaliWaliSafai, Panasonic is urging everyone to proactively become active agents of change and make this Diwali greener by responsibly discarding their e-waste.”
Disclaimer: This media release is auto-generated. The CSR Journal is not responsible for the content

ESCAP Report: Critical gaps in social protection hampering Asia-Pacific region’s resilience to COVID-19

By
The CSR Journal
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The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for well-functioning social protection systems in the region as never before. A new UN report released today reveals that despite their rapid socioeconomic ascent, most countries in the Asia-Pacific region have weak social protection systems riddled with gaps.
About half of the region’s population has no social protection coverage, according to the publication The Protection We Want: Social Outlook for Asia and the Pacific, jointly produced by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and International Labour Organization (ILO) Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific. Only a handful of countries have comprehensive social protection systems with relatively broad coverage.
“Comprehensive social protection creates the foundation for healthy societies and vibrant economies. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought this imperative into sharp focus, by demonstrating the stabilizing effect well-functioning social protection systems have and how their absence exacerbates inequality and poverty,” said United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ESCAP Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana.
She added, “Delivering effective social protection to all people across our region is already shaping our approach, as we advocate combining short-term relief with longer-term strategies to build back better in the aftermath of the pandemic.”
The scope and scale of existing programmes is still limited. Most poverty-targeted schemes are failing to reach the poorest families and the pandemic risks further reversing progress to eradicate poverty by almost a decade. Many countries are also facing high levels of inequality, both in outcomes and opportunities, which the pandemic has exacerbated. Population ageing, migration, urbanization, natural disasters and climate change, as well as technological advancement, are further compounding these challenges.
The report identifies significant underinvestment as one of the main factors for the huge coverage gap. Excluding health, many countries in the region spend less than 2% of GDP on social protection. This low level of investment in people stands in stark contrast to the global average of 11%. Another key reason is the high prevalence of informal employment in the region, representing close to 70% of all workers.
“The COVID-19 crisis has exposed the precarious situation of many working women and men and especially those in the informal economy. There is a clear need for further investment in public social protection systems if we are to avoid the stagnation of social and economic progress made across the region in recent decades,” said Chihoko Asada-Miyakawa, Regional Director ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific.
Expanding social protection would have an immediate impact on reducing poverty, inequality and purchasing power disparities. For example, the proportion of households living in poverty would fall by up to 18 percentage points if governments were to offer basic child benefits, disability benefits and old-age pensions.
While the required investment of 2%-6% of GDP is significant, the report demonstrates that it is within the grasp of most countries. The report recommends governments to reprioritize existing resources, boost public revenues, tap into new technologies and embed social protection into national development strategies, underpinned by social dialogue.
The report was launched on the sidelines of the fifth Regional Conversation Series on Building Back Better. The high-level dialogue on Social Protection: A Right for All, or A Privilege for a Few? featured eminent personalities from across the region including Guy Ryder, ILO Director General; H.E. Mereseini Vuniwaqa, Minister of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Fiji; H.E. Sania Nishtar, Special Assistant on Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety to the Prime Minister, Pakistan; H.E. Kung Phoak, Deputy Secretary-General for ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community; Haiyani Rumondang, Director General of Industrial Relations and Worker’s Social Security, Ministry of Manpower, Indonesia; Sarah Cook, Director, Institute for Global Development, University of New South Wales; and Michael Cichon, Professor Emeritus, Graduate School of Governance at UNU, Maastricht.
Disclaimer: This media release is auto-generated. The CSR Journal is not responsible for the content

Fiinovation extends CSR support for reducing carbon emission in industrial zone of Hyderabad

