In an insightful conversation with India CSR, Mahika Shishodia, Head of Social Impact at Lodha Group, shares the vision and transformative approach behind Lodha’s core philosophy, “Do Good, Do Well.” This philosophy emphasizes the importance of corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives in empowering communities, uplifting women, and nurturing exceptional young minds. Through programs like Lodha Unnati and Lodha Genius, the company is building pathways for sustainable development, social mobility, and inclusive growth, actively contributing to India’s progress. This interview delves into Lodha’s commitment to making a meaningful impact, aligning business success with social empowerment, and cultivating leadership among India’s future generation.
Excerpts:
How does Lodha’s philosophy of ‘Do Good, Do Well’ demonstrate its dedication to social impact?
At Lodha, we truly believe that doing good for society and doing well as a business are not mutually exclusive. Our philosophy of “Do Good, Do Well” guides everything we do. It’s more than just a tagline—it’s a deep-seated commitment to creating a lasting positive impact on the environment and the communities we serve. Whether it’s through sustainable urban development, empowering women through programmes like Lodha Unnati, or nurturing future leaders with the Lodha Genius Programme, our goal is to foster growth that benefits everyone.
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What inspired the creation of ‘Lodha Unnati’ and the ‘Lodha Genius Programme,’ and what impact have they had?
We believe that human potential is at the heart of every transformation – be it at the individual, community or national level. For India to become a developed nation and increase its per capita income, we have to tap into the immense human potential that lies in our country. In the work we do through the Lodha Foundation, we believe that women and children are our most powerful resources that will drive this positive transformation for our nation. Therefore, empowering both our women and children is critical for the success of India.
In our country, the female workforce participation rate is very low and this places a huge setback in our country’s economic growth and the empowerment of women. There are several barriers women face in trying to enter formal employment, which includes skill gaps, family support, child care support, safety, or lack of mobility. The Lodha Unnati program envisions filling this gap through several interventions. Be it support in skill development, job readiness training, or placement services to women – the program provides a wide range of support services with an aim to link more women to formal jobs. Since its inception in 2023, Lodha Unnati has already enrolled over 700 women, with
400 completing their training. So far, 40 women have been successfully placed in various organisations. By addressing both the professional and personal needs of these women, Unnati ensures that women have the tools and resources necessary to succeed professionally.
The Lodha Genius Programme nurtures India’s brightest young minds to reach their full potential and contribute meaningfully to society. Developed in collaboration with Ashoka University, this fully-funded, multi-year educational initiative will support academically bright students in science and mathematics from Grade 9 until their early careers. We believe that there are very few education programs in India that support the top-quality talent among our students. Science and Mathematics is laying the foundation for the development of our futures, and it is important to nurture talent in these fields. This talent requires a higher level of academic rigor, an equally intellectual peer group and differentiated socio-emotional development. These children have the highest potential to create a positive impact on India – and we must ensure that no child is left behind.
In 2023, the program attracted 800 applicants, and by 2024, this number nearly tripled to around 3,000. Lodha Genius has expanded its offerings from 6 to 12 courses and now boasts nearly 30 faculty and corporate partnerships, collaborating with organizations like Apple, HP, and the Chennai Mathematical Institute. The selection process has become increasingly competitive, with the acceptance rate dropping from 10% in 2023 to 6% in 2024. Committed to inclusivity, the program maintains a near-equal gender balance, with 51% boys and 49% girls, while also representing diverse socio-economic backgrounds. In 2024, the intake rose to 232 participants, including 180 students and 52 Teaching Assistants, showcasing its growing reach and impact.
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What are the objectives for ‘Lodha Unnati’ and the ‘Lodha Genius Programme’ over the next five years?
The objective of our programs is to deepen and scale our initiatives significantly. Over the next five years, Lodha Unnati will expand across India, aiming to ensure that women involved can earn at least Rs 20,000 per month from formal jobs close to home. We will focus on key strategic sectors such as BPOs, BFSI, Technology, and Textiles. As we build partnerships with employers, our program will not only aim to bring more women into the workforce but also enhance their retention and productivity. Ultimately, we want to demonstrate the business case for a diverse workforce and highlight the positive societal impacts that working women can create.
For the Lodha Genius Programme, the next 5 years will focus on deepening our search for geniuses across our country. This program is fully funded and only merit based. As we expand, we will keep sharpening and widening our search – understanding talent from multiple dimensions. Further we will continue to improve our nurturing program such that once a genius is identified they succeed despite all odds. Whether it is academic support, mentorship or financial support – we will support the student in every way possible to thrive.
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What role do women play in driving sustainable economic growth and societal transformation?
