Chapter Six Case Studies of Select Companies Chapter Six Case Studies of Select Companies Case Studies in EnGineerinG Sector Pune’s engineering hub is popularly known as 'Detroit of the East' and 'Motor City'. This is because of the large presence of over 12500 established Indian and foreign multinational engineering companies catering to a broad spectrum of industrial activities spanning automobiles, engineering products, boilers, heat exchangers, fabrication and so on. 6.1: PraJ Industries: Innovation towards Sustainability C o rp o ra te P ro file : Praj Industries is a three-decade successful entrepreneurship journey of Chairman and Founder—Pramod Chaudhari, who set up a world-class bio-chemical engineering company. Spread across five continents, the company has five business verticals which offers innovative solutions for beverage alcohol plant, brewery, water and waste-waste treatment plant and hi-purity systems. The company has set up ‘Praj Matrix: The Innovation’—a technological research hub for bioethanol and bio-chemicals processes. Genesis_of C S R @ Praj Industries: In 2004, Praj Industries has set up their own dedicated Corporate Social Responsibility arm-Praj Foundation to create innovative and sustainable ideas based on the core competeney of their businesses by way of stakeholders engagement. CSR Management Perception @ Praj Industries: Speaking about Praj’s CSR management perception, is Vinayak Kelkar, Lead-Corporate Sustainability, “For us, sustainability is the core element of our corporate strategy. Right from inception, CSR was always perceived as a long-term investment and sustainability tool by our Founding Directors with a strong emphasis on 'Innovation ’ and ‘Research & Development’. Kelkar further added, “By sustainable development, our commitment is to improve the quality of life of employees, local communities and stakeholders up and down the 184 Chapter Six Case Studies of Select Companies supply chain. Our Five Pillars o f Sustainability represents each approach and level. At the eaeh level, Praj is engaged in various projects with respect to the following aspects: Business Lines Solutions Suites Business Solutions Community Actions through Corporate and Personal Social Responsibility CSR Project Collaboration: In 2004, Praj Industries has set up an independent CSR arm—‘Praj Foundation’ where ninety percent of the CSR activities are on project-mode basis, while, the remaining ten percent is allocated towards cheque-book philanthropy. Explains Kelkar on Praj’s CSR implementation mode, “The Foundation conceives, implements and monitors the innovative projects in collaboration with like-minded non­ government organizations. Currently, we are focusing on creating replicable models for all our sustainable projects. Depending on the success, we plan to implement on a larger scale and impact a large number of beneficiaries.’’ Praj Foundation’s CSR approach: Praj Foundation’s CSR activities is focused within the five to six kilometers away from their engineering unit. The villages covered by Praj Foundation are Mamewadi, Botarwadi and Kalborwadi. 1) Selection of non-government and institutional partners: Praj’s CSR initiatives are participative in nature with the help of external agencies. They engage internally with their employees to brainstorm towards conceptualization of sustainable solutions. Depending on the sustainability of the projects, they co-create the projects and execute in joint collaboration with institutional partners. 2) Project Selection: Praj’s CSR projects are approved by an Independent Managing Committee. The Foundation finalizes and approves the project on the following parameters: > Is the proposed project area within geographical limits set by Praj Foundation? > Is the project idea need based, unique and innovative? > Does the project idea fits in the focus area of Praj Foundation? > Does it offer scope for replicability on a larger scale? > Does it have a built-in component of Project Sustainability? 185 Chapter Six Case Studies of Select Companies 3) Monitoring, Evaluation and Impact Analysis: At the time of project selection, Praj Foundation set protocols for monitoring, evaluation and impact analysis. Currently, they are in the experimentation mode, project reviews are undertaken at periodic levels. There is a detailed documentation done at each phase of the project. At the end of the project, they conduct impact analysis and suggest remedial measures. Praj Foundation Innovative CSR Thematic Areas The Pillars for Praj Foundation innovative CSR focus areas are Environment, Education, Health, Social Entrepreneurship and Intra-praneurship. Among all CSR focus areas, Praj Foundation strong emphasize is on Environment. 