By
The CSR Journal
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Aiming towards climate remediation, Innovative Financial Advisors Pvt Ltd (Fiinovation), a technical research and advisory agency in the CSR domain has partnered with Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology India Pvt Ltd, a leading rock tool manufacturing company. Sandvik aims to cut down its carbon footprint by 2030 and the project is an extension of their resolution.
As part of this partnership, Fiinovation will support the CSR intervention for reducing carbon emission in the industrial zone of Hyderabad’s Patancheru area.
Fiinovation will provide technical support and manage the on-ground implementation of the phytoremediation-based initiative through its implementation partner, Society for Women Education and Environment Trainings (SWEET), a Telangana-based NGO.
The intervention envisages replenishing the green cover of the Patancheru industrial area while sensitizing the local communities about the hazardous effects of forest degradation and deforestation. The project aims to reduce toxic contaminants from the soil, air and water by planting around 25,000 saplings of specific trees that aid the process of phytoremediation.
Dr Soumitro Chakraborty, CEO, Innovative Financial Advisors Pvt. Ltd said, “The key aim of remediation is to restore the environment and limiting further damage. This requires concerted efforts and a holistic approach. Also, climate change is a multi-layered issue and there need to be multi-faceted measures to mitigate it. Through this project, we will work towards finding solutions to fight climate change and solve other environmental issues to make the earth a better place to live in.”
Phytoremediation is a method that relies on natural processes by which the plants degrade contaminants and/or sequester carbon, limiting the greenhouse gas emissions. The trees in due course of time will stabilize and improve the soil conditions and arrest water runoffs, thereby preventing soil erosions.
In the long term, the trees will create carbon sinks to sequester carbon and limit greenhouse gas emissions. This will improve the air quality index of the area. The remediation process will augment groundwater recharge by creating natural water filters which in return will replenish the water table in terms of both quantity and quality.

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

International Day of Rural Women: 5 organizations empowering them in COVID times

By
The CSR Journal
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This modern century has brought significant changes in the status of women, and over the years, a number of initiatives have been undertaken by the government, businesses and social organizations to address the issues faced by women and bridge the gap created by society. However, there is still a long way to go before rural women can truly become empowered. On the International Day of Rural Women 2020, let’s look at some organizations in India that are working towards empowering rural women.

1. Guna’s Quilling

Guna’s Quilling was founded by Gunavathy Chandrasekharan in 2013. It showcases the finest products handcrafted by rural women. Under the brand name, women entrepreneurs sell quilled artwork such as wall art, greeting cards, miniature figurines and jewellery. Gunavathy has also conducted workshops and trained more than 2,000 artisans, of whom most are rural women, homemakers and students. She helps some of them with marketing their products as well.

2. Institute for Sustainable Communities

Working through Gap Inc. and USAID Women + Water Alliance (W + W Alliance), the Institute for Sustainable Communities (ISC) is promoting water stewardship principles, better soil management practices, and water literacy amongst cotton farmers in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.
As part of the W + W Alliance, ISC and its implementing partners are working with 3,100 farmers, 45% of whom are women. The project focuses on training women farmers and extension workers (Krishi Sakhis) on production and market linkages for bio-fertilizers and bio-pesticides thereby enabling them to supplement their livelihood and augment their incomes, while also promoting best practices in water stewardship, and soil health management.

3. SELCO India Foundation

A new tailoring unit in Southern India aims to provide livelihood opportunities for women and transgender women who have suffered economic losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The unit is being run by women and transgender women of Sri Lakshmi Pengal Munnetra Sangam.
Priya Babu, a transgender activist, and Regional Programmes Manager, Swasti Health Catalyst, facilitated the setting up of the unit. Madurai City Ladies Circle 60 sponsored five tailoring machines and SELCO India, a rural energy service provider, donated solar panels for the unit. The unit has received orders to stitch 13,000 face masks and 100 cloth bags.

4. BANKIT

Noida based fintech start-up BANKIT has been harnessing the influx of human resources in tier 2, 3 towns and villages and promoting rural women’s equality. During the COVID-19 period, BANKIT joined hands with 1200 rural women to work as a banking agent, distributor and master distributor, particularly in states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Orrisa, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh.
BANKIT also has 5000 women in the team to strengthen their presence. The vision of the organization is to maximize the number of agents who are able to make Rs. 5-10 Lakh revenue in a year by delivering various BANKIT services.

5. Taru Natural

The startup was founded by Ruchi Jain in 2016. The startup sells organic produce like turmeric, jaggery, rice, pulses sourced from farmers across Maharashtra, Karnataka, Assam, Kerala, and Uttarakhand among others. It helps farmers establish market linkages and ensure a steady stream of income. The company sourced over 50 tonnes of organic produce in a year to empower farmers and women entrepreneurs! Not just that, they have over 300 different kinds of products on their platform and in addition to supplying to customers, they also take bulk orders and cater to over 70 restaurants and cafes across the country.

