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Plan India Issues Clarification on Gender Vulnerability Index

November 8, 2017, 3:50 am
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Business Wire India
Justice Madan B. Lokur releasing the Gender Vulnerability Index
Justice Madan B. Lokur releasing the Gender Vulnerability Index

Plan India, a nationally registered independent child rights organization, would like to clarify that the Gender Vulnerability Index (GVI), released recently at the Plan India National Conference in New Delhi on November 1, 2017, by Justice Madan B. Lokur of the Supreme Court of India, is the sole property of Plan India, and has been exclusively developed by Plan India.
 
We would like to state clearly that the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD), Government of India, as reported by some media agencies, was nowhere involved in either the development of the report or its release. This has also been clarified in a statement issued by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
 
The MWCD only collaborated with Plan to extend support for our National Conference on ‘Plan for Every Child - Leave No Girl Behind’, to bring to the forefront issues faced by marginalised girls and deliberate on solutions for their inclusion, access and opportunity.
 
We developed the Gender Vulnerability Index as part of our national campaign, ‘Plan for Every Child – Leave No Girl Behind’, in an attempt to develop a collective perspective and generate a normative consensus on the status of girls and women in India.
 
The GVI was developed based purely on secondary data available on public domain such as census 2011 and National Family Health Survey IV. The GVI is a multidimensional composite index comprised of over 170 indicators, and ranks all the states in India across four dimensions of gender vulnerability – Protection, Poverty, Education and Health. The Index has been developed with the aim of being used, first and foremost by Plan India, and by development practitioners, academicians and non-governmental organisations, among others, in addressing issues of gender equality.About Plan India National Campaign: Plan for Every Child – Leave No Girl Behind
 
Plan for Every Child – Leave No Girl Behind campaign is a movement to support the 2030 SDGs through children’s rights with special emphasis on equality for girls. Under the campaign, efforts are made to ensure that government and civil society come together to provide opportunities to scale best practices, design specialised schemes and advocate towards gender transformative changes at all levels, to address all needs for a more equitable world for girls in general and for girls in difficult circumstances, in particular.
 
About Plan India
 
Plan India is a nationally registered independent child development organisation committed to creating a lasting impact in the lives of vulnerable and excluded children, their families and communities. For over 35 years, Plan India with support from the government and its partners have improved the lives of millions of children by providing them access to protection, basic education, proper healthcare, a healthy environment, livelihood opportunities and participation in decisions which affect their lives. We deeply appreciate the support that we have received from the Ministry of Women and Child Welfare and look forward to the continued support towards advancing children’s rights and improving their quality of life. For more information, please visit: www.planindia.org.
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Alexion Employees Volunteer Together to Enhance Their Local Communities during Second Annual Global Day of Service

November 9, 2017, 6:20 am
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Business Wire India

Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ALXN) announced that more than1,300 employees are rallying together in support of community service initiatives focused on health, wellness, and education as part of the Company’s second annual Global Day of Service. Alexion has partnered with non-profit organizations in nearly 30 of the Company’s local communities across North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia, and Australia to coordinate service projects that will have a positive impact on neighborhoods and people in need. Volunteers will beautify facilities, hold educational and training workshops, prepare meals and care packages, and much more.

 

“At Alexion, we are committed to enriching the communities where we live and work as we pursue our mission of developing and delivering life-changing therapies for patients with rare diseases,” said Ludwig Hantson, Chief Executive Officer of Alexion. “We are excited to build on the success and momentum of last year’s inaugural Global Day of Service with our second annual event that supports our company values and tackles some of the most pressing needs in our local neighborhoods.”

 

In 2016, Alexion employees provided more than 7,500 service hours to communities around the world during its first Global Day of Service. Activities included beautifying local schools, parks, and homeless shelters; preparing meals for families and individuals facing an illness; and leading activities for adults and children with special needs.

 

Alexion’s second annual Global Day of Service activities include:

 

North America

 
  • New Haven, CT: Transforming the Celentano Biotech, Health, and Medical Magnet School and Wallingford Emergency Shelter, a program of Columbus House, by building new furniture, painting murals, landscaping, and more. Volunteers will also pack meals for Rise Against Hunger and assemble kits for people spending their first night at a homeless shelter.
  • Boston, MA: Volunteering at the Community Academy of Science and Health, where employees will coach students on career development, paint murals, and assemble furniture.
  • Holden, MA: Working with the Be Like Brit Foundation, an organization dedicated to serving the children of Haiti, to organize and package items to be sent to an orphanage in Haiti.
  • Smithfield, RI: Returning to Mary E. Fogarty Elementary School to beautify the interior and exterior of the school as well as coordinate a science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fair.
  • Bogart, GA: Partneringwith Extra Special People to work at a camp for children with developmental disabilities.
  • Washington, DC: Partnering with Martha’s Table at the Joyful Food Market, a monthly community event designed to reduce hunger and increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables.
  • Mexico City, Mexico: Waterproofing the roof of DAYA, a foster home that supports at-risk adolescent girls, and playing volleyball and planting a vegetable garden with the residents.
  • Vaughan, Canada: Volunteering at the Yellow Brick House, a non-profit organization that offers shelter, counseling, and other services to women and children who are impacted by domestic violence.

Europe

 
  • Zurich, Switzerland: Participating in a variety of activities includingvisiting the Zurich Zoo with children suffering from rare diseases in partnership with the Foundation for People with Rare Diseases (KMSK); playing bingo with the inhabitants of two retirement centers in Zurich (Alterszentrum Herzogenmühle and Sydefädeli); and partnering with Foundation St. Jakob to work with people with impairments in a local bakery and packaging facility.
  • London, UK: Participating in a beautification project at Sweet Tree Farming for All, a facility for children and young adults with a variety of care and support needs.
  • Birmingham, UK: Participating in arts and crafts and Christmas present wrapping at Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
  • Dublin, Ireland: Painting at Coolmine Therapeutic Centre, a rehabilitation center.
  • Athlone, Ireland: Helping to transformthe Midlands Simon Community homeless emergency accommodation.
  • Madrid, Spain: Partnering with Grupo AMAS, an organization that supports and promotes the rights of people with intellectual disabilities, to participate in an improvisation workshop called Theater for Inclusion.
  • Barcelona, Spain: Teaming up withFundacio Finestrelles, an organization that supports individuals with intellectual disabilities, to improve the grounds and hold educational workshops.
  • Belgium and The Netherlands: Maintaining indoor and outdoor facilities at Kampenhoeve de STER, an animal therapy center that serves children and adults with physical and developmental disabilities.
  • Milan, Italy: Planting ginkgo biloba trees at a local park.
  • Rome, Italy: Cleaning up a local park, maintaining benches, and planting.
  • Munich, Germany: Participating in a variety of local volunteer projects, including furnishing and decorating schools, preparing and distributing meals, providing science and health education workshops, and assisting in a repair shop run by disabled individuals.
  • Prague, Czech Republic: Partnering withthe Hospital of the Sisters of Mercy of St. Charles Borromeo to prepare Christmas cakes that will be sold during fundraising events for the hospital.

Asia

 
  • Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Partnering with Dar al Ber Society, a humanitarian network, to collect food and other items for people in need.
  • Shanghai, China: Participating in a charity run to raise funds to provide meals for students in rural and impoverished areas.
  • Tokyo, Japan: Teaming up with Arakawa Clean Fund to take part in a river clean-up project; gardening and arranging a petting zoo for children at Keifuku Ikujikai Azabus Infants' Home; and hosting an after-school cooking class for local children with disabilities at the School Center Himawari Batake.
  • Mumbai, India: Hosting a fun and educational event for children from underserved communities.

Turkey

 
  • Istanbul, Turkey: Hosting cooking and art workshops for Dusler Akademisi, an organization that provides cultural and artistic training free of charge for disabled and socially disadvantaged youth.

Latin America

 
  • Sao Paulo, Brazil: Painting and repairing a health center.
  • Bogota, Colombia: Participating in beautification projects that include painting and cleaning at Pasquilla School, an under-served local school.
  • Buenos Aires, Argentina: Providing support to Hogar Cura Brochero, an organization that offers services and asylum for the homeless.

Australia

 
  • Frenchs Forest, Australia: Joining OzHarvest’s “Cooking for a Cause” cooking class to transform rescued food into restaurant-quality meals that are then delivered to local communities in need.

