Management Approach 2

People Development 2

Community Development 11

Village Adoption 14

Women's Welfare & Empowerment 15

Educational Impetus 19

Support for Healthcare 23 management people approach development community nurturing employees We believe in following the highest standards of corporate citizenship and have aligned our community plans with the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals and the Prime Minister's Social Charter. Our approach is to have a positive impact on the society in the form of incremental growth in the local economy, thus entwined with our business imperatives. Towards this, need assessment exercises are carried out to evaluate community development imperatives. Contributions to the The bulk of MSPL's workforce is society too form a key component of involved in operations and at our planned expenditures. the corporate office. Our wind farms are fully operated and maintained by companies of repute to whom we have employees outsourced the operation and Employee safety, satisfaction and maintenance (O&M). Hence the welfare are at the heart of our business. number of our employees in the wind We practise non-discrimination and business is small. provide equal opportunities both in recruitment and employee performance assessment processes and associated remunerations, thus managing risks of attrition. We engage with our Our fair business employees regularly and have mechanisms to assess career practices have also satisfaction and plan career helped establish enhancement. MSPL as an employer of choicriske for & the impact people human rights in the region. Members We believe in the fundamental of the community principle of preserving human dignity where we operate, and respect of an individual's rights and freedom. Our Code of Conduct and consider MSPL a the Human Rights Policy that is being dream company progressively deployed provide to work with. detailed guidelines for safeguarding human rights. If any, incidents of violation of human rights will be investigated in detail and appropriate Nabaghana Pany punitive measure will be taken. All Vice President - HR employees reserve the right to directly MSPL Limited convey their grievances to the Chairman and Managing Director.

1 2 MSPL's mine is located in the mineral rich Hospet region of Bellary employee strength district. Due to the presence of several mines in the region, there has Grade Units 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 traditionally been an intense competition for workers. We employ a Director Nos. 3 3 3 large number of people from the local communities. In a competitive Manager Nos. 25(8) 29(1) 36(7) environment, where workers are sought out by various mining Officer Nos. 117(14) 124(15) 133(11) companies - the respect, stability and potential for development that we offer Staff Nos. 242(21) 270(35) 307(16) those who work with us, has made us a Our people are confident ideal employer in the region. Worker Nos. 792(69) 1284(141) 1220(18) about their jobs; we have The downturn in the global mining made every effort to Total Nos. 1179 1710 1699 industry has created unemployment among a number of mine workers, create a healthy work environment that Numbers indicated in brackets pertain to probationary employees of MSPL having joined within 6 months particularly daily wage workers and risk & impact prior to March 31 2009, and the total is not inclusive of these. The above figures are for MSPL Limited illegal miners. At MSPL, we have made provides our employees a (inclusive of VIOM, EOU-I, EOU-II and Corporate Office) a conscious effort to ensure that we sense of security. In fact, retain all those who work with us. No we are scouting for best employee has been relieved of his or International Council on Mining and Metals her duties. In fact, our commitment to available talent and Sustainable Development Framework Principle 03: recruit full time employees, as talent management opposed to contract workers, has remains a major activity Uphold fundamental human rights given our people a sense of security. for the Human Resources and respect cultures, customs and This sense of comfort goes a long way towards ensuring that our people are Department at values in dealings with employees focused on discharging their duties MSPL Limited. and that MSPL will take care of them and others who are affected by our even under the most severe activities circumstances. We have made efforts Nabaghana Pany to retain a small number of contract Vice President - HR workers who have been with us for a MSPL Limited long time. United Nations Millennium Development - Goal 3 Promote gender equality and empower women total employee strength

At MSPL, we understand that it is in mining operations are not typically 1710 1699 our best interests to employ the best attractive to women and secondly people for a given function regardless women have been historically kept Our employee strength remained stable with a small decrease of 11 personnel of their age, gender, religion, race or away from employment opportunities, at the year end, compared to previous any other discriminatory parameter. thereby impacting their professional year end. Employee strength increased We make employment and promotion development in . Giving the girl across Manager, Officer and Staff decisions solely on the basis of merit child access to education is the first categories but decreased in the worker and performance appraisals are step towards providing women the category. In addition to the employees carried out for all post-probation basic skills to be eligible for 1179 on our rolls, 16 experts have been employees. employment. contracted as consultants. We also have [For a comprehensive understanding of our 77 contract workers at our mines However, as reported in the previous efforts in women's empowerment, please refer operations. year, majority of our employees are to “Women's Empowerment” in the People male due to two principal factors – Development section on page 15]

2006-07 2007-08 2008-09

3 4 When compared to last year, the number of male employees decreased by 0.37%, ensure that we emerge best equipped We used a balanced development while female employees increased by the same percentage. In terms of age, majority at the end of the crisis, we have approach in which, apart from the of our employees are under the age group of 50 years. There is a healthy distribution embarked on an extensive training regular technical, operational and of workforce between the sub-30 and 30-50 age groups. drive across the workforce. People certifications related training that was have received training in technical provided to our employees, we skills development, operational engaged an external expert for workforce diversity & equal opportunity refresher courses and soft skills & providing personality development and leadership skills, which included category 2008-09 lifestyle management. There have been conscious and concerted efforts goal setting, change management, Grade <30 30-50 >50 Total towards imparting training to developing human relations, stress M F M F M F M F employees at mine locations, management, time management and particularly in sub-managerial development of effective habits. Director 0 0 2 0 1 0 3 0 categories.

