Time to go beyond the fringe on CSR

Time to go beyond the fringe on CSR
Wed Apr 4, 2012 1:17 am (PDT) Time to go beyond the fringe on CSR.....Arvind Pandey Community- and environmental sustainability- related challenges are the most critical elements for the mining, metals and steel industries
Singur proved that the dissatisfaction of a few hundred can derail billions of dollars of investment," commented a senior official at a steel company. Singur is the West Bengal village from where Tata Motors Ltd was forced to pull out its Nano car project in 2008 because of farmers' protests against land acquisition. Actually the list of companies with delayed or shelved projects is quite long. Most of these companies were spending on traditional CSR, or corporate social responsibility, activities in varying measures, but clearly the old calculus is no longer working.
"What gives?" I enquired from the promoter of a leading infrastructure company, and his response was that earlier successful project execution required managing a select few to ensure that the state apparatus delivered the project, but now project execution has gone retail. One has to ensure that village panchayats, block pramukhs, district panchayats, local non-government organizations (NGOs), the ruling establishment, and the main and fringe opposition are aligned with the project. Any dissatisfied group left unattended can ensure years of delay, if not outright project failure. The need for companies to earn their "licence to operate" from the communities was never so important. Community- and environmental sustainability- related challenges are the most critical elements for the mining, metals and steel industries. This is because their projects involve dealing with large tracts of land, forests, biodiversity and the local community.
Furthermore, their presence affects communities, both existing ones and those that grow up around their plants and captive mines. Typically, companies in this sector spend 2-5% of profit on CSR and environment- related activities. Steel Authority of India Ltd spends around 2% of its net profit on CSR. Tata Steel Ltd spends 5-7% of its net profit on CSR initiatives. But clearly there is pressure to do more, and more importantly, differently. Increased awareness among communities and government focus is making sustainability- related activities even more important for companies. A myriad social and political forces are arrayed behind issues ranging from the environment and conservation to community rights, and protection of local practices and culture. The ministry of environment and forests' growing activism on environmental issues coupled with hyper-activism at the grassroots level against any form of development in the most backward areas as well as remnants of class warfare rhetoric against capitalism has made progress of new projects extremely difficult. A direct consequence was the zero growth in Coal India Ltd's output in 2010-11. Regulatory pressures are likely to increase, with the Companies Bill, 2011 mandating that companies spend at least 2% of their net profit on CSR, and the Mining Bill, 2011 stipulating that holders of coal mining leases pay 26% of mining profits to a district mineral foundation for the benefit of the project-affected people. It is not as if the industry has been sitting on its hands. Google 'Noamundi' and you will find extensive coverage of water conservation and reforestation work by Tata Steel in its iron ore mines at Noamundi, Jharkhand. Completed in difficult terrain and challenging conditions, the project won the Confederation of Indian Industry's 2011 national award for excellence in water management. There are many more examples of engaged corporate action on sustainability and environment, but to a large extent they have proved ineffective in the face of negative sentiment against large projects that seems to have paralysed billions of dollars of investment. As governments watch from the sidelines, competitive local politics ensure that effective resolution is nigh impossible. This imperils the growth potential of India's mining and steel industries.
Domestic steel demand is expected to double in the next 10 years. To take advantage of this opportunity, most Indian companies built aggressive growth plans, but progress on the ground has been slow, and many global majors such as Posco and ArcelorMittal have reallocated their funds to other opportunities. Leading global companies view sustainability as a "source of competitive advantage"- as a source for newer, greener businesses (such as green energy and waste recycling), an opportunity for efficiency improvements (such as energy savings, water conservation and waste reduction) and a pool of intangible benefits (such as brand innovation and talent management). They believe these are critical for them to have a licence to operate, and as bidding for new assets becomes intense in the coming decade, their track record on sustainability will make the difference. This is making CSR move from the sidelines to being at the core of strategic management agenda.
Despite spending significant sums on CSR initiatives and community work, many companies have not been able to get any resultant benefits. This is because their CSR spending was not directly linked to driving community support for their business plan. These companies are still relying on the government to see their expansion plans through. Companies can no longer count on the government to deliver their projects. They need to aggressively develop a holistic agenda for community development that involves all stakeholders and NGOs as well as government institutions. These activities need to start as soon as a community becomes critical to their future strategic plans. Companies need to drive setting up of local councils to prepare a long-term development blueprint for the community or district, and then actively ensure that all stakeholders work towards the goals. This will ensure that companies have a more transparent and effective mechanisms for transforming communities and gaining local support. Companies with a reputation for investing in and developing communities will find themselves at a competitive advantage, as they will be able to achieve capacity additions and expansions at a faster pace. Given the nature of the mining and steel businesses, growth cannot happen without sustainability. They are two sides of the same coin.

