Happiest Minds Technologies recently announced a total contribution of 1.92 million meals to the AkshayaPatra Foundation, taking the cumulative contribution to a total of 6 million meals now.The Company’s vision is to reach 10 million AkshayaPatra meals by 2028 to end classroom hunger and promote education across India by donating nutritious meals.
The Bangalore-based IT company also works on other social projects including Annapurna (Food & Nutrition) and Vasundhara (Environmental Sustainability), with an aim to ensure a well-rounded approach to community and environmental development.
In this detailed interview withTheCSRUniverse team, company’s Global ESG & CSR Lead Ms Parika Mahajan and Senior Director Mr. Paul Jacob talk at length about Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives of the organisation, its CSR mission and futuristic thoughts behind its CSR initiatives.
The thought leaders also share their insights on areas where policy makers can work better towards making the implementation of the social/CSR initiatives more effective and conducive. Last but not the least, they also speaks on ‘what implementation partners need to do towards taking the project impact and reporting to the next level’.
Scroll down to read this insightful interview with Ms Parika Mahajan, Global ESG & CSR Lead, Happiest Minds Technologies and Mr. Paul Jacob, Happiness Evangelist & Senior Director, Happiest Minds Technologies.
Q: Can you provide an overview of Happiest Minds Technologies' Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives and the company's vision for social engagement and contribution to socially relevant causes?
A: Happiest Minds Technologies strongly upsholds its core value of Social Responsibility, implementing policies that foster the welfare of society and the environment. The Company actively encourages volunteering and contributions that have a positive impact on the environment, while also promoting the spirit of giving.
The Company's ESG Vision, "Happiest People. Happiest Planet.Happiest Customers. Happiest Business." serves as the guiding force behind its CSR initiatives. These initiatives focus on two critical themes, namely, Annapurna (Food & Nutrition) and Vasundhara (Environmental Sustainability), ensuring a well-rounded approach to community and environmental development.
Q: What are you key initiatives taken in the year 2022-23?
A: In the financial year 2022-23, Happiest Minds' CSR efforts touched the lives of approximately 7,000 individuals and an entire community through a significant tree plantation initiative that resulted in a total of 163,754 trees being planted.
Furthermore, the Company demonstrated its commitment to social causes. In FY 2022-23, we donated 19,24,494 Meals to Akshayapatra. Happiest Minds also dedicated INR 10 lakhs to support vaccinations through Idhayangal Charitable.
DaanUtsav, an annual event, brought together the Happiest Minds family to fulfil various wishes from NGOs. During FY 2022-23, the Company contributed INR 9,29,066 towards spreading smiles and offering hope.
The company has contributed Rs. 20,00,000 to Vidyakshetra for sustainable projects, including eco-construction of a weaving room, setting up two handlooms for eco clothing, and a soil enrichment initiative. These projects aim to instil sustainable living ideas in school children and promote eco-consciousness. The Company's commitment reflects its dedication to fostering positive change and sustainability within the community.
Moreover, Happiest Minds collaborates with OneProsper on a pro bono basis to establish a peer-to-peer tutoring platform aimed at providing education to underprivileged girls, further cementing our commitment to social causes and creating a positive impact on society.
Q: Happiest Minds Technologies has achieved significant milestones in its journey. How do these milestones align with the company's CSR efforts and values? How does Happiest Minds Technologies incorporate CSR into its organizational culture and values?
A: Happiest Minds Technologies remains firmly committed to its values of social responsibility, environmental stewardship, and good governance. The Company invests in various CSR initiatives using both allocated CSR funds and resources from its balance sheet. Employees actively participate in environmental and social programs, and CSR efforts are aligned with the company's sustainability agenda, fostering growth and innovation.
The Vendor's Code of Conduct has been established to implement sustainability and ESG standards throughout the supply chain. Even before having a CSR budget, Happiest Minds engagees with underprivileged communities. Over time, the company's CSR contributions to Akshaya Patra have grown, amounting to 60 lakhs or 6 million meals as of now. Additionally, during the COVID pandemic, some budgets were reallocated to support relief efforts.
A significant portion of the CSR budget is dedicated to supporting environmental causes, including tree planting and adopting a goal of becoming a 'Net Zero Carbon' emitter by 2030. The organization is also transitioning to solar power for its rooftops and actively conserves water across its buildings.
Social Responsibility is deeply ingrained in Happiest Minds' core values and vision. The Company aims to integrate social responsibility initiatives with its core business operations, ensuring that important milestones are celebrated with acts of giving and contributions to causes like Annapurna (Food & Nutrition) and Vasundhara (Environmental Sustainability).