Manager 0 0 21 0 15 0 36 0

Officer 26 5 77 4 20 1 123 10

Staff 100 16 181 4 6 0 287 20 male female 1400 Worker 592 1 598 6 23 0 1213 7 genderwise break-up 1213 1200 of employees Total 718 22 879 14 65 1 1662 37 1000 800 The above figures are for MSPL Limited (inclusive of VIOM, EOU-I, EOU-II and Corporate Office) 600

400 287 200 123 Employee Turnover 3 0 36 0 10 20 7 0 Directors Managers Officers Staff Workers level-wise break-up Although the number of employees of employees leaving the firm was 9.76% lower than employee categories Directors 3 the previous year, the rate of turnover at MSPL continued to remain high. The Managers 36 bulk of employees leaving the Officers 133 company were from the Worker and employee turnover Staff 307 Staff grade, but the percentage 2007 - 2008 Workers 1220 turnover was most significant among 2008 - 2009 33.90 the Officer and Manager grades. The 35 significant increase in turnover rate as 30 compared to the previous year is a matter of serious concern since these 25 22.22 gender-wise break-up employees are highly skilled and of employees r 20 17.29 17.40 experienced personnel. In the other e v 13.80 13.03

o 15

employee categories, the turnover rate n

Females 37 r u

has either improved from the previous t 10 Males 1662 0.00 0.00 7.79 7.87 year or remained unchanged. % 5 Moreover, the sub-50 age group continues to witness the highest 0 absolute levels of turnover. Directors Managers Officers Staff Workers We are convinced that the long term fundamentals of our business are employee categories robust. As part of our strategy to The above figures are for MSPL Limited (inclusive of VIOM, EOU 1 , EOU 2 and Corportae Office

5 6 In an effort to relieve employee stress formal training camps also promoted and inculcate discipline of healthy cordial employee relations increased living, we organised a yoga camp (refer interaction with employees at all page 28). A workshop was also levels. conducted by the Art of Living Foundation wherein participants were Employee training was a major activity The soft-skills training exposed to the tools and techniques in the reporting period. Over 16,000 hours of training was imparted to provided to our mine that enabled them to de-stress and workers over the years energise. These programs apart from employees across the firm. Extensive have been very beneficial. It will help Safety has been built training and workers in their into the culture across development training hours personal lives and our operations. People training hours/employee family development have been trained and 9000 45 as well as with job re-trained over time. 8319 27.10 When senior officials 8000 40 responsibilities and behaviour as they come visit the mines, safety 7000 35 e e

y is among the first topics

o through the ranks l s r

6000 30 p

u discussed. m o at MSPL. e h

5000 25 r g e n p i

4062 30.54 3860 3.16 n s

i 4000 20 r a u r t o

3000 15 h Meda Venkataiah Meda Venkataiah g

156 4.33 n i Executive Director - Mines Executive Director - Mines

2000 10 n i MSPL Limited a MSPL Limited r 1000 5 t

0 0 Managers Officers Staff Workers employee categories International Council on Mining and Metals Sustainable Development Framework Principle 05:

training was imparted to mine staff who Seek continual improvement of our have come up through the system and health and safety performance have shown the potential to assume Joining MSPL was like greater roles with more responsibilities. a dream come true. We are convinced that these training workforce safety Our mining operations have a safety committee that looks into all aspects The last 14 years of sessions will benefit our people in their personal and professional lives. Our and health of workplace safety. At our wind farms, service have been investments in the development of our third party experts that look after a wonderful experience. people will also equip MSPL to excel in a Safety is a priority at MSPL. We ensure operations ensure safety performance positive economic scenario and build that all necessary measures have been and monitoring. set in place for the safety of all people resilience in a downcast economic We are proud to have maintained an scenario. within our premises and those on the periphery of our operational areas. impeccable safety record with no Uma C. S. Though we do not have a written policy Safety trainings and refresher courses reportable injuries or fatalities in the Secretary to CMD to ensure maximum contribution from are imparted to all associated reporting period. MSPL Limited local suppliers, we have a long-standing personnel across our mining, mineral This year, we took initial steps in relationship with several local suppliers. processing and wind counseling our employees on the risks operations. of certain diseases. We focussed on

