Although the memorandum has yet to receive formal approval, Iranian officials have indicated that a final decision is still under consideration. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has suggested that a signing ceremony may occur within the week in Europe, heightening speculation regarding the evolving situation.

Reopening of the Strait and Economic Relief

A key component of the draft agreement is the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, which would reportedly operate without tolls. Following this reopening, shipping traffic is expected to return to pre-conflict volumes within thirty days, accompanied by the lifting of the US naval blockade. This strait is fundamentally important, as it bears nearly twenty-five per cent of the world’s oil trade and approximately one-fifth of global liquefied natural gas shipments.

Moreover, the agreement may provide Iran with much-needed economic relief, as it includes a suspension of sanctions related to Iranian oil and petrochemical exports. The deal could also allow access to financial resources and the release of about $24 billion in Iranian assets that have been frozen. Reports from Mehr News Agency indicate that a portion of these funds may be accessible even before broader discussions commence regarding a permanent resolution.

However, concerns persist regarding the specifics of when and how Iran will access its frozen assets. Tehran is reportedly seeking immediate access to some funds, while Washington prefers to tie any financial concessions to Iran’s compliance with the agreement. A diplomat involved in the negotiations clarified that sanctions relief will be contingent on the deal’s full implementation.

Nuclear Issues and Extended Ceasefire Conditions

Beyond economic considerations, the proposed memorandum aims to foster dialogue surrounding Iran’s nuclear programme. Under the framework being discussed, the current ceasefire could be extended for an additional sixty days, including in Lebanon. This pause would create an opportunity for negotiators to address the more intricate aspects of Iran’s nuclear activities.

Iran is expected to commit to never pursuing nuclear weapons and to begin addressing international concerns related to its enriched uranium stockpile. One reported proposal includes allowing Iran to down-blend highly enriched uranium under the oversight of United Nations inspectors within the country. It has been communicated that the MoU includes detailed provisions addressing various nuclear issues, reportedly satisfying US requirements.

Nevertheless, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson has emphasised that negotiations are still ongoing. While they confirmed substantial progress has been achieved, they highlighted that Tehran has not yet finalised the agreement. The spokesperson also mentioned that discussions became complicated due to new demands from the US side, which may have altered previous commitments.

Pending Final Approvals and Ongoing Negotiations

While public attention has been drawn to Trump’s remarks and the potential signing ceremony, behind-the-scenes diplomatic efforts continue to address remaining uncertainties. This tentative breakthrough emerged after extensive negotiations led by Qatari mediator Ali Al-Thawadi and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, which included conversations with Trump’s representatives.

Reports from Bloomberg suggest that the signing ceremony could take place in Switzerland, possibly as soon as this Sunday. However, Iranian officials have expressed caution, labelling the information about timing and location as speculative, reiterating that no definitive decision has yet been made.

Ultimately, the final decision rests with Tehran’s leadership, and the situation remains fluid. Despite the ongoing discussions, uncertainty continues as diplomats work diligently to bridge the remaining gaps in the negotiations.

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The signing of the MoU will initiate a sixty-day negotiation period during which further details of the US-Iran agreement will be discussed. Multiple sources have indicated that this initial time frame may be extended if necessary.

Preliminary measures outlined within the document concentrate on ensuring “freedom of trade” by executing demining operations to clear and reopening the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz.

Iran’s Commitment and US Assessment of Nuclear Capabilities

The Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson indicated that substantial elements of the potential understanding intended to bring an end to the ongoing conflict are nearing finalisation. This comes despite the US’s inconsistent stances and military actions that have seemingly aimed to obstruct the diplomatic process.

Reportedly, Iran is prepared to commit to a period of fifteen to twenty years in which it will not enrich uranium and will dismantle its nuclear facilities. In return, Tehran would receive phased financial relief, contingent on its compliance with the terms outlined in the agreement.

US intelligence does not currently believe that Iran possesses a nuclear weapon or intends to pursue one actively. There are assessments that Iranian ambitions are centred around reaching the capability to develop such a weapon, as reported by CBS News.