About Alexion

 

Alexion is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and delivering life-transforming therapies for patients with devastating and rare disorders. Alexion is the global leader in complement inhibition and has developed and commercializes the first and only approved complement inhibitor to treat patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), and anti-acetylcholine receptor (AchR) antibody-positive generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG). In addition, Alexion has two highly innovative enzyme replacement therapies for patients with life-threatening and ultra-rare metabolic disorders, hypophosphatasia (HPP) and lysosomal acid lipase deficiency (LAL-D). As the leader in complement biology for over 20 years, Alexion focuses its research efforts on novel molecules and targets in the complement cascade, and its development efforts on the core therapeutic areas of hematology, nephrology, neurology, and metabolic disorders. This press release and further information about Alexion can be found at: www.alexion.com.

 

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Why is GST Levied Only on Indian Handloom Weaver and not on Indian Farmers?

November 9, 2017, 11:00 pm
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Business Wire India
Handloom weaver and farmer - are they really different?
Handloom weaver and farmer - are they really different?

In India, both the handloom weaver and the farmer come from the same background, both have many parallels or identical conditions that they face for their livelihood. The farmer gets empathy and benefits; the handloom weaver gets only sympathy with hardly anything to encourage his existence. Unnati Silks, working extensively since 1980 in the field of Handloom & Handcrafted Textiles at the grass root level, is trying to draw attention of this Country towards the fact that when both farmers and weavers are from the same walk of life, then why burden just the weavers with GST.

Agriculture and allied sectors like forestry and fisheries accounted for 13.7% of the GDP (gross domestic product) in 2013, about 50% of the workforce. Very laudable and acknowledged since long as the prime contributor in a nation that traditionally for centuries has had agriculture as its main source of livelihood for the 85% population residing in its villages.

The economic contribution of agriculture to India's GDP is however steadily declining with the country's broad-based economic growth, but still remains significant to India’s socio-economic order.

Textile plays a major role in the Indian economy, as it contributes 14 percent to industrial production and 4 percent to GDP. There are about 45 million people plus engaged in this industry in some activity or the other, making it one of the largest sources of employment generation in the country, second only to the agriculture industry.

Having a tremendous potential for employment, Handloom contributes to one-fourth of the total textile production and quite significantly to the country’s export earnings. But it is this sector of textiles that has always been talked about but nothing much has been done for it that could be considered as substantial or even satisfying.

WHAT IS THE WORTH OF HANDLOOMS?

Handlooms have always been acknowledged in India and universally as having extraordinary potential to fuel a continuous stream of new and interesting fare, year after year. Rich in possibilities from permutations and combinations applied to a whole host of factors like design, color, pattern, manner of incorporating, adornments and so many others, it unfailingly sustains the needed variety and diversity that answer’s the expectant market’s constant need for change and creativity.

Read this note on handlooms. This is the opening paragraph, in the official note on the Handloom sector, where the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handlooms), mentions:

The Handloom Sector is one of the largest unorganized economic activities after agriculture and constitutes an integral part of the rural and semi-rural livelihood. Handloom weaving constitutes one of the richest and most vibrant aspects of the Indian cultural heritage. The sector has an advantage of being less capital intensive, minimal use of power, eco-friendly, flexibility of small production, openness to innovations and adaptability to market requirements. It is a natural productive asset and tradition at cottage level, which has sustained and grown by transfer of skill from one generation to other.

Handloom weaving is largely decentralized and the weavers are mainly from the vulnerable and weaker sections of the society, who weave for their household needs and also contribute to the production in the textile sector. The weavers of this industry are keeping alive the traditional craft of different States. The level of artistry and intricacy achieved in the handloom fabrics is unparalleled and certain weaves/designs are still beyond the scope of modern machines. Handloom sector can meet every need ranging from the exquisite fabrics, which takes months to weave, to popular items of mass production for daily use’.

Both hit the nail on the head. Handloom is indeed a heritage art, a practiced craft that not only provides for the basic need for clothing but in addition makes it durable and interesting, besides making room for a whole lot of other included advantages. It is also one sector that has never received its due.

THE SIMILARITIES BETWEEN THE FARMER AND THE HANDLOOM WEAVER

The farmer and the handloom weaver are majorly from rural backgrounds. One tills the soil, plants his seeds, irrigates when needed, harvests and sells his produce. The latter procures his raw materials, arranges his loom, weaves, adorns the fabric, completes his work and sells his products. Both have to toil, both have vagaries involved that disturb their lives and means of livelihood

Understanding the Eco System of Indian Farmers & Indian Weavers
  1. Raw materials aren’t cheap to the weaver
Anything that has to grow in soil needs water. The farmer gets his water needs fulfilled by the benevolence of the rain gods or irrigation done through artificially created channels built by the government. What he has to plant, additives, etc. that go in as inputs are subsidized or available at reasonable prices to aid him in his task.

The handloom weaver does not have the luxury of such heavy subsidies for his raw materials. He also does not have the kindly eye of the govt. or any agency to make things easy for him.
  1. MSP - Minimum Support Price only for the Farmers
The farmer has a certain minimum price to bank upon which have been set up for him since ages by government depts. or agencies.

The handloom weaver enjoys no such privilege, has to bank upon the goodwill of the trader to whom he sells his product or gives to get it sold and be satisfied with what he gets, which many a time is a pittance for his effort. There are times when the weaver has no customer and he is loaded with dead stock which fetches him next to nothing.
  1. Waiver of loans only for farmers
When things go bad for the farmer, there is always some agitation or govt. intervention to tackle his problem of loan repayment. This could lead to easy or relaxed terms, extension of time, and further waiver or write off as bad debt, if there is political climate and govt. approval.

The poor weaver never comes out of his misery simply because he has no godfather to work out any feasible solution for him nor intervene on his behalf to mitigate the conditions. The worth of his craft is acknowledged by one and all, his problems are his alone.
  1. It is tax-free for the farmer
The greatest advantage to the farmer is the 0% tax levied on anything that is even remotely linked to agriculture. So he is able to command a price if it is good, at a lower price during slack seasons, and even helped out when there are natural calamities or crop damage due to any reason. But he is at least assured of some returns. With no levy of tax on the produce, you have very rich farmers too who have been able to amass wealth on this account.

Not so the handloom weaver who is taxed like any other. Since long the weaver has had to buy everything that goes into the fabric at a price. The input costs being high the finished product commands a selling price that he has to put up that ultimately may not fetch him even the basic price for his fabric.
  1. Electricity rates – nil to negligible for the farmer
The farming sector has for long been enjoying the advantage of free electricity or in some cases very low rates for the electric power supplied. This has led to misuse and theft of various kinds that have ultimately been compensated for by subsidies from the govt. or taxing other consumers of power supply higher, in the state. The electricity for them has never been grudged for irrigation purposes, but the misuse appalls even the most liberal in views.

Compare that to the case of the handloom weaver, who is also mostly rural-based finds his time of work restricted to the daylight hours because of electricity, has no free electricity, subsidy or any other ‘perks’ enjoyed by the farmer.
  1. Policies exist – lack of implementation for the weaver
The agricultural sector enjoys the benefit of all that has been instituted in its favour, by national sentiment, political will or govt. empathy. Policies, schemes, plans, benefits or any other items that favour the farming class get implemented without question.

The handloom sector, has long suffered on account of well-thought-out plans and policies, that could benefit the handloom weaver, that do not get implemented and remain merely as agenda on paper. The apathy of the govt., the lack of political support, the missing public fervour in its cause, all work against the handloom weaver and his like, making them pawns in the hands of destiny.

The biggest blow to the weaver – GST implementation

The farming sector was paying 0% tax and the recently introduced GST does not apply to their produce even today. Naturally, life for them continues as usual.

Mr.Devender Ladha, owner, founder and current CEO of Unnati Silks, says “For a sector that has a major chunk of its workforce as women, who are also not very literate, and till now which was exempted from tax is now subjected to 5% GST on its raw materials. Already in the throes of a vice-like grip of conditions not allowing them to breathe properly, this latest loading of GST on the handloom sector threatens to snuff the life out of the humble weaver."

The GST compliance is an additional burden, to a community that lacks the basic knowledge of procedures, because of the low literacy level and the traditional custom of simple sell and receive, that would now, in addition, involve experts in urban areas to comply at regular intervals at a price, increasing their misery.