Good Hygiene Behaviour At A Young Age Important Step To Build Healthier India

By
Swaran Singh, Chairman, Srinivasan Services Trust, Social Arm of TVS Motor Company
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Lot of us are often unaware of the fact that nearly 80 per cent of illness-causing germs are spread by one’s hand. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, when you wash your hands, you can prevent one in three diarrhoea-related illnesses and one in five respiratory infections such as a cold or flu.  The pandemic has further emphasised the vital importance of good hygiene practices to combat the spread of the virus.  Basic hygiene measures may seem obvious, but they are important.

Build children as hygiene ambassadors

Recognising that handwashing is one of the most effective and cost-effective pre-emptive actions against infections is the first step towards a healthier India. However, the challenge is predominantly because of the lack of facilities to carry out the task rather than the act of washing one’s hands. Another crucial barrier that hinders hygiene upkeep is a concern of access to clean water.
Creating awareness amongst young children in schools about washing their hands before and after meals, after using washroom, sneezing or coughing, after handling garbage, and touching an animal is key to preventing the spread of harmful pathogens.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, teaching children appropriate hand hygiene habits can result in a decrease in infections, absenteeism, and associated healthcare costs. To inculcate the right hygiene behaviour amongst young children, it is important to educate them on the importance of regular hand hygiene as a part of the daily routine. Availability of handwashing stations with soap and water in schools is a prerequisite to help children and staff practice good hygiene.   Animated handwashing videos and comic books in the local language, handwashing story colouring sheets, presentations, quiz competitions etc., are effective in influencing the correct technique of handwashing practices amongst school children.  Education just doesn’t end at the demonstration programmes. It has to run into post-intervention surveys of the change in handwashing behaviour of the children at home and school to ensure effectiveness.
Hygiene awareness programmes can educate and build children as hygiene ambassadors in their communities.

Teaching good hygiene in rural villages

When facilitating behaviour change, sustainability is a particular concern.  While facilitating hygiene awareness/learning in local communities, it is best to advocate changes that are sustainable and make their life easier with the available resources.
CSR campaigns can play an important role in encouraging holistic hygiene ecosystem in local communities.  Corporations can collaborate with key stakeholders to encourage sustainable hygienic practices through awareness programs.  Srinivasan Services Trust, the social arm of TVS Motor Company focuses on helping villages develop in a holistic and sustainable manner, creating self-reliant communities across six core areas: Economic Development, Health & Sanitation, Health, Infrastructure, Women Empowerment, Education and Environment.  This corporate trust has been working at the grassroots to build awareness amongst communities on hygiene.  They conducted an engaging hand wash programme across the main Anganwadi and primary schools located in the villages of in Kelavarapalli, Salivaram and Thandarai village. Children were engrained with the core foundations of hand hygiene, reinforced via demonstrations through teachers. Handwashing supplies were provided to Anganwadi and local communities to encourage good hygiene culture. The success of a handwashing programme is significantly dependent on the availability and type of supplies. Additionally, the trust has also renovated toilets and constructed hand washing areas in the villages of Tamil Nadu.

Collaborative efforts to change behaviour is the way forward

The benefits of handwashing go a long way in cutting down school days lost each year due to infectious illness.  Allowing children to perform return demonstrations, experiments and engaging them in hands-on activities captures a child’s attention in a fun and interactive way.   Government, corporates and local NGOs should work in tandem to facilitate a sustainable change in behaviour amongst communities.  Hygiene practised regularly creates healthier communities is the mindset that has to be inculcated in individuals particularly at an early age.  With the influence of local leadership and lasting investment in improving hygiene in local communities, will help build a more confident and productive childhood in rural India.

Swaran Singh, TVS Motor CompanySwaran Singh, IAS (R) is the Chairman of the Srinivasan Services Trust (SST), the social arm of the TVS Motor Company since August 2018. Before joining SST, Mr Singh was into public service, where he worked for over three decades, holding significant portfolios in the Government of India. He retired from the Government of Tamil Nadu as Principal Secretary & Commissioner for Industries & Commerce.