Arvind Pandey is partner and director and global leader -metals and mining at The Boston Consulting Group. Respond to the column at feedback@livemint. com URL: http://www.livemint .com/2012/ 04/01192516/ Time-to-go- beyond-the- fringe-o. html

Hospitality training for the economically backward youth with minimal education

The Kherwadi Social Welfare Association (KSWA) and Yuva Parivartan (YP) are initiating a program for empowering vulnerable youths through Vocational Education. The program is being brought to India by International Business Leaders Forum (IBLF), an international charity registered in the United Kingdom. The Youth Career Initiative (YCI) is a program of IBLF which runs successfully in several countries like Australia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Egypt etc.
KSWA and YP have been appointed as the Local Coordinating Partner of YCI. This program is offering a golden opportunity to the less educated youth to be trained in the Hospitality Industry, in the best 7 – 10 top-end Five Star Hotels of Mumbai, e. g; Four Seasons, Worli, Park CBD, Marriots etc. The program of mobilizing youth, boys and girls will start in March 2012, and after selection of 60 candidates, the program of on-the-job training will begin within a month.
This letter is to all Institutions and NGO working with youth, to encourage suitable youth to take this opportunity to earn a good income and enter in a growing career field. Our Team will be happy to address the youth in your Centre.
The training schedule - 6 months
· Student will receive training in - (a) Various departments of hospitality (b) Introduction to computers (c) Spoken English (d) Personality development
· Benefits & Support during the training - (a) The student trainee will receive a reasonable stipend during the training period to cover his travelling and other costs. (b) At the end of the training, the student will receive a certificate of value from the Participating Hotel & YCI. (c) YP will take the responsibility of finding suitable placement for the trained and successful students.
Requirements - (a) Boy or Girl – above 18 to 25 year. (b) Education – 9th pass/failed (c) Ready to work in Hospitality Industry (d) Ready to travel (will be placed in convenient locations to their residence)
Looking forward to your response and cooperation.
For further queries, please contact: Mr. Santosh Bhuvad – Placement Asst. Manager - Mob: 88790 00660 / Email: ; Mr. Shilpa Fernandez – HR Executive - Mob: 91672 33001 / Email: ;

B Santosh | Assistant Manager - Placements Yuva Parivartan | KSWA Kherwadi | Bandra E | Mumbai 400 051 +91 22 26475359 | +91 8879000660 http://www.yuvaparivartan.org

Blind in Business

Re: success stories of the visually-challenged Fri Mar 30, 2012 10:31 pm (PDT)

Blind in Business has helped hundreds of people into work and trained thousands of school-age children. Kinnari Paterl says "Blind in Business are an amazing organisation. They have great staff who are extremely helpful, caring and considerate. I first came in contact with Blind in Business through their Buddying Scheme. The mentor they found for me was really helpful. One of the things I learnt from my mentor’s knowledge and life experience is that the plan’s you make are not set in stone; they change as life takes its course. Blind in Business also gave me an incredible opportunity when they arranged for me to have a work shadowing placement at the Bank of England. I got to meet employees at different positions of the Customer Banking department. I found out how that department operates and received some excellent advice which has helped me make decisions about my career.
www.blindinbusiness.co.uk

Short story writing competition in Marathi for people with visual impairment

Short Story Writing Competition [MARATHI] for People with Visual Imp Posted by: "Anita" anita.ekansh@yahoo.in anita.ekansh Fri Mar 30, 2012 10:30 pm (PDT)

EKansh Trust is pleased to inform you that we are organizing a short story writing compeition in Marathi for people with visual impairments. Most literary works available to the Visually Impaired today are those of sighted people translated into Braille or Audio versions. These stories contain many visual references. Descriptions and definitions are often based on visual inputs. In the world of the blind, however, a beautiful flower would be one that is fragrant…a beautiful fabric, one that feels soft to the touch. It is important that we have a literary bank of stories conceived and authored by the Visually Impaired that they can empathize with and fully enjoy. For the sighted, this would mean an opportunity to enter and understand an entirely new realm. We will share the final details of the competition with you in two weeks. The last date for submission of stories will be early August. We are sure this will give the participants enough time to submit their entries. We will also post the details of the contest on our website www.ekansh.org. You are requested to share this information with as many VI people as possible and help us make this contest a success. We hope to have a wonderful response that will lead to many many stories by and for the VI.