The Iranian government has reportedly denied the entry of inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to verify claims regarding the peaceful purposes of its nuclear programme, while Israeli intelligence has suggested a differing perspective on the matter.

Recent Developments in Diplomatic Relations

Diplomatic momentum surged after President Donald Trump announced the cancellation of planned military strikes against Iran on June 10. He stated that this decision followed the agreement on final points related to the potential deal among all involved parties. Although Iran was not explicitly mentioned, the president noted the consensus included a specific list of Middle Eastern nations.

The president indicated that the specifics regarding the timing and location of the signing ceremony would be revealed soon. He is also scheduled to attend the G7 summit in France, where global trade disruptions due to the conflict are expected to be a principal topic of discussion.

Despite President Trump’s assertions, the Iranian news agency Fars, linked to the Revolutionary Guard Corps, quoted a knowledgeable source who firmly denied that any agreement had been approved. The contradictory narratives from both parties highlight the complexities involved in the ongoing negotiations.

The draft MoU also considers the situation in Lebanon, where Iranian proxy Hezbollah remains active. Specific details regarding this aspect are reportedly limited at this time. The ongoing violence presents added challenges to US diplomatic efforts to foster normalised relations between Lebanese and Israeli governments.

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साझेदारी का विस्तार और विकास

बैठक का मुख्य उद्देश्य जनजातीय समुदायों को विकास की मुख्यधारा में लाना है। भारत और वियतनाम अपने अनुभवों और नीतियों का आदान-प्रदान करेंगे। दोनों नेताओं ने साझा किया कि इस दिशा में उन्होंने पहले सचिव स्तर पर तैयार खाका को मंजूरी दी है, जो आगे बढ़ने का रास्ता खोलेगा।

शिक्षा और स्वास्थ्य पर फोकस

बैठक में शिक्षा, स्वास्थ्य और रोजगार के क्षेत्रों में सहयोग पर जोर दिया गया। जनजातीय समुदायों के लिए बेहतर योजनाएं बनाने के लिए दोनों देश एक साथ मिलकर काम करेंगे। जुएल उरांव ने बताया कि यह एक महत्त्वपूर्ण पहल है जो समाज के पिछड़े वर्गों को मुख्यधारा से जोड़ने में मदद करेगी।

संस्कृति और संबंधों का महत्व

बैठक की शुरुआत में भारतीय मंत्री ने वियतनाम के मंत्री को कुछ यादगार तोहफे भेंट किए। उरांव ने यह भी उल्लेख किया कि भारत और वियतनाम का रिश्ता भगवान बुद्ध की शिक्षाओं से जुड़ा हुआ है। इस संबंध में वियतनाम में बुद्ध के पवित्र अवशेषों की प्रदर्शनी की सफलता को भी सराहा गया।

भारत ट्राइब्स फेस्ट 2026 की चर्चा

बैठक में ‘भारत ट्राइब्स फेस्ट 2026’ में वियतनाम की भागीदारी की सराहना की गई। यह फेस्टिवल जनजातीय संस्कृति को बढ़ावा देने के लिए एक महत्वपूर्ण मंच होगा। दोनों देशों के मंत्रियों ने इस बात पर सहमति जताई कि वे मिलकर तरक्की की दिशा में कदम बढ़ाएंगे।

विस्तार की योजना और प्रतिबद्धता

भारत और वियतनाम ने अपनी व्यापक रणनीतिक साझेदारी के 10 वर्ष पूरे होने पर खुशी व्यक्त की। दोनों देशों ने सांस्कृतिक संबंधों को और मजबूत करने का संकल्प लिया। वियतनाम ने भारत के विकास में मदद का आभार व्यक्त किया और अपने 54 जातीय समूहों के विकास पर जोर दिया।

आमंत्रण और सहयोग ज्ञापन पर चर्चा

इस बैठक में ‘सहयोग ज्ञापन’ (MoC) की समीक्षा की गई, जिसमें वियतनाम ने अपनी मंजूरी दे दी है। केंद्रीय मंत्री जुएल उरांव को वियतनाम की ओर से समझौते पर हस्ताक्षर के लिए बुलाने का आमंत्रण दिया गया। उरांव ने दोहराया कि आपसी विश्वास ही इस साझेदारी की असली ताकत है।

