2005-06

FICCI SOCIO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION

Ongoing Projects and Programmes

Rajiv Gandhi Mobile AIDS Counselling Services Project

FICCI-SEDF, in collaboration with Rajiv Gandhi Foundation is implementing "Rajiv Gandhi Mobile AIDS Counselling Services" (RGMACS) project. RGMACS' mission is to create a positive and conducive environment where there is no fear and stigma associated with HIV/AIDS and people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs) are able to live their life with dignity. The first phase of the project was started with Ms. Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson, RGF, flagging off the Mobile Van in August 2002. Currently the project is in the 3rd phase of implementation.

The following are the major activities in this phase:

• Capacity Building activities for project staff and various community groups including youth, RMPs, women, NGO personnel etc.
  
• Information, Education and Communication (IEC) and Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) activities on weekly basis to raise awareness and sensitise people about the issue.
  
• Awareness Generation sessions in schools, training centers and NGOs in the project areas.
  
• To ensure a sustainable service delivery system, network has been established with Voluntarty Counselling & Testing Centres (VCTCs), government hospitals, medical practitioners, NGOs, RMPs, chemists etc.
  
• The project team has been providing services in health camps organised by local organizations in the project areas.
  

FICCI-SEDF Reproductive & Child Health Project
District Muzaffarnagar

FICCI-SEDF Reproductive & Child Health (RCH) Project is a two-year project funded by Govt. of India through SIFPSA. The project was started in October 2004 and is covering Purkaji block in Muzaffarnagar District, which has 75 villages with a population of 1,45,313. The main objects of the project are to create awareness, improve reproductive & child health services and establish small family norm amongst the target population. The project is incorporating the CBD (Community Based Distributors) strategy where FICCI-SEDF has selected heath workers from the targeted areas and has trained & mobilised them to promote and provide Maternal and Child Health (MCH) services in the project area. Apart from this, two Out-reach Clinics have also been set up where 2 ANMs cater to the targeted population on visit basis. FICCI's local member, Federation of Muzaffarnagar Commerce and Industry (FMCI) is collaborating with the Foundation and has assisted in setting up the project office in Muzaffarnagar

FICCI-Shraddhanjali Jawan Trust

Following the Kargil war in July 1999, FICCI in partnership with its member companies organized a major fund raising event named "Shradhanjali". This event was graced by the Hon'ble President, the Prime Minister, the three Chiefs of Staff and several Union Ministers and Secretaries to the Government of India.

The total expenses for organizing the Shradhanjli Concert were met by FICCI and its member-companies. Rupees 1.10 Crores raised by way of souvenir advertising, ticket sale and sponsorships were used to set up a corpus for the FICCI-Shraddhanjali Jawan Trust.

The interest earnings of the corpus fund are used to provide financial assistance to the persons recommended by Army Central Welfare Fund, IAF Central Welfare Fund, and Indian Naval Benevolent Association in the ratio of 85: 15: 05 respectively. The financial help, through very modest, is important in the sense that it goes mostly to those families who would otherwise not qualify for any Government or official help. The administrators of these funds, who are also members of the Trust, distribute the actual benefit to the selected families.

For this year's disbursal, the Trustees met on the 17th of August 2005 at FICCI, and decided to provide Rs. 8.65 lakhs to the three funds in a ratio of 85:15:05 to Army, Air Force and Navy. The meeting was attended by the Administrators of the funds, President of FICCI, Mr. Onkar Singh Kanwar, Vice President, FICCI-SEDF, Mr. Arun Seth and Secretary General FICCI, Dr. Amit Mitra

New Initiatives

EMPOWERING ADOLESCENTS THROUGH LIFE SKILLS EDUCATION

FICCI-SEDF, in collaboration with Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, has initiated a project "Empowering Adolescents through Life Skills Education". The project is covering 10 slums of Delhi and is targeted at out-of-school adolescents. The project follows Life Skills Education strategy, which is a comprehensive behaviour change approach that concentrates on the development of the skills needed for life such as communication, decision making, thinking, managing emotions, assertiveness, resisting peer pressure etc. A 5-day curriculum has been developed to impart life skills to these out-of-school adolescents.