Important information about support for any kind of needs

1. If you see children Begging anywhere in INDIA , please contact: "RED SOCIETY" at 9940217816. They will help the children for their studies. 2. Where you can search for any BLOOD GROUP, you will get thousand's of donor address. www.friendstosupport.org 3. Engineering Students can register in www.campuscouncil.com to attend Off Campus for 40 Companies. 4. Free Education and Free hostel for Handicapped/Physically Challenged children. Contact:- 9842062501 & 9894067506. 5. If anyone met with fire accident or people born with problems in their ear, nose and mouth can get free PLASTIC SURGERY done by Kodaikanal PASAM Hospital . From 23rd March to 4th April by German Doctors. Everything is free. Contact : 045420-240668,245732 "Helping Hands are Better than Praying Lips" 6. If you find any important documents like Driving license, Ration card, Passport, Bank Pass Book, etc., missed by someone, simply put them into any near by Post Boxes. They will automatically reach the owner and Fine will be collected from them. 7. By the next 10 months, our earth will become 4 degrees hotter than what it is now. Our Himalayan glaciers are melting at rapid rate. So let all of us lend our hands to fight GLOBAL WARMING. -Plant more Trees. -Don't waste Water & Electricity. -Don't use or burn Plastics 8. It costs 38 Trillion dollars to create OXYGEN for 6 months for all Human beings on earth. "TREES DO IT FOR FREE" "Respect them and Save them" 9. Special phone number for Eye bank and Eye donation: 04428281919 and 04428271616 (Sankara Nethralaya Eye Bank). For More information about how to donate eyes plz visit these sites. http://ruraleye.org/ 10. Heart Surgery free of cost for children (0-10 yr) Sri Valli Baba Institute Banglore. 10. Contact : 9916737471 11. Medicine for Blood Cancer!!!! 'Imitinef Mercilet' is a medicine which cures blood cancer. Its available free of cost at "Adyar Cancer Institute in Chennai". Create Awareness. It might help someone. Cancer Institute in Adyar, Chennai Category: Cancer Address: East Canal Bank Road , Gandhi Nagar Adyar Chennai -600020 Landmark: Near Michael School Phone: 044-24910754 044-24910754 , 044-24911526 044-24911526 , 044-22350241 044-22350241 12. Please CHECK WASTAGE OF FOOD If you have a function/party at your home in India and food gets wasted, don't hesitate to call 1098 (only in India ) - Its not a Joke, This is the number of Child helpline. They will come and collect the food. Please circulate this message which can help feed many children. AND LETS TRY TO HELP INDIA BE A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE IN Please Save Our Mother Nature for "OUR FUTURE GENERATIONS" Please don't delete this without forwarding. Let it reach the 110 Crore Indians and the remaining if any.

Animal Welfare organisations

PAWS A-18, Savitri Sadan, Dr. Mukharji Road, Near Nehru Ground, Dombivli (East) 421201

Nilesh Bhanage Founder - PAWS Helpline +91 9820161114 www.pawsasia.org http://www.youtube.com/user/PAWSTV1 "Hands that help are holier than lips that pray"