The reasons for a depleted workforce in the handloom sector
  • The number of handloom weavers is declining sharply because of the remuneration or returns not being commensurate to the effort but far lower.
  • The power loom and mill sector are more paying in terms of returns currently and therefore given more favours and relaxations compared to the handloom sector by the govt.
  • The younger generation finds it hard to adapt to the traditional skills passed down through generations and prefer shifting to other industries whose skills are easier & more paying.
  • Technical up gradation of handlooms has been slow and hence meeting the market demand through traditional practices seems unrealistic in the current scenario.
  • Increased constraints of credit availability have contributed largely to the dis-illusionment.
The bottom line of today’s situation that shows different lines of treatment to two sons of the soil, the farmer and the handloom weaver, favouring the one and merely applauding the other, shows a pitiful state of affairs that would have shocked Gandhiji, the Father of the Nation, who in 1919 had put the agricultural farmer and the handloom weaver on the same footing.

He saw it as the former taking care of the food requirements, the latter the clothing needs. The handloom industry suffered on account of the ruling British not allowing the industry to come up because their own selfish ends would not have been met.

Weavers are in equally pitiable condition as farmers of this country. And both desperately require support of the government and the entire country now, more so than ever before.

Mr. Ladha, Founder of Unnati Silks states, “If only the handloom weaver got his due with some of the promises in policies met, and market encouragement and govt. empathy re-inforced with their support, Indian handloom - the heritage of a nation, the Pride of India, would see a far different story and redeem the country’s glory in fashion to new heights."About the Author

Priya Maheshwari is coordinator, policy research and media spokesperson, Unnati Silks.

Unnati Silks is a saga of 'HANDLOOMS FOR WOMEN' that began in 1980. And specializes in exquisite handloom sarees, salwar kameez, fabrics and more. It works with weavers and artisans from across the country and regularly writes on problems and issues concerning the weavers.
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ITC Limited - Hotels Division Conferred the 2017 Greenbuild Leadership Award by the U.S. Green Building Council for its Commitment to the Green Building Movement in India

November 10, 2017, 4:50 am
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Business Wire India
Dipak Haksar, Chief Executive - ITC Hotels & WelcomHotels receiving the award from Mili Majumda, Managing Director, Green Building
Dipak Haksar, Chief Executive - ITC Hotels & WelcomHotels receiving the award from Mili Majumda, Managing Director, Green Building

Acknowledging its commitment to ‘Responsible Luxury', ITC Hotels has been presented with the ‘2017 Greenbuild Leadership Award’ in the Occupants category by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), creators of the LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) green building programme. USBGBC announced winners in 8 categories at the inaugural Greenbuild India Conference and Expo in Mumbai, last week.


Reaffirming ITC’s commitment to the green building movement in India, ITC Hotels began its journey in establishing green buildings with the ITC Green Centre in 2004, acknowledged as the Greenest Building in the World. Today, 12 of ITC's hotels are certified LEED Platinum and all upcoming ITC luxury hotels reinforce the organization’s commitment to this cause as a demonstration of its endeavors to deliver a best-in-class experience for guests, employees and the community.


A ‘Responsible Luxury’ ethos ensures that ITC’s hotels continue to deliver indigenous luxury experiences with a planet positive footprint. Commenting on the occasion, Nakul Anand, Executive Director, ITC Ltd., said, “This recognition not only endorses our commitment to green building, but also encourages us to continue to demonstrate environmental stewardship in a segment where luxury and sustainable practices are considered incongruent. It strengthens our belief that adopting ‘Responsible Luxury’ as our guiding premise for ITC Hotels was a step in the right direction.”

“The Greenbuild Leadership Award recipients are raising the bar when it comes to creating healthier, more sustainable buildings,” said Mahesh Ramanujam, president and CEO, USGBC and Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), the organization that certifies all LEED projects globally. “As India continues to drive green growth, these leaders are encouraging the adoption of green practices that improve the health and well-being of our communities and it is an honor to recognize their efforts at Greenbuild India.”

This year’s ‘2017 Greenbuild India Leadership Award’ recipients include ITC Hotels and seven other leading recipients. The Greenbuild Leadership Awards recognize exceptional organizations at the forefront of the green building movement. It acknowledges contributions to India and the green building community that work to enhance environmental performance and improve quality of life.

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Schools should Help Children to Work on their Dream, Anirudh Khaitan

November 13, 2017, 4:18 am
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Business Wire IndiaKhaitan Public School, Sahibabad (Ghaziabad) recently celebrated its grand annual day function on Saturday, amidst great vivacity and ebullience at KPS Sports Complex. Ms. Anita Kundu, an eminent mountaineer presently working as an SI with Haryana police presided over as the Chief Guest. She is also the first Indian woman to scale the Mt. Everest from the Chinese side. The other distinguished guests Mr. Kamesh Khaitan of Khaitan Education Centre, Mr. Anirudh Khaitan, The Vice-Chairman of Khaitan Education Centre, Ms. Karuna Khaitan and Ms. Sapna Khaitan, as well as the Education Director of KPS Ms. Geeta Varshneya, graced the occasion with their benign presence. Guests of Honour included Dr. Ashutosh Khurana and Ms. Shalini Khurana, the Chief Curators of the Thots Lab, Mr. Ashok Batra, The External ISO auditor, and Ms. Shalini Kamboj and Mr. Sameer Kamboj, Executive Directors at SKC Consulting Pvt. Limited.

The function commenced with religious fervour exhibited by the usual ceremonial lamp being lighted and was followed by a sonorous symphony presented by the KPS choir. The sequence of the evening opened with the invocation of Goddess Durga, the epitome of women power, through a dance sequence. The programme sought to salute human tenacity and its spirit to survive through a sequence called “Dare to Dream” directed by Faisal AlKazi. The sequence desired to delineate the human history through all its phases. It concluded with paying homage to Bhagat Singh, the famous martyr.

Vice Chairman, Mr. Anirudh Khaitan in his address shared with the spectators the reason behind the theme of the annual day. India is one of the fastest economies today. Our children have a unique opportunity to partake in this growth and thus "Dare to Dream"; it was the theme that resonated with the current state of Indian economy. The grand event culminated with the vote of thanks proposed by the Head Girl, Shreya Goel, followed by the National Anthem.
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Marking 50 Years of Seva Mandir's Existence and Creating a Vision - Aapno Melo

November 13, 2017, 5:35 am
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Business Wire IndiaSeva Mandir is today one of India's leading non-profit development organizations, working with 360,000 people across 700 villages of southern Rajasthan.

This weekend Seva Mandir celebrated its 50th anniversary year with Aapno Melo (‘Our Fair’ in Mewari dialect). 1,500 villagers, staff from Seva Mandir and other pan-Indian NGOs, plus representatives of government, donors, corporate organizations came together to celebrate 50 years’ collaboration and to discuss how the villagers and Seva Mandir should continue to work towards their goal of more humane, just and sustainable society and together face the challenges of the next half-century.

The fair was an expression of energy, joy and thoughtful collaboration.

Saturday saw games, stalls showcasing the work of Seva Mandir and other NGOs, music and theatre performances. The Melo was officially opened by Mr Arjun Lal Meena, MP. Seva Mandir President Ajay Mehta and CE Priyanka Singh reflected on its founding values and its work today in partnership with the villagers of southern Rajasthan.

Priyanka Singh said: “Seva Mandir has been able to make changes in the communities because the citizens let us in and led things their own way. So far the initiative for development work in the villages has mostly come from Seva Mandir, but there have been several successful people’s initiatives such as Balwadis and pastureland renewal. Now it’s time for the initiative to move to the villagers.”
 
In the afternoon, groups of villagers and NGO staff discussed the aspirations of young people, peri-urban governance, environmental protection, relevance of rural life, importance of collectivism, and self-governance. Speakers highlighted the need for more employment and better schools in rural areas, the importance of collective responsibility for development, and the observation that poverty always affects girls the most, reducing their life opportunities.

The day ended with a traditional cultural programme enjoyed by all.

Sunday began with a Prabhat Pheri. Hundreds of rural villagers marched through the town alongside Seva Mandir staff to raise awareness of the NGO’s work.

In the closing ceremony, people from the rural communities and past and current staff of the NGO reflected on Seva Mandir and its work over the last 50 years.

A recap of the weekend’s activities in photographs preceded a speech by Mr Gulab Chand Kataria, Home Minister of Rajasthan. He said that Seva Mandir had sought out and helped improve the status of the most underprivileged in society. Proof of Seva Mandir’s beliefs and effectiveness is that everyone sits on the same jajam (carpet), irrespective of caste, creed or sex.

CE Priyanka Singh thanked all involved and the Melo came to a formal close.