7 8 Gavisiddapa MSPL EOU1 Year of joining: 1977 We are proud to have been able to maintain an impeccable safety record with no reportable injuries I started as a loading labourer. Within 2-3 months, I was presented with an opportunity to work as a driller helper and blaster helper. After close to 3 years or fatalities in the reporting period of on the job training I received while assisting my seniors, my senior colleagues encouraged me to prepare and appear for the blaster examination. On clearing raising awareness and counseling on the examination, I was promoted to the rank of blaster. On account of my HIV/AIDS. The National AIDS Control performance, I was offered a position of a Mine Mate in 1981. Between 1981 Organisation's (NACO) Red Ribbon and 1984, I gained a tremendous amount of practical experience on mine Express (RRE) that ran through India in operations. Vocational training was imparted at the training centre and hands 2008 visited Hospet in August. We on inputs were continuously provided by senior mines officers. By 1992, after After completing my having appeared for the mines foreman examination, I was promoted as mines seized this excellent opportunity to degree, I joined MSPL foreman. Today, I work as a Senior Mines foreman at VIOM's Export Oriented increase awareness among our in September, 1981. Unit-I. The support that I received from my mentors at the company in the form of employees on HIV/AIDS. MSPL training, guidance, financial assistance for examinations and the stability that is employees were encouraged to visit My first few months associated with a regular job, has allowed me to achieve what I have today. In the Red Ribbon Express at Hospet with the firm - the 1977, over thirty years ago, when I was recruited as a loading labourer, never Railway station. satisfaction that I drew had I imagined that I would become a Senior Foreman. In the coming years, we will take up from working with a more disease awareness, prevention business that conducts and counseling activities for our itself in a fair manner employees as well as the communities Ramappa MSPL EOU1 within which we operate. - and the engagement Year of joining: 1981 with the proprietors MSPL has evolved in to an convinced me that this My education up to the 7th standard, stood in the way of me getting a organisation which encourages respectable job that could help me build a good career. MSPL had a reputation employees to achieve their full would be my first and as a good employer that afforded people the opportunity to develop a career. I potential, whilst being reassured of last employment. sought employment with them and joined as a helper in 1981. After gaining some experience and having participated in a number of trainings, my supervisors entrusted me with the responsibility of being a compressor operator in 1988. Since then, there has been no looking back. I have gone from strength to strength and have been promoted thrice. Right now I am working as a senior S. Mruthyunjaya operator. The encouragement of my supervisors and the support that I received AGM - Administration for training materials and guidance at MSPL has motivated me to achieve my I have had two stints MSPL Limited potential. This is where I want to be. with MSPL. The reason for my second stint is the personal connection job security and stability through employment opportunities for their R V Hanumantha MSPL VIOM and the bond that I had families. developed with the Year of joining: 1985 company, its personnel At MSPL, we believe in the right of every employee to fully develop to I joined MSPL as a driller helper in 1985. Soon, I realised that MSPL rewarded employees who showed promise and interest in career development. With this in and the people who her/his full potential. Moreover, mind and through encouragement from my seniors and peers, I worked hard on run it. I feel like a part sincere efforts are made to ensure that certifications. Today, I've moved up the ranks from being a helper, to a drilling of the family. workers, doing even the most basic of operator, then to a senior driller and am now a driller operator. The culture at jobs are given opportunities through MSPL to reward its employees for strong performance is also a motivational mentoring and training to develop factor. Among the awards and recognitions that I've received through my time within the organisation. Due to this with MSPL, I am most proud of the first prize that I received for safe drilling Manoj Kumar Agrawal culture, we are proud that many procedures. Now, it is up to people like me who have benefitted from MSPL's Vice President - Material employees have stayed with us for commitment to preserve this culture and carry on the tradition. This career has MSPL Limited decades and have developed given my family a sense of stability. For someone with only a primary education, remarkable careers. I am truly lucky to have been given an early opportunity with MSPL. Since then, there has been no looking back.

9 10 International Council on Mining and Metals living. At the national level, human be nationally and internationally development indices and indicators coherent. We have consciously sought Sustainable Development Framework Principle 09: across States have been computed. to align our activities with national and international goals and standards. Contribute to the social, economic As per the HDI, Bellary is one of the These include Prime Minister's 10 and institutional development of the most backward districts in Karnataka Point Social Charter for Indian State and is at 17th place among the corporate houses, the United Nations' communities earlier configuration of 20 districts. Its Millennium Development Goals HDI is 0.42 as compared to State HDI (UN MDGs), ICMM and its Indian of 0.47. Our presence in the Bellary counter part yet to be formalised, supporting a wide range of socio- region makes our responsibility community economic, educational and health namely Federation of Indian Mining towards the community even more Industries (FIMI) principles, Indian development initiatives. The Baldota Group of greater. companies has long recognised the Mining Initiatives. We have also adhered to and have sought funding We consistently work towards need to earn community support and Through our empowered sustainability from International Finance Corporation integrating Corporate Social ensure sound environmental committee that looks into our social (IFC) against its stringent Environment, Responsibility (CSR) into the values, performance for business viability. initiatives we realised that our Health & Safety Standard(s). culture, operations and business programs should not only address the The United Nations Development needs of the local communities but decisions at all levels of the Programme's (UNDP) Human organisation. We believe that Development Index (HDI) – is a community service is an integral part of summary composite index that The Baldota Group has long recognised the need to our business responsibilities. At MSPL measures a country's average earn community support and ensure sound our constant endeavour has been to achievements in three basic aspects bring a positive change to the of human development: health, environmental performance for business viability underprivileged communities by knowledge, and a decent standard of

