Wipro Ltd (BSE: 507685, NYSE: WIT) is a giant information technology services corporation headquartered in Bangalore, India.

According to the 200809 revenue, Wipro is one of the largest IT services company in India and employs more than 115,900 people worldwide as of September 2010.[3] It has interests varying from information technology, consumer care, lighting, engineering and healthcare businesses. It is 9th most valuable brand in India according to an annual survey conducted by Brand Finance and The Economic Times in 2010. [4] Azim Premji is the Chairman of the board.

(Honda Motor Company, Ltd. (Japanese: Honda Giken K gy Kabushiki-gaisha?, Honda Technology Research Institute Company, Limited) listen (helpinfo) (TYO: 7267) is a Japanese multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles. Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959,[3][4] as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than 14 million internal combustion engines each year.[5] Honda surpassed Nissan in 2001 to become the second-largest Japanese automobile manufacturer.[6][7] As of August 2008, Honda surpassed Chrysler as the fourth largest automobile manufacturer in the United States.[8] Honda is the sixth largest automobile manufacturer in the world. Honda was the first Japanese automobile manufacturer to release a dedicated luxury brand, Acura, in 1986. Aside from their core automobile and motorcycle businesses, Honda also manufactures garden equipment, marine engines, personal watercraft and power generators, amongst others. Since 1986, Honda has been involved with artificial intelligence/robotics research and released their ASIMO robot in 2000. They have also ventured into aerospace with the establishment of GE Honda Aero Engines in 2004 and the Honda HA-420 HondaJet, scheduled to be released in 2011. Honda spends about 5% of its revenues into R&D.[9])

WIPRO

CSR Activities
Trust / Foundation for CSR CSR Areas Wipro Cares 1. 2. 3. 4. Children Community Welfare Disaster Relief Education

5. Employee Welfare 6. Energy 7. Environment 8. Healthcare 9. Poverty Eradication 10. Rural Development 11. Vocational Training 12. Women Three main CSR activities 1. Environment 2. Education 3. Energy

INFOSYS
CSR activities: Infosys Technologies Ltd Infosys Foundation has worked to support the underprivileged in society and enrich their lives. Promoted by Infosys Technologies Limited, the Foundation began its work in Karnataka, India, gradually extending its activities to the states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa and Punjab. It has successfully implemented projects in four key focus areas: Healthcare Making high-quality healthcare the norm is an ongoing challenge. Since its inception, the Foundation has initiated several activities that benefit the rural and urban poor. Apart from constructing hospital wards, donating hi-tech equipment and organizing health camps, the Foundation also distributes medicines to economically-weaker sections in remote areas. The Foundation constructed the Infosys Super-specialty Hospital on the Sassoon Hospital premises in Pune. This hospital caters to poor patients It has spread its donations for medicines to aged and poor patients suffering from cancer, leprosy, defects of the heart/kidney, mental illnesses and other major disorders. It helps this section meet substantial medical expenses and assures them of a steady source of income for their treatment The Foundation installed office management software at the KEM Hospital in Mumbai. This enables the hospital to manage store requirements, keep accounts as well as publish hospital papers and other information on the Web

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Additional blocks have been built at the Swami Sivananda Centenary Charitable Hospital at Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu Additional blocks have also been built at the Bangalore Diabetic Hospital A dharmashala was constructed at the Kidwai Cancer Institute in Bangalore The Foundation constructed a pediatric hospital at the Capitol Hospital in Bhubaneswar, which caters to poor patients. A CT-scan machine was also donated to the hospital Additional wards were built at the Swami Shivananda Memorial Charitable Hospital in Pattumadai, Tamil Nadu The annex to a cancer hospital in Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu was added A hospital was built for tribals at H.D. Kote, Mysore. In Bellary, a hospital was constructed to treat patients with brain fever The Foundation air-conditioned the burns ward of the Victoria Hospital, Bangalore

