Community Focus
SOCIETAL IMPACT
‘Saksham’ is the corporate social responsibility (CSR) umbrella initiative as a part of which, PNB Housing intervenes in various ways to give back to society. During the year, we continued to empower one of the key stakeholders, that is, construction workers. Significant investment in the welfare of construction workers has also been focused on. The intervention areas are illustrated here in detail.
CSR beneficiaries
ENHANCING HUMAN POTENTIAL
In collaboration with Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India (CREDAI), the apex body of real estate developers, PNB Housing conduct on-site and off-site training programmes for construction workers. The partnership dates back to 2015. Skill upgradation in masonry, bar bending, painting, electrical, plumbing and shuttering were some aspects to which attention was devoted.
The training’s overriding objective is to enhance the professional capabilities of these people and help improve their quality of life. This also leads to a reduction in the wastage of material and a distinct improvement in the quality of work. The programme includes soft skill trainings, health and sanitation awareness, aspects of workers safety, among others.
A mix of ‘classroom’ and ‘on-the-job’ sessions at construction sites are organised for training on industry-specific job roles. During the year, 6,500 construction workers were trained over a period of four weeks, with an average 73% pass percentage. Unemployed youth is being educated through tie-ups with either construction companies or labour contractors to employ them at CREDAI’s members’ construction sites. During the year, 4,000 workers were trained through nine off-site centres, with an average 85% pass percentage. Candidates have been placed, with an average salary of `8,000-10,000, with registered contractors.
In FY 2018-19, PNB Housing provided training to 10,500 workers across the country and has committed to train 13,000 more in the next year.
NURTURING CHILDREN OF MIGRANT WORKERS
In association with NGO partners, we operate 33 day care centres in 10 states. Partnerships with five implementing agencies and seven grassroots organisation have been established. On an average, through each centre, we reach out to 3,600 children every quarter.
This day care centres address multi-dimensional requirements of a child through an eight-hour programme, conducted over six days a week. This is an age-appropriate intervention for infants, toddlers and school-going children and provide an environment for their care and protection. To further enhance the impact, we collaborated with experts from National CSR Hub –Tata Institute of Social Science to organise monitoring and evaluation trainings across three locations: Delhi NCR, Mumbai and Bangalore. The two-day training saw discussions by partner NGOs on identifying critical reporting parameters for child health, nutrition, growth and school enrolment, among others.
SECURING WELFARE OF CONSTRUCTION WORKERS
During the year under review, a pilot programme was launched in partnership with Aajeevika Bureau, to address the vulnerabilities of workers across two construction sites in Ahmedabad. Social security benefit linkages are provided to 1,000 workers. The broader focus is to cover critical areas of social security, financial inclusion, health and safety.
PROMOTING EDUCATION
Quality education requires support in order to be both significant and relevant. Education at government schools in particular is an area of concern. The Company is associated with Vidya schools and South Delhi Municipal Corporation.
This intervention ranges from investing in the overall assessment system of the school to revamping the entire academic system. Scholarship ‘Protsahan’ was offered to meritorious students who were pursuing MBA in marketing and finance or law at reputed colleges but were facing financial constraints.
In addition, the Company joined hands with Sri Aurobindo Society (SAS), a global non-profit, to support the ‘Rupantar’ programme. The programme, recognised by the state government, is helping build capacity of over 3,000 teachers and officials to further support everyday challenges faced by children with special needs.
IMPROVING ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE
PNB Housing constantly aims to improve the health of the socially and economically marginalised sections of society. Support is extended to government hospitals, alongside improving the health and hygiene of young adolescents.
Medical equipment support
The partnership with All India Institute for Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi and King George’s Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow continued for the second year to bolster healthcare infrastructure at these hospitals. We donated surgical equipment to Departments of Neurosurgery and Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, AIIMS. Similar support was also extended to Neonatology Department at KGMU. This will ensure timely care in cases of jaundice, respiratory issues and other such illnesses suffered by new-borns.
Health and hygiene of young adolescent girls
The Company’s health and hygiene awareness programme for young adolescent girls in five villages of Uttar Pradesh with a non-profit (Progress Alternative) has widened its scope of intervention. The health programme at each village focused on providing reproductive and child health training and spreading awareness on communicable and non-communicable diseases, social issues such as disadvantages of early child marriage, importance of family planning and so on.
Patient aid
In partnership with another non-profit (Can Support), we continued our support towards operating the 24X7 helpline for cancer patients, in the year. Extension of support towards the outpatient clinic/day care facility for cancer patients and caregivers was provided. Through all of the above, over 3,000 cancer patients and caregivers were reached.
Infrastructure development
Sanjivini Society for Mental Health is a registered non-profit working to address the mental health needs of the community through free and confidential counselling services. During the year, we collaborated with them to ensure rehabilitation of their crisis intervention centre in Defence Colony, New Delhi where free counselling is offered to clients in person, or over the phone. Cost of solar panel installation and painting of the centre was supported, enabling sustained provision of quality mental health services.
OTHER INITIATIVES
Environment conservation
The goal is to positively impact the social and environmental ecosystem in which the Company operates. Towards that purpose, small steps were undertaken to add greenbelts to various surroundings as well as restore misused public spaces. For the preceding three years, a public park was adopted in Faridabad, which was in a dilapidated state and required complete renovation. Infrastructure was refurbished and regular plantation drives were undertaken to maintain it. Over 30,000 saplings were planted within this time. We recently joined forces with Anthill Creations and End Poverty to turn a public space near Aralikatte, Bangalore into a colourful and engaging playscape for children and the wider community.
Support to senior citizens
A report released by the United Nations Population Fund and HelpAge India suggests that the number of senior citizens is likely to touch 173 million by 2026. This calls for better healthcare facilities and infrastructure. PNB Housing supports the residents of Ayudham Society for the Old and Infirm in Delhi NCRs and other non-residential senior citizens (from marginalised sections) to help fulfil their basic necessities, healthcare, nutrition and other wellness needs.
Access to opportunities
Partnerships were established with SRF Foundation and Sunrise Sports, where we worked with the children in the government schools adopted by SRF Foundation in Chennai and Bangalore, using sports as a medium of empowerment. SRF Foundation has adopted 170 government schools pan India with a commitment to ensure holistic development of children. In the year under review, PNB Housing introduced badminton facility at 20 of these government schools across Bangalore and Chennai. 945 students have been enrolled into the badminton training programme.
Volunteering drive
We deeply value the contribution and enthusiasm of our people when it comes to supporting noble causes, from making charitable donations to participating in social welfare events and campaigns.