50 percent of the CSR budget is allocated for carrying out innovative CSR practices towards Environment. The following environmental-friendly CSR initiatives undertaken by Praj Foundation; I) Decentralized Bio-Degradable Solid Waste Management A. Objectives: In 2009, Praj Foundation in association with Institute of Natural and Organic Agriculture (INORA)—a non-government organization towards research, development and promotion of organic farm management initiated the 'Decentralized bio-degradable solid waste management’ in and around Pune city with the following objectives; ^ To reduce carbon-footprints of citizens of Pune. > To create awareness of bio-degradable waste management among citizens. ^ To organize training of citizens in various composting and vermi- composting the bio-degradable portion. > To develop necessary extension material for creating awareness and imparting Master Composter’s training. B. Implementation of the Project: Praj Foundation decided to institutionalize this concept through the pre-planned Action-Based Programme in the following ways; Setting up of satellite centers During the early days, Praj Foundation imparted training to eleven interested citizens, who could provide technical training on ‘composting’ in their respective localities. These trained citizens were associated as the ‘Satellite Center’ 186 Chapter Six Case Studies of Select Companies in their respective locality. The Satellite Center Heads started practicing the technique of composting and vermicomposting at their respective localities and residences. They were provided promotional literature for the purpose of training and information awareness. ii. Livelihood creation: Creation of social entrepreneurs To strengthen the activity of decentralized waste management, a team of four individuals were trained to operate as ‘Waste Management Service Providers’. The team was extensively trained in composting techniques and rendering waste management services at the doorstep of the citizens. iii. Promotion of City-Farming Among Citizens To popularize the city-farming concept, Praj Foundation annually organizes 'Garden from Waste’ competition for those households who regularly compost their bio-degradable waste. The criterion for evaluating the entries are method of composting/vermicomposting, quality of compost and seasonal flowers, fruits and vegetables grown using the compost. iv. Community Composting Model Praj Foundation has established the ‘Community Composting Model’ at Manmohan Society in Karvenagar to demonstrate the composting of garden waste from 83 bungalows and effectively utilize the same for growing vegetables. As a part of promotional and training efforts, a demonstration unit comprising of shredding facility, composting pits and cultivating organic vegetable using the compost has been set up for the citizens, impact of the Project > More than 20000 citizens are sensitized through the awareness programmes. > More than 2000 individual family units and 225 common composting units within the housing societies are established. > Nine Satellite Centers across Pune city providing bio degradable waste management services to citizens. > Four social entrepreneurs earning their livelihood by providing waste management solutions. > 15 tons bio degradable waste per day into compost. 187 Chapter Six Case Studies of Select Companies II) Promotion of Sustainable Paddy Farming Practices Objectives: Sustainable paddy farming is the first of its-kind initiative has been experimented in Kalbhorwadi in Mulshi Taluka executed by Praj Foundation in association with INORA. The objectives behind this novel project is as under: > To promote raised-bed Paddy Nursery practices to obtain assured supply of healthy paddy saplings in spite of erratic monsoon. > To promote sustainable farming practices in paddy cultivation. > To promote use of Azolla as renewable source of low cost plant nutrient. Implementation of the Project > Awareness sessions for farmers on the importance of sustainable farming practices > Seed treatment with organic fertilizers before sowing. > Raised bed-paddy Nursery technique. > Application of Vermi-compost before transplanting. Im p a c t: The project was started in 2012 and experimented with the help of 20 farmers on 13 acres of land in Kalbhorwadi. Within a year, it was spread across 50 acres benefitting 85 farmers from Kalbhorwadi, Botarwadi and Marnewadi. As of 2014, this successful project has covered over 100 acres benefiting 100 farmers spread across Mukaiwadi, Bhilarew'adi, Shelarwadi, Gadewadi and Balkawade padal. III) Praj Bio Diversity Park: Enhancing Bio Diversity of Pune To protect the rich bio-diversity of Pune city, Praj Foundation has set up ‘Silver Jubilee Bio Diversity Park ’ on two acres of land allotted by Pune Municipal Corporation along western