A high-energy linear accelerator unit was purchased for the treatment of cancer patients at the Chennai Cancer Institute in Tamil Nadu The Foundation has donated ambulances to medical centers and hospitals in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, Gadag, B.R. Hills and South Canara in Karnataka and Kalahandi, Chandrashekarpur and Bhubaneswar in Orissa It has also donated high-tech surgical equipment to hospitals located at Mysore, Bijapur, Bellary and Hubli in Karnataka Incubators, air conditioner units, neonatal resuscitation equipment and refrigerators have been given to the Bowring Hospital, Bangalore, while ultrasound scanners have been donated to the Ramakrishna Ashram, Coorg and the Bangalore Government Hospital The Foundation has made donations to the Drug Foundation for Nuclear Medicine at the cancer hospital in Miraj and the Kidwai Hospital in Bangalore A leprosy camp was conducted, and relief work was carried out at the Leprosy Colony in Gulbarga Social rehabilitation and rural upliftment Whether it is organizing an annual mela that empowers destitute women or building orphanages that give children a better life, the Foundation's activities address the needs of society's most neglected. The Foundation has organized unique annual melas in different parts of the country, including Bangalore and Sedam in Karnataka, and Chennai in Tamil Nadu, to distribute sewing machines to destitute women and help them earn a livelihood. Prior to the mela, the Foundation even holds tailoring classes and provides materials for the same at some centers. The Foundation has conducted relief work after natural disasters. Apart from monetary contributions, it believes in assessing the real needs of those affected and contributing accordingly. It has worked in the tsunami-affected areas of Tamil Nadu and the Andaman Islands, earthquake-affected areas of Kutch, cyclone-devastated areas of Orissa, tribal areas of Kalahandi in Orissa and drought-hit areas of Andhra Pradesh The Foundation made a donation towards the mid-day meal program of the Akshaya Patra Foundation, Bangalore, for poor children in North Karnataka. It established counseling centers to rehabilitate marginalized devadasis in North Karnataka The Foundation has offered compensation to families whose bread-winners have served in our Defence Forces and died fighting for the country. The Foundation worked with the Red Cross Society to supply aid equipment to the physically challenged in rural areas and economically weaker sections of Karnataka The Foundation offers monetary aid to the Divine Life Society, which is based in the Himalayas. The Society helps senior citizens and destitutes, often picking them up from the street and looking after them with the help of volunteers, some of whom are foreign tourists in the region The Foundation improved a rehabilitation center in Chennai for mentally retarded women The Foundation has improved the lives of children with leprosy and those living on the streets, and in slums The Foundation has constructed: Hostel buildings for under-privileged students at Ramakrishna Mission centers in Tamil Nadu, Orissa, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh Orphanages in rural areas of these states, to provide shelter to children of local communities. A free girls' hostel at Maharshi Karve Sthree Shikshana Samsthe, Hingne, Pune A girls' hostel for the blind in Banapur, Orissa, Jagruthi Blind School in Pune, Sri Ramana Maharshi Academy for the Blind in Bangalore and Sri Sharada Andhara Vikasa Kendra in Shimoga, Karnataka Relief shelters in several parts of Orissa The Sri Ramakrishna Students' Home in Chennai, Tamil Nadu The Shakthidhama Destitute Center for Women in Mysore, Karnataka A hall for people with physical disabilities in Belgaum, Karnataka

Learning and education Basic education links the children, whether of the cities or villages, to all that is best and lasting in India," said Mahatma Gandhi. At no time have his words been more prophetic, than now. In a world where education has become the biggest differentiating factor, the Foundation offers an edge to deprived and rural students, through its activities In what is one of the largest rural education programs in the country, the foundation has donated 10,200 sets of books in Karnataka alone, and in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Orissa and Kerala, under its Library for Every Rural School project. Through this program, the Foundation has set up more than 10,150 libraries in rural government schools. A minimum of 200 books, depending on the