President Ajay Mehta said: “Seva Mandir was conceived 100 years ago and founded 50 years ago. Now we must look to the future. If Seva Mandir’s 50 years have taught us anything it is that to deepen democracy we must give the villagers the opportunity to participate in the development process.”

For photographs of the Melo, see www.facebook.com/sevamandir. For more on Seva Mandir, visit http://www.sevamandir.org/
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Zero Investment Innovations Reach Thousands of Government Schools

November 13, 2017, 9:49 pm
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Business Wire India
As part of a major drive to identify and scale up zero-investment best practices by teachers in the country, Sri Aurobindo Society recently organised a grand exhibition in Agra GIC grounds. More than 150 teachers exhibited solutions to improve the quality of education in government schools, targeting a range of areas from girl child education, learning environment, enrolment and attendance, to school management. The exhibition saw eminent local leaders, school representatives, education officers from the entire Agra division present at the event and emerged as a platform to recognise teachers in the interiors of state and facilitate exchange of innovative ideas.

Earlier, through its Zero Investment Innovations for Education Initiatives (ZIIEI) program funded by HDFC Bank, Sri Aurobindo Society has oriented 5.5lac teachers to innovation as a concept and ensured implementation of zero-investment ideas in nearly 1lac schools of Uttar Pradesh. In continuation of the effort, such exhibitions are being organised to reach out to thousands of teachers in Uttar Pradesh as well as 10 other states of the country.  

“There are simple yet brilliant solutions devised by teachers that can significantly improve the quality of education in a classroom, at literally no cost to the school. ZIIEI and its exhibitions are to provide these teachers a platform to share their ideas and enable schools even in the remotest of areas or with bare minimum resources to replicate these best practices,” said Sambhrant, Director-Education, Sri Aurobindo Society.

“Zero investment innovation concept has changed the way we think about education issues. We all have solutions and finally they are being heard through this event. Quality and equality in education seem like an achievable goal now with all our efforts combined,” said Meena Kumari, Teacher, Khera Garh, Agra.

About Sri Aurobindo Society

Sri Aurobindo Society, Puducherry (www.aurosociety.org) is a charitable organization, a research institute and an Institution of Importance Throughout India. For 57 years, it is working across the country for social change and transformation in Education, Women and Youth Empowerment, Health, Development of Children with Special Needs, Palliative care, Leadership and Management, Indian Culture, Sustainable Development and Renewable Energy, and Integral Rural Development.
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Gleneagles Global Hospitals Hosts an Art Competition on Children's Day to Increase Lung Cancer Awareness

November 14, 2017, 4:45 am
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Business Wire India
L-R : Mr Thomas Mathew, COO, Gleneagles Global Hospitals, Bengaluru with the winners of the art competition along with Shreya Krishnan, Mrs. India Universe 2017
L-R : Mr Thomas Mathew, COO, Gleneagles Global Hospitals, Bengaluru with the winners of the art competition along with Shreya Krishnan, Mrs. India Universe 2017
L-R : Mr Thomas Mathew, COO, Gleneagles Global Hospitals, Bengaluru with the winners of the art competition along with Shreya Krishnan, Mrs. India Universe 2017L-R : Mr Thomas Mathew, COO, Gleneagles Global Hospitals, Bengaluru with the winners of the art competition along with Shreya Krishnan, Mrs. India Universe 2017School students participating in the art competitionSchool students participating in the art competition
On the occasion of Children’s day, BGS Gleneagles Global Hospitals hosted its annual art competition for children in the city. Keeping the tone of November being lung cancer awareness month, this year’s theme of the competition was - ‘Healthy Lungs for Children’.
 
Shreya Krishnan, Mrs. India Universe 2017 and VP Marketing and Communications at Anviti Insurance Brokers Pvt Ltd, was present as the chief guest of the event. A two and half hour programme was conducted with over 200 participants from 15 schools to demonstrate their drawing skills. The categories were divided based on the age of the participants, with the 4 divisions being ages 5-7, 8-10, 11-13, and 14-16 years old. The sub-topics for each category were ‘Family + Fitness = Fun’, ‘ABCs of Healthy Eating’, ‘Stop Spitting’, and ‘Stop Smoking’ respectively. To conclude the activity, 3 prizes were awarded in each category, making a total of 12 prizes given to the winners. Adhya M, Samyukta B R, Vikas K, and Abu Safdar were the respective first prize winners for each of these categories.
 
Speaking at the event, Shreya Krishnan said, “I commend Gleneagles Global Hospitals on taking this initiative to engage children in such a creative manner in order help them develop a sense of the dangers of lung cancer and its associated areas of concern. It was overwhelming to watch the children participate with such enthusiasm and vigour, and their mood was infectious. Lung cancer is a dangerous condition that plagues the Indian community, and it is very important for us as a community to battle this ailment and eliminate it from our society.”
 
The hospital provided the children with drawing sheets for the competition. Gleneagles Global Hospitals had also made and released videos relating to these topics during Respicon 2017, the annual conference held by the Indian Academy of Paediatrics National Respiratory Chapter.
 
Mr Thomas Mathew, COO, Gleneagles Global Hospitals, Bengaluru said, “Children are the future of the country and the world, and it is important that we raise them with a conscientious notion of the world around them. Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers to affect the Indian population, and we need to raise awareness around it in order to move forward in managing this epidemic. Giving children an outlet to express their creativity while also educating them helps them understand and absorb the gravity of the situation and at the same time allows them to have an enjoyable Children’s Day.”About Gleneagles Global Hospitals, a Parkway Pantai Enterprise
 
Gleneagles Global Hospitals is part of Parkway Pantai, a fully owned subsidiary of IHH Healthcare. In India, Gleneagles Global Hospitals operates a chain of multi-super specialty hospitals offering tertiary and quaternary healthcare services with over 2,000 beds and state-of the-art, world-class hospitals in Hyderabad, Chennai, Bangalore and Mumbai. A pioneer in kidney, liver, heart and lung transplants, Gleneagles Global Hospitals provides comprehensive multi-organ transplant services in the country.
 
Gleneagles Global Hospitals aims to strengthen and expand its leading market position as a destination for multi-organ transplant for patients from India, Middle East, Africa and South East Asia. We are committed to further our aspiration of making quality health care more accessible to all.
 
Website: http://gleneaglesglobalhospitals.com/
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Jagriti Sewa Sansthan and Coca-Cola India Announce the Winners of the Sustainable Enterprise Awards 2017

November 14, 2017, 5:20 am
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The winners of the Sustainable Enterprise Award 2017
The winners of the Sustainable Enterprise Award 2017

Coca-Cola India in partnership with Jagriti Sewa Sansthan, a non-profit organization with the mission of building India through enterprise, today announced the completion of ‘Sustainable Enterprise Award 2017’ at an event held at Sydenham Institute of Management Studies, Research and Entrepreneurship Education. Team Laymen were announced the winners, Team Prerna, the first runners-up and Team Manure It, the second runners-up. The competition, which took place over several months, invited youth to propose entrepreneurial ideas to ensure sustainability of water, agriculture and recycling and recognized the most promising ideas across 25 regions in India.

Balu Nayar, Board Member, Jagriti Sewa Sansthan, said “While there has been a lot of attention to startups in the digital space, it is essential to engage youth to address challenges we face today in water, agriculture and recycling. In a young nation like ours, encouraging entrepreneurship is very important. I appreciate the efforts of Coca-Cola India in partnering with us to institute the Sustainable Enterprise Award 2017 that provides a compelling platform to young entrepreneurs to come forward and contribute to developing sustainable communities through new enterprise models across India.”

The jury comprised eminent experts from across the industry. 6 finalists were shortlisted who then competed for the award during the grand finale by presenting their ideas to a jury of remarkable repute and expertise namely, Mr. Avinash Jogdand, Executive Director, Ramlex Pvt. Ltd. and Ms. Nidhi Saraf, Founder and CEO, Key Ventures, among others.

Ishteyaque Amjad, Vice President, Public Affairs & Communication at Coca-Cola India & South West Asia, said, “The Sustainable Enterprise Awards 2017 is our endeavour to reach out to the youth of middle India and empower them with a spirit of entrepreneurship. The platform seeks to inspire middle India to actively work towards sustainable development and power the country’s development story. It is heartening to see the passion with which these young minds worked towards creating innovative solutions which can work at the grass-roots and make a difference to society. We hope to continue our efforts in this direction and be a catalyst in their success.”