भविष्य के कदमों की चर्चा

बैठक के अंत में दोनों देशों ने जनजातीय समुदायों के सतत विकास के लिए मिलकर काम करने का विश्वास व्यक्त किया। सभी मुद्दों पर सहमति बनने के बाद, यह स्पष्ट है कि भारत और वियतनाम के बीच सहयोग बढ़ाने के लिए ठोस कदम उठाए जाएंगे।

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The first-ever Defence MoU between India and Slovakia was formalised during the official state visit of the Hon’ble President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, to Slovakia, accompanied by a high-level business delegation. This collaboration highlights India’s growing global role in advanced defence production.

Representing India’s industrial leadership on the global stage, Rishi Aggarwal, Managing Director, JCBL Group, participated as part of the President’s delegation. Speaking on the occasion, he said:

“This partnership signifies more than just a business agreement. It represents a convergence of trust, technology, and transformation. It aligns with our core belief in the Make-in-India vision and strengthens India’s position as a global hub for defence innovation.”

Under this partnership, ADSL will play a pivotal role in the indigenous development and manufacturing of critical combat systems for light tanks, including Turrets, Active Protection Systems (APS), Remote-Controlled Weapon Systems (RCWS), and Human-Machine Interface (HMI) modules. All manufacturing will be conducted in India, reinforcing the goals of the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

The collaboration is designed to foster technology transfer, operational excellence, and co-development of advanced combat platforms tailored for complex terrains and high-altitude environments. It also opens avenues for future defence exports by combining Slovakia’s technological expertise with India’s robust industrial base.

This strategic alliance showcases India’s growing stature as a self-reliant defence powerhouse, with ADSL and the JCBL Group playing an instrumental role in shaping India’s next generation of combat solutions.

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MoU’s were signed with key institutions like ABSSSS (Musabad, Lucknow), Vedanta Sanskarshala (Ludhiana, Punjab), Naya Savera (Gurugram, Haryana), and Golden Future Trust (Lucknow) which marks a significant step toward scaling impact-driven initiatives that promote education, healthcare, and livelihood opportunities for marginalized communities, particularly women and children. By leveraging the unique strengths of each organization, the MoU aims to standardize best practices, share resources, and implement scalable community development models across regions.

Leadership Circle 2 saw a lively panel discussion on “Policies to accelerate learning” which included Government representatives like Mr. Ashok Kumar Singh, Director, School Education, Jammu, Mr. Abhishek Verma, Additional District Commissioner, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, Mr. Abhishek Shukla, Basic Education Officer, Bhagwanpur, Uttarakhand and Mr. Padam Shankar Maurya, BEO, Malihabad, Uttar Pradesh.

Mr Ashok Kumar Singh, Director School Education, Jammu shared, “Improvement of literacy in the country is of most importance especially with the involvement of the students. When the students start teaching their parents who are Illiterate as per FLN, this will enable us to reach complete literacy. We face issues in terrain, access to schools, even shortage of staff, if students involve themselves with self-teaching or self learning, they will be in a position to help the younger students as well. Target of NIPUN is achievable, with concentration on education which will help the people survive in the real world. Teachers are irreplaceable and they are the key to India reaching NIPUN goals within the time frame. He also invited the team of DEVI Sansthan to Jammu to train his master trainers in the ALfA: Accelerating Learning for All pedagogy, a new way of learning.”

The Leadership Circle embodies DEVI Sansthan’s dedication to empowering educators and reshaping education through collaboration and innovation. This two-day event featured panels on the Policies to accelerate learning, FLN: The World’s best investment, and Best CSR Investment where experts explored through new findings and experiences, shared best practices and key insights, and discussed evidence-based strategies and tools to enhance rapid learning and more. The aim is to reach out to over 500,000 students in the next 5 years.

The series of MoU signings aligns with One Tara’s mission of empowering educational institutes and through innovative, evidence-based interventions while reinforcing the commitment of all partner organizations to sustainable social impact.