Urban and Health & Sanitation Rural Infrastructure Educational Impetus Women Empowerment

Assistance towards up Providing / improving Teachers training SHG formation gradation of hospital road ways facilities Distribution of educational Addressing woman and Construction of Public material health Creation of a blood bank facilities - bus shelters and walk over bridge Upgradation of school Provisions of livelihood Assistance towards facilities opportunities heaIthcare and healthcare Construction of costs recreational facilities for Recognising / awarding Awareness programs on employees and children talent and merit health and sanitation Addressing material and child health Construction of schools and Assistance towards sports Educational assistance educational institutions and entertainment facilities and motivation for girl Health awareness students campaigns Provision of drinking water Educational assistance

11 12 The absence of a quality green Through these Sabha meetings we recreational space in the city of Hospet village adoption were able to take on focal issues for spurred us to build a children's park, action namely health, hygiene, last year, that meets needs in terms of In an effort to address every need of livelihood generation, sports, My vision is to provide a clean, green, safe and fun place to village communities around us, we children's education and providing urban facilities to play. Some of our employees come have thus far adopted ten villages that basic village amenities. rural areas. from across the length and breadth of are in close proximity to our mines and the country and have made Hospet wind farms. their home. To help them integrate Last year we adopted the villages of better in their new environment, we Danapur, Galemmanagudi, Ingaligi, Narendrakumar A. Baldota have constructed a company club that Hanumanahalli and Kanavihally. This takes care of their recreational and Any need that is Chairman & Managing Director year five additional villages namely brought to our notice MSPL Limited & Baldota Group entertainment needs. Jaisingapura, Basapura, Halavarthi, and if we see our We realise that the need for education Hosahalli, and Shankarnagar in is pivotal for the growth of a society. Karnataka have been adopted. Through contribution towards it a demographic study in the adopted Our partnership with neighbouring Towards this we have plans to establish as necessary, we will villages, the Gram Sabha village communities dates back to 1961. a school in Hospet. During the year, we do it. representatives along with the village Over the years we have contributed initiated a study conducted by the community decide the priority areas for towards community and village Kuvempu University to look into the improvement. On an ongoing basis the development as we firmly believe that existing educational system and Gram Sabha meets once in every six economic development begins with facilities available in Hospet and near months or in case of emergencies, to Narendrakumar A. Baldota community development. by Koppal Districts, so that a rational deliberate on issues of development Chairman & Managing Director decision can be taken by us to build a MSPL Limited & Baldota Group In spite of our long-standing school in the forthcoming years in and also to take stock of ongoing relationship with communities around Hospet. activities. us through philanthropic contributions, we wanted our contributions to be more sustained. This year we have adopted additional five villages - We also wanted to focus on areas where communities felt a need, so Jaisingapura, Basapura, Halavarthi, Hosahalli, and that the impacts of our contributions Most companies in the Shankarnagar in Karnataka are maximised and sustainability of mining business do our initiatives is also taken care off. some kind of social Our initiatives have been to improve activities, but at MSPL facilities in and around Hospet town we have a systematic Greening our villages for the betterment of communities as well as development of the villages way of planning and We have distributed around 60 Kg. kitchen around us. For the betterment of the addressing social needs. garden seeds for vegetables and 5,500 fruit town, we have realised the importance plants to 1,075 families in our adopted of development and cleanliness, and villages through women SHG members. This has been done to not only make the villages assisted in making arrangements for greener but address malnutrition among certain public facilities. We do have H. K. Ramesh AGM - CSR women and children as these plants bear assisted in construction of bus MSPL Limited fruits like Sapota, Lemon, Guava, and papaya shelters, walk over bridge for a college regularly. These fruits would help in etc., to improve basic facilities. improving family health. We have planted 540 saplings along the roads in Basapura, Hanumanahalli and Danapur villages. With our long-standing relationship with communities around us through philanthropic contributions, we wanted our contributions to be sustained

13 14 United Nations Millennium Development - Goal 3 We have formed 45 women SHGs that cover a Promote gender equality and total of 757 families in 9 villages with the assistance empower women of our CSR department

