Bharat Forge Limited’s journey in corporate social responsibility (CSR) traces back to the 1970s when we initiated community centers, primarily focusing on income-generating activities like stitching.
PUNE (India CSR): In this insightful interview with Rusen Kumar of India CSR, Dr. Leena Deshpande, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Bharat Forge Limited, discusses the company’s comprehensive CSR initiatives. Covering various aspects such as village development, education, health, women empowerment, and environmental conservation, Dr. Deshpande highlights Bharat Forge’s commitment to sustainable development. The conversation delves into how the company aligns its CSR strategies with broader sustainability goals and the impact of these initiatives on communities, especially in rural areas. Her responses provide a deep understanding of Bharat Forge’s CSR journey and its significant contributions to social welfare and environmental stewardship.
India CSR: Dr. Deshpande, could you share Bharat Forge’s vision regarding CSR?
Dr. Leena Deshpande: At Bharat Forge, we’re deeply committed to social development and environmental conservation particularly in villages. Our CSR initiatives align with the government’s vision for social development.
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Approach and Objectives
India CSR: How did you approach the goals and objectives in your rural development projects?
Dr. Leena Deshpande: In our rural development projects, we adopted a structured approach by defining clear goals and objectives. Without such clarity, translating CSR initiatives into tangible outcomes becomes challenging. Therefore, we established five key parameters to guide our efforts: access to water for agriculture and clean drinking water, improvement of internal roads, livelihood enhancement, education, and healthcare. By setting these parameters, we ensured a focused approach aimed at achieving meaningful impact in the communities we serve.
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Impact
India CSR: Could you share some of the results and impacts of your projects in these villages?
Dr. Leena Deshpande: Over the past nine years, our endeavours have been concentrated in more than 100 villages, targeting diverse development parameters. The outcomes of our efforts have been notably positive and transformative. Specifically, we’ve achieved significant success in water management, having stored or harvested over 2625 TCM of water. In villages facing drought and limited rainfall, we’ve implemented tailored water solutions, such as installing water pipelines through lift irrigation schemes, ensuring a sustainable water supply.
Moreover, our attention to improving internal roads has been instrumental. Recognizing the vital role of roads in facilitating farmers’ access to markets, we’ve undertaken road improvement initiatives. The enhanced road infrastructure has notably boosted farmer’s income levels by facilitating easier transportation of produce to markets.
Through our projects, we’ve strived to address the unique needs of each village, employing diverse approaches to ensure meaningful impact and sustainable development.
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CSR Journey
India CSR: Could you walk us through the CSR journey of Bharat Forge Limited since its beginnings?
Dr. Leena Deshpande: Absolutely. Bharat Forge Limited’s journey in corporate social responsibility traces back to the 1970s when we initiated community centers, primarily focusing on income-generating activities like stitching. However, our CSR efforts gained significant momentum under the visionary leadership of Chairman Shri Babasaheb Kalyani in 2003 with the inception of Pratham project. This initiative aims to support children from underprivileged and slum backgrounds, providing them with essential educational opportunities.
Anticipating the need for skill development long before it became a national priority, we established an Industrial Training Institute (ITI) in Khed (Rajgurunagar) in 2007. Following the enactment of the CSR Act in 2014, our focus expanded to village development. Initially targeting three villages, our efforts have since extended to over 100 Villages. A key emphasis has been on water conservation for both agricultural and drinking purposes. We initiated a large-scale tree plantation drive, resulting in the planting of over 2 lakh trees.
In collaboration with various partners, such as ADT, we’ve facilitated farmer training programs, empowering them with entrepreneurial skills. Furthermore, our collaboration with four ITIs has benefited over 3000 trainees, and we’ve established a Centre of Excellence and Incubation Centre in Baramati to equip rural youth with cutting-edge technology skills.
Additionally, we’ve launched health camps, conducted cancer screenings for women, and established eight telemedicine centers in remote villages. During the unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, our focus shifted towards providing support to health sector.