Women are not just participants in economic growth—they are critical drivers of sustainable development and societal transformation. Studies show that empowering women economically leads to higher household incomes, improved education for children, and healthier communities overall. For instance, it’s estimated that closing the gender gap in employment could add up to $6 trillion to the GDP of OECD countries, and tackling gender disparities in the Asia-Pacific region could add $4.5 trillion to the regional economy. Globally, women also play a pivotal role in sectors like healthcare, education, and agriculture, which are essential for a sustainable society. The private sector too, can harness women’s untapped potential, leading to more diverse and innovative economies.
Through Lodha Unnati, we are trying to actively contribute to this movement. Our initiative is not just about employment; but about fostering long-term societal transformation, where empowered women lead the way to a more equitable and sustainable future.
How can the private sector contribute to creating a safe, inclusive, and supportive work environment for women?
The private sector plays a crucial role in empowering women. Two of the most effective strategies a company can adopt to create a supportive environment for women are establishing concrete, measurable targets for increasing gender equality and implementing gender-sensitive policies that promote employee advancement. While these serve as the foundation of the efforts, unique strategies can also make a significant impact. At Lodha, we are committed to fostering an environment where women feel safe, valued, and supported. For example, we offer flexible working hours and remote work options, actively promote gender equality in hiring and promotions, and ensure that women have equal access to growth and leadership opportunities.
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How does Lodha’s commitment extend beyond infrastructure to shaping India’s future?
While Lodha is known for creating iconic infrastructure, our commitment goes far beyond that. We’re deeply invested in shaping India’s future through our social impact initiatives, particularly in education, and women’s empowerment. We believe that true progress will mean greater social mobility, driven by economic growth in our country. Our initiatives focus on increasing the per- capita/income generating capacity of people. By empowering women through Lodha Unnati and nurturing young leaders through Lodha Genius, we aim to actively contributing to India’s growth and development.
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What are the needs and why is it crucial to create a Programme aimed at nurturing exceptional minds?
In our country, most efforts in the education sector are focused on either providing access (due to the Right to Education Act) or helping students who “get left behind”. Most schools focus on improving the learning outcomes of the average student. Often what happens due to this is that students at the top of the class get inadequate or no attention. It is assumed that because their test scores are good, they need no help. However, in reality, the full potential of these students is not being harnessed. They face a lack of support in mentoring, information, developing higher-level skills, opportunities and exposure. Due to this, a substantial number of bright children do not achieve the success they otherwise could have. Mensa India estimates that our country has more than 6 million academically exceptional children.
Many studies show that high performers in classrooms, often contribute the most in society as well. They typically end up taking leadership positions and creating major impact through their work. Hence it is important to provide the brightest students with the support that they would need in reaching their full potential.
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8. How do the ‘Lodha Unnati’ and ‘Lodha Genius Programme’ stand out from similar programs offered by the government or other corporates?
What sets Lodha Unnati and Lodha Genius apart is our complete commitment to the causes we champion. For instance, as part of Unnati, we address the demand and supply side issues in female labor force participation. On the demand side, we work with other private sector companies and provide them with incentives to hire more women. On the supply side, we help women upskill, become job ready and place them in the jobs appropriate to their profiles/aspirations.
In the Lodha Genius Programme, we offer comprehensive support to the students we work with, including academic assistance, mentorship, and access to opportunities that help them realize their full potential.
What differentiates us is our commitment to long-term growth and development.
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How does Lodha focus on identifying and nurturing exceptional young talents to prepare them for leadership roles?
Through the Lodha Genius Programme, we provide a full spectrum of support to nurture young talent. To be considered for the programme, applicants must complete and submit an application form. The selection process then begins with an online aptitude test, and shortlisted candidates proceed to an online interview. This comprehensive evaluation is designed to identify individuals who show not only academic promise but also commitment and the potential to grow as future leaders.
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How does encouraging philanthropy early in life help young individuals develop empathy a sense of responsibility toward society?
Encouraging philanthropy from an early age is essential for cultivating empathy and a sense of responsibility in young individuals. Philanthropy encourages people to think about others, and for young children that helps in inculcating the value of giving back. A key ingredient in building this value is empathy. At Lodha, we emphasize that true success goes beyond personal achievement, it includes making a positive impact on society and the nation. Through the Lodha Genius programme, students not only learn how to succeed in their careers but also understand the importance of using their success to contribute positively to the world around them. As they progress, they come to embody our “Do Good, Do Well’ philosophy. This approach not only shapes them into compassionate leaders but also ensures that their success is aligned with a commitment to making a difference in the world.
An alumna of the London School of Economics and Political Science, Mahika Shishodia brings over a decade of international experience in social impact, policy, and research.
(Copyright@IndiaCSR)