Selvakumar Varadharajan, who was from the winning team, said, “We are very happy to be recognized for our ideas. It is such support which encourages us and keeps the entrepreneurial spirit alive. We are grateful to Coca-Cola India and Jagriti Sewa Sansthan for this opportunity. It has been a great learning experience for all of us. This provides us the support that we needed in order to implement our sustainable aggregator model in the agricultural sector.”

Besides monetary rewards, all members of top three winning teams were awarded a special waiver for the 10th Edition of the World’s largest train journey of entrepreneurs, Jagriti Yatra 2017. The teams will be utilising their prize money to fund the implementation of the projects suggested by them in the final rounds.About Coca-Cola India
 
Coca-Cola India is one of the country’s leading beverage companies offering a range of healthy, safe, high quality, refreshing beverage options to consumers. Since its re-entry in 1993, the company has been refreshing consumers with its products – Aquarius, Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero, Diet Coke, Thums Up, Fanta, Fanta Green, Mango, Limca, Sprite, Sprite Zero, Maaza, VIO flavoured milk ‘Almond Delight’ and ‘Kesar Delight’, Minute Maid range of juices, FUZE Iced tea, Georgia and Georgia gold range of hot and cold tea and coffee options, Schweppes, Kinley and Bonaqua packaged drinking water and Kinley Club Soda. The Company along with its bottling partners and through a strong network of over 2.6 million retail outlets, touches the lives of millions of consumers. Its brands are some of the most preferred and most sold beverages in the country – Sprite and Thums Up – being the top two selling sparkling beverages.

The Coca-Cola India system provides direct employment to 25,000 people and indirect employment to more than 150,000 people. The Coca-Cola system in India is contributing in its own small way to building sustainable communities through community initiatives like Coca-Cola Support My School, Thums Up VEER, Coca-Cola Parivartan, Maaza Unnati and by reducing its own environmental footprint. For further information on the Company’s India operations and its products, please visit: www.coca-colaindia.com. Follow us on Twitter @CocaCola_Ind, or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cocacolaindia/

About Jagriti Yatra

Jagriti Yatra is an entrepreneurial annual train journey which started in the year 2008, with 500 brilliant young minds and today the yatra family has reached the 4000+ milestone. It covers 8000 kms and travels to 12 destinations in 15 days across the landscape of India. The Yatris, chosen after multi-level selection process, are introduced to extraordinary social and business innovators and entrepreneurs to get inspired. It starts on 24th of December from Mumbai and ends on 8th of January at Ahmadabad.

The Motto

The motto of Jagriti Yatra is “to Build India through Enterprise,” which is way forward for a nation like India, especially in the present economic climate.

The Journey

The journey is aimed at instilling and igniting the entrepreneurial spirit in the Yatris through role model visits, interactive sessions, practical exercises, thought-provoking talks, and prolific interactions. The young participants get a rare opportunity to understand the effort, struggle, impact and inspiration behind successful enterprises. The visits include Bunker Roy’s Barefoot College, the remarkable McDonaldisation of cataract surgery at Aravind Eyecare and many more, each leaving a deep positive impact on the young Yatris.

At the ingress of the 10th version of the yatra, hitherto, 800+ enterprises have born out of Jagriti Yatra, creating more than 8000 employment opportunities for the unemployed across India, impacting more than a lac citizens of India.
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Waste Reduction and Waste Recycling: The 1,000,000€ FAMAE Innovation Challenge is launched on November 15

November 15, 2017, 7:15 pm
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Business Wire India

On November 15th, to mark the occasion of World Recycling Day, FAMAE will officially launch its 1st Innovation Challenge seeking pragmatic, efficient, durable, universal and money-saving solutions to reduce or recycle the yearly waste generated by an urban family (using if necessary existing solutions).

 

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171114005141/en/

 

Waste Reduction and Waste Recycling: the 1,000,000€ FAMAE Innovation Challenge is launched. ©Antoine ...

Waste Reduction and Waste Recycling: the 1,000,000€ FAMAE Innovation Challenge is launched. ©Antoine Repessé - #365 Unpacked

This Innovation Challenge primarilytargets top universities (students, researchers …), enterprises (SMEs, startups, incubators …) and philanthropic actors (NGOs, social entrepreneurs …). This 1 000 000€ contest is one of the largest competitions ever launched in the world.

 

Inspired by the COP21 Paris Agreement ratified by 166 nations on December 12th, 2015, FAMAE is committed to making our planet green again!

 

The Innovation Challenge is open to everybody. Candidates are able to apply through a simple process on a secured IT platform, from November 15 (2017) to February 15 (2018). Selection of projects and nominees will occur until May 2018 while more information will be required from applicants.

 

A dedicated jury will review all the applicants’ projects and carry out the final selection in the spring of 2018. The members of the jury are representatives fromAgoranov, Zero Waste, other Greentech experts, FAMAE founder Eric Philippon, Cedric Villani (renowned scientist, Fields Medal winner in 2010 …), Jacques Lewiner (Scientist and renowned inventor with 1000 patents) and Geneviève Férone (Vice President of The Nicolas Hulot Foundation for Nature and Mankind).

 

This 1,000,000 € contest is supported by renowned partners:Agoranov (which will incubate one of the nominee projects), Zero Waste (which will bring its waste management expertize), Viva Technology (which will host the Award ceremony), La Ruche (which currently hosts our team), Make.org (which will share the Challenge within its civic tech community).

 

Eric Philippon, FAMAE president : « We fund bright inventors to help them create simple and innovative solutions which can substantially improve the lives of hundreds of millionsof urban citizens while significantly alleviating their environmental footprint.Innovation Challenges help the emerging of disruptive solutions. Over the last 150 years, a trash bin has barely changed while the automotive industry has been through several quantum leaps! ».

 

Please see: https://famae.earth/

 

Contact on social networks Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Linkedin : FAMAE Challenge

 

 

 

 
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Frost & Sullivan and TERI to Honor Sustainable Development Practices at the Sustainability 4.0 Awards 2018

November 16, 2017, 4:35 am
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Frost & Sullivan and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) have come together once again to recognize enterprises and emerging innovators leading the change in the sustainability space. The ninth edition of ‘Sustainability 4.0 Awards’ will be held on June 01, 2018 at Hyatt Regency, Mumbai. The awards aim to acknowledge the top-performing companies that have augmented their focus on excellent sustainability strategies and extended efforts toward building a holistic business, society and environment.
 
TERI has joined hands with Frost & Sullivan to attain the common goal of recognizing companies with best practices in sustainability. It aims at assisting adoption of sustainable development practices in the organizations and recognize the efforts of front runners through a healthy benchmarking process.
 
Companies interested in participating in this edition of the awards need to submit their nominations by November 30, 2017. To know more about the awards or to participate, please mail to Srinidhi S. Rao at SrinidhiR@frost.com with your full name, company name, title, telephone number and company e-mail address, or please log on to the event website for more details - http://sustainability4awards.org/.
 
Talking about the awards program this year, Nitin Kalothia, Director, Sustainability Initiatives Practice, Frost & Sullivan said, “Excellence in sustainability is a journey of continuous improvement. In its ninth year, the Sustainability 4.0 Awards has come a long way from businesses thinking of sustainability to businesses that are seeking ways to be more sustainable and inclusive in their activities. The awards program is designed with an objective to recognize and celebrate the enterprises that are leading the way to a sustainable future. We strongly believe such organizations are role models that inspire others to follow suit. Partnering with TERI has further fostered our commitment and action plan on this journey.”
 
Partnering with Frost & Sullivan for the Sustainability 4.0 Awards 2018, Puneet Chandra, Senior Director, TERI said, “In a world where energy and carbon emissions are constrained, every business must take resource productivity seriously. Business as usual is not an option now. It is equally important that the efforts of businesses in this direction are recognized and appreciated at platforms that facilitate knowledge and practice sharing.”
 
The awards assessment framework has four major parameters and 13 sub-parameters based on which the efforts of front runners are recognized, which involves a thorough benchmarking process. The model also takes into consideration global sustainability frameworks and future requirements of reporting. The award program has three levels of recognition – ‘Believers’, ‘Challengers’ and ‘Leaders’ with respective, predefined qualifying scores. The top two highest scoring companies (overall) will be recognized with ‘Sustainable Business of the Year’ and ‘Sustainable Business of the Year - 1st Runner-up’ awards, respectively.
 