strength of the school, is provided. Each set has around 200 to 250 books. The cost of each set ranges between Rs. 2,000 and Rs. 3,000. Books on various subjects, including science, history, mathematics, general knowledge, grammar, literature, geography, vocational training and fiction have been donated to cater to the interests of students in all age groups To simplify the standard of computer education for students in rural areas, a separate book has been written and is being distributed under the library project. This book has also been translated into Hindi, Tamil and Telugu In another innovative project that facilitates higher learning, the Foundation has set up libraries in Hubli and Bangalore, that can be accessed by underprivileged students. These well-equipped libraries have the latest books prescribed in hi-tech streams like medicine and engineering. All a student has to do is pay a deposit of Rs 800 for unlimited use of the library through his or her education To identify and help students in dire need, the Foundation works with Prerna, an NGO in Raichur and Bangalore, and Vidya Poshak in Dharwad, to distribute scholarships to poor students. With the help of these organizations, the Foundation reaches out to deserving students across Karnataka The Foundation has also made donations towards the reconstruction of old school buildings. For instance, 14 government schools in slum areas of Hyderabad were reconstructed The Foundation has also renovated the Gandhinagar, Kottara St. Peter's School and Kapikad Zilla Panchayat schools in Mangalore, Karnataka It also contributes towards the construction of additional classrooms, school funds/corpus funds, school furniture, equipment and so on, especially in backward areas The Foundation recently purchased an index Braille printer for the Sharada Devi Andhara Vikasa Kendra in Shimoga, Karnataka The Foundation donated study material, including science kits, to 20 schools in rural Karnataka Donations have also been made towards computer centers in rural areas of Karnataka The Foundation works with various organizations in Maharastra, Tamil Nadu and Orissa, to facilitate the education of slum children in in these states The Foundation collaborated with the Center for Environment Education (CEE), Bangalore, for the orientation of teachers specializing in science and the environment. The Center developed training material on water. During the program, it linked the Science and Social Studies curriculum with the environmental perspective. Around 15 camps were held in various parts of Karnataka over the last 3 years. Totally, around 1,000 teachers were trained It helps the Bangalore Association for Science towards the development and maintenance of the planetarium in Bangalore, including funding of the sky-theater program at the planetarium The Foundation constructed a science center at a rural school in the Kolar District of Karnataka, a one-of-its-kind center in the entire district. It caters to the students of the school, as well as schools in the neighboring villages It made a contribution to fund new self-employment courses at post graduation and post matriculation levels at the Nrupathunga Educational Institute in Hyderabad

Art and culture Preserving our rich heritage and honoring our artisans are some of the ways the Infosys Foundation contributes to this spaceThe Foundation has helped revive the art of the weavers of Pochampalli village in Andhra PradeshIt helps organize cultural programs to promote artists in rural areas of Karnataka and Andhra PradeshIt traces and honors artistes from different parts of India Today, the scope of the foundation's activities has widened to identifying under-privileged artists from different walks of like, be it writers, painters, poets or musicians, who don't have access to contacts or help. It assists them on a "need" basis, offering financial assistance, promoting their art, or helping them receive much-deserved recognition It organizes programs like puppet shows and other cultural events to encourage artistes and performers in rural areas of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, and offers them financial assistance to carry forward their art In Karnataka, the Gamaka form of music was fast disappearing. A few years ago, The Foundation coordinated a project to donate more than 200 sets - comprising a Gamaka cassette and record player - to 100 rural schools in Karnataka, to bring the dying art form back to lifeIt has sponsored art exhibitions and performing arts programs in Dharwad and Bangalore in Karnataka

Infosys (BSE: 500209, NASDAQ: INFY Kannada: ) is an information technology services company headquartered in Bengaluru, India. Infosys is one of the largest IT companies in India with 122,468 employees (including subsidiaries) as of 2010.[4] It has offices in 33 countries and development centres in India, China, Australia, UK, Canada and Japan.[ Infosys was founded on 2 July 1981 by seven entrepreneurs, N R Narayana Murthy, Nandan Nilekani, Kris Gopalakrishnan, S. D. Shibulal, K Dinesh and with N. S. Raghavan officially being the first employee of the company. The founders started the company with an initial investment of INR 10,000.[6] The company was incorporated as "Infosys Consultants Pvt Ltd." in Model Colony, Pune as the registered office.[7]