Views of the author are personal and do not necessarily represent the website’s views.

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Top 4 organisations reskilling migrant workers for economic recovery

By
The CSR Journal
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Pandemic and lockdown had forced many vulnerable migrants to walk back to their homes after having lost their jobs. Those who came to metro cities to make a living were called off from their jobs as there was no cash flow in companies. A major part of the migrant workforce in the suburbs and metros got affected. To support them and bring their lives back on track, a few organizations came forward to bridge the gap by reskilling migrant workers, to equip them with additional skills and open alternate avenues of revenue generation in the market.

Organisations reskilling migrant workers

Here are a few organizations that are making a difference in the lives of migrant workers:

1. PanIIT

Pan IIT Alumni India is a body representing alumni of all IITs to harness their potential & energies for Nation Building, networking and professional excellence. PanIIT Alumni Reach for India Foundation, the Nation Building arm of Pan IIT Alumni, works towards providing various skill development programmes to create opportunities for vulnerable migrant labour – the most affected group today, facing challenges of meeting their daily livelihood and sustenance needs. PanIITs vocational skilling programmes aim to enhance the incomes and livelihoods of the undeserved.

2. Ajeevika Bureau

Udaipur-based NGO Ajeevika Bureau provides job opportunities to the rural poor; especially migrant workers who move to cities in search of employment. Along with Skill development, the NGO also connects these workers with job providers and ensures that they don’t get exploited by their contractors. Workers have been issued with an identity card so that they have access to all government schemes and initiatives.

3. Capacita Connect

Shipra Sharma Bhutani from Capacita Connect is helping migrants learn new skills and be absorbed by companies across sectors. The brand is using a mobile app skill Mitra for upskilling and reskilling migrant workers and help them earn employment. They have reached to more than 20,000 migrant workers with jobs.

4. BMW CSR

NGO Magic Bus India partnered with BMW for a skill development programme to provide job opportunities to youth. The project focuses on training disadvantaged youngsters and supports them in achieving their personal and professional goals by moving into sustained employment or job-based training.

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

Rural Women’s Day 2020 – CSR in India

By
The CSR Journal
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The crucial role that women and girls play in ensuring the sustainability of rural households and communities, improving rural livelihoods and wellbeing, is being increasingly recognized. The buzz around Rural Women’s Day instituted by the United Nations is one sign of this acknowledgement.

Govt. package on Rural Women’s Day

The Indian government is taking note. The Union Cabinet has approved a special package amounting to Rs 520 crores for the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM). The DAY-NRLM is a centrally sponsored programme that aims at eliminating rural poverty through promotion of multiple livelihoods for the rural poor households across the country. Addressing a press conference, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said that 10.58 lakh women will get benefit from the special package of Rs. 520 crore in the next five years.
The Ministry of Rural Development through its programme Deendayal Antodaya Yojna – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) has also been instrumental in promoting and supporting women enterprises in rural areas. The Mission has so far supported over three hundred thousand women entrepreneurs through various farm and non-farm interventions.
Women account for a substantial proportion of the agricultural labour force, including informal work, and perform the bulk of unpaid care and domestic work within families and households in rural areas. They make significant contributions to agricultural production, food security and nutrition, land and natural resource management, and building climate resilience.
Here’s what corporate social responsibility (CSR) in India is doing to honour Rural Women’s Day 2020.

