Priyadarshini Nigam leads CSR function at Newgen Software. In this interview with TheCSRUniverse, she shares how her team took its flagship digital literacy programme to the next level amid the continuing COVID situation.
She also shares insight on CSR evolution after the implementation of CSR laws in India and key challenges which various stakeholders need to tackle towards driving value from CSR activities.
Interview with Priyadarshini Nigam, Director and Head -Newgen Software
Q: NDPP is your flagship CSR programme. Please share details.
A: Under Newgen Digital Discovery Paathshala (NDDP) programme, we emphasise on innovative and digital media-based pedagogy to make education easy-to-understand and relatable. The NDDP programme is directly benefitting over 3,000 students from classes 6 to Class 8 across three adopted government schools and has touched the lives of over 15,000 direct and indirect beneficiaries, including the students’ parents, siblings, friends, and the community.
Recently, the alumni initiative was added under the NDDP umbrella to connect with the ex-NDDP students and guide them throughout their educational trajectory.
Q: How do you measure the impact of the NDPP programme?
A: There are several pre-defined metrics that we focus on:
- Assessments – We conduct periodic assessments, including quizzes and iPad-based skill tasks, to gauge the students’ progress for conceptual understanding and skill enhancement
- Feedback – We regularly take feedback from the administrators, teachers, and students to evaluate the course correction requirements and share the progress of students
- Impact Assessment Activities – To gather the overall impact of the programme, we undertake a third-party impact assessment study every three to five years
We have observed that the enrolled students have showcased more hands-on and collaborative behaviour after being part of the programme.
Q: How has your CSR programme implementation been impacted due to COVID pandemic?
A: Usually, the classes take place in the state-of-the-art digital laboratory set up in every school. The NDDP labs are equipped with an interactive white screen, projectors, fibre net access, and iPads. When the schools were shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we revamped the programme from an on-ground activity to online sessions.
Q: What are the new measures you are taking to continue your CSR activities while adhering to the COVID protocols?
A: Adhering to the COVID-19 safety protocols, we initiated online sessions in May with the NDDP alumni to engage their young minds academically as well as creatively. Our priority while planning the sessions was to create a positive atmosphere for the students.
We have divided the sessions into two parts–regular academic sessions and soft skills development. Gradually, new thematic areas have been added to the project to include personality development, career counselling, parent awareness sessions, and online group activities. Furthermore, we are also trying to bridge the digital gap by providing smartphones, iPads, and hotspot connections to students with lesser means for facilitating digital learning.
Q: What are the key emerging CSR opportunities and needs in the COVID scenario?
A: Digital literacy is an essential skill that will allow our future generations to thrive in the digital world. In the post-COVID era, the amalgamation of education and digital literacy will emerge as a prospective CSR opportunity that will aid the holistic development of the community.
Q: What is the budget outlay for your CSR activities in the financial year 2020-21?
A: As per the Companies Act, we are required to spend at least 2% of the average net profits of the three immediately preceding financial years towards our CSR activities and projects. We have accordingly earmarked Rs 201.09 Lakh For our CSR activities in the financial year 2020-21.
Q: What can be the changes in the current CSR law that can help corporates in being more productive and effective in implementation of their CSR activities?
A: Since its initiation, many amendments have come into force to make the CSR law more well-defined. However, there are few attributes to this rule that may require modification.
The exclusion of trusts and societies from undertaking the execution of CSR activities on behalf of corporates can hinder the progress of development programmes. Such agencies, with strong local connections, can be crucial in expanding the reach and scope of impact of a company’s CSR projects.
Additionally, the law should define the proportions in which the investment has to be made in each field, such as healthcare, education, and skill development,etc., to ensure an equitable development across all fields.
Q: Who are your implementation partners for your various CSR activities?
A: We do both self-implementation and partner-based implementations for our CSR activities. The following programmes are implemented by our partner agencies:
- Remedial Education Programme–In collaboration with KHUSHII (Kinship for Humanitarian Social and Holistic Intervention in India), a not-for-profit organisation, we offer remedial education to nearly 6,000 government school going children and work towards their holistic development
- Mid-Day Meal Programme – In partnership with the Akshaya Patra Foundation, we are supporting the mid-day meal programme for government schools and providing a fresh and nutritious meal to nearly 9,000 children in remote areas across the country
- Personality Development Programme– Newgen, along with I-AM, is implementing a personality development programme for the underprivileged children to groom them for a better future
Q: What are your expectations from your CSR implementation partners in today’s changing scenario?
A: In today’s scenario, when everything is going digital, the CSR activities will see changes in the implementation and delivery mechanisms. We expect our partner agencies to bring innovation and new techniques to efficiently achieve our programme objectives. Additionally, the partners should be more responsible and judicious in using the allocated funds.
During the COVID-19 lockdown, the Akshaya Patra foundation took a proactive approach to provide monthly rations to the government school students who were deprived of mid-day meals. We expect such an exemplary approach from all our partners.
Q: What are your suggestions and message to your corporate colleagues on building a strong CSR environment in the country?
A: Corporates today realise their roles and responsibilities towards the communities they operate in, and COVID-19 has strengthened their resolve to build a better society. The logical next step would be to ensure more accountability and transparency for the CSR spending and make each penny count.
In my opinion, the companies working towards achieving similar objectives should come together, share their best practices, and help replicate their successful models. With a cohesive effort, we will be able to contribute greatly to society.
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