Day 2 of Leadership Circle 2, a panel discussion on “The Role of CSR in Promoting FLN” with Mr Kumar Anurag Pratap, VP and Head CSR, Capgemini, India, Mr. Khurram Naayaab, GM CSR for Vedanta group and Head-Governance for Anil Agarwal Foundation and Ms. Sherin Ali Global CSR Lead, WNS Global Services. Ms Sherin Ali shared, “CSR policies in India are stringent but if any company or NGOs are working within that framework, it is an easy process for a company to start their CSR initiatives. With the CSR policies of a particular company being available on website, it is easy for NGOs to reach out that particular company to be part of their CSR programs. SROI or Social Return on Investment is a key factor determining a project’s timeline. This enables a company to set standards, extend timelines, and to implement other CSR projects which can be implemented successfully.”

Speaking on the significance of the 2-day event and the MoU signing, Dr. Sunita Gandhi, Founder of DEVI Sansthan and One Tara, stated “We have come together to collaborate for a transformation in the education process. The multi-state MoU’s are just the beginning, we are uniting forces with like-minded organizations to amplify the need for FLN in the education sector. These partnerships are not just an agreement—it is a commitment to a brighter, more equitable future.”

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The collaboration aims to strengthen the overall startup ecosystem by offering knowledge sharing, mentorship, and capacity-building programs to foster innovation and growth.

Startups will benefit from customized banking and financial products designed to cater their specific requirements, such as working capital, credit access, and cash flow management. Besides, the Startups will also have access to HDFC Bank’s vast network and resources thus enabling them to scale up their operations, attract investments, and establish their market presence far more effectively.

Outlining the transformative potential of India’s startup ecosystem, Shri Sanjiv Singh, Joint Secretary, Startup India, mentioned that India’s startup ecosystem is the bedrock of the nation’s innovation-driven economy, and to empower it further will always remain on the top of DPIIT’s agenda. He emphasized the need to take far more initiatives such as forging strategic alliances with key partners like HDFC Bank, to ensure robust ecosystem that fosters entrepreneurship, do away bottlenecks in way of overall economic growth and development, and put forth meaningful solutions across the spectrum of all sectors, which is the need of the hour.

Dr Sumeet Kumar Jarangal, Director Startup India, said that this collaborative alliance with HDFC Bank will surely prove to be a path breaking step in bolstering the support system for startups in India. He said that by leveraging the bank’s expertise and resources, DIIPT aims to provide startups with seamless access to financial services and innovative solutions. This collaboration will not only effectively combat the critical challenges like funding and financial management but also create a conducive environment for startups to innovate and flourish in a result-oriented manner.

Meanwhile, Ms. Sunali Rohra, Head – Government & Institutional Business, Start-ups & Gig Banking, at HDFC Bank, said, “We are pleased to collaborate with DPIIT to further boost the landscape of start-ups in India. Through this partnership, DPIIT-supported start-ups will seamlessly gain access to the Bank’s customised suite of products aimed to help accelerate their growth.”

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The focus areas of this collaboration will be Cold Rolling and Processing for Carbon Steel, Green Steel and Silicon Steel — specifically CRGO (Cold Rolled Grain Oriented) and CRNO (Cold Rolled Non-Oriented) steels. Additionally, the partnership seeks to integrate green technologies into iron and steelmaking processes and incorporate advanced steelmaking technologies to enhance efficiency and sustainability.

SAIL remains committed to transform traditional iron and steelmaking practices by adopting advanced, sustainable technologies. With a steadfast focus on reducing carbon emissions and improving resource efficiency, SAIL is aligning its operations with the evolving demands of a dynamic market and to contribute to a greener, more sustainable future.

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The housing project titled ‘Shelter to Habitation’ is aimed at providing sustainable and secure habitation for underprivileged tribal communities in Odisha. The project seeks to address the challenges faced by the cyclone-prone Gajapati district, benefiting close to 3,000 villagers across the villages of Alajhola, Gayaljuba, and Rashika Rajpur. These homes will be all-weather proof and will feature modern sustainability elements, including solar lighting, rainwater harvesting, and climate-resilient designs. Each home will provide a dignified living environment with a bedroom, living room, kitchen, and toilet.