The following are the major activities in last five months of implementation:

• Training of Trainers on Life Skills Education for 25 personnel drawn from various NGOsworking in the 10 project areas.
  
• Networking with 14 NGOs in project areas. These NGOs are supporting the Foundation in reaching out to out-of-school adolescents in each of the project areas.
  
• Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities to create awareness about various issues related to adolescent health and behaviour .
  
• Capacity Building activities for project staff and NGO partners.
  
• 165 Adolescents have been imparted Life Skills Education with support from Modicare Foundation. They are now acting as Peer Trainers for other untrained adolescents in their respective areas.

Enhancement of Employability of Persons with Disabilities

This year onwards, one of the priority areas of FICCI-SEDF is Enhancement of Employability of Persons with Disabilities. Keeping this in view the following two major activities were undertaken by the Foundation :

Meeting on Sharing of Ideas on Enhancing the Employability of Persons with Disabilities

An interactive meeting was convened by FICCI-SEDF on 18th August 2005 to get feed back on FICCI-SEDF strategy Paper on Action for Harnessing the Employability Avenues for Disabled (AHEAD).

The above meeting was attended by representatives Government agencies, NGOs, Armed Forces, Employers from the corporate sector and experts from the disability sector. During the meeting Dr. Uma Tuli, Ex. Chief Commissioner of Persons with Disabilities,Mr. George Abraham, CEO, Score Foundation,Ms. Nidhi Bhasin, Programme Officer, Business and Community Foundation (BCF) , Ms. Anjlee Agarwal, Executive Director, Samarthya Mrs. Rashmi Paliwal ,Partner, Balloons shared their views . The purpose of choosing the above presenters was to get different perspectives of the government, private sector and NGOs working for providing knowledge, information, technical assistance, employment and other services to persons with disabilities.

Mr. Arun Seth, Chairman British Telecom, India and Vice President, FICCI-SEDF joined the meeting and presided. Mr. Harry Sethi unfolded the strategy paper of FICCI-SEDF for its initiative, Action for Harnessing Employability Avenues for Disabled (AHEAD).

Mr. Onkar Singh Kanwar, President (FICCI) and Dr. Amit Mitra, Secretary General, (FICCI) also joined the meeting. Mr. Kanwar explained how his company, Apollo Tyres, is actively involved in working with the persons retired from the forces, how persons with disabilities can be employed in service and BPO sectors and how this will be useful for both the employers and the persons with disabilities. He also expressed full commitment of FICCI to FICCI-SEDF initiative on enhancing the employability of persons with disabilities. Dr. Mitra emphasised on the NGO-Business and Civil Society partnership.

Symposium on Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities

Rehabilitation of persons with disabilities requires multi-sectoral collaborative approach so that better synergy in delivering services and building a conducive environment is achieved. With a strong faith in this view, FICCI-SEDF in collaboration with Venu Eye care Centre decided to bring together all the stakeholders including government, NGOs, employers, trainers, media and persons with disabilities at a common platform in the Symposium on Rehabilitation of People with Disabilities on the 3rd of October 2005. The Symposium was aimed at facilitating a process wherein all the critical issues can be discussed and a practical and productive roadmap for the future can be worked out. During the Symposium, various suggestions, opinions, and options were discussed at length in the three Business Sessions. As all the possible stakeholders who have important role in economic rehabilitation of persons with disabilities were be involved in the Symposium, their collective opinion and experience sharing was not only helpful in getting a holistic picture but also helped in developing and implementing AHEAD in a more practical, sustainable and result oriented manner. The Symposium was attended by several experts and eminent speakers including Mr. Kiran Karnik, President, NASSCOM, Dr. Manoj Kumar, Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Mr. P.M. Sinha, President, FICCI-SEDF, Dr A.K. Mukherjee, Director General, Indian Spinal Injuries Centre, Maj. Gen. Ian Cardozo, Chairman, RCI, Mr.Arun Seth, Vice President, FICCI-SEDF, Mr. George Abraham, CEO, Score Foundation, Mr. Niranjan Khatri, GM (Quality and Environmental Initiatives), ITC Hotels, Mr.Manoj Chakravarti, General Manager Corporate Affairs, Titan Industries Ltd.