MMUMBAI AHIMSA C/o W.R. Stonssel & Co. Maker Bhavan, # 1 2nd floor, I New Marine Lines Mumbai - 400020 Phone: (022) 5773549 Fax: 2624551
Ahimsa Malad Dog Pound, Kanchpada, Malad (W) MUMBAI 400 063, Maharashtra Tel: + 91 (22) 880 2682 Spay/Neuter Program
Ahimsa Foundation for Animal Care and Research 51, Vidhani Apartment, Narayan Dhabolkar Road MUMBAI 400 006, Maharashtra Tel: + 91 (22) 363 1854/832 8458 Fax: + 91 (22) 218 0313
All India Animal Welfare Association E/14, Venus Apartments, R.G. Thandani Marg Worli, Mumbai 400018 Phone: (022) 4930776 / 3094077
All India Animal Welfare Association Dr. E. Moses Road, Mahalaxmi East MUMBAI 400 011, Maharashtra Tel: + 91 (22) 309 4077 Fax: + 91 (22) 204 0424
Animal Lovers Assocation Society - ALAS 55 Jaykar smurti,Aarey Road, Opp rajasthan hall, Goregaon[w] MUMBAI 400 033, Maharashtra Tel: + 91 (22) 28761313/3856/9820 476622 Fax: + 91 (22) 2876 3856
Animal Rescuer - Goodicia Vaidya Empire Mahal, 'C' - 28, Dadar T.T. MUMBAI 400 014, Maharashtra Tel: + 91 (22) 415 6453/412 9098
Animal Welfare Association 601,SAMANYA CHS.,PLOT NO.13,KHARGHAR NAVI MUMBAI 410 210, Maharashtra Tel: + 91 (22) 2756 2275 Fax: + 91 (22) 3109 7720
Animal Welfarer's Association F-405, Dara Enclave, Army Flats, Sector-9 NAVI, MUMBAI 400 706, Maharashtra Tel: + 91 (22) 770 1621 Fax: + 91 (22) 770 6958/770 0124
Bombay Humanitarian League Daya Mandir, 2nd Floor, 123-127 Mumbadevi Road MUMBAI 400 023, Maharashtra Tel: + 91 (22) 3425 5574/344 6024
Bombay SPCA/ Bai Sakarbai Dinshaw Petit Hospital for Animals Dr. S. S. Rau Road Parel Mumbai - 400012 Phone: (022) 413 7518, 413 1007, 413 5285, 413 5434
Beauty Without Cruelty - Mumbai/Bombay Centre Pallonji Mansion, 43 Cuffe Parade MUMBAI 400 005, Maharashtra Tel: + 91 (22) 204 1942/ 215 0558 Fax: + 91 (22) 204 1046
Dharma Donkey Sanctuary - DDS 153/ 6, Jaswanti Nivas, Modi Street, Fort MUMBAI 400 001, Maharashtra Tel: + 91 (22) 2269 6177 / 2266 6158 Fax: + 91 (22) 2234 3855
Hon. Animal Welfare Officer, Mr. Nilesh Bhanage A-14 Savitri Sadan DOMBIVLI (East) 421 201, Maharashtra Tel: + 91 98 2016 1114 Fax: + 91 (22) 756 2275
Hon. Animal Welfare Officer, Rina Dev 306 b janak deep 7 bungalows MUMBAI 400 061, Maharashtra Tel: + 91 (98) 2046 9050 In Defence of Animals 7, Shanti Kunj, 124 Hindu Colony, Dadar MUMBAI 400 014, Maharashtra Tel: + 91 (22) 414 2195/3412 Fax: + 91 (22) 414 9375
In Defence of Animals Arun 24/280,scheme no 6, Rd no. 31,Sion(e) MUMBAI 400 022, Maharashtra Tel: + 91 (22) 402 0784/(98) 2023 9229 Fax: + 91 (22) 414 9375
IndiaPets.com A / 703, Eden III, Hiranandani Gardens, Powai MUMBAI 400076, Maharashtra Tel: + 91 (22) 570 8657/ 3596
International League of Doctors Against Vivisection 28/552 Samata Nagar, Kandivli East MUMBAI 400 101, Maharashtra Tel: + 91 (22) 2887 2741 Fax: + 91 (22) 2887 2741
Karuna - for animals 3 Mukti Niwas, V.P. Road, Opp. BMC Bank MUMBAI 400 058, Maharashtra Tel: + 91 (22) 2670 1413/(9819) 100 100