intervention which is an effective women of the village to come together, are then burdened by stringent strategy for poverty alleviation, discuss, share information and women's welfare & domestic and financial responsibilities. human development and social motivate each other on vital issues empowerment Additionally, only 54 percent of Indian empowerment. In the previous year such as women and child health, women are literate as compared to 76 we had contributed to 35 SHGs and in family planning, AIDS/HIV, pregnancy, Gender discrimination continues to be percent of men. Women receive little the current year 10 new SHGs have pre & post natal care, education, an enormous problem within the schooling and face barriers in terms of been included. Thus in all we have sanitation, alcoholism among men, Indian society. This drastically affects addressing issues of education, formed 45 women SHGs that cover a and family financial issues. women's health, financial status, financial dependency and also in Our community workers also educate education, and involvement on all exercising their basic rights. These and bring about awareness on these fronts of decision making. Women are issues are further aggravated among issues and assist SHGs in taking commonly married very young, poor and rural women. informed decisions on vital issues that become mothers at an early age, and Problems of women arise primarily out have changed their lives. Our SHG of the lack of access to resources at initiative by its grass-roots and both the household and the village participatory implementation methods level. Women's development has to go has fuelled our success across our Is it really possible for beyond the economic realm and we community development SHG members whose wanted to place emphasis on issues interventions. relating to equality, autonomy and self- members are largely reliance at the individual level and on total of 757 families in 9 villages with illiterate and can at the solidarity of the community (of women) the assistance of our CSR department. most write only their at the Group level. To address issues of 27 SHGs out of the total 45 have been linked with a bank and were able to name and read empowerment and to bring in financial independence we mooted the formation mobilise a seed fund of INR 985,000. The initiation of SHG numerals maintain of SHGs in our adopted villages. We have trained women to handle the these documents? books of accounts and maintain on formation and assistance Our experience has Women's Self Help Groups (SHGs) in savings and credit list and also towards construction of particular, represent a form of independently transact with the sanitation facilities have shown that once an banks. SHG realises the been the two major importance of literacy ratio For effective community development, highlights of MSPL's we firmly believe that women act as maintaining records contribution towards enablers of change. SHGs apart from society that has members themselves 100 being our deliberate attempt towards invest the time and 76 strengthening the financial handling drastically changed effort to manage good 54 and decision making power of women, people's lives. 50 have proven to be a strong and close account keeping. knit women's group that has been effectively utilised to propagate 25 awareness on key village issues that Srikar S. Bhattbhatt H. K. Ramesh need to be addressed. The members of Vice President - Corporate Affairs the SHG meet every week to undertake & Company Secretary AGM - CSR 0 MSPL Limited Female Male savings and credit activities. MSPL Limited The SHG provides a platform for

15 16 SHGs for village development

The Self Help Group (SHG) movement has brought certain changes in the lives of the women. It has allowed poor women to move from their earlier position of silence to one of gaining voice, reduced Building homes through our SHGs fatalism, improved living standards, and increased their collective bargaining powers within their family and community as well as empowered their status in the communities. My name is Mumtaz. I am 24 years of age and reside in Danapur village. I work as a representative in Kaveri women Self Help Group, formed by MSPL. We are fourteen members working in our SHG, which is growing day by day with growth in our savings and loan recovery. MSPL families coverage details

I am basically from a poor family and my parents work as daily labourers. We through SHG as on 31st March, 2009 are 5 members in the family and live in a small hut, which is not sufficient for Covered by MSPL us. We planned to build a new house for which we got an amount of INR 0.3 lac from the Village Panchayat, under the Ashraya scheme. But this amount sr. village total no. of percentage was insufficient. Since I was working as a representative in the Kaveri SHG, I no. name families families could borrow an additional INR 0.1 lac with a low rate of interest. This helped us to construct the new house. 1 Hanumanahalli 550 213 39 I am thankful to the Kaveri Self Help Group & to MSPL, due to which we could 2 Danapur 320 96 30 build our dream home. This has also helped me to contribute to my family's requirement, of which I am really proud. 3 Galemmanagudi 203 55 27 4 Ingaligi 210 38 18 5 Kanavihally 392 167 43 6 Basapura 235 84 36 7 460 45 10 Providing livelihood opportunities Halavarthi 8 Jaishingpura 203 45 22 9 Vyasankere 30 14 47 My name is Manjula and I am 20 years old. I am from Hanumanahalli village and I have studied till the 7th standard. My parents are agriculture labourers. 757 30 For further studies I had to travel to my neighbouring village, but my family's Total 2603 financial situation did not allow me to continue my schooling further. So I had to quit schooling and started supporting my mother with the household work. At the same time I was also searching for other opportunities to earn an income.

I came to know that in Mariyammanahalli village someone was running a tailoring training centre, which I was interested in. But my parents did not allow me as they did not want me to travel to another village and this disappointed me. Later I was hopeful when I got to know that MSPL is providing free tailoring training for unemployed women in my own village. I immediately joined classes and have completed six months of tailoring training successfully. I have learnt a lot of things and this has made my dreams come true.

MSPL has also given me a sewing machine for free. I have now started earning a monthly income of INR 1,500 to 2,000 through tailoring.

The help & support from MSPL, has changed my lifestyle and so has my family's financial position. I thank MSPL for helping me gain self respect & income. I have saved around INR 7,000 from my income in the past six months and also joined the SHG.

