Bengaluru is known for being the IT hub of India. The growth of IT sector in the region has made the city an attractive place for corporates of many other sectors, to set up their headquarters in and around Bengaluru. Presence of such major conglomerates has also led Bengaluru and regions around it to be a destination for CSR initiatives of these businesses.
Bengaluru was the largest recipient of CSR funds in FY 2021-22 in the state of Karnataka. The district of Bengaluru received a total of Rs. 77.41 Cr. of CSR funds. Let’s take a look at the top CSR projects in and around Bengaluru.
CSR for Education
Rainbow Children’s Hospital Foundation under its Corporate Social Responsibility Program is working to provide education among underprivileged students of Seegehalli Government Primary School. Under this initiative, essential resources are given to over 350 students. The initiative encompassed distribution of books, tables, chairs, school bags, and water coolers, vital components in enhancing the educational experience for the students of Seegehalli Government Primary School.
Bhoganahalli’s Government Lower Primary School (GLPS) recently reopened with CSR support. The 61-year-old dilapidated school building was renovated by Sumadhura Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Sumadhura Group in partnership with the Inner Wheel Club of Bangalore.
“The project addressed the wrecked condition of the 61-year-old crumbling school building which was struggling because of insufficient classrooms, inadequate toilets, lack of running water, and other basic infrastructural facilities. Considering the importance of providing a safe and dedicated environment for quality education, the old building was demolished, leaving only two classrooms intact. Four new classrooms have been constructed in its place, along with an open area and a kitchen.
Each classroom is equipped with new furniture and smart classroom facilities, ensuring a comfortable learning environment for the students. Other than the renovated classrooms, the added facilities provided under the project include separate toilets for boys and girls, better staffroom facility, a library, and a computer lab cum digital classroom on the second floor to help students broaden their intellectual horizons. Additionally, a rainwater harvesting system and a new RO plant have been installed in the school premises to ensure a constant supply of safe drinking water,” as per an announcement.
CSR for Sustainable Development
Marvell India, in collaboration with NGO partner United Way Bengaluru, is driving ‘Rural Rising’, an integrated rural development program, in the Chikkaballapura District of Karnataka. The program is designed to meet the Mission Anthodya and Human Development Index indicators, validated through an in-depth needs assessment in collaboration with local authorities and community members. This intervention addresses fundamental needs across key thematic areas, including education, health and well-being, safe drinking water, and renewable energy in the Guluru Gram Panchayat.
Under the initiative, an ambulance is provided to Bagepalli Taluk Govt. Hospital, which caters to a catchment population of 1,20,000+ people and lacked a dedicated ambulance. Two new Anganwadi Centres have been constructed alongside the setting up of kitchen gardens and provisioning of Teaching and Learning Materials in the Anganwadi Centres. Based on the need, a government school has been strengthened through refurbishment support, making the environment conducive to learning.
To address the need for a functional toilet facility, a new toilet has been constructed and an incinerator has been provided to a government school. Additionally, the initiative focuses on the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) component, particularly for raising awareness about menstrual health and hygiene among female students. Sanitary napkins have been distributed in five schools.
To ensure the availability of safe drinking water, three water purifier units have been installed in Anjinapura and Laxman Thanda villages, and at a government school. In commitment to renewable energy, 150 solar streetlights have been successfully installed at strategic locations across the gram panchayat.
Chinnappannahalli Lake Rejuvenation through CSR
Mitsubishi Electric India and its group company, Mitsubishi Elevator India collaboratively initiated the Chinnappannahalli Lake Rejuvenation CSR project in 2021 which is in the vicinity of the Manufacturing unit for Mitsubishi Electric elevators.
This Climate action project included desilting of lakebed, sluice gate repair, inlet and outlet repairing, vetiver turfing, creation of elevated walk path, Miyawaki forest plantation, creation of wetland, prominent civil and maintenance work, community area development, construction of storm water drains, improvement in water quality of the lake, construction of culvert, stone revetment in the major regions, construction of entry and exit gates for protection, fencing, creation of island, set-up of 4KW Solar-cum-wind lights, Installation of 20 number of stone benches, children play area set-up and construction of an open air gym which resulted in the conclusion of the project by 2024 that benefitted Lakhs of people in and around the area.
The Chinnappannahalli Lake in Vemagal, near Bengaluru has been a significant source of water for the community, cattle and birds since generations now and its maintenance, restoration, development and cleaning through this CSR project of Mitsubishi Elevator India and Mitsubishi Electric India supported by United Way of Bengaluru- NGO has resulted in addressing major social challenges in and around Bengaluru.
Orchids-The International School initiates #ShineYourCity Campaign and tiger adoption
Ahead of Diwali, this year, the students of Orchids – The International School planted tree saplings in neighborhood areas around the school branches across the country. Renowned environmentalist Suresh Heblikar flagged the ‘Shine Your City’ campaign at Bengaluru’s Nandini ground, BTM layout to encourage the kids.
The students brought a variety of saplings, including Indian Beech tree, Hibiscus, Ashoka, Neem, Bhelpatra, etc. These were planted in an open area outside the school premise, which was unclean and required reformation. The students, along with the teachers, first cleaned up the complete area and then planted the sampling. They also pledged to look after the planted saplings, plant more and more trees, and encourage others to do the same. Students from grade 9 to grade 12 participated from Orchids The International School (BTM layout branch) in the cleanliness and tree plantation drive at the Nandini ground, BTM Layout.
In 2022, students of Orchids – The International School, BTM Layout, reportedly adopted an 8-year-old Bengal Tiger named Mithun, from the Bannerghatta Zoo, Bengaluru to spread awareness regarding Tiger conservation in India.
