Dear Shareholder,
The debate continues all over the world as to what is the social
responsibility of Business. Corporations are redefining themselves
seeking new identities. No one has a clear answer since societies
spread all over the world have different traditions and culture and
their needs vary from region to region. There cannot be one model which
can suit all societies. Business therefore has to be sensitive enough
to perceive the needs of the society in which they operate, and fashion
their strategy and objectives to meet them.
Indian business has always worked in tandem with the nation's needs and
has been a part of the larger social fabric of the nation. During the
freedom struggle, Indian business participated whole-heartedly in the
political revolution. In the last decade it has been in the vanguard of
the economic revolution. In fact, the growth of Indian business has
been a crucial component of the revolution of rising aspirations that
we are witnessing all around us. And philanthropy has always been a
part of the Indian business tradition.
Corporate Social Responsibility has been basic to our philosophy at the
Mahindra Group since our birth in 1945. It has been an intense but
deliberately low profile activity based on the belief that social
responsibility is a privilege and not a portal for publicity. Today,
there is a clarion call for business to lend a hand to tackle the
social challenges that are being thrown into relief because of our
increasing prosperity.
It is our belief and conviction that India's recent spectacular growth
provides us with an opportunity to redress some of the weaknesses that
exist in our social fabric. One cannot have a large section of a
population denied even the basic amenities like water, housing, health
care and education. This is not an acceptable situation. We are
therefore convinced and believe that the weaker sections of our society
need help and support. We feel that the route to addressing their
problems is through education and training. We need to impart skills
which make it possible for them to be employed.
The focus of our CSR therefore is on appropriate education, vocational
education and livelihood training for the economically and socially
disadvantaged, primary education for the girl child and higher
education for those who merit it.
We plan on setting up Mahindra Pride Schools that will provide youth
from socially disadvantaged sections of society with training to enable
them to gain employment based on their skills. Studies are currently on
to decide the locations of these schools. Concurrently, work has begun
on curriculum development for the courses that will be offered. Courses
will be carefully designed based on the requirements of industry, in
terms of manpower and skills. Sunrise and booming sectors with growth
potential and shortage of skilled manpower will be targeted. We hope
this will lead to economic and social empowerment for many young people
who are, today, disadvantaged.
We will also support six government schools in Mumbai. The aim is to
improve the overall quality of education in these schools and to
achieve improved learning outcomes by working with teachers, children
and the community. Again, the main beneficiaries will be the children
attending these schools.
In India only 3 girls out of every 10 who enroll in Std. I go on to
complete Std. X. To make a dent in this problem, the Group supports
the education of 6,000 disadvantaged girl children through the Nanhi
Kali project of the K. C. Mahindra Education Trust. These girls belong
to urban slums, backward and tribal areas in rural India, where
education is not a priority for girls. Through the Nanhi Kali project
they will not only receive education, but also get direct support in
the form of uniforms, clothes, stationery, etc. thus removing some of
the barriers to their completing school.
We are also doubling the number of Mahindra All India Talent
Scholarships from 300 to 600. These scholarships are given to students
who wish to pursue job-oriented diploma courses in recognized
Government Polytechnics, enabling them to qualify for employment.
Scholarships are given to economically disadvantaged and socially
weaker strata in both rural and urban India.
Deafness is another kind of disadvantage that is rarely acknowledged in
our society. As a special gift to the hearing impaired, the Group will
donate 60 Cochlear Implants over a 3-year period to beneficiaries below
the age of 5 years. With training, this will enable 60 profoundly deaf
children to lead a normal life and realise their full potential. Each
Cochlear Implant costs approximately Rs. 5 lacs. So far 7 children, all
from the lower socio-economic strata, have received the implant.
Our employees believe that social responsibility does not end with the
giving of money. It is equally important to give of our time, and of
ourselves. The Group has launched a unique ESOPs (Employee Social
Options) Plan, through which its 24,000 strong workforce can choose
from a menu of social options, and participate in CSR activities by
volunteering their time. Through this plan, on any given day, Mahindra
employees somewhere in the country will be contributing directly to
society.
In order to ensure that sufficient funds are available for us to
undertake this task in a modest manner, we as a Group have committed
that one percent of our Profits after Tax will be available on a
continuing basis to support this CSR initiative largely to benefit the
socially and economically disadvantaged.
I shall be reporting to you on behalf of the Group from time to time.
Regards,
Yours sincerely,
Keshub Mahindra.
Chairman
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