Gurugram, formerly known as Gurgaon is the country’s second-largest Information Technology hub, and third-largest financial and banking hub. Located in the northern part of Haryana, Gurugram is a major city in the NCR. The city is popularly known as ‘Cyber City’ and ‘Millennium City’ as a number of IT companies are located there. The city is also home to India’s largest medical tourism industry. In fiscal year 2022, Gurugram solidified its position as a beacon of corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, emerging as the highest recipient of CSR funds in Haryana. A staggering total of Rs. 286.48 Crores poured into the city from 566 companies, emphasizing the city’s appeal as a CSR destination.
Gurugram’s unique blend of economic significance and cosmopolitan charm has drawn the attention of numerous corporations seeking to make a meaningful impact through CSR efforts. This city’s key strength lies in its ability to provide a vast platform for businesses to engage in philanthropic activities, community development, and sustainability projects. However, it is essential to delve into the factors that have made Gurugram an attractive choice for corporate CSR initiatives.
In FY22, the top three areas of focus for the CSR programs in Gurugram were: education, health and environment with an expenditure of Rs. 158.93 Cr., Rs. 69.28 Cr., and Rs. 37.32 Cr. respectively in them. The top three spenders in the state include Maruti Suzuki India Limited (Rs. 32.16 Cr.), Hero Motocorp Limited (Rs. 31.51 Cr.), and Powergrid Corporation of India Limited (Rs. 13.68 Cr.).
Let’s take a look at the top CSR projects in Gurugram.
CSR for digital literacy
In August 2023, smartphone manufacturing company OPPO India partnered with Mensa India, the national chapter of high IQ society Mensa International, to contribute to their Project Dhruv initiative. The project is said to identify meritorious children from underprivileged families, to educate and nurture them, as per an announcement.
OPPO announced that they have contributed digital literacy tools for supporting children with limited or no access to technology to develop the skills they need for an increasingly digital world. As part of the association, 45 OPPO Pads, stylus, and internet dongles were reportedly distributed to the students at a function held at Vidya School, Sector 24, Gurgaon.
CSR for healthcare
On the occasion of World Heart Day (29th September 2022), DLF Foundation announced that they have organised a free health screening camp for construction labourers in collaboration with Adharshila Trust.
‘The awareness and health screening camp held at the DLF Park Place, Gurugram, witnessed over 150 construction workers receive health check-ups, general fitness assessments, and medical consultations pertaining to cardiac ailments and disease prevention. Additionally, an awareness session was conducted for the attendees on the importance of cardiac health, the symptoms of cardiac arrest, as well as the critical preventive action to be employed in case of cardiac arrest. All the beneficiaries were provided with complete body evaluations, including blood tests, ECG, and RBS. As part of the health camp, the beneficiaries also received free tetanus inoculations and essential medicines,’ they announced.
DLF Foundation and Fortis Memorial Research Institute’s ‘Wellness on Wheels’
On 21st November, DLF Foundation and Fortis Memorial Research Institute Gurugram announced that they have launched a state-of-the-art mobile screening bus to offer free health screening services to the underprivileged communities as part of a joint CSR programme, ‘Wellness on Wheels’. It was flagged off by the Honourable Chief Minister of Haryana Manohar Lal Khattar.
Cancer screening camp
DLF Foundation also announced that they held a cancer screening camp for underserved communities at the Family Health Center in Gwal Pahari in Gurugram in December first week. This initiative is part of their mission to develop sustainable healthcare and social welfare programs focused on underprivileged demographics across the Delhi-NCR.
For this outreach endeavour, DLF Foundation partnered with Adharshila and Tanisa Foundation to provide expert testing and screening facilities at the grassroot level.
‘During the camp, medical professionals from Tanisa Foundation conducted an array of tests, which included clinical oral examination by ENT specialists, as well as PAP smear test and clinical breast examination by veteran Gynecologists. In addition to focused cancer screenings, the camp also provided health checkups to 125 attendees like tests for blood sugar, blood pressure and mammography tests by certified diagnostic laboratories,’ they shared.