The Circle of Happiness is the company's CSR initiative that emphasizes volunteering, community involvement, leveraging capabilities, and engaging with clients and partners to make a positive impact on society and the environment. A dedicated core team oversees this program, coordinating volunteer activities and collaborating with social organizations.
Happiest Minds' vision and values include a focus on ESG standards and being a good corporate citizen with a special emphasis on environmental responsibility and inclusivity in the workplace. The organization is fully committed to achieving these goals and making a meaningful difference in the world.
Q: What is the role of the Happiest Minds family, including employees, customers, partners, advisory & statutory boards, and shareholders, in supporting and driving CSR initiatives?
A: The ESG and CSR committee diligently assess and oversee the 2030 roadmap, providing regular reports to the Executive Board and the Board of Directors. Guided by our CSR policy, the CSR committee of the Board ensures the seamless execution of our CSR initiatives.
As a mindful organization, we hold a firm commitment to CSR, focusing on resource allocation and implementing a well-structured strategy to drive our initiatives. Our efforts extend to outreach programs and community building activities, where the active participation of our members plays a crucial role.
Happiest Minds, together with its dedicated employees, actively engages in diverse CSR initiatives to support both the community and the environment. Each year, the CSR Committee, with approval from the Board, allocates a stipulated budget to fund our CSR initiatives according to the outlined plan.In line with our collaborative approach, we partner with esteemed organizations like NASSCOM, leveraging their platform to enhance the impact of our CSR endeavors. This collaborative spirit fosters a collective sense of responsibility, enabling us to pool resources, expertise, and best practices to effectively address social and environmental challenges.
During client demos and engagements, we take pride in promoting the idea of CSR, showcasing the positive impact of our initiatives. Through these interactions, we not only demonstrate our commitment to social responsibility but also encourage our clients to adopt sustainable and socially responsible practices in their own operations.
To ensure efficient execution and governance of our CSR initiatives, a dedicated individual from an independent director's position oversees the CSR committee on a quarterly basis. This ensures a robust governance framework, adherence to CSR policies, and transparent reporting of progress and outcomes.
The unwavering dedication and active participation of the entire Happiest Minds family significantly contribute to the success and meaningful impact of our CSR initiatives. Our commitment to driving positive change in society and the environment is evident through the thoughtful integration of CSR principles into our business practices and engagements.
Q: Happiest Minds Technologies has recently contributed a total of 6 million meals to the Akshaya Patra Foundation. Can you share the thought process behind this initiative?
A: There is a saying by John Templeton – “Happiness comes from giving, not getting. If we try to bring happiness to others, we cannot stop it from coming to us also. To get joy, we must give it, and to keep joy, we must scatter it”.
The initiative to contribute a total of 6 million meals to the Akshaya Patra Foundation reflects our deep-rooted belief in the joy of giving. This principle has been ingrained in the organization since its inception, as our founder Ashok Soota laid the foundation of being socially responsible from the beginning.
At Happiest Minds, we firmly believe that nurturing the future generation is a powerful way to spread joy and happiness. Recognizing that health and nutrition directly impact children's learning capabilities, we were inspired to support The Akshaya Patra Foundation. By providing meals to children in need, we aim to create a happy and conducive learning environment for all kids.
Our vision is to donate a total of 10 million meals by 2028, and we are already making significant progress towards achieving this goal. During FY23, we contributed 1.92 million meals, amounting to Rs. 1,26,24,672. To date, we have provided a total of 5.96 million meals, totalingRs. 3,81,98,046.
By actively participating in initiatives like this, we uphold our commitment to social responsibility and embody the spirit of giving, knowing that spreading happiness to others ultimately brings joy to ourselves as well. Our efforts in supporting The Akshaya Patra Foundation align with our belief that making a positive impact on the lives of children leads to a brighter and happier future for all.
Q: How does the company determine the focus areas and beneficiaries of its CSR initiatives?
A: The determination of focus areas and beneficiaries for the company's CSR initiatives is a strategic and well-thought-out process. The Company places significant emphasis on addressing societal and environmental challenges through its CSR efforts, guided by two critical themes: Annapurna (Food & Nutrition) and Vasundhara (Environmental Sustainability).
Before initiating any CSR project, a thorough evaluation is conducted to understand the potential impact and effectiveness of the proposed initiatives. The company aims to make a tangible difference in the lives of the communities it serves, and thus, each initiative is carefully assessed to ensure it aligns with the company's vision for social responsibility.