In an effort to develop skills among rural women we decided to impart tailoring skills. This initiative started in 2007 has empowered women to become self-reliant and infused confidence in them to face the world. Since then women have been undergoing tailoring

17 18 The school drop out rates are still high especially among girls from poor and rural backgrounds. According to UNICEF, currently, only 34 percent of Our children will never India's girls are completing their schooling in India know they can have a better life if they don't and from disadvantaged social groups At the primary level, the Abheraj receive education. across the country. Baldota Foundation has been With proper education distributing free notebooks to schools Programs such as the 'Sarva Shiksha in and around Hospet region for the and support, Abhiyan'- The 'Education for All' we believe that we are past 3 years. We have been assisting training and receive constant movement, a flagship program of the schools in terms of providing encouragement and support from the shaping the growth of Government of India, has made computers and free computer training Group. This year we trained 139 youth who are pillars education free and compulsory for to children of higher classes. women on tailoring and distributed of societal growth. children in the age group of 6 -14 160 sewing machines to trained years. women to continue their newly learnt Notebook Distribution In spite of many such programs we still skill cum profession. Post training see high school drop out rates some women have established their H. K. Ramesh especially among girls from poor and own tailoring business whereby they AGM - CSR rural backgrounds in most parts of the receive a regular income to support MSPL Limited country including Karnataka. their families. It is an unfortunate fact that female Women liberation is a complex issue by providing assistance like payment literacy in India today is still and our foremost priority is to address of fees, books and uniforms. Our considerably lower than male literacy. this through education. In an effort to efforts yielded results as we got 10 girl According to UNICEF, currently, only reduce the school drop out rates of children to rejoin schooling, especially 34% of girls complete their schooling girls, we conducted a house-to-house in the age groups of 11 to 17 years. in India. Yet in Karnataka, as per last survey in all our 10 adopted villages. Our plan now is to continue this in the forthcoming years and schedule our census held in 2001, the percentage Children from poor and rural In households where a girl child had counseling activities well in advance. of female literacy in the state was background find it hard to buy books dropped out of school, the family and Our target is to re-enroll 100 girl 57.45%. and notebooks. Their economic the girl child were counseled by us to children in the forthcoming academic We firmly believe that empowerment situation is so bad that simplest of resume schooling. We motivated them year. of women is through education and things like notebooks can deter their self sufficiency. Our activities hence education. The Abheraj Baldota have been through a combined Foundation launched free notebook approach of propagating education of distribution program for the year on educational impetus the girl child along with providing 30th June 2008. livelihood opportunities for the adult The program inaugurated by Capt. women. Dr. Rajendra, Asst. Commissioner, United Nations Millennium Development - Goal 2 Our other efforts towards education, Hospet, witnessed the distribution of apart from the girl child education, has 120,000 notebooks to 21,024 Achieve universal primary education been supporting education at the students across 88 schools in Hospet primary, secondary and graduate taluka and five schools in Koppal levels across socio-economic taluka. We pledge to continue this on segments and beyond geographical a yearly basis to motivate children Literacy in general plays a vital role in The Department of Education under boundaries. towards their pursuit of higher the overall development of any the Ministry of Human Resource education. society. District statistics show that Development, towards the Special classes for 10th and 12th (2nd the literacy rate of the Bellary district Universalisation of Elementary PUC) standard students were We supported the Education is 58.04%. We believe that Education has made primary organised to improve student's Department, in organising a science contribution towards education is key education more accessible and competency level through hiring exhibition in Hospet. More than 24 to investment in the social sector. effective for children, especially girls teachers and providing other facilities. schools participated in this program and those from deprived communities

19 20 Our activities hence have been through a combined We also contributed and honoured towards the entire M. Tech education approach of propagating education of the girl child academic achievers of the expenses of four candidates. We also Proudadevaraya Institute of Technology distributed laptops to the Mineral along with providing with livelihood opportunities and gold medals were awarded to 6 Exploration graduates. The Abheraj for income generation for adult women top rankers in different branches of Baldota Foundation's special program engineering. The Baldota Fellowship also supports ten academically for Masters in Technology (M. Tech) in brilliant students to pursue college meant to create interest and provide them with free education, text mineral exploration, in the current year education in engineering and medical awareness on science and its books, notebooks, other stationery involved a grant of INR 1.2 Million studies. importance in the minds of school etc. These have been some of our children. humble contributions to sustain and provide essential education to the We have offered financial support to youth of growing India. hire teachers wherever there has been a shortage of teaching staff. We To create awareness on environment, conducted a teachers' training community and public health issues, program where four teachers were we provided a sound system to a trained for computer education. We well-known theatre group in have donated teaching material and Mariyammanahalli. This team has over the years put up plays, in the village, to disseminate messages on community issues, public health and environmental issues and children's education. This theatre group also works on educating children on environment, anti-social issues, child rights and patriotism by staging dramas in schools and villages. They also publicise information and messages on these vital issues through the public address system provided by us. supporting sports