Through our Education Programme, conducted in partnership with Prathan Pune and Jnana Prabodhini, we aim to provide quality education to underprivileged children. To promote sustainability in urban areas, we’ve installed over 1000 composter planters, converting approximately 800 kgs of kitchen waste into manure daily.
Moving forward, we are committed to creating Green Villages and collaborating with Aspirational Districts, marking significant strides towards sustainable development and community upliftment.
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Insuring Effectiveness
India CSR: How does Bharat Forge ensure sustainable and effective CSR initiatives in village development?
Dr. Leena Deshpande: At Bharat Forge, we prioritize the sustainability and effectiveness of our CSR initiatives through inclusive engagement of all stakeholders. This involves fostering collaboration with local governance bodies, villagers, and community committees. Our approach places a strong emphasis on fostering ownership and active participation among the community members. For instance, in our water, road, and pipeline projects, villagers play a crucial role in monitoring and ensuring project success.
Moreover, we integrate key community stakeholders such as ASHA health workers, primary healthcare centers, and local leaders in organizing health camps and other healthcare initiatives. By leveraging local resources and expertise, we aim to ensure that our interventions are tailored to the specific needs of each village.
Our overarching goal is to create sustainable impact and foster self-reliance through collaborative efforts. This is evident in initiatives like our tree plantation drive, where over 200,000 trees have been planted, contributing to the creation of ‘Green Villages’ and promoting environmental sustainability.
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CSR and Sustainability Goals
India CSR: How does Bharat Forge align its CSR strategy with broader sustainability goals?
Dr. Leena Deshpande: At Bharat Forge, we ensure that our CSR strategy is closely aligned with broader sustainability goals, particularly in the realms of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors. Central to our approach is the empowerment of stakeholders, including farmers and women’s self-help groups, through capacity-building initiatives, skill development programs, and educational opportunities. To date, these efforts have positively impacted over 2, 13,000 lives, underscoring our commitment to sustainable community development.
Our initiatives are designed to foster long-term sustainability by promoting community independence and self-reliance. We actively engage in environmental conservation efforts, such as renewable energy generation, and initiatives like the ‘Swachha Sundar Gaon Competition,’ which promote cleanliness and aesthetic enhancement in villages.
Through these endeavours, we demonstrate that CSR transcends mere compliance; it serves as a powerful mechanism for driving meaningful and lasting change, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable future for all.
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Addressing Challenges
India CSR: Can you describe the challenges you face while working in different villages?
Dr. Leena Deshpande: Working in diverse villages presents a range of challenges that we have encountered and addressed. Each village is unique, with its own distinct culture, political dynamics, and historical context. Therefore, it’s essential to recognize that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Tailoring our initiatives to suit the specific needs and characteristics of each village has been a significant challenge.
Moreover, navigating through varying levels of community engagement and acceptance can be complex. Building trust and rapport within communities, understanding their priorities, and ensuring their active participation in project implementation require careful navigation.
Additionally, logistical challenges such as limited infrastructure, transportation constraints, and communication barriers can also impede our efforts. Overcoming these obstacles requires innovative approaches, adaptability, and strong collaboration with local stakeholders. Despite these challenges, we remain committed to our mission of fostering sustainable development and improving the lives of individuals in every village we serve.
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Identifying Need
India CSR: How do you ensure your approach is effective in meeting the needs of the villages?
Dr. Leena Deshpande: We ensure our approach’s effectiveness by thoroughly understanding each village’s core needs through comprehensive assessments and direct engagement with the community. This goes beyond surveys, involving active dialogue and collaboration. Continuous monitoring and evaluation allow us to adapt our interventions to evolving needs, ensuring meaningful outcomes.
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Strategy
India CSR: What strategies do you employ in the villages to foster development?
Dr. Leena Deshpande: Our primary strategy for fostering development in villages involves conveying our genuine interest in their progress and inviting them to join us in the journey of development. We emphasize the importance of unity under the common goal of development, ensuring that our efforts remain apolitical and free from groupism. However, if we encounter situations where working conditions are not conducive or where politics interfere, we prioritize the well-being of the community and may reconsider our involvement in that village.