Karuna Foundation For Animal Welfare Mukti Nivas V.p. Road Opp Dena Bank ANDHERI WEST, MUMBAI 400 061I, Maharashtra Tel: + 91 (670) 1413
Kids for Tigers Mumbai - Sanctuary Asia 602 Maker Chambers V, Nariman Point MUMBAI 400 021, Maharashtra Tel: + 91 (22) 2283 0061/2283 0081 Fax: + 91 (22) 2287 4380
Mahajanam 812, Prorod Chambers, Opera House MUMBAI 400 004, Maharashtra Tel: + 91 (22) 367 7409/361 9741 Fax: + 91 (22) 367 7409
Nature & Animal Care Foundation Meghji Bldg, 'C' Block, 3 / 35, Shivdas Champsi Marg MUMBAI 400 009, Maharashtra Tel: + 91 (98) 2056 1522
New Bombay Animal Lovers Association NEW BOMBAY, Maharashtra Tel: + 91 (22) 2788 2425 Fax: + 91 (832) 263305
People For Animals - Mumbai C/o P.N. Mehta&co., 3rd Fl, Thomas Cook Bdng,D.N. Rd, Flora MUMBAI 400 001, Maharashtra Tel: + 91 (22) 562 42112/92232/77982
PETA India - People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals P.O. Box 28260 JUHU 400 049, Mumbai, Maharashtra Tel: + 91 (22) 628 1880 Fax: + 91 (22) 628 1883
Plant & Animals Welfare Society 20, Jalaram Kripa Building, Savarkar Road DOMBIVLI 421 201, Maharashtra Tel: + 91 (251) 441 148
Plant & Animals Welfare Society - PAWS Dombivli A-14, Savitri Sadan, Dr. Mukharji Road DOMBIVLI 421 201, Maharashtra Tel: + 91 (251) 2583 0517x4104 Fax: + 91 (22) 2582 0571
Plant & Animals Welfare Society -Mumbai (PAWS Mumbai) Shiv-Shakti, Patkar Compound, Gamdevi Road, Bhandup(West) MUMBAI 400 078, Maharashtra Tel: + 91 (22) 2591 8324
Sanctuary Asia / Sanctuary Magazine 145/146, Pragati Industr. Estate, N.M. Joshi Marg, Lower Parel MUMBAI 400 011, Maharashtra Tel: + 91 (22) 2301 6848/2301 6849 Fax: + 91 (22) 2301 6848
Society for the Protection of Animals & Nature ( SPAN ), Shakuntala Majumdar, 305, Gandgotri, Jangid Complex THANE 401107, Maharashtra Tel: + 91 (22) 811 6271
Stray Dog Lovers Association (Voice of the Animals in Distress) G 20, RH-V, Sector VI, Vashi New Mumbai 400703 Phone: (022) 7662784
Shree Vardhaman Jivadaya C/o Ashok General Stores 200, 3rd Khumbarwada, Somji Building Mumbai 400004 Phone: (022) 3866568 / 3888893 / 38889961
Thane SPCA 305, Gangotri, Jangid Complex, Mira Road East THANE 401107, Maharashtra Tel: + 91 (3107) 1966
The Welfare of Stray Dogs 403, Seacraft, Woodhouse Road Colaba, Mumbai 400026
The Welfare of Stray Dogs, C/o Akanksha, Voltas House C , T B Kadam Marg , Chinchpokli MUMBAI 400 062, Maharashtra Tel: + 91 (22) 2373 3433
The Bombay Humanitarian League Dayamandir 123/127, Mumbadevi Road, 2nd floor Mumbai -400023 Phone: (022) 34255574 / 3446024
Viniyog Parivar Trust B-2/104 Vaibhai, Jambli Gali, Borivli (West) MUMBAI 400 092, Maharashtra Tel: + 91 (22) 899 1781 Fax: + 91 (22) 898 0749
World Wildlife Fund (WWF) National Insurance Building, 2nd Floor Opposite Central Camera 204, Dr DN Road, Fort Mumbai - 400001 Phone: (022) 2071970, 2078105umbai


