CSR Projects Implemented:

USHA Ltd. CSR:

In their ongoing collaboration as part of the flagship initiative Mission Swavalamban, Usha International and Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) continue to operate the USHA Swavalamban Silai Schools program. This initiative is focused on establishing 700 Usha Swavalamban Silai Schools in select aspirational districts and disaster-prone areas identified by the Government of India in Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh East, and Uttarakhand. Usha and SIDBI joined forces with a common vision: to equip rural women with sewing and stitching skills, thereby providing them with financial empowerment and nurturing their entrepreneurial capabilities to enable them to establish their own Usha Swavalamban Silai Schools, transforming them into ‘homepreneurs’ in the process. SUDHA organization remains involved with USHA in the operation of Silai Schools in Hawalbagh and Takula Blocks of District Almora in Uttarakhand, where more than 100 self-sustainable silai schools, led by women entrepreneurs, have been established as a result of the project’s intervention.

The impact of the USHA Silai Schools program is ongoing, as it continues to train rural women, enhancing their lives and the lives of their families. It serves as a pathway to a brighter future by empowering them as entrepreneurs in their own right, providing them with earning opportunities to fulfill their aspirations. This initiative underscores the collective commitment of USHA Ltd. and SUDHA to skill development as a means to create a more equitable world.

TITAN KANYA CSR:

The Titan Kanya program is currently prioritizing girl child education. This program is actively addressing the educational requirements of young girls in learning centers, guaranteeing consistent attendance, and actively engaging with their families and other stakeholders to foster community ownership. The primary focus remains on continuing to provide educational support to out-of-school girl children and integrating girls into the formal schooling system. The remedial education model continues to emphasize the enhancement of the quality of English, mother tongue, and mathematics education.

In its role as a Partner Organization of IIM-PACT (CSR), SUDHA is currently offering educational opportunities to girls hailing from socially and economically disadvantaged communities across India. These girls, who traditionally faced barriers to accessing schooling, are now receiving ongoing support to pursue their education.

INDUSIND Bank CSR:

The Bank acknowledges that, given its wide-reaching sphere of activity and influence that extends beyond the boundaries of the financial system, it is imperative to continue working through various CSR initiatives to uplift the marginalized and underserved populations while also focusing on environmental conservation. With their ongoing vision of being trusted, valued, and respected for their financial, environmental, and social performance, SUDHA is currently conducting a range of community mobilization programs, including:

Solid Waste Management Project:

SUDHA Org. is currently collaborating with the Panchayati Raj Department and receiving CSR support from INDUSIND Bank to implement the Solid Waste Management Project in the Bhogpur cluster of Dehradun District, Uttarakhand. In Uttarakhand, all the Urban and Rural Local Bodies continue to face sanitation challenges due to the absence of systematic solid waste management planning. SUDHA has established Solid Waste Management Systems that are operational, particularly in the Bhogpur Cluster of Dehradun District, which has been recognized as a model of SWM. This project is being managed by the active involvement of local residents who are diligently working to enhance the efficiency of Municipal Solid Waste Management (MSWM). The project continues to generate widespread public awareness on this issue on a large scale.

Impact: In lines with the objectives of “Swachh Bharat Mission” to motivate private sector for SWM, the Bhogpur Cluster has become a recognized model in the Uttarakhand and has gained a National appreciation. Following this model we propose to set up similar SWM project for the Thano Cluster so as to create, manage and implement a socially and environmentally appropriate low cost solid waste management plan in the area with active involvement and participation of local community and Panchayat.

Model Community Quarantine cum Wellness & Fitness Centre at Gadarpur (Udham Singh Nagar):

With the ongoing spread of COVID-19 cases in peri-urban, rural, and tribal areas, it remains crucial to ensure that community-based services and primary-level health infrastructure in these regions are continuously equipped and oriented to manage COVID-19 cases effectively. In pursuit of this objective, a Model Community Quarantine cum Wellness Centre has been established in PHC Gadarpur, aimed at providing the local population with access to high-quality healthcare services for combating the pandemic. The overarching approach involves increasing access to the decentralized public health system by setting up new infrastructure in areas with identified deficiencies. This Centre continues to successfully prioritize wellness and health promotion while offering an expanded range of COVID-related healthcare services, including access to medicines and diagnostics, contributing to patients’ recovery from COVID-19.

Within the wellness and fitness center, a comprehensive range of essential equipment, machines, and goods is currently being provided, including adjustable hospital beds, portable oxygen concentrators, pillows, mattresses for hospital beds, mattress protectors, oximeters, medical infrared thermometers, BP monitor machines, sanitizer dispensers, disinfectants, masks, gloves, RO water purifiers, cleaning supplies like Harpic and sanitary items, among others.

Furthermore, in the wellness and fitness section, a variety of equipment, such as walkers, double-arm wheels, knee-joint trainers, triple twisters, cross walkers, yoga mats, exercise balls, hand towels, yoga belts, yoga wheels, yoga blocks, yoga straps, water bottles, and candles for meditation, continue to be available for use.

Perfetti Van Melle India Private Limited

Perfetti Van Melle is currently placing great value on caring for people and the communities in which they are conducting their business. As part of this ongoing commitment, they are actively engaged in promoting social and environmental responsibility.

Project: SUDHA is currently making efforts to raise mass awareness about the source segregation of waste in Ward 38, Rudrapur, Uttarakhand, with the aim of making it a pollution-free ward.

• Currently, they are spreading awareness door-to-door about the source segregation of solid waste.
• They are currently working on spreading awareness in schools within Ward 38.
• Clean-up drives are currently being organized to generate awareness.
• Community stakeholders’ meetings are currently being scheduled and held in Ward 38.
• Distribution of IEC materials is ongoing for awareness generation within Ward 38.
• A baseline survey is currently being conducted to assess the impact.

Thematic and Research based Studies:

Sawdust Bag Cultivation Technology for Japanese Mushrooms

JICA is currently conducting a survey in collaboration with the private sector to formulate a business model for achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The focus is on enhancing Joint Forest Management through the exploration of possibilities related to mushroom cultivation using sawdust technology. This survey is currently being carried out in various villages in Uttarakhand and Garhwal Hills.

Mushroom cultivation is not significantly affected by weather changes, which is currently enhancing the resilience of the local communities. Under the ongoing project, income is currently being generated from mushroom cultivation, supplementing cash flow and providing a safety net during critical times. This prevents people from falling into greater poverty. Additionally, it serves as a gap-filling activity, spreading income and serving as a steppingstone to help lift people out of poverty.

The project is currently providing livelihood options and generating employment opportunities, thereby enhancing economic activities for the villagers. To develop employment opportunities for rural individuals in these villages, the cultivation of both edible and medicinal mushrooms using integrated approaches is currently considered feasible in this region. A survey of 12 villages has been undertaken, spanning across 6 Forest Divisions of the State, to arrive at conclusions regarding the project’s viability. The entire study is currently sponsored by SALAI JAPAN through JICA.