The awards also include ‘Safety Excellence Awards’ honoring companies working toward creating a safe workplace and imbibing a culture encouraging safety at all levels within the organization. The Safety Excellence Awards assessment model has five major parameters – Safety Management, Process Safety, Equipment Safety, People Safety and Occupational Health.

The application is open to companies in India and the Middle East (covering the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Lebanon and Egypt) across the following sectors:
  • Manufacturing
  • Logistics
  • Hotels
  • IT and ITES
  • KPO
  • BPO
  • Banking, Financial Services and Insurance
  • Construction
  • Telecommunications
  • Healthcare
The awards platform instituted in 2009 has evolved in its scope and boundary ever since its inception. It has been through a series of transformation in the scope of assessment, sector coverage and the program title. The focus has enhanced to cover all elements of a sustainable organization instead of heavily focusing on environment sustainability.
 
This event is supported by media partners – Commercial Vehicle, Ecargolog, Energetica India, Manufacturing Today, MTLEXS, Sustainability Next, The CEO Magazine and The Smart CEO.
About Frost & Sullivan
 
Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, works in collaboration with clients to leverage visionary innovation that addresses the global challenges and related growth opportunities that will make or break today's market participants. For more than 50 years, we have been developing growth strategies for the global 1000, emerging businesses, the public sector and the investment community. Is your organization prepared for the next profound wave of industry convergence, disruptive technologies, increasing competitive intensity, Mega Trends, breakthrough best practices, changing customer dynamics and emerging economies?
 
About TERI
 
The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) is a leading think tank dedicated to conducting research for sustainable development of India and the Global South. TERI was established in 1974 as an information center on energy issues. However, over the following decades, it made a mark as a research institute, whose policy and technology solutions transformed people’s lives and the environment. TERI’s key focus lies in promoting clean energy, water management, pollution management, sustainable agriculture and climate resilience. TERI’s Council for Business Sustainability connects its research work with the corporate sector. The Council guides the Indian corporates to frame and implement their sustainability agenda.
 
http://ww2.frost.com
 
Twitter: @Frost_Sullivan & @Frost_MENASA (Hashtag: #Sustainability 4.0 Awards 2018)
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/frostandsullivan
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company-beta/4506/
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Corporate Social Responsibility Related News Releases and Story Ideas for Reporters, Bloggers and Media Outlets

November 16, 2017, 11:13 pm
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Business Wire India

Following are the latest Corporate Social Responsibility news releases and story ideas available from Business Wire. These recaps, curated by Business Wire, provide reporters and bloggers around the globe instant access to the latest news releases, providing relevant and trending content to share with their audiences. Discover more news via Business Wire’s Hot Topic recaps or create a custom news feed specific to your needs here. This service is provided at no charge to members of the media and financial communities.

 

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171116005295/en/

 

 

NEW YORK -- Rapaport Press Release: Peace Diamond Departs Antwerp for New York Source: Rapaport

 

SALISBURY, N.C. -- Food Lion Feeds Launches "Holidays Without Hunger" Campaign to Help Feed Local Families in Need This Holiday Season Source: Food Lion

 

HARTFORD, Conn. -- Travelers Named a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality for Third Consecutive Year Source: The Travelers Companies, Inc.

 

NORWALK, Conn. -- Xerox 2017 Global Citizenship Report Showcases Early Achievement of Key Corporate Sustainability Goals Source: Xerox Corporation

 

RENO, Nev. -- EMPLOYERS Partners with Kids’ Chance of Nevada to Support the Educational Futures of Children Whose Parents Were Injured at Work Source: Employers Holdings, Inc.

 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- UnitedHealthcare Donates Hasbro's NERF ENERGY Game Kits to Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Charlotte Source: UnitedHealthcare

 

NEW YORK -- PVH Corp. Earns Top Marks in HRC’s 2018 Corporate Equality Index Source: PVH Corp.

 

SALISBURY, N.C. -- Food Lion Offers 10 Percent Discount for Active and Retired Military Personnel on Veterans Day Source: Food Lion

 

MALVERN, Pa.-- Saint-Gobain Corporation Recognized on Human Rights Campaign’s 2018 Corporate Equality Index Source: Saint-Gobain

 

ATLANTA -- Travelers Institute Hosts Every Second Matters℠ Symposium at Georgia State University Source: The Travelers Companies, Inc.

 

STAMFORD, Conn. -- Synchrony Financial Achieves Top Score for Corporate Equality Index Three Years in a Row Source: Synchrony Financial

 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Tory Burch Foundation and Bank of America Support Women Entrepreneurs With Increased Funding Source: Bank of America

 

SANTA MONICA, Calif. -- ZipRecruiter and the Call of Duty Endowment Release National Report on State of Veteran Employment Activity Source: Call of Duty Endowment

 

FORT WASHINGTON, Pa.-- Gate 1 Foundation Announces Completion of 30 School Projects in 13 Countries along Tour Routes Source: Gate 1 Foundation

 

Follow the CSR Circuit newsfeed on www.twitter.com/BWCSRNews.

 

About Business Wire:

 

Business Wire, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is the global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure. Investor relations, public relations, public policy and marketing professionals rely on Business Wire to accurately distribute market-moving news and multimedia, host online newsrooms and IR websites, build content marketing platforms, generate social engagements and provide audience analysis that improves interaction with specified target markets. Founded in 1961, Business Wire is a trusted source for news organizations, journalists, investment professionals and regulatory authorities, delivering news directly into editorial systems and leading online news sources via its multi-patented NX Network. Business Wire has 29 offices worldwide to securely meet the varying needs of communications professionals and news consumers.

 

Learn more at services.BusinessWire.com and Tempo, the Business Wire resource for industry trends; follow updates on Twitter: @businesswire or on Facebook.

 

Click here to subscribe to Mobile Alerts for Business Wire Corporate Social Responsibility.

 

 

 

 
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Kellogg India Pvt Ltd amongst Top 100 Best Companies for Women in India

November 17, 2017, 1:21 am
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Business Wire India
Rohit Kumar, Director-Human Resource, Kellogg India receiving award for '2017 Working Mother & AVTAR 100 Best Company for Women in India'
Rohit Kumar, Director-Human Resource, Kellogg India receiving award for '2017 Working Mother & AVTAR 100 Best Company for Women in India'

Kellogg India Pvt Ltd has been selected amongst the ‘2017 Working Mother & AVTAR 100 Best Companies for Women in India’. Featuring in the prestigious list for the second time in a row, it is a testimony to our undeterred commitment of being a diverse and an inclusive organisation.
 
The list selects exemplary companies that have the most progressive policies for women in the organisation and creates a supportive and cutting-edge workplace for them. This award is a proof of our way of nurturing a diverse & an inclusive work environment.

Rohit Kumar, Director-Human Resource, Kellogg India, accepts the felicitation and says “Kellogg India is firmly committed to diversity and inclusion and aims to have a workforce that reflects the vast diversity of our consumer base. It continues to create an enabling environment to recruit, retain and develop women. It has more than trebled the number of women hires over the last two years. Given the fluid nature of roles in modern homes, it encourages both men and women to opt and benefit from policies like Flexible Working Hours, Work from Home, Parental Leave/ Adoption for single men and women and policies on women safety during work travel. Employee sensitization workshops, Leadership programs, Mentoring and Life coaching for women give them a perspective of how successful men and women have navigated the leadership journey and are some of the many efforts to foster a supportive, positive environment to strengthen the D&I culture.”
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Rotary World Fest all Set for Another Smashing Festival!

November 17, 2017, 3:02 am
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Business Wire IndiaLike every year, this year too, the Rotary International District is organizing its "Rotary World Fest". The main aim of this fest is to get Charity through Fun and Entertainment.
 
The USP of this event is that, it will unite citizens to make a difference to the community we live in – addressing health issues affecting infants to elders to child education to malnutrition, unemployment to environment.
 
The activities that will take place includes: Melody of Music, art, entertainment and projects affecting community under one roof- ROTARY WORLD FEST.
 
During the day there will be, Meal packaging Event - by Rise Against Hunger. Art exhibition cum sale- 56 paintings by Sohel Degani -100% for Girl child education supported by JSW Foundation. Exhilarating races from 1.30 onwards - give yourself Adrenaline Rush! ‘Create your Own Self’ - a unique Caricature activity by NHAF. Musical performance by Wheel Chair bound students from Agripada. Interactive session by Enthusiastic Specialist - Suresh Srinivasan. Mixologist & Flair Bartender- Ami Shroff. Foot massage by The Areopagus – Japanese Day Spa. Beer tasting and Fun games - Happy by Thirsty. Board games by Kamlesh Avasare & team (Germany/ USA). Consumerism & Awareness through street plays - Council for Fair Business Practice. Release of Special cover on “Rotary World Fest’ by India Post – a rare honor bestowed to events of importance. Information about how to join Rotary & why join Rotary and many more items.
 