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Project Challenges
India CSR: Can you elaborate on the role of NGOs in your village projects and the challenges involved?
Dr. Leena Deshpande: In certain tribal villages, we have partnered with NGOs to facilitate our projects. This collaboration is often necessary due to language barriers and the need for basic groundwork. When selecting an NGO partner, it’s crucial to vet their registration, experience, and competencies thoroughly.
While NGOs typically exhibit great passion, we have encountered challenges related to management, communication, reporting, and financial management. Hence, capacity building initiatives for NGOs are essential. It’s vital to ensure they understand that we are not merely donors but active partners in the development process.
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Handling the expectations
India CSR: How do you handle the expectations and trust of the village people in your projects?
Dr. Leena Deshpande: Managing the expectations and building trust among the village people can be challenging. Initially, there may be scepticism due to past experiences where promises were not fulfilled. However, by consistently delivering on our commitments and demonstrating tangible results, we gradually earn their trust.
Over time, as we prove our dedication and commitment to their welfare, word spreads within the community, and people recognize our sincerity. Establishing clear indicators of progress and actively engaging with the community fosters cooperation and strengthens their belief in our projects.
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Address the Complexity
India CSR: Working in villages presents unique challenges due to diverse cultures, politics, and beliefs. How does Bharat Forge approach these complexities in its CSR activities?
Dr. Leena Deshpande: Village development is indeed complex, given the diversity of cultures, politics, and beliefs. At Bharat Forge, we recognize the importance of tailoring our CSR activities to meet the specific needs of each village. This begins with thorough baseline surveys to understand their unique challenges and priorities. We prioritize direct engagement with villagers to build trust and address their concerns effectively.
Our approach is non-political and inclusive, aimed at fostering strong, collaborative relationships within the communities we serve. Rather than imposing external solutions, we strive to be active participants in the village’s development process, working alongside community members to create sustainable change.
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CSR Impact
India CSR: Could you elaborate on the extensive impact of Bharat Forge’s CSR activities.
Dr. Leena Deshpande: Bharat Forge’s CSR initiatives have made a significant impact, reaching a total of 231,544 individuals across various sectors. In rural communities, where our focus on development is paramount, we positively influenced the lives of 190,000 individuals. Our efforts led to the creation of over 340 KW of renewable energy infrastructure and the conservation of more than 2625 TCM of water, addressing critical environmental challenges.
Moreover, our tree plantation drive resulted in the planting of over 200,000 trees, contributing to environmental sustainability. In the realm of education, we reached 34,589 students through our projects, emphasizing the importance of youth empowerment and learning. Additionally, our skill development initiatives successfully trained 3,000 young individuals, preparing them for future opportunities.
Our volunteer program, engaging 3,000 volunteers annually, fosters a culture of community service and participation. Furthermore, our focus on gender equality and women’s empowerment empowered over 950 women through various programs.
Lastly, our support for over 5 sportsmen underscores our commitment to nurturing talent in sports. This comprehensive approach reflects our dedication to sustainable development and social responsibility, making a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and communities.
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Environmental Responsibility
Lastly, how does Bharat Forge approach environmental conservation?
Dr. Leena Deshpande: At Bharat Forge, our approach to environmental conservation is multi-faceted and proactive. We’ve prioritized initiatives such as water conservation and tree planting, with over 200,000 trees planted and the implementation of water harvesting structures. These efforts have resulted in the conservation of over 2625 TCM of water, contributing significantly to environmental sustainability.
Furthermore, we’ve invested in solar infrastructure, with a capacity of 340 KW, to promote renewable energy generation. In urban areas, we’ve installed composter planters in over 1000 households, effectively converting around 800 kgs of daily kitchen waste into valuable manure. These initiatives underscore our commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable practices.
About the Author: Rusen Kumar, the managing editor at India CSR)
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Also Read:
CSR: Bharat Forge Spearheads Sustainable Transformation of 100 Villages in Maharashtra
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