Infosys headquarters in Bengaluru, India Infosys went public in 1993. Interestingly, Infosys IPO was under subscribed but it was bailed out by US investment banker Morgan Stanley which picked up 13% of equity at

the offer price of Rs. 95 per share.[8] The share price surged to Rs. 8,100 by 1999. By the year 2000 Infosys's shares touched Rs. 110 before the catastrophic incident of September 11th, changed all that.[9] According to Forbes magazine, since listing on the Bombay Stock Exchange till the year 2000, Infosys' sales and earnings compounded at more than 70% a year.[10] In the year 2000, President of the United States Bill Clinton complimented India on its achievements in high technology areas citing the example of Infosys.[11] Infosys will invest $100 million (Rs 440 crore) on establishing a 20,000-seater campus in Shanghai. [12] In 2001, it was rated Best Employer in India by Business Today.[13] Infosys was rated best employer to work for in 2000, 2001, and 2002 by Hewitt Associates. In 2007, Infosys received over 1.3 million applications and hired fewer than 3% of applicants.[14] Infosys was the only Indian company to win the Global MAKE (Most Admired Knowledge Enterprises) award for the years 2003, 2004 and 2005, and is inducted into the Global Hall of Fame for the same.[15][16]

Company: Tata Consultancy Services Ltd Income 2005-2006 = Rs 8000 Cr (rounded off) Net profit after tax (05-06) = Rs 1800 Cr (rounded off) Karmayog CSR Rating- 2/5

CSR activities: TCS has always recognized the responsibility Corporates should have towards the wider communities they operate in. Be it girl child education in South Asia in collaboration with UNICEF or adult literacy programs in South India, TCS believes in using IT as an instrument for social development and change. Other TCS' community initiatives have been in areas addressing environmental and civic problems; setting up and maintaining infrastructure for urban beautification, pollution reduction and healthcare; waste management in the office environment, tree plantation and water treatment. Environment policy : TCS' commitment to environment stems from the TATA Group's abiding concern for environment and society. TCS is in the Information Technology (IT) consulting business, which by its nature of operation has low impact on the environment. TCS will strive to provide a healthy work environment to all its employees, and conduct environment friendly business at all its offices. To achieve these goals, TCS has published this Environment Policy. In line with its continuous improvement process initiative, TCS will continuously enhance its environment policy, which encompasses air, water, natural resources, people and their interrelation. TCS' environment policy aims at improving environment management by setting higher standards, and optimising the use of power, water, consumables, and other natural resources. It also aims at reducing pollution by minimising the waste generation from business operations. The policy focuses on environment conservation as an essential element of TCS' business philosophy and infrastructure. The main objectives of the policy are: Respect health, safety, and environment issues of employees, clients, vendors and local community. Optimise energy and power consumption, and the use of consumables and hardware through recycling or

reuse. Increase environment awareness in employees, and motivate them to participate in and promote organization endeavours to protect the environment. Integrate environment conservation, health and safety measures in the design of new facilities. Comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations concerning environment, safety and health. Drive common solutions, consistency and continual improvement, for more efficient and effective Health, Safety and Environment measures. Monitor policy implementation, and report performance to stake holders periodically. All TCS employees are expected to support the Environment Policy. The policy will be implemented at all TCS offices, within a three dimensional framework comprising Employees, Management, and Work-place, as mentioned below: Employees All TCS employees should be concerned about the environment. TCS will make all its employees aware on how work practices affect the environment. For example, wasteful use of electricity or paper at work place depletes natural resources and adds to pollution caused by the generating/manufacturing units. Similarly safe work practices protect the environment by mitigating health risks and accidents. As members of the TATA family, and responsible citizens of the country, TCS employees should observe environment- friendly behaviour, both in and outside the work place. Management TCS management will define health, safety and environment goals and objectives, identify roles and responsibilities for policy implementation, measure performance, and allocate necessary resources. It will integrate resource planning with health, safety and environment concerns. Two-way communication will be established with employees, clients and vendors to promote and share health, safety and environment initiatives. The Management will also initiate ISO 14001 certification for different locations in a phased manner. Work Place TCS managers will review the work environment and suggest improvements in line with this policy. The policy will also initiate energy conservation, waste recycling, and paper reduction, in priority areas. The measures and initiatives emerging as a result of this policy will be documented as processes. These processes will also ensure compliance with applicable health, safety, and environment regulations in all offices of TCS. A continual improvement plan will be initiated to achieve excellence in environment management.