CSR on Rural Women’s Day

1. A CSR initiative for rural women by Kothari Sugars and Chemicals with the support of Rotary Club of Kattur covered women living in villages surrounding Lalgudi in Tamil Nadu. The project empowered women living Below Poverty Line. Over 200 beneficiaries of the tailoring project launched during 2016 under BH Kothari Women Empowerment Scheme in Lalgudi area are now able to find a regular source of income.
2. Project Okhai, established by TCSRD (Tata Chemicals) with a mission to encourage and empower women in the rural areas, has launched a helpline for artisans across the remotest parts of India on the occasion of Rural Women’s Day 2020.
Okhai’s fundamental objective to launch this helpline (number 6359 021 888) is to reach out to the tribal and rural artisans in India and help them become independent and self-reliant. The support for grievances will be provided in collaboration with Creative Dignity group of volunteers supporting the crafts industry through the pandemic.
3. In 2018, through the National Rural Economic Transformation Project (NRETP), the Ministry and the World Bank collaborated to build on the learnings from DAY-NRLM and pilot a new generation of economic initiatives including high-growth entrepreneurship models in 13 low-income states of India. The project aims to support about eighty thousand rural enterprises by June 2023.
4. To further propel NRLM’s vision of creating a robust enabling entrepreneurial ecosystem for women in rural India, a technical assistance programme, Solutions for Transformative Rural Enterprises and Empowerment (STREE) was set-up. The STREE programme is spearheaded by LEAD at Krea University and is supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
5. Rotary International members across India work to strengthen local entrepreneurs particularly women in impoverished communities. One such story is of Rotarian Binish Desai who has created a Micro Social Enterprise for Women Empowerment. Valsad-based Binish has initiated Eco Light Studio. The intention behind this initiative is to empower rural women by creating opportunities to help them thrive financially and socially. He conducts regular training sessions for rural women in and around villages in Gujarat to make clocks, bags, jewellery, festival products and other accessories from industrial waste.
To develop skills and empower women in rural areas and to eliminate the concept of waste by ‘converting waste into assets’, Desai is promoting sustainable rural infrastructure. Instead of having one big factory, Binish has micro-factories spread across different villages so that each village can have its own employment source to make these handmade bricks and products.

Platinum Guild India In Association With Oxfam India Aims To Uplift The Lives Of Migrant Workers

By
The CSR Journal
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The COVID19 situation has caused unprecedented challenges in India as well as globally and has left many reeling from its impact. It has been particularly harsh on certain marginalized sections of our community such as the migrant workers. Taking a step towards helping the migrant workers, Platinum Guild India has joined hands with Oxfam India, launching the “Platinum Season of Hope” initiative. This initiative will impact 4500 families, approximately 22,500 individuals over a period of 3 months. The relief package includes 3 key components daily meals/food essentials, sanitary kits as well as a direct transfer component for essential non-food supplies. It will touch lives in states where the impact of the pandemic has been brutal combined with natural calamities that followed i.e. West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha & Bihar. With this initiative the aim is to bring a bit of hope back where it is needed most.
Commenting on this initiative, Ms. Vaishali Banerjee, Managing Director, PGI India, said, “At PGI, our desire is to give back to the community and be a glimmer of hope for the very people who hold our ecosystem together – the migrant workers. We are honoured to be associated with OXFAM India to launch this initiative. It was in fact this cause & purpose that was at the heart of us calling it the Season of Hope. This pandemic has taught us to be grateful and has brought about a renewed sense of appreciation. Through this initiative, we aim to spread that sense of thankfulness, going back to the values & emotions that spark a sense of optimism”
“We welcome this partnership with Platinum Guild International (PGI) India. At OXFAM India, we are committed to uplifting various sections of our society and are constantly engaged towards their betterment. This year, the migrant workers and their families have been one of the most adversely impacted communities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Together with PGI India, we want to positively impact the community and help them dream of a better tomorrow!” Amitabh Behar, Oxfam India CEO, said.
Migrant workers form the backbone of the Indian economy. The cruellest impact has perhaps been on them. This act is hence a small step towards uplifting their lives. Platinum Season of Hope also extends into a retail activation carried out in partnership with all of Platinum Guild India’s retail partners across 1200 stores.
Successive phases of unlock with the convergence of the festive and the wedding season in Q4 has meant that the trade and consumer sentiment towards platinum remains positive. Hence, Season of Hope will act as a catalyst building on this positive sentiment. It will straddle all 3 platinum jewellery categories, Platinum Days of Love – the couple band offering, Men of Platinum – the offering for men and Evara – placed in the women’s segment.
Season of Hope is a consumer and trade marketing program with a focus on digital and social platforms and will also see an active participation in e-commerce. Platinum Guild India has planned an integrated marketing programme across all 3 of our branded categories. The attempt will be to energise and add momentum with new collections, broader price points across the board.
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