The evening will have the "East meets West" and will see George Brooks, Louis Banks, Sheetal Kolwalkar, Isheeta Chakravarty, Gino Banks, Satyajit Talwalkar performing. Bollywood's loved singer, Salim Sulaiman will be performing along with Manganiyar Brothers. 
 
For your service there will be: MCGM- solution to your waste segregation. Mumbai Port Trust- Collaborating for Betterment of Mumbaikars. MDRI- “A registry by Indians for the Indians, Do Your Bit  ...To Save A Life. Your Contribution Matters”- Marrow Donor Society. “Donate skin & Save life”, “Give life - After life” - Importance of Skin donation. 'New Liver -New Life. Let's join hands to save a life”. -National Liver Foundation. Dependence to Independence- Make Mumbai Disability Free- Ratna Nidhi. ‘Understanding Hunger’-Rise against Hunger. ISCKON Midday meal - Food for life programme. Parkinson's disease And Movement Disorder Society- Together We Move Better. Cause Cyclothon- Ride for a cause- healthy Body, Healthy mind and many more worthy projects.
 
So book your tickets now on www.rotaryworldfest.com. Facility to pay through Instamojo available apart from RTGS. For ticket booking can also call Manisha Kothari on 094224 30427
 
So save your dates for 19th November, 2017 i.e. a Sunday and be there at Mahalaxmi Race Course as the event kick stars from 12.00 noon onwards.
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'Housing for All by 2022' gets a Boost with Hike in Unit Size of MIG Houses under Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme: Dr Niranjan Hiranandani

November 17, 2017, 4:15 am
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Business Wire IndiaThe Indian Cabinet has approved an increase in carpet area of houses eligible for interest subsidy under the Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS) for the Middle Income Group (MIG) under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).
 
PMAY aims to provide houses to all the urban poor by 2022, said Dr Niranjan Hiranandani, CMD, Hiranandani Communities and President, National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO). He termed the Cabinet’s decision ‘positive’, pointing out that the move brings the entire demand for affordable housing under the interest subvention scheme – affordable housing comprising the largest chunk of demand for new houses in India.
 
Under the MIG-I category, the carpet area of the houses has been increased from 90 square metres to 120 square metres, the area under MIG-II segment, has been increased to 150 square metres from the current 110 square metres. Under the MIG-I category, a four percent interest subsidy is provided to the beneficiaries, whose annual income is between Rs. 6 lakh and Rs. 12 lakh on a loan of up to Rs. 9 lakh. Under the MIG-II category, the beneficiaries with an annual income of Rs. 12 lakh to Rs. 18 lakh get an interest subsidy of three percent on a loan of up to Rs. 12 lakh.
 
The Cabinet’s decision to hike carpet area of houses eligible for interest subsidy under the PMAY will help middle income buyers make their dream homes a reality, while also helping the real estate industry clear unsold homes. Welcoming the decision, Dr Niranjan Hiranandani said it would help meeting the aspiration of millions of Middle Income Group (MIG) home buyers. "This decision will encourage real estate developers to launch new projects and effectively, boost the economy, GDP growth and employment," he said.
 
‘Housing for All by 2022’ gets a boost, with the Cabinet’s decision to hike unit size of MIG Houses under Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme, concluded Dr Niranjan Hiranandani.
 
Dr Niranjan Hiranandani is Founder & CMD, Hiranandani Communities & National President - NAREDCO.
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Cancer Patients, Survivors, Supporters and Caregivers Undertake UAE's First Relay for Life

November 19, 2017, 8:10 pm
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Business Wire India

Sharjah, the third largest of the United Arab Emirate’s seven emirates, was the host for the MENA region’s first ever ‘Global Relay for Life,’ (RFL) a 24-hour walkathon that is the biggest fundraising event for cancer in the world. Conducted in conjunction with the American Cancer Society, the event was organised by Friends of Cancer Patients (FoCP), a non-profit organisation that supports cancer patients and their families.

 

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171119005048/en/

 

During MENA's first Global Relay For Life walkathon - Source: Friends of Cancer Patients

During MENA's first Global Relay For Life walkathon - Source: Friends of Cancer Patients

Taking place November 17-18 at the American University Sharjah, the inaugural UAE RFL saw more than 2,000 relayers participating in the overnight event, with a large number of individuals and institutions involved including 52 schools, six universities, eight partners, in addition to 37 institutions from the public and private sectors and 67 cancer survivors.

 

Included in the programme for the 24 hours was an extensive array of activities in a kids’ fun area, a ‘Luminaria’ candle illumination event to remember loved ones who had died of cancer and a ‘Survivors’ Tent’ that saw a number of those who had defeated the disease address audiences. Participants’ hunger was kept assuaged by a host of food and refreshment stands, all of which donated their proceeds to FoCP.

 

The first UAE RFL was launched by Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi, Founder and Royal Patron of FoCP, International Ambassador of the World Cancer Declaration for the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) and International Ambassador for Childhood Cancer for UICC. Her Highness joined cancer survivors in the first lap of the walkathon, highlighting the importance of raising awareness of the disease and the necessity of screening for its early detection – the most important factor in survival and recovery.

 

The 24 hour nature of RFL is designed to highlight that cancer is a disease that doesn’t sleep and to show solidarity with cancer patients who can feel a sense of loneliness during the small hours.

 

RFL has its roots in the USA when in 1985 Dr. Gordon Klatt, a colorectal surgeon, raised $27,000 for his local cancer charity by walking for 24 hours. The event currently takes place in 29 countries, with the UAE the most recent addition to the global network. To date RFL raised more than $5 billion in support of cancer patients worldwide.

 

 
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GoDaddy Runs in Support of Underprivileged Children

November 20, 2017, 12:20 am
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Business Wire India
Nikhil Arora, Managing Director and Vice President, GoDaddy India
Nikhil Arora, Managing Director and Vice President, GoDaddy India

The Delhi running community witnessed the 9th edition of the world famous Airtel Delhi Half Marathon on November 19, 2017. As part of GoDaddy Cares, GoDaddy’s philanthropic arm, the GoDaddy India team participated in the ADHM in support of “Save The Children India” NGO empaneled with India Cares Foundation.
 
GoDaddy pledged its support to help prevent discrimination against underprivileged children and help them towards healthy and fulfilling lives. The GoDaddy India team looks forward to continuing to participate in initiatives in the future creating more memories for these children. GoDaddy has participated and supported underprivileged children and orphanages in the NCR area and this initiative underscores its commitment of giving back to the community.
 
Nikhil Arora, Managing Director and Vice President, GoDaddy India and an avid marathon runner and fund raiser commented, “There is a need to elevate the social environment in the country. Every child should have the right to a healthy, happy and fulfilling life. GoDaddy takes corporate social responsibility seriously and we will continue to give back to India, as demonstrated by our support of “Save the Children”.

Connect with GoDaddy on Facebook, Twitter & LinkedInAbout GoDaddy

GoDaddy powers the world's largest cloud platform dedicated to small, independent ventures. With more than 17 million customers worldwide and nearly 73 million domain names under management, GoDaddy is the place people come to name their idea, build a professional website, attract customers and manage their work. Our mission is to give our customers the tools, insights and the people to transform their ideas and personal initiative into success. To learn more about the company visit www.GoDaddy.com.
 
© 2017 GoDaddy Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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Peace Diamond Press Conference - New York

November 20, 2017, 3:50 am
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Business Wire IndiaThe Peace Diamond is the world’s 14th largest diamond at 709 carats. Discovered by impoverished diggers in Sierra Leone it will be auctioned in New York with all the auction proceeds going directly to the Government of Sierra Leone and the artisanal diggers. The Peace Diamond will provide vital life-saving infrastructure to the diggers and their communities who currently have no clean water, electricity, medical facilities, schools, and roads. It will help the poorest people in the world and provide hope for a better future.
 
The Peace Diamond Press Conference will take place in New York and over the internet on Tuesday November 21st at 9:30am EST. The Press Conference will introduce Pastor Momoh of the artisanal diggers, Paul Saquee V, Paramount Chief of Kono District and Martin Rapaport, Chairman Rapaport Group, whom will be present and available for one on one interviews. Journalists attending the press conference will have an opportunity to hold and photograph the Peace Diamond. While those online will be able to participate and ask questions via https://zoom.us/j/753274144 and telephone number +1 855 880 1246, Webinar ID 753 274 144.
 