Tata Consultancy Services to power the future of Child Genius:Youngest M-Tech student at IIT Madras to get support for education and research Mumbai, India, 24th August, 2006In its continued efforts to develop young scientific talent in the country, Tata Consultancy Services, a leading global IT services and consulting firm, announced that it would support the professional aspirations of S. Chandra Sekar, the 15 year old M.Tech student at IIT Madras. Chandra Sekar, the youngest engineering graduate in the country, will receive a package of grants worth over Rs 7 lakh for his education including tuition fees, research activities, technology infrastructure support, global project experience as well as mentoring from senior executives at TCS. In addition to his costs at IIT Madras, TCS will also support the student's research, travel and project expenses which will allow him to explore his ideas and interact with the global academic and research community. TCS will also get one of its senior Chennai-based executives to act as a mentor to the student during his days at IIT and guide him in his choices of research and profession. The association between TCS and Chandra Sekar also represents a new model for collaboration to develop R&D talent in the country. Chandra Sekar's research interests in the areas of computer network security and cryptography are synergistic with TCS' own R&D efforts in these areas. This will allow Chandra Sekar to work on exciting global projects in this area, using the latest in technologies. Commenting on the initiative, Mr. S. Ramadorai, CEO & Managing Director said, "Being a pioneer of the IT industry, TCS realize that talent needs support to realize its true potential and as a company, we have always encouraged our young minds to seize opportunities that the global arena offers." He added: "Chandra Sekar is a talented student focused on technology and TCS' effort is to ensure that he has the best learning opportunities." Chandra Sekar graduated out of an engineering college affiliated to Anna University, Chennai during 2006 to be regarded as India's youngest engineering graduate. He is also regarded as the world's youngest Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer at age 10 and a Cisco Certified Network Associate at 11. .

TCS committed to CSR, says company report

IT major Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has structured its corporate social responsibilities (CSR) on two distinct tiers - impacting communities directly in line of its business and concern for preservation of the environment. The company also has formed 'Maitree', an associaion of employees and their families across the globe, and is acting as an important vehicle of CSR. Maitree initiatives include for the socially underprivileged. The company in its report to share holders said it is involved with communities directly making use of its core competence to address societal problems.

With regard to environment policy, company's commitment is towards environment-friendly development and delivery of products and services. "These initiatives are being monitored periodically through audits and checks. In FY05, Maitree partnered with 'Sanctuary Asia', a non-government organisation (NGO) that promotes wildlife preservation and support of nature," report said. TCS has aligned itself with the Tata Council of Community Initiatives (TCCI), which is the apex body coordinating social cause across all Tata companies.

The company is involved with the tsunami relief with Tata Relief Committee. TCS is also actively supporting Children's Hospital in Mumbai which aims at providing good medical facilities. Overseas, the company employees have been involved in community work in libraries, fund raising for charity, assisting the elderly, 'at-risk' communities, and blood donation camps. Company's second generation CSR includes reaching out to the academic community and professional societies in the form of faculty upgradation programmes, part time teaching by TCS employees in university programmes and sponsorship of research.

TCS' third generation CSR is exemplified as brand of Computer Based functional Literacy (CBFL) which has been proven as a delivery model for achieving functional literacy in as quick as 40 hours using low-end machines. "Computer Based functional Literacy (CBFL) has been globally acclaimed and the company has been listed in the India segment of the Unesco Meta-survey on the use of technologies in education," said the company in its report to share holders. "This initiative is being enthusiastically adopted in South Africa. Similar initiatives include development of websites for NGOs, creation of database for childline which supports children in distress in 54 centres in India," report added.