To achieve long-term success and meaningful outcomes, the company recognizes the importance of engaging with stakeholders and understanding their needs. By actively listening to the concerns and aspirations of the communities and environmental stakeholders, the company ensures that its CSR initiatives address the most pressing challenges faced by these groups.
Moreover, the company believes in fostering a shared experience, bringing together stakeholders, employees, and local communities to collaboratively design and implement CSR initiatives. This approach allows for a more inclusive and sustainable impact, as projects are tailor-made to cater to the specific needs and aspirations of the beneficiaries.
The company's leadership plays a crucial role in determining impactful projects. Their grounded approach and accessibility enable open communication and feedback, empowering employees and stakeholders to contribute their ideas and insights to shape the CSR agenda effectively.
Overall, the company's CSR strategy is focused on creating a positive and lasting impact in the communities it serves and the environment it operates in. By aligning with its core values and long-term vision, the company strives to fulfil its social responsibility with transparency, effectiveness, and a genuine commitment to making a difference in the world.
Q: Could you provide examples of other CSR programs or initiatives undertaken by Happiest Minds Technologies, apart from the contribution to the Akshaya Patra Foundation? Who are your implementation partners for various projects?
A: In FY23, Happiest Minds Technologies made significant contributions to various CSR initiatives, positively impacting multiple sectors. Through our partnership with The Akshaya Patra Foundation, we donated a remarkable 1.92 million meals, amounting to Rs. 1,26,24,672. This brought our cumulative meals donated to 5.96 million, totalingRs. 3,81,98,046.
Additionally, we extended our support to Vidyakshetra by contributing Rs. 20,00,000 towards sustainable projects, including the eco-construction of a weaving room, setting up handlooms for eco-clothing, soil enrichment, and the establishment of a basic Gaushala.
In collaboration with GreenSole, we contributed Rs. 3,13,500, providing 1,500 pairs of upcycled footwear to underprivileged children, ensuring they have access to comfortable and sustainable footwear.
To actively contribute to environmental conservation, we donated Rs. 1,38,75,400 to Grow Trees for the exclusive adoption of tree plantation initiatives under the Carbon Neutrality Project. Additionally, we contributed Rs. 25,00,000 for the exclusive adoption of tree plantation initiatives under the Social Impact Project at Trees for Tigers, Simlipal National Park.
In the spirit of nurturing the well-being of underprivileged children, we donated Rs. 10,00,000 to the Idhayangal Charitable Trust, supporting the provision of insulin to children with Type 1 diabetes.
Further demonstrating our commitment to education and culture, we contributed Rs. 10,00,000 to Bethany Education Board, supporting the Bethany High School Musical 2022.
Participation in the DaanUtsav program exemplified our dedication to fulfilling the wishes of various NGOs. Team Happiest Minds contributed Rs. 9,29,066, benefiting organizations such as Baale Mane, Balajothi Centre for the Disabled, One Billion Literates Foundation, Jeevarathni Foundation, and Ankura Foundation.
As a firm believer in promoting education for girl children, we actively support One Prosper. As their pro-bono technology partner, we have been instrumental in developing and maintaining their website. More recently, we created a crucial peer-to-peer tutoring platform for the "English Learning Buddy" program, enabling girls in India to receive tutoring assistance from volunteers in the US.
Through these diverse and impactful CSR initiatives, we are dedicated to making a positive difference in society, supporting various causes, and contributing to the overall well-being of communities and the environment.
Q: What was the total CSR budget for the year 2022-23? How much is the budget for the current financial year?
A: The total CSR budget for the year 2022-23 was Rs. 333 lakhs. For the current financial year, FY 2023-24, the budget has been increased to Rs. 442 lakhs.
Q: How does Happiest Minds Technologies measure and evaluate the impact and success of its CSR initiatives? How does Happiest Minds Technologies ensure transparency and accountability in its CSR activities?
A: Happiest Minds Technologies places great importance on measuring and evaluating the impact and success of its CSR initiatives, as it believes in the significance of making a positive impact on society and the environment. To achieve this, the company employs a systematic approach, which includes various key elements:
- Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): At the outset of each CSR initiative, the company sets specific KPIs aligned with the project's objectives. These KPIs serve as measurable targets, allowing Happiest Minds to track and assess the performance and outcomes of each initiative. The KPIs could be related to the number of beneficiaries reached, carbon emissions reduction, educational attainment improvement among underprivileged children, and more.