The Peace Diamond Auction will be held in New York on Monday, Dec. 4 at 10:00am, in Rapaport Offices. The auction will simultaneously take place online at https://zoom.us/j/753274144, which will be broadcasted worldwide. Registered bidders will be able to bid in person, online, over the telephone or by submitting an official Bid Form before the auction. Registration, Bid Forms and additional information will be available shortly at www.peacediamond.com. Assistance is available by emailing peacediamond@diamonds.net or by calling +1-212-354-9800.
 
The proceeds of the Peace Diamond auction will be distributed as follows: 59% to the Government of Sierra Leone. 15% to the Diamond Area Community Development fund and 26% to the diggers who discovered the diamond. The Rapaport Group is providing all marketing and auction services free of all charges.
 
“There is a reason that God gave diamonds to the poorest people in the world and made the wealthiest desire them. The sale of the Peace Diamond is ‘Tikun Olam,’ fixing the world. The sale of the Peace Diamond will make the world a better place,” said Martin Rapaport, Chairman of the Rapaport Group.
 
The press conference will provide journalists unprecedented access to the Peace Diamond and to those that discovered it and will benefit from it. There will be an opportunity for questions. Private interviews may be arranged by appointment. Camera crews will have full access to the diamond and participants.
 
Images, videos and background stories are also available at www.peacediamond.com.
 
For additional international Press Conference numbers: Please use Webinar ID 753 274 144.

And visit​ https://zoom.us/zoomconference?m=7xZrdWjkspYS80JEXeJFuvxXY2p_bVgU
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HelpMeSee to Demonstrate Eye Surgical Simulator at Comprehensive Cataract Conference 2017

November 21, 2017, 3:15 am
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Business Wire India
HelpMeSee Eye Surgical Simulator uses virtual reality to recreate conditions during surgery and allows for immersive training for cataract surgeons.
HelpMeSee Eye Surgical Simulator uses virtual reality to recreate conditions during surgery and allows for immersive training for cataract surgeons.

The International Society of Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgeons (ISMSICS) and HelpMeSee jointly announce a series of events for the upcoming Comprehensive Cataract Conference 2017 (CCC 2017), including demonstrations of HelpMeSee's simulation-based training program to address the shortage of well-trained cataract specialists worldwide. The conference is organized by ISMSICS as host of the 2nd World Conference on MSICS on December 1-3, 2017.

CCC 2017 will be attended by hundreds of experts in cataract surgery who will share their insights and experiences in providing quality cataract care. HelpMeSees' global team will present solutions which support surgical training and patient safety. Both HelpMeSee and ISMSICS strongly support Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgery (MSICS), a high quality, quick, and low-cost solution to end cataract blindness and treat visual impairment throughout the developing world.

Founder and Chairman of ISMSICS Dr. Amulya Sahu, who is a well-known eye surgeon and organizer of this global conference said, "CCC 2017 is a platform for eye surgeons from around the world to share their expertise and learn about innovations in surgical techniques and technology. We are excited that attendees at CCC 2017 will be able to get demonstrations of HelpMeSee's simulation-based training tools for surgeons to learn MSICS without fear of damaging a patient's eye. It is a great innovation, which I am sure every training institute will want to have in the future."

During the 3-day conference, HelpMeSee will host two scientific symposiums on "The fundamentals of simulation-based training in MSICS" and "Technology-driven community-based approach to cataract patient care to eliminate cataract blindness". Representatives from HelpMeSee will provide attendees with hands-on demonstrations of its virtual reality Eye Surgical Simulator developed to rapidly scale training of highly-skilled cataract specialists. The integration of this simulator and courseware used in this simulation-based training program is currently underway at HelpMeSee's Learning Development Center in Mumbai.

Jacob Mohan Thazhathu, President and CEO of HelpMeSee said, "Together with expert participants at CCC 2017, HelpMeSee will explore opportunities to scale surgical training in MSICS. Affordable solutions to treat cataract blindness can only be achieved by well-trained MSICS specialists in every community. HelpMeSee is committed to working together with ISMSICS to accomplish this mission."About ISMSICS

The International Society Of Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgeons (ISMSICS) is an organization to promote excellence and accessibility in cataract surgery. The organization aims to improve outcomes of cataract surgery while providing better vision to patients at an affordable cost. The organization is surgeon focused and surgeon driven- of, for and by cataract surgeons. ISMSICS is dedicated organization to research and development in the field of cataract surgery, especially Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgery, to make cataract surgery more accessible, affordable and give patients the best of vision.

About HelpMeSee

HelpMeSee is a non-profit organization committed to ending the global health crisis of cataract blindness by increasing access to safe and affordable treatment through high scale simulator- based training. It is estimated that there are more than 100 million individuals living in the developing world who are needlessly blind or visually impaired due to untreated cataracts. HelpMeSee estimates that 30,000 MSICS specialists will be needed to eliminate the cataract blindness backlog.
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One of Odisha's Most-favoured Sons, Social Entrepreneur - Santanu Mishra, Endorsed by His Holiness, The Dalai Lama

November 21, 2017, 4:40 am
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Business Wire IndiaIn what was a crowning moment in an illustrious career spanning more than 15 years, Santanu Mishra, Co-founder and Executive Trustee of Smile Foundation and one of Odisha’s most-favoured sons, was recognised by His Holiness The Dalai Lama for his efforts as a social volunteer and leader. Mr. Mishra received a glowing endorsement from the globally-renowned humanitarian and Tibetan spiritual leader at the launch of Smile Foundation’s ‘The World of Children’ – an initiative aimed at enabling children from various socioeconomic backgrounds to discuss their issues, challenges, and ideas with each other, as well as youth icons and inspirational leaders from the world over in New Delhi on November 19, 2017. His Holiness also pledged to support the cause taken up by Smile foundation for the upliftment of underprivileged children through education.
 
Hailing from Sambalpur in Odisha, Mr. Mishra is no stranger to accolades and recognition. His pioneering work in the field of social responsibility in India has often seen him acknowledged as a champion of pressing social causes such as child empowerment, equal opportunity, and social equality. Belonging to a culture steeped in volunteerism and social responsibility, Mr. Mishra’s passion for creating a social change and adding value back to the society saw him bringing a group of likeminded professionals together to establish Smile Foundation in 2002. An alumnus of IIM Ahmedabad and a Company Secretary, Santanu Mishra, quit his highly-successful corporate career at its peak in 2005, choosing instead to dedicate his energies to establish Smile Foundation as one of the most successful development organization in India.
 
Speaking on the endorsement from one of the world’s leading humanitarians, Mr. Santanu Mishra, Co-founder & Executive Trustee – Smile Foundation, said, “Having been raised in an environment where volunteering and social responsibility are ingrained from a very young age, I believe that uplifting those less privileged can never be achieved unless the more privileged sections take up a proactive role in the process of development. This is the change that we have been driving through Smile Foundation since its inception. To be recognised and endorsed by a globally revered humanitarian such as His Holiness the Dalai Lama for our efforts is a very welcome shot in the arm for us, and personally motivates me to raise the bar even higher and continue to drive a positive change at the grassroots level.”
 
Under Mr. Mishra’s able leadership and guidance, Smile Foundation annually reaches out to more than 400,000 underprivileged children, youth, and women directly through more than 250 welfare projects covering areas such as education, healthcare, youth employability, and women empowerment. The development organization is present across 25 states in India and has won many accolades and awards, including include Asia Pacific Child Rights Award, Healthcare Leadership Award, Barclay’s Bank Chairman Award, and GE Healthcare-Modern Medicare Excellence Award, amongst others. It has also pioneered the principles of good governance amongst non-profits and the innovative concept of Social Venture Philanthropy (SVP) in order to enable other grassroots organization to achieve accountability, scalability, sustainability, and leadership.
About Smile Foundation
 
Smile Foundation is a national level development organization benefitting over 400,000 underprivileged children, their families and the community directly through more than 250 welfare projects on subjects such as education, healthcare, livelihood, and women empowerment across 25 states of India. Adopting a life cycle approach of development, Smile Foundation focuses its interventions on children, their families and the community.
 
Website: http://www.smilefoundationindia.org/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/smilefoundationindia.org
Twitter: https://twitter.com/smilefoundation
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