CSR for Feeding Students
Gurugram-based startup HonorTech has collaborated with Akshaya Patra Foundation for serving 2,50,000 meals to school children through Akshaya Patra’s mid-day meal programme and beyond meal initiatives. The collaboration aims to address the battle against classroom hunger and critical issues that hinder education and overall development in India. This initiative will help in keeping students healthy and nourished and play crucial role in combating the malnutrition issue. This collaboration signifies a joint effort to make education accessible, eradicate malnutrition, and empower students in India to achieve their full potential by sponsoring meals and actively engaging with the community.
CSR for Environment
EcoGram, a green initiative in the form of a Biogas plant and material recovery facility, setup by Hyundai Motor India Foundation (HMIF) in Gurugram, has helped in saving 1.4 million kg of CO2 emissions, the foundation claims in a recent announcement.
Operational since October 2022, the facility has contributed to the environment by processing 4,04,000 kg waste collected from over 2000 households, as well as the Hyundai Motor India Headquarters in Gurugram, as per a press statement issued by the CSR arm of Hyundai Motor India Limited.
EcoGram is setup at a cost of Rs. 2.13 crore. The facility has an annual electricity generation capacity of 76 megawatt, and is currently self-sustaining with plans of supplying electricity to the grid in the near future. Situated in the heart of Gurugram, Haryana, EcoGram is HMIF’s sustainable answer for waste management concerns in metropolitan cities. The unit processes wet waste to produce Biogas which is then used to produce electricity. The plant also processes dry waste for recycling, which is then given to aggregators for recycling. The facility has a daily capacity of processing 2,000 kg wet waste and 5,000 kg dry waste.
CSR for Cyber Security
Smartphone brand vivo has collaborated with Gurugram Cyber Police to spread cybersecurity awareness through the #GiveBackToGurugram campaign. This initiative aims to raise awareness about cybersecurity issues and empower residents of Gurugram to protect themselves against cyber threats.
With cybercrime on the rise, it is crucial for individuals and companies to adopt safe online practices and protect themselves from potential scams and frauds. The campaign includes a range of outreach activities like cybersecurity training, awareness campaigns, youth outreach program, community engagement activities etc. with a focus on equipping residents with the knowledge and tools necessary to stay safe online. Moreover, it advocates for the use of the national helpline number – 1930 for reporting cybercrime, offering resources, and support for victims.
Encouraging caution in sharing personal information and interacting with unfamiliar individuals, both online and offline, the program emphasizes the importance of safeguarding privacy to prevent falling victim to cyber scams. Banners and hoardings are being prominently displayed at Millennium/Huda and Sikanderpur Metro stations, within the yellow line metro rail, on social media platforms, and in IT parks across Gurugram to raise awareness.
In recent years, cybercrimes have surged at an alarming rate, posing a significant threat to individuals and organizations alike. In 2023, Gurugram residents suffered losses exceeding Rs 300 crores due to cyber frauds. It is concerning that only 1 out of 50 cases were reported to authorities, highlighting the urgent need for cybersecurity awareness and preparedness.
Computer laboratory for Government school students in Gurugram with CSR support
CSR for Digital Education
DreamFolks, a tech enabled global travel and lifestyle services provider, recently inaugurated a state-of-the-art computer lab for students at Government Model Sanskriti Primary School in Tigra village, Sector 57, Gurugram. The computer lab has been set up under the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative – Project Akshar, which aims to uplift education for girls by partnering with local schools for their comprehensive development.
CSR Project Akshar is a long-term initiative aimed to enhance school infrastructure and cater to students’ requirements, thereby facilitating access to quality education. The company plans to extend this programme to other schools in Gurgaon vicinity, reaffirming its commitment to creating a more inclusive and equitable society.
Earlier, Dream Folks Services Limited adopted two schools in Gurugram, Haryana to empower the girl child. Government School-Tigra village and Bagiya-a bridge school for underprivileged children in Gurgaon are being supported by DreamFolks under ‘Mission Saksham’, the company announced in October, last year.
