CSR Of Ruchi Soya Industries Limited

Michael Porter and Mark R Kramer state that “It is true that economic and Social
Objectives have long been seen as distinct and often competing. But this is a false
dichotomy; it represents an increasingly, obsolete perspective in a world of open,  
knowledge-based competition. Companies do not function in isolation from the
society around them. In fact, their ability to compete depends heavily on the
circumstances of the location where they operate".
            - This quote has been a source of great inspiration to us and has helped us
form our company philosophy and policy.
   
Our Company Philosophy

    • To live in the society, you have to give and take.

    • Our Neighbors must be proud to have us as their neighbors.
    • Select issues which are of National Interest, and which is on long term basis.
    • Work on their felt needs and are areas of their concern.
    • Select initiatives that meet their priority needs.
    • Ensure participation of the people for whom the initiative is being taken.
    • Train a woman and the whole family is trained.
    • Partner with reputed NGOs who are like-minded.
 

There are so many issues to take up to support and take initiatives on, but to see that
it is impactful is more important. Therefore we have selected three broad spectrums
to encompass the work.
Nurturing Communities

Our Initiatives in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) date back more than 20years.
The emphasis has been on three major areas…Building Health Empowering Women and
Universalizing Education.

Our CSR initiatives focus on nurturing the communities around our plants and refineries and are
currently centered around Indore, Chennai, and Patalganga. Plans are a foot to replicate our
successful CSR programmes, particularly those focusing on health and computer education, at
one more location at Buti Bori, Nagpur, in 2008-2009.

The philosophy behind our activities is that we will act as facilitators and motivators, working
with the beneficiaries and partners and not for them. Paticipation is the key in helping
communities to help themselves and experience teaches us that more is achieved by giving a
hand rather than a handout.

Our activities last year included:

Education

At the sahra (Self-Help Asistance, Hope, Renewed Action) centre at Patalganga, 23 activities
were organized to ensure all round development of all the children who attended.

Personality Development activities were organized with faculty from gyan Prabodhini, Pune.
The children participated in yoga sessions, group studies, sports excursions, handwriting skills
development programs and prayer gatherings.

We have reached the benefits of computer education to 657 students through our interaction
with Dr. Parnekar School where we have been donating computers and conducting IT training
classes.

The Shahra Mobile Library has been extended to include at Zilla Parishad schools, taking the
reading habit to a large number of children.

Vedic Mathematics classes were conducted at the Shahra Centre.

\Three scholarships were given out in the academics year 2007-2008 to childrenfrom Dr.
Parnekar’s School.

At Chennai, two small blocks were constructed in a near by village panchayat school funded by
Ruchi Soya.

Notebooks and pens were gifted to 105 students in ‘Palavakka School’ on Independence Day.

Women Empowerment

Ruchi Soya’s work in this field involves setting up Self Help Groups (SHGs) and encouraging
women to take their own decisions and build trust in themselves. We show them how to put
‘idle’ time to good use and how to keep and maintain records. Some of the women have learnt
how to make good use of their savings to run small businesses.

A training programme with the focus on Micro Credits and Income Generation was held for the
women of Talavali Chanda with inputs form a development support team in Pune.

We know have 7SHGs in Vashivali. One was a Below Poverty Level group stated by the Block
Development office.

Karade, the site of our pilot project for comprehensive development, also has 7 groups.

Tailoring classes were held and sewing machines, given on a returnable basis, were made
available to the enterprising women of Wadagaon (Pune).

Health
 The Shri Mahadeo Shahra Trust in Mangliya, Indore, has been at the forefront of our CSR
programs. It was set up in 1976 with objective of providing through a primary health centre. It
offers free medical services for the underprivileged through a primary health centre. It offers free
medical consultation, surgery and distribution of medicines to the people of the region.

In November 2007, more than 1500 people participated in the Trust’s campus and 200
individuals were successfully operated upon.

The trust also organizes spiritual disclosures, yoga campus, alternative therapy workshops and
cultural programs.