This project is being fully funded by LTIMindtree under its CSR mandate and CUTM will be the project implementation partner. The MoU was signed at a signing ceremony by Paneesh Rao, Chief Sustainability Officer of LTIMindtree, and Dr. Anita Patra, Registrar of CUTM. Other members of the LTIMindtree Foundation and board members from the Centurion University were in attendance.

Commenting on the project, Paneesh Rao, Chief Sustainability Officer, LTIMindtree stated, “This project reflects our commitment to empowering communities by addressing their most pressing needs. Beyond offering sustainable housing, we are creating opportunities for active community involvement, helping them develop skills, take ownership, and shape their own future. With the support of CUTM and the local administration, we’re strengthening the foundation for a stronger, more resilient tomorrow.”

In addition to the homes, the project will develop village roads, a community center, an Anganwadi (childcare center), solar street lighting, and a drinking water system. Local villagers will actively participate in the construction process, earning fair wages for their efforts. This will also ensure sweat investment, gaining skill and future sustainability of livelihood. The first batch of homes is expected to be completed by mid 2025, with the full project slated for completion by early 2026.

Dr. Supriya Pattanayak, Vice Chancellor, Centurion University of Technology and Management, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, “We are excited to partner with LTIMindtree Foundation on this transformative initiative. It aligns with our mission of driving meaningful societal impact. Together, we are addressing a critical need in these underserved communities. By providing essential housing for below-poverty-line families, we are not only addressing immediate needs but also laying the groundwork for sustainable development.”

This initiative exemplifies the power of collaboration in creating lasting change within communities. By prioritizing sustainable housing and infrastructure, LTIMindtree Foundation and Centurion University are not only enhancing the quality of life for these tribal communities but also fostering resilience against future challenges. Together, they aim to pave the way for a brighter, more sustainable future for all involved.

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This MoU will empower adolescents through a teacher and warden-led, activity-based life skills education programme tailored to the specific needs of the State’s tribal communities. The programme will be introduced across 440 Ashram Hostels and 53 Residential Schools in 25 districts, ensuring that life skills education reaches some of the most underprivileged population in the state.

The programme will be implemented over three years. The first year will focus on identifying and training Master Trainers from the Tribal Area Development Department, contextualising the curriculum, and rolling out the initial life skills sessions in the Ashram Hostels and Residential Schools. In the second year, the Holistic Progress Card (HPC) will be integrated to measure life skills outcomes, enhance monitoring, and introduce Magic Mitra, a WhatsApp-based AI chatbot for real-time tracking. In the third year, efforts will shift towards strengthening the system for continued implementation and monitoring, ensuring the sustainability of the life skills programme.

Teachers, wardens, and assistant wardens from 493 Ashram Hostels and Residential Schools of the Tribal Area Development Department will receive life skills training from Master Trainers. They will then be prepared to deliver life skills education to adolescents in grades 6th to 12th.

This partnership demonstrates Rajasthan’s dedication to providing holistic education that goes beyond academics. It focuses on developing essential life skills in adolescents. By nurturing these skills, the programme aims to boost adolescents’ confidence, aspirations, and resilience, which will lead to improved school outcomes.

Ms. Pragya Kewalramani, Commissioner of the Tribal Area Development Department, Rajasthan, said, “This Collaboration with Magic Bus India Foundation is a significant step towards holistic personality development of tribal students. Through this MoU, we aim to equip our adolescents with life skills education, empowering them to be self-reliant and active participants in their communities. We are confident that this partnership will lead to sustained progress and development of these students.”

Jayant Rastogi, Global CEO, Magic Bus India Foundation, said, “Partnering with the Tribal Area Development Department, Government of Rajasthan, enables us to address the challenges faced by adolescents in tribal communities. These adolescents live in tough terrains with limited resources. By introducing life skills education, we aim to empower them to navigate difficulties and build a path to success. This partnership will foster growth and resilience, creating a stronger foundation for the future of adolescents from tribal communities.”