- Data Collection and Analysis: Happiest Minds actively collects relevant data from its CSR projects to monitor progress and evaluate the achievement of set targets. The collected data is then subjected to thorough analysis, providing valuable insights into the effectiveness and impact of the initiatives. Regular monitoring enables the company to identify areas that require improvement and recognize successful aspects.
- Impact Assessment: The company conducts periodic impact assessments to evaluate the long-term effects of its CSR initiatives. These assessments take into account both immediate outcomes and broader social and environmental changes resulting from the projects. By conducting such assessments, Happiest Minds can determine the sustainability and scalability of its initiatives.
- Stakeholder Feedback: Feedback from beneficiaries, communities, and other stakeholders is actively sought by Happiest Minds. The company understands that this feedback is crucial in understanding the real-world impact of its CSR projects. Such feedback not only validates the effectiveness of the initiatives but also provides valuable insights for future improvements and refinements.
- Reporting and Transparency: Happiest Minds maintains transparent reporting of its CSR activities and outcomes. The company regularly shares progress and results with stakeholders, investors, and the public. This commitment to transparency ensures accountability and builds trust in the company's dedication to its social and environmental responsibilities.
- Continuous Improvement: The company embraces a culture of continuous improvement. By learning from both successes and challenges, Happiest Minds aims to enhance the overall effectiveness and impact of its CSR efforts. Insights gained from the evaluation process are utilized to refine existing initiatives and design new ones, ensuring a greater positive influence on society and the environment.
In line with its CSR philosophy, the company conducts its business in a sustainable and socially responsible manner. It believes in corporate growth and development being inclusive and contributing to the betterment of society. The CSR Committee, consisting of two executive directors and one independent director, plays a crucial role in fulfilling this commitment. The committee regularly reflects on the progress of CSR initiatives on a quarterly basis.
Overall, Happiest Minds ensures that each project is guided by clear objectives and goals from the start and continuously monitors its execution and implementation. The company emphasizes delivering intended results to beneficiaries with the highest standards of transparency and accountability. The CSR plan and expenditures are reviewed annually by the CSR Committee and the Board, further emphasizing the company's commitment to responsible and impactful CSR activities.
Q: What is the company's future vision and goals regarding CSR and social impact?
A: Supporting Communities - Annapurna and Vasundhara: The company's CSR initiatives are centered around two primary focus areas - Annapurna and Vasundhara. "Annapurna" likely refers to initiatives related to addressing hunger and food security in communities. The company is likely to engage in activities such as providing meals, food distribution, and supporting food-related programs that help combat hunger and malnutrition.
On the other hand, "Vasundhara" likely indicates the company's commitment to environmental sustainability. The initiatives under this focus area may include efforts to reduce the company's carbon footprint, promote renewable energy, support conservation projects, and encourage environmentally responsible practices within the organization and among stakeholders.
Partnership with The Akshaya Patra Foundation: The company's collaboration with The Akshaya Patra Foundation indicates a strategic approach to tackle the issue of hunger and food insecurity. By setting a specific target of contributing 10 million meals by 2028, the company demonstrates its ambition and commitment to making a substantial impact on alleviating hunger in the communities it serves. This goal reflects a long-term vision for social impact and indicates a sustained effort to address this critical societal challenge.
Expanding Contribution to Environmental Sustainability: In addition to addressing food insecurity, the company expresses its intent to expand its efforts in environmental sustainability. This suggests a holistic approach to CSR, wherein the company acknowledges its responsibility to address broader environmental challenges. By aspiring to do more in the realm of sustainability, the company shows its dedication to protecting the environment, conserving resources, and minimizing its ecological footprint.
Overall, the company's future vision and goals regarding CSR and social impact display a multifaceted commitment to making a positive difference in society. Through targeted initiatives like Annapurna and Vasundhara, the company aims to address specific social and environmental issues while also actively engaging in partnerships to amplify its impact. By setting ambitious goals, the company demonstrates a forward-thinking approach to CSR, ensuring a sustainable and meaningful contribution to the well-being of communities and the planet. As they work towards achieving these objectives, their CSR efforts are likely to shape a more inclusive, resilient, and environmentally conscious future.
Q: What are your suggestions to policy makers towards making the implementation of the social/CSR initiatives more effective and conducive?
A: To make the implementation of social/CSR initiatives more effective and conducive, policy makers should consider the following suggestions:
- Holistic Planning: Engage in comprehensive planning that considers the social, economic, and environmental aspects of the community. Prioritize initiatives based on in-depth needs assessments and alignment with the community's requirements.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Involve all relevant stakeholders, including local communities, NGOs, businesses, and experts, in the planning and decision-making process. Their insights and involvement can lead to more contextually relevant and sustainable initiatives.