To address the educational needs of Apart from education, we believe that promoting talent, to reward and higher and mature students we a sport is an integral part of an recognise achievement. We have encourage aspiring students and individual's all round development. contributed INR 200,000 each to assist them to achieve their aims by We are facilitating talented sports honour the Olympic Games medalists ensuring that their financial situation also assisted towards mid-day meals persons in rural communities to Mr. Vijendra Singh (Boxing) and does not affect their zest for schemes for 10 schools and 15 perform to their true potential. We Mr. Sushil Kumar (Wrestling). education. We have made various anganvadis in adopted villages by sponsor prizes and certificates for the contributions for graduate students Beyond education and sports, we are providing vessels etc. Upgradation of winners of various sports competitions who are pursuing their business, also working to ensure equal access basic facilities in Government schools in high schools and higher primary engineering, medical or computer and opportunity to enhance quality of have been carried out by providing schools at the taluka and zonal levels. education. We financially supported life of students. chairs and tables. We also provided We provided sports kits to youth 24 poor talented students to pursue 50 desks, 4 tables and 4 chairs for groups. We also organised sports higher studies in the field of The ABF contributes towards music Halavarthi school. event at the zonal and taluka levels in engineering, medicine and training in schools especially for the and around Hospet. ABF encourages poor and physically challenged We run a primary school for the management. talented sportspersons to achieve students. We contributed to award the children of our mine workers and their dreams and have sponsored the winners of the Pratibha Karanji Program youth basket ball teams for - organised by the Department of Public To promote and improve rural student's competency participating in the state level Instruction at the district and taluka championship. We have also provided levels to promote cultural competitions level and reduce drop outs, we have also supported financial assistance to talented such as dancing, singing, drama, art, financially to hire teachers wherever there has been sportspersons for participating in handicraft, science, speech, etc. a shortage of teaching staff to handle classes international tournaments. Besides among school children.

21 22 United Nations Millennium Development - Goal 6 Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria & other diseases support for healthcare AIDS Awareness Over the past few years India has seen need to contribute towards and Blood Donation an impressive economic growth and augment efforts in providing health UNICEF estimates indicate that Hospet has a history of high accident progress on the human development facilities. Over the years our prime goal approximately 2.4 million rate with over 300 accidents recorded front. The growth rates of the country has been to provide sustained (2 million - 3.1 million) people in each year till 2001. This called for an were as high as nine per cent in contributions for existing hospitals to India were living with HIV in 2007. The imminent need to have a blood bank. 2006-07, while the population below upgrade, their facilities and also in national adult HIV prevalence of the On 17th December 2001, the poverty line gradually declined. Yet assisting individuals towards their country is 0.3%; the epidemic Smt. Vasantidevi Baldota Blood Bank we have not been fast or equitable healthcare needs and associated continues to affect large numbers of was established and since then there enough to reach the disadvantaged costs. people in the country. The district of has been a dedicated drive to populations. Access to healthcare is Bellary also has alarming HIV figures encourage blood donation as we assist among basic necessities, but still out We are also taking a more holistic when compared to other districts in the local communities to use this of reach for many. approach to our social activities. We have aligned our initiative with the state. We perceive that this is an precious resource in their hour of need. Better health is the key to wealthy national development targets of the epidemic that needs to be addressed The blood bank is the only one in the societies. Almost 40% of the Indian Government of India, which are through education and awareness. region within a radius of 100km and populations cite health as the main derived from and address the United has been a blessing for the people. We have been part of the campaign by concern before issues such as Nations Millennium Development Utmost care is taken to follow all safety The Rajiv Gandhi Foundation National financial problems, housing or crime. Goals of providing access to standards at every stage. The blood AIDS Control Organisation and Nehru We realise that good health makes an sanitation, clean water, education and bank is managed by a trained and Yuva Kendra Sangathan which in the important contribution to economic empowerment of women and qualified staff consisting of a Convenor, year 2004 was one of the largest rural progress, as healthy populations live eliminate poverty along side a Medical Officer, four technicians, a campaigns on rails, to create longer, are more productive and save developmental targets. Pharmacist and two other staff awareness on HIV/AIDS. As part of more. We are sharing this huge members. this campaign in Hospet, a three-day responsibility with the Government to campaign was conducted. We Since the inception of the blood bank improve the access to quality participated and contributed by the number of units of blood collected healthcare for the communities we making arrangements for rural women has gradually increased from 399 units interact with and operate in. to attend the campaign, since it is of in 2001-2002 to 5,799 units in 2008- Healthcare specifically for the rural Even in this period of prime importance to us that women 2009 and with an increase in average poor and the vulnerable (women and recession, our social make decisions and protect their per day collections from 2.19 units in children), is the focus of our action on activities have actually health and that of their family. 2001-2002 to 15.9 units in 2008-2009. this front. increased than in any other year. Recent statistics from the Bellary no. of units of blood health council enumerate that out of collected the 7 talukas in the district, there are 5799 only 54 Primary Health Centres (PHC) 6000 and 6 hospitals to serve the district Narendrakumar A. Baldota 5000 population of 2,025,242. With large Chairman & Managing Director 3739 populations still without access to MSPL Limited and Baldota Group 4000 2860 basic healthcare, we recognised the 3000