This MoU sets the stage for a transformative shift towards an inclusive education system for tribal students of Rajasthan, poised to positively shape the futures of these students.

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Top CSR projects in Ludhiana

Ludhiana Police goes green with CSR support

In a first in the state, Ludhiana Police commissionerate in Punjab decided to turn their police stations into Green Police Stations. The project was implemented in May, 2023 with CSR support. Ludhiana Police opted for renewable energy as a means to make a green move for conserving our environment. Out of 28 police stations falling under the Ludhiana Police commissionerate, 13 have been equipped with 120-KW rooftop solar power plants which will generate energy. The initiative has been supported by Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funding from ICICI foundation, Hero Cycles, Ganga Acrowools Limited, Findoc Group and Oswal Group.

Police stations which got solar rooftop include Jamalpur, Moti Nagar, PAU, Division number 1, 2, 5, 6, & 8, Sadar, Dugri, Model Town, Sahnewal and Shimlapuri. The solar power plants were inaugurated by Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav in May 2023. Efforts are on to install rooftop solar power plants at the rest of the police stations under the commissionerate as well as at nearly 400 police stations of Punjab.

This initiative makes Ludhiana the first city in the state to be equipped with solar powered technology under ‘Ujaala – Ek Changi Shuruat’ scheme. Installation of 120-KW solar power plants in police stations is expected to reduce carbon emissions up to 180 metric tonnes annually. This will also save power and cut down electricity bills, expected up to Rs 12 lakh per year. Power generated through these solar panels is expected to replace conventional sources of energy.

Transport Aarogyam Kendra for Truck Drivers in Ludhiana

After Delhi, Mumbai, Namakkal, and Ranchi HDB Financial Services (HDBFS) inaugurated its fifth Transport Aarogyam Centre (TAK) in Ludhiana in September 2023. This initiative is a part of HDB’s CSR programme aiming to address the health issues faced by the highway heroes who are an essential part of the economy.

Strategically located within the transport hub of Heeranagar, Ludhiana’s TAK Centre is equipped with the necessary physiotherapy equipment and has a specialized team of experts proficient in addressing distinct musculoskeletal concerns prevalent among truck drivers. TAK provides free physiotherapy counselling sessions including sensitizing the drivers on the right postures while driving, exercises they can perform while on the move for hours together and other required treatments, promoting a holistic approach to their health and well-being.

Doctors and paramedical staff will also conduct regular visits to truck driver rest areas, petrol stations, and transport nagars within 30 kms radius of the Ludhiana centre, thus ensuring a wider outreach, as per an announcement made by the company.

Tree plantation for a greener Ludhiana through CSR

The Chamber of Industrial & Commercial Undertaking (CICU) and EcoSikh, an NGO working for environmental conservation achieved planting 139 Guru Nanak Sacred Forests in November 2023. The forests with at least 60 species of native trees have been planted within a period of one year and six months, the initiative being launched jointly in March 2022 by EcoSikh and Ludhiana industry. This initiative is part of the ‘Lungs of Ludhiana’ programme which aims to plant one million trees in the district in 10 years. A total of 76,000 trees have been planted under this programme till date.

These forests have been planted with Miyawaki methodology on industrial lands, religious grounds, educational institutions, panchayati lands and other government departments. The project aims to restore the biodiversity of Punjab; revive the air quality of Ludhiana and create secure habitats for birds and pollinators.

The project has received CSR support from Prime Steels Processors, which planted the largest forest of 8,200 trees in 0.85 acres of land adjacent to their industrial complex. Other companies supporting the green initiative include Ralson, Sajjan, TK Steel, Weltech, Yodha, Kangaroo, Vikas Ganga Agro, New Swan Group, Dream City, Bajajsons, Ryan School, DPS, and PSP.

CSR of PepsiCo India

PepsiCo India announced last week that the company has extended its Biochar Initiative, a pilot crop residue management program, to the Fatehgarh Sahib and Ludhiana districts of Punjab as a potential solution to address the pressing issue of stubble burning in the northern states of India. This initiative works with farmers in Punjab to better manage harvest residue by using furnaces known as retort kilns to produce biochar fertilizer through a process called pyrolysis.

