Digital transformation and technology services company Mindtree contributed a sum of Rs 20 Cr to PM CARES and also took multiple CSR initiatives amid the ongoing COVID crisis. The Larsen & Toubro Group company spent a total of Rs 34.3 crore in CSR activities during for financial year 2019-20, which was a whopping 178% more than its prescribed CSR budget for the financial year.
Though the company had to pause many of its on-ground CSR projects due to strict COVID protocols, it identified new social needs where it can undertake CSR activities to support the fight against COVID crisis.
Mindtree’s Chief People Officer Paneesh Rao speaks to TheCSRUniverse on various initiatives that his organisation took to support the fight against the spread of COIVD. Rao advocates that the corporates need to collaborate during this crucial juncture to be more effective in their CSR approach. He also opines that NGOs who execute CSR projects on ground, should be supported by corporates so that they survive this crisis time.
Read this interview to know more about different aspects of CSR activities at Mindtree and the way forward for its ongoing CSR projects.
Interview highlights
- We had paused our vocational skills programmes during the lockdown period. But now we are resume our training programme from September while adhering to all the safety protocols
- As the COVID halted our CSR programmes, we offered maintenance funds to our NGO partners so that they can care of their operations and staff salaries.
- The pandemic has affected the entire economy and given us even more opportunities to drive our efforts in many other directions based on the changing needs of the society. Collaboration is key to overcome this situation.
- Many NGO’s have shut down as they are no longer being backed by large corporates. Corporates should be empathetic towards their partners and provide them support and sufficient time to find alternative solutions to help them sustain in the long run.
Scroll down to read full interview with Paneesh Rao, Chief People Officer, Mindtree
Interview: Paneesh Rao, Chief People Officer, Mindtree
Q: At Mindtree, you have been undertaking multiple vocational skill projects as your CSR programmes. How has your CSR implementation been impacted/affected due to COVID pandemic?
A: We have been successfully undertaking vocational skills projects to empower urban youth and adult women to help provide employment and self-dependency. The programmes include skills training in the field of digital learning, bakery and confectionery, packing and sealing, machine operation and maintenance, beauty and wellness and entrepreneurship development, that will help giving them a life changing exposure.
However, in order to ensure safety of the beneficiaries as well as our NGO partners, we have paused our vocational skills programmes during the lockdown period. We are resuming our training programme now, ensuring that all safety protocols are implemented as per government guidelines.
Q: How are you continuing your CSR activities while adhering to the COVID protocols?
A: As we plan to begin our vocational skills training programme soon, safety of staff and beneficiaries is going to be of primary importance. We will be implementing all safety measures as per COVID guidelines and necessary measures will be strictly adhered to like social distancing, regular temperature checks and sanitisation. We have also reduced the working capacity to 60-70% in order to mitigate any risk and ensure that the outcome is effective.
During the lockdown period, we created awareness programs, organized free COVID testing for our beneficiaries and also supplied food and groceries based on needs. Maintenance funds were also provided to the NGO’s to take care of their operations and staff salaries.
Q: What are the key emerging CSR opportunities and needs in the COVID scenario?
A: In the recent months, we have amplified and scaled up our CSR efforts across geographies. During this time, we identified the current needs and issues, participated in the government relief work and organized programs to manage the pandemic situation. Mindtree donated Rs20 Crore to the PM Cares Fund, as part of corporate India’s response to Covid-19. The selfless contribution made by Mindtree Minds, who donated two-days of their salary helped in the procurement and distribution of relief kits.
Although these programes were not part of our charter for 2020, we realised the need to contribute and collaborate with the government for these programmes. Hence, we sponsored ‘Shuchi Kits’ in Karnataka, 10 sanitisation vehicles in Chennai, distributed food and groceries in Pune and Odisha, funded the procurement of COVID testing kits and offered free tests to several communities, including prison inmates.
Q: How your company’s focus area for CSR has evolved over the last 4-5 years?
A: When we started with our CSR programmes, our charter focused on disability, education, and livelihood. Over the years, we have evolved into focusing on need-based programs and also in implementing taluk-based programmes to have a wider outreach and impact in all the five states where our offices are located - Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Bhubaneshwar and Hyderabad.
Q: What can be the changes in the current CSR law/provisions that can help corporates in being more productive and effective in implementation of their CSR activities?
A: We do believe that the scope for improvement in CSR is huge; however, looking at the current situation it becomes difficult to suggest any changes. We can relook on this aspect once we evolve through these unpredictable times.
Q: What are your expectations from your CSR implementation agencies/partners in today’s changing scenario?
A:We have always encouraged our partners to look into long-term strategies and use their corpus funds to implement them in times of uncertainty. Many corporates have stopped their CSR funds and NGO’s are left in the lurch. Hence, it is always beneficial for NGOs to set aside a certain amount regularly and use it during any contingency, like the present situation.
Q: What are your suggestions and message to your corporate colleagues on building a strong CSR environment in the country?
A: CSR efforts are focused towards improving the lives of the disadvantaged, vulnerable and marginalised stakeholders. The pandemic has affected the entire economy and given us even more opportunities to drive our efforts in many other directions based on the changing needs of the society. This is the most crucial time for corporates to hold each other’s hand and overcome the situation.
Many NGO’s have shut down as they are no longer being backed by large corporates. Our message to them is to be empathetic towards their partners and provide them support and sufficient time to find alternative solutions to help them sustain in the long run.