2000

1000

0 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09

23 24 Sanitation and Health

Chairman as we initiated provision of marginal investment by individual sanitation facilities for the individual houses. The number of toilets households across our adopted constructed by us in villages have villages. We conducted a survey grown form 130 to 288 in 2008-2009. Our commitment for among individual households which the future is to construct pointed that our initiative to assist We recognise the fact that community households for toilet constructions involvement in sanitation, health and 1,500 toilets by 2010 was whole-heartedly welcome. This hygiene has to be built through exercise also proved to be a vehicle for sustained campaigns. Apart from women to voice their concerns and addressing the need for sanitation Some 2.5 billion people, almost half demand for their basic needs. facilities, we also realised the need to Narendrakumar A. Baldota the developing world's population, consolidate our efforts on this front. Chairman & Managing Director lives without proper sanitation This initiative is also in line with the Hence we narrowed our efforts towards MSPL Limited and Baldota Group facilities. Today, even as India enjoy UN Millennium Development Goals of activities such as construction of soak more than a half century after addressing maternal and child health pits for safe disposal of waste water, independence, it is still struggling to as well as empowering women to make construction of drains, support for provide sanitation and clean drinking decisions. Our interactions with the drinking water, conducting health water to its teeming millions. According community indicate that the need for camps and building awareness among to the Government of India, more than toilet facilities is felt more so for the community members on the Sanitation is more half a billion people practice open privacy and safety of women. We importance of hygiene and sanitation. important than defecation. observed that women were truly independence, concerned of being burdened with As per the Bellary district statistics, the The lack of adequate sanitation and birth rate in the district is 27. The ratio Mahatma Gandhi said safe water has significant negative of infant death to 1000 live births is it once. We believe in it health impacts. It has been estimated 35.60, which is higher than the and have made national average. The ratio of maternal by the World Health Organisation in conscious efforts over 2002 that around 700,000 Indians die death to 1000 births in the district is each year from diarrhea and according 2.20. These statistics highlight the the years to address to the Planning Commission Report in stark reality on the status and nature of this issue for India (2003) almost 400,000 to women and children's health in our our communities. 500,000 children under the age of five area. We therefore remain focused on die due to water borne diseases such maternal and child health. as diarrhea, hepatitis and typhoid in We have also undertaken the the country. responsibility of providing households H. K. Ramesh with clean and safe drinking water. We AGM - CSR Governments across the world, additional tasks and correlated the MSPL Limited distribute around 10,000L of water per including the Government of India, economic costs imposed by poor day to Vyasankere - an adopted village have agreed to the eight Millennium sanitation in terms of increased that has around 40 households. Apart Development Goals (MDGs) to reach disease occurrence and mortality, from this, we supply water to the targets addressing extreme poverty. especially that of children. Goal seven aims to reduce the number village that faces, acute shortage of of people without access to sanitation We initiated work by hiring water supply. A case in point are the by half, till 2015. independent contractors who built Hanumahalli and Danapur villages, toilets as per approved toilet designs. where we supplied drinking water for 4 The importance of providing sanitation We have contributed majority of the days, till the local water supply was facilities was recognised by our expenses for construction with only a resumed.

25 26 The Abheraj Baldota Foundation baba ramdevji's visit to hospet

people where they learnt the art of purchase of an ambulance cum yoga, good health and the art of good emergency Intensive Care Unit (ICU) living. to a hospital in Ahmednagar, Maharastra that undertakes cardiac As a part of this mega event, we took surgery and care for poor people. the opportunity to bestow his Eye camps were conducted at a knowledge and wisdom on the nearby hospital - Nethralakshmi Baldota Group employees and their Vaidyalaya. We also contributed to family members. During the meet the Anandrishiji Hospital and people learnt stress management, Medical Research Center, work ethics management and yoga. Ahmednagar for providing health Yogishri Swami Baba Ramdevji Also various other events were services to poor and needy Maharaj is one of the most Eminent patients. coordinated by us during Swami Baba Yoga Gurus in India. Ramdeviji's presence in Hospet. A Apart from contributing towards He is well known in the country for his Yoga teachers' training was held for The Abheraj Baldota Foundation health in the Hospet region, we also around 400 teachers from all over (ABF) was established in the name ability to address and cure illnesses aided the Endoscopy Research through the practice of yoga. The Karnataka. A camp for school children of our Founder Chairman Shri Foundation in . This helped was also conducted. Swamiji also Abheraj Hirachand Baldota who Baldota management organised a six- the foundation establish the day yoga science camp by Swamiji and inaugurated the newly constructed was a well-known industrialist, Abheraj Baldota Cancer Detection bus stop and a walk over bridge at philanthropist and social worker. his team for the entire township of Centre at the Institute of Advanced Hospet from 11th to 16th January Vijayanagar College, Hospet. The foundation is a registered Endoscopy. 2009. The camp was attended by over charitable trust, through which we This state-of-the-art centre 11,000 people from Hospet and near route our contributions to social facilitates early detection and cure by towns. Apart from the daily yoga welfare including provision of of cancer ailments, specifically that camps conducted, 40 Ayurvedic healthcare facilities and assistance of the abdomen. The centre also has physicians accompanying Swamiji for the same. For the last 30 years, reservations for patients referred were present at the OPD the whole day the foundation has been a vehicle from Government or Municipal to attend to the health problems of the for our social endeavours and Hospital, thus providing access to entire town of Hospet. contributions. the smallest sections of the society. The camp was a welcome event that We have supported patients by Apart form healthcare, community rejuvenated the minds and hearts of contributing for their infrastructure facilities have also hospitalisation, surgery and been addressed through our medical expenses. We have also foundation. The ABF has financially supported hospitals contributed towards street lights which needed upgradation and and also constructed a bus stop additional facilities. Contribution near Vijayanagar College, Hospet. was also made towards the

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