Suzlon Foundation supports 70 per cent families in Rajasthan
Suzlon Foundation that leads the corporate social responsibility initiatives for Suzlon group of companies has been actively working across Suzlon's neighborhoods in India for nearly three years since 2007.
- (1888PressRelease) August 09, 2010 - Jodhpur/Jaisalmer - The Foundation has partnered with experienced and committed NGOs and Government Departments to implement over 120 projects running in across eight states and two Union Territories; directly benefiting 33,000 vulnerable families in 466 villages. The initiatives have successfully enhanced livelihood options of over 28,000 families, improved access to quality health in over 100 villages, does natural resource conservation on over 4,000 hectares of land, brought light to 1,400 households through solar lightning system and improved health and productivity of over one lakh livestock.
In Rajasthan, Suzlon Energy claims 62 per cent of the wind market with over 650 MW installed across wind farms in Jaisalmer and Jodhpur, producing enough green energy to power more than 1,50,000 homes. The Foundation's objective is to reach out to the areas surrounding their business operations and work towards improving quality of life in the villages around Suzlon's businesses and facilities. Currently their efforts cover up to 70 per cent of their neighborhood, which totals to 34 villages; with 12 active projects in 14 villages of Jaisalmer and, ten each in Ratan Ka Bans and Osiyan. The Foundation's participatory development approach is professionally driven and implemented with appropriate technology. It focuses on priority needs identified by the local communities. In Rajasthan, water scarcity, decreasing livestock production and green cover, lack of electricity and health services are being addressed by the Foundation.
Suzlon Foundation is unique in its approach, as it aims not just to provide, but to empower. As part of its strategy, the Foundation formed Village Development Committees (VDCs) which enjoys equal participation by both local men and women, and ensures community contribution and ownership of sustainable initiatives. The VDCs are democratic forums within the villages, where the participants are encouraged to make their own decisions and plan their own development agendas.
Mr. Girish Tanti, Executive Director of Suzlon Energy Limited (SEL), who recently traveled to Jodhpur and Jaisalmer to see Suzlon Foundation's impact observed that, "The harsh desert conditions of the region make the communities living here especially vulnerable. Our programmes here, in Rajasthan, are designed to improve the socioeconomic conditions for the most disadvantaged, equipping them to combat and improve the challenging environment that they are faced with everyday. We aim at lending support to the underprivileged - not merely helping, but empowering them to take care of themselves - by the way of providing sustainable livelihoods, making them aware of their rights and showing them the path to obtaining it. We initiate a project, but it is implemented with complete involvement of the villagers; they contribute in monetary terms, in man hours and even by providing direction. These contributions maybe small - and we cover the balance required to complete it - but this empowers them and helps build self reliant and sustainable communities."
The villages in Rajasthan with empowered VDCs have impacted approximately over 1,000 families that directly benefit from the interventions and another 1,000 that experience the benefits indirectly. Of these, about 200 families have better access to drinking water, efforts like de-silting of 'Naadi' and building of water conversation systems such as 'Khadins' and improved agricultural practices has positively impacted more than 100 households. 515 households benefit from solar lighting system and more than 900 families have undertaken the initiative of planting trees. 500 families now have access to veterinary services for over 50,000 livestock as a result of which the mortality rate in the livestock of the region has reduced by 20 to 25 percent.
A range of preventive and curative treatments has also resulted in increased fertility rates. More importantly, land development measures like rain water harvesting and pasture development on 800 acres are reflected in improved productivity of grasses and staple food. Further, through community outreach by the Suzlon clinic and Rural Hospital of GRAVIS - a reputed NGO in Rajasthan - over 1,500 people have better access to better medical facilities. Says Ms. Seemantinee Khot, Head - CSR, Suzlon Foundation, "The Suzlon Group of Companies' main vision has been to conduct its business responsibly and our mandate at Suzlon Foundation is to ensure our projects are aligned with this vision. We started with a five-year plan in place and have partnered with reputed and committed NGO's like CECOEDECON and GRAVIS to develop tailor-made programs for the region. We
implement a step wise process; we build awareness, contribute to know-how, develop their competencies and capabilities, and finally to hand over the reins of the projects to the people themselves. We will continue to build our capabilities and extend our reach to support each in need of it in the Suzlon neighborhood".
"GRAVIS operates to empower the rural poor populace to become self-reliant against growing challenges in survival and engages in projects that promote independence and sustainability. Suzlon's objectives are completely aligned with the same; they implement robust initiatives and understand the importance of an individual's dignity", said Mr. Rajendra Kumar of GRAVIS.
"At CECOEDECON, we are committed to projects that promote development that is socially and economically viable and focused on the needs of the VDCs. Our partnership with the Suzlon Foundation has positively impacted the communities we serve, they are dedicated and their unique approach to meeting the needs of a region make them a revered partner", said Mr. Sharad Joshi of CECOEDECON.
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