According to Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), stubble burning in Punjab released 6.8 million tonnes of greenhouse gases and particulate matter between September 15 and November 2, 2022. Biochar production and usage has the potential to reduce GHG emissions significantly compared to other forms of disposal such as heaping while improving soil health and water retention, claims PepsiCo India.

PepsiCo further shared that their Biochar Initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger). Through these efforts, the company also aims to improve the per hectare crop yields for small and marginal farmers while contributing to global efforts to mitigate climate change.

BPCL signs MoU with Tata Memorial Centre

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), a ‘Maharatna’ and a Fortune Global 500 Company, announced earlier this month that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tata Memorial Centre to provide CSR aid to Homi Baba Cancer Hospital, Sangrur and Homi Baba Cancer Hospital & Research Centre, Mullanpur a unit of Tata Memorial Centre in Punjab.

The MoU signing ceremony took place at an event in Ludhiana in the presence of Shri Sukhmal Jain, Director Marketing of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited and Doctors of Homi Baba Cancer Research Hospital.

In an effort towards improving health and community development, BPCL announced that they will be funding and investing INR 1,84,87,300/- towards the hospitals to procure hi-tech surgical equipment to enable advance cancer treatments which will be made readily available to the underprivileged population at low costs.

Bharti Foundation

Bharti foundation, the philanthropic arm of Bharti Enterprises, commissioned Sattva to conduct an Impact Assessment Study of its ‘Satya Bharti Abhiyan’ program based in Amritsar and Ludhiana districts of Punjab. Launched in August 2014, the program contributed to the Government of India’s National Mission of ‘Swachh Bharat.’ 32,149 households and institutions were provided toilets free of cost, benefitting over 2,19,872 people. Separate toilets for girls in 14 government schools in rural Ludhiana and 37 separate ladies’ toilets in police stations in the districts were also constructed. The project was completed in December 2021.

The impact assessment study covered a sample size of 1,014 toilets and was undertaken during 2021-22. Mamta Saikia, CEO Bharti Foundation handed, over the Impact evaluation report of the Satya Bharti Abhiyan, to Sh. Vipul Ujwal, Special Secretary, Department of Water Supply and Sanitation, Government of Punjab.

Key findings of the Impact assessment report are:

>98% of the respondents saved time as they did not have to travel to far distances anymore for the purpose of relieving themselves.

>39% of the respondents used the extra time to help with household work whereas 48% of the respondents engaged in productive work.

>84% of the respondents said that the initiative benefitted women. It helps them feel safer and assists in utilizing the saved time in productive activities.

>93% of the respondents believed that the program helped with children’s safety.

>78% households noticed a decrease in the frequency of them falling sick after construction of the toilets.

>32% fall in health expenditure due to improved sanitation and hygiene practices, from an average of Rs. 4,788 to Rs. 3,249 a year.

CSR of ReNew Power

In order to help tackle air pollution in the national capital caused because of Stubble burning in the neighbouring states, ReNew Power joined hands with CII Foundation in 2018-19, to work with around 1000 farmers in 7 villages, covering 7000 acres of farmland in Raikot block, Ludhiana district in Punjab.

Key components of the project included behaviour change interventions involving village-level community interactions and campaigning for farmer awareness; building, developing and implementing a participatory village-level action plan.

Supporting the adoption of tools and technologies and entrepreneurial ventures for in-situ and ex-situ processing of farm straw was another aspect. A total of 24 machines like happy seeder, rotavator with a seed drill, cutter cum spreader were provided as part of the project. These machines were handed over to the local farmer producer organization (FPO) for operation and maintenance.

The FPO will collect a nominal hiring charge (as decided in consultation with farmers, and considering the market rate) that will be used for the repair and maintenance of these machines. The creation of farmers’ knowledge and capacity on sustainable cropping systems involved farm level demonstrations and training. Village Nigrani Committee is a team of volunteers established to monitor the cases of stubble burning, if any, and undertake immediate community level remedial measures to stop it.

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