KUMARHATTI: In a significant development the ‘’Bhaagidari Project” the first concrete step towards corporate social responsibility (CSR) activity has been launched by CII Himachal Pradesh State Council at Jharmajri, near Baddi today. Speaking during occasion, Dr Amandeep Garg, Deputy Commissioner, Solan, said that Bhagidari was a partnership model that would involve as Industry, government and community as its stake holders. It would demonstrate an “Educational Models” in people- public- private mode for others to emulate, he maintained.
Detailing about the project, Dr Garg said that corporates such as Colgate & Palmolive India Ltd, Procter & Gamble Home Products Ltd, Shivalik Solid Waste Management, Grauer & Weil (I) Ltd and Ind Sphinx Precision Limited would develop the Govt Primary and Middle Schools at Jharmajri, Govt Primary School, Majra (Nalagarh), Govt Primary School, Taksal (Parwanoo), Govt Primary School, Kalujhinda (Barotiwala) and Govt Primary School, Lodimazra.
Dr Garg further said that in its first phase , the project would enhance the infrastructure of schools by the corporate interventions to develop boundary walls, toilets and to provide innovative teaching kits, play ground facilities, drinking water facilities and by fulfilling all the deficiencies important to promote and upgrade the status of primary education. The initiative was in harmony of Government of India and CII’s agenda on demonstrating Public Private Partnerships for social development, he pointed out .Based on a strategic approach derived out of thoroughly conducted survey the project would ensure that the schools targeted develop as a model institution, he remarked.
Mr. Rajendra Guleria, CII Corporate Social Responsibility Panel Convener stated that ‘Bhaagidari’ a multifaceted approach for the development has been derived in association with the Solan district administration headed by Dr Garg who in turn have assured to avail accessibility to the rural development schemes envisaging for socio-economic development of these villages while the key focus remains to be Education, Health, Environment and Employment.
Mr. Guleria said that in the initial phase, an enabling environment necessary for primary education in targeted villages would be built and there was a plan to enhance facilities, provide curriculum value add-on and to promote innovative teaching methodologies in five schools of villages adjoining Baddi. In the subsequent phase, the focus would be on health, environment and other related aspects necessary to improve the social indicators of these villagers. Once successful the Bhaagidari model would be replicated to develop rural infrastructure and impact socio-economic indicators of villages around other Industrial Hubs of state, he asserted.
“The corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities were gradually catching up in Baddi belt in the quite past time. Though not at very good pace but the units particularly the big ones have now started showing interest in CSR initiatives.†Justifying the poor response of units towards CSR in past , Mr. Guleria said that since the investment has grown up in the last 3-4 years time and the area did not have infrastructure to cater to this kind of development but it was now slowly coming up after installation of Baddi-Barotiwala -Nalagarh Development Authority.
Mr. Guleria said the new industries that have set up after industrial package were in the process of establishing their production lines and also adapting to the poor infrastructure prevalent in this area.
“Thus it was too early to expect miracles in CSR as the first priority of any commercial establishment was to streamline their revenue generation. The existing industrial units which have established before the industrial package were in fact involved in few social projects in the area like up-gradation of infrastructure of schools, provision of water for general public and many other social activities like organizing sports, melas and other entertaining/ religious events in this area.â€
We were hopeful that industry would be willing to participate in CSR, keeping in view their profile as well as corporate philosophies of working with local population and government, opined Mr. Guleria.
This is indeed a very noble cause and we appreciate the involvement of industry to improve life of young children of the area.The number of schools adopted however are not adequate.In fact there is a need to adopt each and every primary & middle school in entire belt starting from Kalujhida and going well beyond Nalagarh .There is also a need to open an ITI which should cater to specific requirements of local industries