J&K Earthquake Relief

The devastating earthquake that rocked Jammu & Kashmir on the 8th of October 2005 caused severe damage to the lives and belongings of thousands of families on both sides of the Line of Control. The districts of Poonch, Baramulla, Jammu, Udhampur, Ramban Kathua, Srinagar, Budgam, Anantnag, Pulwama and Kupwara are the worst affected.

With a mandate to lead the process of harnessing corporate social responsibility in India, and the experience of having played a major role in the 2001 Gujarat Earthquake rehabilitation; FICCI in consultation with the Ministry of Home Affairs organized relief work.

The response was prompt and within 24 hours of starting the relief operations, FICCI was ready with blankets, jackets, sweaters, shoes and other relief items. A total of 11 tons of relief material as first consignment for the victims was airlifted through Indian Air Force in coordination with the Ministry of Home Affairs. A collection centre was started at the FICCI auditorium in New Delhi for public contributions.

The response to the collection centre was very positive. Bata India Ltd. provided 1500 pairs of shoes for men, women and children; Johnson & Johnson provided 2000 packets of sanitary products; hundreds of blankets, quilts, mattresses, and jackets were received from individuals; and the monetary contributions to the FICCI-SEDF Relief Fund. The second consignment of around 6 tons consisting of bleaching powder, chlorine tablets, toys for children, blankets, and jackets was sent to J&K the following week. Two villages with more than 600 affected families were identified with the help of J&K Light Infantry Regiment for the distribution of relief supplies. 4 tons of relief materials were distributed in the presence of FICCI-SEDF officials.

World AIDS Day, 1st December 2005

On the occasion of the World AIDS Day, FICCI-SEDF organized the following events in the field

1. A rally on HIV/AIDS awareness in Madanpur Khadar, one of our Project areas
   
2. A Street Play in a resettlement colony as a part of this campaign
   
3. A health camp on STD/STI Treatment and Counselling and Referral services for Voluntary Counselling and Testing Services was organized in collaboration with a community based NGO
   
4. A 3 day HIV/AIDS Awareness Cricket Match was also organized in collaboration with the Delhi Police and Discipleship Center. 4 teams from various slum and resettlement colonies participated in the event. The event was very well received by local people. During the running commentary on the matches, massages for prevention control and management of HIV/AIDS, safe behaviour and practices were also announced. The final was played on the 4th of December and trophies were given away by Mr.Harry Sethi and DCP of the area to the teams and outstanding players .
   
5. FICCI-SEDF's trained group of out of school adolescents from Vikaspuri slum areas also performed image theatre on Stigma and Discrimination at Ansal Plaza amphitheatre. The group, which is very well trained in theatrical skills has received life skills education and HIV/AIDS training from FICCI-SEDF. Their performance and innovative technique of using image theatre for awareness creation was highly applauded by the audience. This event was organized by the Modicare Foundation and around 10 teams from various public schools, collages, NGOs and Slums staged their performances.
   

World Disability Day 3rd December'2005

On the occasion of the World Disability Day and to further reinforce its commitment to the cause of the disabled persons by promoting Equal Opportunities and Inclusion, FICCI-SEDF, along with AADI organised "Career Development Forum" on the 2nd and 3rd of December 2005. The Forum was aimed at bringing together representatives from the education and training sector, corporates, industry, career counsellors, both private and government to highlight their schemes and opportunities to our target group of young adults with disability, families, trainers, and professionals for recruitment and enrolment. This event was inaugurated by Shri Arun Shourie on the 2nd of December 2005 at AADI. Shri P.M. Sinha, President, FICCI-SEDF presided over the function and delivered the keynote address. Also present on the occasion were Maj. Gen. Ian Cardozo, Chairman Rehabilitation Council of India and Ms. Divya Jalan, Chairperson, AADI.

