Author: Group Communications

SATARA: Several events were held at the upcoming model village of Chalkewadi to celebrate International Women’s Day. These included a routine health check-up at the nearest Primary Health Centre in Village Thoseghar; a session on Financial Literacy given by officials from Bank of Maharashtra and UMED-Maharashtra Rural Livelihood Mission (MSRLM); a discussion with NGO Poona Diocesan Society on Legal Rights with focus on prevention of domestic violence; recognition of women entrepreneurs and winners of Clean Home Competition; games and a community lunch. Nearly 40 women, all members of self-help groups, participated in the activities.
 


 
JODHALLI: International Women’s Day celebrations were held at SNS Foundation’s tailoring training centre. A Rangoli making competition was organised for the students who used the Rangoli style of art to draw dress designs. Female staff from DAIPL (give full name) judged the best patterns and awarded prizes to the winners. Mr. Roshan, Head-HR, DAIPL Jodhalli, gave a motivational talk to all those who attended this function.
 


 
DEWAS: To mark this occasion SNS Foundation Dewas was felicitated by two government organizations, Madhya Pradesh Gramin Bank and Krishi Vigyan Kendra, in recognition of its decade long contribution towards women empowerment specially in the areas of micro-finance and micro-entrepreneurship. The Foundation has also partnered with NABARD on its various projects addressing similar issues. At Krishi Vigyan Kendra, members of the cooperative society facilitated by SNS Foundation displayed their range of home furnishings, handicrafts and reusable masks, which were greatly appreciated by the authorities.
 


 
PARWANOO: On this day SNS Foundation Parwanoo organised a general health check-up for expectant mothers at an Aaganwadi Centre in Baddi with the support of the government medical staff. A street play was also held to address general issues facing women, with an emphasis on how gender disparities can be minimised in society. Another street play was also organised at ANAND Municipal Park and Sports Complex, Parwanoo, to sensitize men to the important role women play in society and how necessary it is to accord them the utmost respect. Representatives from the Municipal Council Parwanoo were also present on this occasion.

Since 2014, Government Middle School, Sector 14, Gurugram, has received generous CSR contributions from Henkel ANAND India, ACYMANAND CY Myutec Automotive and Dana Anand India. As a result of these contributions and the efforts of SNS Foundation, 1500+ students have shown better learning outcomes, with 7 students from Class VIII being selected for the National Means cum Merit Scholarship. The school’s infrastructure has also improved and now there are additional classrooms, new washrooms, furniture like desks and benches and a boundary wall. In December 2020, the District Education Office, Gurugram, also recognized the school as a model school, which will see the introduction of English medium instruction. The school will also be allowed to levy a fee of ₹200 per month, not usually the norm for government schools which do not enjoy the ‘model school status’. The collection of fees will enable the school authorities to maintain its facilities properly. Recently the school was presented the Swachh School award by the Municipal Corporation, Gurugram, as part of its annual Swachh Survekshan exercise for 2020.

In the midst of the raging second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Joyson ANAND Abhishek Safety Systems (JAAI) along with SNS Foundation made a valuable contribution under its CSR mandate and commitment to saving lives. JAAI donated an Advanced Life Support (ALS) Ambulance to the Government of Haryana in April 2021. Mr. Mahendra Singh Rajawat, President & Managing Director JAAI, handed over the keys to the Honourable Chief Minister of Haryana, Mr. Manohar Lal Khattar, at an event held in Gurugram, Haryana. The ambulance will be attached to a government medical facility in Manesar and serve within 20 km radius. Its life support equipment, including ECG monitor, defibrillator, ventilator, oxygen cylinders etc, will provide essential pre-hospital care to critical patients being transported to a hospital facility.

The District Institute of Education and Training, Solan under its Project of Community Participation (Samudayik Sahbhagita Prakalpa) felicitated the School Management Committee (SMC) of SNSF partner school Government Senior Secondary School, Masulkhana, Parwanoo, for its significant and unprecedented contribution towards the overall development of the school. The SMC in turn acknowledged SNS Foundation for its cooperation and contribution, particularly in the development of the school’s infrastructure to support student learning opportunities.

