- Empowering through “Livelihood Empowering Action Plans” – LEAP
Category: Companies Act- 2013, Schedule VII (i) Eradicating Hunger, Schedule VII (ii) Livelihood Enhancing Projects, Schedule VII (ii) Empowering WomenThe Company’s Sustainable Livelihood Initiatives are designed to empower thousands of people, particularly women in rural parts of India. Through this initiative, the Company reaches out to the underprivilegedsegments of society and in doing so, it seeks to help as many people as possible at the bottom of the pyramid by providing them with livelihood options. Under this project the Company will continue to support people (primarily woman) who are financially excluded through a holistic approach that will also offer training for enhancing occupation skills, financial literacy and market linkages.
- Financial Literacy and Inclusion
Category: Companies Act -2013, Schedule VII (i) Promoting Education, Schedule VII (ii) Livelihood Enhancing ProjectsThe Company believes that absence of financial knowledge can lead to poor financial decisions that can have an adverse effect on the financial health of an individual. The Company will endeavor to provide familiarity with and understanding of financial products, especially of rewards and risks, in order to better equip the financially excluded to make informed choices.These projects will endeavor to promote financial literacy amongst various segments such as students, senior citizens and others in the communities, directly or through implementing partners.One of the main impediments to the increasing effective financial inclusion is the lack of credit in rural areas. The Company will seek to address this through innovative approaches, one of which will be through its ‘Grameen Mahotsavs’ that will provide information on financial products and services in particular to those in rural markets with limited access to financial services.
- Promoting Education
Category: Companies Act -2013, Schedule VII (i) Promoting EducationEducation is one of the building blocks of any nation. With the aim of having ‘every child in school and learning’ the Company’s interventions will aim at mainstreaming children and improving the quality of education they receive. A multitude of interventions such as educational sponsorships to students belonging to economically/socially/physically challenged categories, supporting the infrastructure or running cost of reading programs, libraries, supportive classes, computers, science laboratories, etc. will be undertaken to create a conducive learning environment and to promote learning. Within the scope of education, programs aimed at bridging the skill gap, in particular in the Companying industry, and transforming candidates into job ready professionals will also be covered.
- Skill Training and Livelihood Enhancement
Category: Companies Act -2013, Schedule VII (ii) Employment Enhancing Vocational Skills and Livelihood Enhancing projectsA growing economy like India requires a large and skilled workforce. The Company’s skill training initiatives will aim at training and capacity development of youth and women from economically weaker sections of society, and to empower them to gain access to opportunities for sustainable livelihood and growth.The Company will support technical training courses, Skill Development Centers, non formal vocational programs aimed at creating livelihood opportunities, soft skill training aimed to facilitate integration into mainstream and soft loans for self- financing of training. Under the scope of this initiative, the Company will also support upgrading skills and capacity building of farmers by introducing innovative methods of cultivation and creating market linkages.
- Promoting Blood Donation
Category: Companies Act -2013, Schedule VII (i) Promoting Preventive HealthcareAimed at addressing the very critical issue of the availability of blood this initiate is currently one of the major areas in which the Company and its employees are actively engaged. The Company will continue to conduct Blood Donation Drives and will expand the same to support the set up of ‘Blood Storage Units’ in rural locations that do not have a blood Company’s, to ensure supply of blood.
- Environmental Sustainability
Category: Companies Act -2013, Schedule VII (iv) Ensuring Environmental Sustainability, Conservation of Natural Resources and Maintaining the quality of soil.Sustainability is one of the core values of the Company and climate change mitigation and environmental improvements are essential elements of its strategy for sustainability. The Company will initiate multiple projects implemented directly or through consultant partners to manage its emissions and to introduce environmental friendly practices. Social Communication will be used as an effective tool in influencing behavior and creating a sustainable environment for the community.The Company will encourage investment in energy efficient technology, developing socially and environmentally friendly products and services, improving access to water by creating/sponsoring irrigation and water storage structures, promoting public transport by creating appropriate infrastructure, benchmarking and reporting on Sustainability projects.
- Eradicating Poverty
Category: Companies Act -2013, Schedule VII (i) Eradicating Poverty, Hunger and MalnutritionThe Company recognizes the need to reach out to those at the bottom of the pyramid by providing them with need based assistance. The Company will also encourage employees to continue to contribute to society by undertaking projects in their respective areas.The Company’s Payroll Giving Program will encourage employees to donate a part of his/her salary. This amount may be matched by the Company and the combined amount donated by the employee to a cause of his/her choice. These causes may include providing rations/nutrition, medical care, supporting education, etc.
- Rural Development
Category: Companies Act -2013, Schedule VII (x) Rural DevelopmentWith the objective of contributing to the improvement of the economic and social well-being of people in rural areas, the Company will initiate programs that empower the rural population. These will range from making financial services and products available to these areas and bringing them within the Companying fold, to creating innovative products to suit the requirements of the rural population. The Company will support projects providing electrification through solar or alternate methods, improving access to water, healthcare & sanitation, and construction & running cost of schools and health centers, amongst others.