Activities during this two days event included Talk Shows by eminent experts from the industry including NTPC, ITC, ICICI, SBI etc, training and education sectors like NIFT, ATDC etc, Interactive sessions with the HR Managers, Logo Competition, Film Shows, Games, Information on Training and educational options, Concessions and facilities for Persons with Disability, Loans, Support systems available, exhibitions on success stories, Employment opportunities in the industry sector etc.

FICCI-SEDF also associated with NCPEDP and Shell for the Helen Keller Awards for the year 2005. Instituted in the year 1999, these Awards are named after Helen Keller, the deaf-blind woman who became a role model for millions of people. Every year, 10 role models are selected from those who have been doing exemplary work towards helping disabled people find positions of equality and dignity in the workplace. This year, the list of Awardees include Shri S. Sankara Raman, Shri Harish Kumar P. Kotian , Ms Naseema Hurzuk, Ms Shanti Raghvan , Shri Shyam Kedare , Father Valeriano Vaz , Laser Soft Infosystems Limited , ABB Limited , Shree Ramana Maharishi Academy for the Blind ,Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited . The Awards for this year were given away by Shri Arjun Singh, Hon'ble Minister for HRD in the presence of Shri P.M. Sinha, President FICCI-SEDF, Shri Vikram Singh Mehta, Country Chairman, Shell Group of Companies and Shri Javed Abidi, Executive Director, NCPEDP.

Businessworld-FICCI-SEDF Corporate Social Responsibility Award-2005

The Businessworld-FICCI-SEDF Corporate Social Responsibility Award was instituted in 1999 to recognize and applaud the social conscience of the corporates in India.

Increasing number of companies are becoming conscious about their social responsibilities. Today, business houses are increasingly willing to re-evaluate their performance according to the Triple Bottom-Line (TBL) concept of factoring Financial, Social and Environmental indicators. The belief is that taking care of stakeholders enhances not only the goodwill of the company but also helps towards creating general well being in society.

There are some companies in India, which quietly go about making it their business to help others. By taking time off from their core business activities, to take on projects with a social cause, projects that reach out and touch the lives of others. Here's an Award that takes these efforts into cognizance.

Selection Process

The Businessworld- FICCI-SEDF Award is the first award to be constituted for Corporate Social Responsibility in India and has a unique three-tier selection process.

Stage I

Under stage 1 of the assessment process, entries received were thoroughly scrutinized by Grant Thornton, International Accountants & Business Advisers. Responses were tabulated and a quantitative analysis (1st Assessment) carried out on the pre-defined parameters including Institutionalization of CSR, Community as a Stakeholder, Community Development, and Other CSR Practices including HR Practices, Environmental Practices etc.

The 7 listed below were shortlisted at the end of this assessment.

1. Ballarpur Industries Limited
   
2. Dr.Reddy's Lab
   
3. Kinetic Engineering Services Limited
   
4. Satyam Computers Services Limited
   
5. Deepak Fertilizers and Petrochemicals Limited
   
6. Indo Gulf Fertilizers Limited
   
7. Biocon Pharmaceuticals Limited *
   

Stage II

It was then followed by an on-site assessment by a recognized NGO, Business & Community Foundation (BCF) that visited all the seven companies and their project sites for qualitative analysis and evaluated their work.

Stage III

The final selection for the Award was made by a special jury drawn from relevant corporate and social spheres. This year's panel of the Jury included Dr.Abid Hussain (Chair), Dr. Girija Vyas, Justice Leila Seth, Prof. Muchkund Dubey.

On 24th of February 2006, the assessment partners, Grant Thornton and Business and Community Foundation made presentations before this prestigious panel of jury which was followed by presentations by the 6 short listed companies. The 7th shortlisted company Biocon Pharmaceuticals Limited opted out from the stage 3 assessments and was therefore disqualified.

The Jury appreciated the efforts made by all the companies and was full of praise for the corporate initiatives in CSR. It unanimously gave the following results:

The winner - Corporate Citizen I

• Satyam Computer Services Ltd.
  1st Runner-up - Corporate Citizen II
  
• Kinetic Engineering Ltd.
  2nd Runner up -Corporate Citizen III
  
• Deepak Fertilisers and Petrochemicals Ltd.
  Certificate of appreciation
  
• Ballarpur Industries Ltd.
  