SNSF facilitated the digging of a new well in the upcoming model village of Rohile, located about 30 kms from Nashik city. The land-breaking ceremony was conducted in the presence of the local MLA Mr. Hiraman Khosakar, with representatives from SNSF and village residents. The well will have a pipeline connection leading to the storage tank in the village which in turn will have pipeline connections to almost every home in Rohile. An additional source of water will benefit the residents, especially during the dry periods.
The total project will cost MINR 2.2 and will be equally shared between MLA funds and SNSF.

On this day SNS Foundation Dewas was recognised by Gram Panchayat, Village Siya, located about 15 kms from Gabriel India(GIL), Dewas, for its contribution towards the development of the 5 government schools in the village over the past 5 years. Between the years 2015 and 2020, MINR 5.7 under the GIL CSR has been contributing towards developing the schools’ infrastructure which includes construction of new classrooms, washrooms, kitchens, drinking water facilities, safety measures etc. GIL’s CSR contribution has been complemented by MINR 1.0 from the District Dewas Administration towards upgrading the schools’ infrastructure. Other honours accorded to the village’s education infrastructure include visits by former M.P. State Minister for Skill Development, Technical Education and School Education, Shri. Deepak Joshi, thrice during the year 2017. In 2019, SNSF was also recognised by the District Education Office, Dewas, for its efforts at Siya.

The upcoming model village of Chalkewadi, located about 30 kms from SIPL, Satara, moved a step further towards developing unity and camaraderie among fellow residents. On the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti, self-help group (SHG) members organised a ‘Haldi – Kumkum’ festival, in spite of their usual busy schedule filled with household chores and agricultural duties. Almost 80 women gathered on the grounds of the village school to perform the rituals of the festival. This was an opportunity to create awareness among members on how to utilise their collective strength to work for the development of the village on aspects of health, education, employment generation, and applying for relevant government schemes. The women enjoyed the much-needed break from their daily routine, and the festival ended with the fun-filled activity of musical chairs.

SNSF organised a one-day training workshop for members of the self-help groups (SHG) of Village Neerasagar, located in the vicinity of Dana Anand India, Jodhalli, on book-keeping and other financial management practices. The training was conducted by resource persons from Karnataka Central Cooperative (KCC) Bank Limited, Dharwad, the bank in which the SHG members have their accounts. A ‘Swachh Ghar’ or ‘Clean House’ competition was held for the SHG members, and 12 individuals received awards for the cleanliness of their homes, with special focus on washrooms, kitchens and storage facilities. Aspects of natural lighting, ventilation and clean surroundings were also taken into account before the awardees were selected. All the SHG members drew rangolis outside their homes, giving the village a festive look.

A new washroom facility for boys was constructed by SNSF under the CSR arm of MAHLE ANAND Filter Systems in a partner government school near the MAFS facility in Chengalpet. Till then, Government High School, Sithandimandapam, did not have proper sanitation facilities for the male students subjecting them to open defecation during school hours. The facility was inaugurated by Mr. Aneet Raina (Plant Head, MAFS, Chengalpet) and Mr. Chandru (Plant HR Head, MAFS, Chengalpet) in the presence of school authorities and high-level representation from the government education fraternity comprising Mr. Murali (Divisional Education Officer, Madhuranthakam Division, Chengalpet District) and Mr. Veeramani (Asst. Education Officer, Madhuranthakam Division, Chengalpet District).

Contributions from MAHLE ANAND Thermal Systems’ CSR wing enabled SNSF partner government school, Government Higher Secondary School, Padalam, to construct two new classrooms and refurbish their washrooms. A colourful function organised by the school alumni was held to inaugurate the new facilities. Senior dignitaries from MATS, Chengalpet facility, Mr. Durai Pandian (Plant HR Head) and Mr. Thiyagarajan (Maintenance Manager) attended the event, which also saw the presence of high-level representatives from the local government education fraternity and Public Works Department (PWD), under whose supervision the works were carried out. The school alumni association, Padalam panchayat, the headmaster, teachers and students attended the event to show their appreciation.