- Clear Objectives and Metrics: Set clear and measurable objectives for each CSR initiative. Define key performance indicators (KPIs) to track progress and assess the impact of the projects accurately.
- Transparency and Accountability: Promote transparency in all stages of implementation. Ensure that information related to the CSR initiatives, including budgets, activities, and outcomes, is accessible to the public. Establish mechanisms for accountability to ensure responsible use of resources.
- Flexibility and Adaptability: Be open to adapting strategies and approaches as circumstances change. Flexibility allows for adjustments to meet evolving community needs and challenges.
- Capacity Building: Invest in capacity building for local communities and organizations to empower them to actively participate in and sustain the initiatives beyond the project's duration.
- Collaboration and Partnerships: Foster collaboration between government agencies, private sector entities, and civil society organizations. Partnerships can pool resources and expertise, leading to more impactful and scalable initiatives.
- Focus on Long-Term Impact: Prioritize initiatives with a focus on long-term impact rather than short-term gains. Sustainable projects have a lasting effect on communities and the environment.
- Regular Monitoring and Evaluation: Establish a robust monitoring and evaluation mechanism to assess the progress and effectiveness of CSR initiatives continually. Learn from successes and challenges to improve future projects.
- Public Awareness and Communication: Create awareness among the public about the CSR initiatives and their impact. Effective communication helps garner support, engagement, and trust from the community.
- Incentivize Corporate Responsibility: Consider providing incentives for businesses to engage in CSR initiatives, such as tax benefits or recognition. Encouraging corporate responsibility can lead to more active participation and innovative approaches.
- Local Customization: Tailor CSR initiatives to align with the cultural, social, and economic context of the communities they serve. Respect and integrate local customs and practices to enhance acceptance and effectiveness.
By incorporating these suggestions into their policymaking processes, governments and policy makers can create an enabling environment for effective and impactful social/CSR initiatives. Such initiatives, when well-planned, transparent, and community-driven, have the potential to bring about positive change and sustainable development in society.
Q: What are your suggestions to the implementation partners towards taking the project impact and reporting to the next level?
A: Maintain Complete Transparency: Transparency is crucial in any CSR initiative. Implementation partners should ensure that all aspects of the project, including progress, challenges, and outcomes, are communicated openly and honestly. This transparency fosters trust among stakeholders and allows for informed decision-making.
Timely and Accurate Reporting: Implementing partners should provide regular and timely reports on the project's progress and achievements. These reports should be detailed and accurate, reflecting the actual impact created by the initiative. Prompt reporting enables stakeholders to take timely actions and make necessary adjustments as needed.
Highlight Issues and Challenges: It is essential for the implementation partners to report any issues or challenges faced during the project implementation. By doing so, they can seek assistance and support from relevant parties to overcome obstacles. Addressing challenges proactively ensures smoother project execution and maximizes the project's impact.
Align Needs and Capabilities: Implementation partners should work closely with policy and decision-makers to align the project's needs with the available capabilities effectively. Understanding the resources and limitations allows for better planning and utilization of resources, resulting in a more significant and sustainable impact.
Quantify Impact Metrics: Implementation partners should focus on quantifying the project's impact using specific metrics and indicators. This allows for a more objective evaluation of the project's success and helps in assessing its effectiveness in achieving the intended goals.
Engage with Stakeholders: Engaging with beneficiaries, communities, and other stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle is crucial. Implementation partners should actively seek feedback from these stakeholders to understand the real-world impact of the initiative and incorporate their insights for continuous improvement.
Learn from Best Practices: Implementation partners can learn from other successful CSR initiatives and best practices. Adopting proven strategies and approaches can help optimize resources and streamline project execution, leading to better outcomes.
Promote Innovation and Collaboration: Encourage innovation and collaboration among team members and stakeholders. By exploring new ideas and working together, implementation partners can identify novel solutions and create a more significant and lasting impact.
Monitor and Evaluate Continuously: Continual monitoring and evaluation are vital to ensure that the project stays on track and achieves its intended objectives. Regularly assess the project's progress and adjust strategies if needed to maximize its impact.
Celebrate Successes and Share Learnings: When the project achieves milestones or creates meaningful impact, celebrate these successes. Additionally, share learnings and insights gained from the project with other organizations and stakeholders to inspire and encourage collective efforts for positive change.By adopting these suggestions, implementation partners can take the project's impact and reporting to the next level, contributing to the success and effectiveness of the CSR initiative in creating a positive and lasting impact on society and the environment.