• Dr. Reddy's Laboratory Ltd.
  
• Indo-Gulf Fertilisers Ltd.
  

AWARD PRESENTATION CEREMONY

The Awards were presented in a glitzy ceremony on the 6th of March 2006 at the Federation House, New Delhi. The Awards were given away by the Hon'ble Minister of State for Industry, Shri Ashwani Kumar who was also the Chief Guest. During his address Shri Ashwani Kumar applauded the efforts and initiatives by the corporate sector, especially, in the field of Maternal and Child health. He also appreciated the work of FICCI-SEDF for social development and promotion of CSR.

Others present on the occasion included Shri P.M. Sinha, President, FICCI-SEDF who also delivered the welcome address, Dr. Abid Hussain, Chairman of the Jury, Dr. Amit Mitra Secretary General, FICCI, Shri D.N. Mukherjea, Deputy Editor, Shri Rajesh Jain, COO, Grant Thornton, Shri Arun Firodia, Chairman, Kinetic Engineering Lt, Mr. A. S. Murthy, Director HR, Satyam Computers & Chairman, CSR Council, Satyam Computers, Ms. Amita Joseph, Executive Director, BCF and several other dignitaries and professionals from relevant corporate and development sector.

First National Conference on Accessible Transportation
'Mobility for All'
17-19 March 2006

Samarthya, National Centre for Promotion of Barrier Free Environment for Disabled Persons, with FICCI-SEDF organized a three days 'National Conference on Accessible Transportation - Mobility for All, 2006', in academic collaboration with Transportation Research and Injury Prevention Programme (TRIPP) Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, from March 17 to March 19, 2006 at FICCI Federation House, 1 Tansen Marg, New Delhi.

The objective of the Conference was to bring the Government, academicians, stake holders and Persons with Disabilities (as user groups) on one platform. This Conference was the first endeavor of its kind in the country.

The Conference was inaugurated by Shri J.P. Batra, Chairman, Railway Board on 17 March. On this occasion, Shri P M Sinha, President, FICCI-SEDF released a research report on " Accessibility of Bus & Bus Shelters in India" and briefly shared FICCI-SEDF's initiative on Disability.

During the conference, Technical Sessions on Urban Designs (Road and Safety, Street Infrastructure and Access for Pedestrians), Public Transport Designs and Universal Design and Vehicle Design and Accessible Tourism were organized, where presentations were made by National & International Experts including Mr. Sanjeev Sachdeva & Ms. Anjlee Aggarwal of Samarthya, Prof. Dinesh Mohan, Prof. Geetam Tewari, Ms Poonam Natarajan, Chairperson, National Trust and Internation Experts Dr. CGB Mitchell of UK, Dr. Lalita Sen from US, Ms Ling Suen of Canada, Mr. Yoshihiko Kawauchi of Japan Ms Haimantee Banerjee, IIT Kharagpur and Mr Gerhard Menckhoff, World Bank (BRTS).

Shri Haroon Yusuf, HonableMinister for Transport, Govt. of NCT of Delhi, who was the Guest of Honour for the conference, also accompanied participants for the field visit on 19th March. The field visit was organized to showcase Low Floor Buses, model Barrier Free Bus Shelter at Hauz Khas Terminal, barrier-free Dilli Haat and the Central Secretariat station of Delhi Metro and Metro ride to Kashmiri Gate.

Also present during conference were eminent speakers and personalities from the disability sector and other relevant fields including Mr. Rajeev Talwar, ADG, Tourism Ministry, Shri Subhash Goyal, President, IATO, Prof. Mandeep Singh of SPA, Mr. Amit of TATA Motors, Dr. PS Rana, CMD, HUDCO, Ms Amudha Ratnam, SAP (Chennai), Mr Pradeep Sachdeva Architeck Ms. Nafisa Ali, Shri Rakesh Mehta, Principal Secretary (Health), Delhi, Prof. P K Sarkar of SPA, Shri Adarsh Khare, Director RDSO, Indian Railways, Mr. Gaurav Raheja, IIT Roorkee, Mr. Abhijeet Sarkar from the office of Transport Minister.