MAHARASHTRA Ahmednagar Ahmednagar SPCA C/o Nanda Kumar Agencies,4426 Subjail Chowk
Ballarpur Chandrapur SPCA Siddharth Nagar, Colari Road, Chandrapur BALLARPUR 442 701, Maharashtra
Chandrapur Shri Ujjwal Gaurakshan Sanstha Chandrapur – 442402
Deolali Deolali SPCA Cantonment Board office DEOLALI 422 401, Maharashtra
Gondia Dream Group,Vinay Shahoo Sbi Colony Road GONDIA 441601, Maharashtra Fax: + 91 (7182) 24 812
Jalgaon Ratanlal Bafna "nayantara", Subash Chowk JALGAON 425 001, Maharashtra Tel: + 91 (257) 223 903
Jalna Jalna Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Patel Building, Station Road, Mastagad JALNA 431203, Maharashtra Tel: + 91 (2482) 31647/32036
Sprash SPCA C/o Secretary Adv. Shaikh,Akbar Ammr Rly.Colony, Bldg.No.55 JALNA 431 203, Maharashtra
Kolhapur Kolapur SPCA 1769 'E' Archies Gallery, Rajarampuri, III Lane KOLHAPUR 416 008, Maharashtra
World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Shri Sai Kripa, 1653E, Opposite Asha Nursing Home 7th Lane, Rajarampuri Kolhapur 416008 Phone: (0231) 521212
Latur SPCA Yashodeepi, Ashok Nagar UDGIR, DIST.LATUR 413 517, Maharashtra
Malegaon Krishi Goseva Sangh # 99, Tilak Road Malegaon - 423203 Phone: 430633 / 422353
Nagpur Go-Vigyan Anusandhan Kendra, Deolapar, Nagpur Kamdhenu Bhavan, Chitar oli, Mahal Nagpur 440 002, Maharashtra Tel: + 91 (712) 277 2273
Nagpur SPCA F/10, Mandar Flats, North Bazar Road Shivaji Nagar, Nagpur-440010 Phone: (0712) 521035/ 53457
Saoner SPCA PO Khaperkhedi,Ward No.4,Saoner (TK), Dist.Nagpur KHAPERKHEDI 441 102, Maharashtra
Ujjwal Gaurakshan Trust Sudama Bhavan, 1 St floor Gandhi Bagh, Nagpur – 440002
World Wildlife Fund (WWF) 20 Shri Hari Apartments, Ground Floor Central Bazar Road, Ramdaspeth Nagpur - 440010 Phone: (0712) 546679
Nanded Nanded SPCA Dyaneshwar Nagar, Purna Road NANDED 431 605, Maharashtra
Parbhani Pashu Kalyan Mandal (SPCA) Sarfaraz nagar, Jadhav Gas Agency Road, PARBHANI 431 401, Maharashtra
Pune Animal Shelter 4 A, Queens Garden PUNE 411 001, Maharashtra Tel: + 91 (20) 842 857
Blue Cross Society 24/1 Koregaon Park PUNE 411 001, Maharashtra Tel: + 91 (20) 638 781 Fax: + 91 (20) 633 155
Beauty Without Cruelty # 4, Prince of Wales Drive Pune - 411001 Phone: (020) 2664321
Beauty Without Cruelty - India 4, Prince of Wales' Drive PUNE 411 040, Maharashtra Tel: + 91 (20) 840 321 Fax: + 91 (20) 840 312
Pune SPCA Sir M.N.Mehta Vety. Hospital, 2390 Bhawanipeth PUNE 411 042, Maharashtra
Shree Jivdaya Mahamandal H.O.: 364, Raviwas Peth, Bhagwan Adinath Chowk PUNE 411 002, Maharashtra Tel: + 91 (20) 635 2681 Fax: + 91 (20) 447 3396
Sadhu Vaswani Mission 10, Sadhu Vaswani Road PUNE 411 001, Maharashtra Tel: + 91 (212) 623 847 Fax: + 91 (212) 612 2406
Tibetan Volunteers for Animals - Monlam Lobsang Branch Yeshi House, Near J.K. Auto Parts, Luxmi Building, Station Road PIMPRI PUNE 410018
World Foundation on Reverence For All Life 116, Koregaon Park PUNE 411 001, Maharashtra Tel: + 91 (20) 613 5919 Fax: + 91 (20) 613 5919
World Wildlife Fund (WWF) 1028/2B Vijay Mangal Apartments Near Deep Bungalow Chowk, Next to Shreedhar Lodge Shivaji Nagar, Pune 411016 Phone: (020) 5674670, 5674675

for more such organisations go to http://animalwelfareorganisations.blogspot.in/

Master Class on changes in FCRA pertaining to NGOs , New Delhi