Tata Consultancy Services Limited (TCS) (BSE: 532540, NSE: TCS) is a Software services consulting company headquartered in Mumbai, India. TCS is the largest provider of information technology and business process outsourcing services in Asia.[2][3] TCS has offices in 42 countries with more than 142 branches across the globe. The company is listed on the National Stock Exchange and Bombay Stock Exchange of India. TCS is one of the operative subsidiary of one of India's largest and oldest conglomerate company, the Tata Group or Tata Sons Limited, which has interests in areas such as energy, telecommunications, financial services, manufacturing, chemicals, engineering, materials, government and healthcare.[4

History
It began as the "Tata Computer Centre", for the company Tata Group whose main business was to provide computer services to other group companies. F C Kohli was the first general manager. JRD Tata was the first chairman, followed by Nani Palkhivala. One of TCS' first assignments was to provide punched card services to a sister concern, Tata Steel (then TISCO). It later bagged the country's first software project, the Inter-

Branch Reconciliation System (IBRS) for the Central Bank of India[6]. It also provided bureau services to Unit Trust of India, thus becoming one of the first companies to offer BPO services. In the early 1970s, Tata Consultancy Services started exporting its services. The company pioneered the global delivery model for IT services with its first offshore client in 1974. TCS's first international order came from Burroughs, one of the first business computer manufacturers. TCS was assigned to write code for the Burroughs machines for several US-based clients[7]. This experience also helped TCS bag its first onsite project - the Institutional Group & Information Company (IGIC), a data centre for ten banks, which catered to two million customers in the US, assigned TCS the task of maintaining and upgrading its computer systems[8]. In 1981, TCS set up India's first software research and development centre, the Tata Research Development and Design Center (TRDDC) [9]. The first client-dedicated offshore development center was set up for Compaq (then Tandem) in 1985. In 1989, TCS delivered an electronic depository and trading system called SECOM for SIS SegaInterSettle, Switzerland. It was by far the most complex project undertaken by an Indian IT company. TCS followed this up with System X for the Canadian Depository System and also automated the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE)[10]. TCS associated with a Swiss partner, TKS Teknosoft, which it later acquired[11]. In the early 1990s, the Indian IT outsourcing industry grew tremendously due to the Y2K bug and the launch of a unified European currency, Euro. TCS pioneered the factory model for Y2K conversion and developed software tools which automated the conversion process and enabled third-party developers and clients to make use of it[12]. In 1999, TCS saw outsourcing opportunity in E-Commerce and related solutions and set up its E-Business division with ten people. By 2004, E-Business was contributing half a billion dollars (US) to TCS[13]. On 9 August 2004, TCS became a publicly listed company[14], much later than its rivals, Infosys, Wipro and Mahindra Satyam. During 2005, TCS ventured into a new area for an Indian IT services company Bioinformatics[15] In 2008, the company went through an internal restructuring exercise that executives claim would bring about agility to the organization

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The concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) is not new to Indian companies. However, what is new is the way it has caught on with Indian corporates and the direct involvement of employees in implementation of these projects. Dedicated departments in most organisations are looking into much more than just funding or getting involved in one-time projects. CSR activities have their advantages. The benefits are in terms of building a positive image

and encouraging social involvement of employees, which in turn develops a sense of loyalty for the organisation. CSR activities help bond employees as a team, and with the organisation, which in turn helps in creating a dedicated workforce that is proud of its employer. The trend is especially strong in IT companies with a young workforce that increasingly feels that they would like to contribute to the cause of creating a better society. Most of these companies are working on issues related to children and education. Voluntarism to them means taking technology to the grassroots levels and to bridge the digital divide. Whether it is TCSs Webbased solution for their adult literacy programme or Kale Consultants (an airlines and banking verticals software maker) effort in creating a centralised data system on children for adoption. Benefits of CSR With serious money and human resources involved, how does it benefit the organisation? It is not uncommon to hear of rumours that in many cases no actual work was done and projects were shown on paper to gain tax exemptions. Most companies however strongly deny such allegations as funds are strictly dedicated to such projects and monitored by company boards. CSR is increasingly becoming a part of corporate governance.

Yet another allegation is that CSR is just a brand building exercise. Companies argue that getting associated with a cause might create an apparent impact but that does not generate any tangible profits. While it does help develop their brand and convey to the public that it is a socially conscientious company, it is a natural fallout and not a deliberate attempt. Kalpana Jaishankar, Director HR, Geometric Software Solutions believes that organisations today cannot have a how I can benefit? attitude as employees are sensitive to such issues. However, one of the biggest advantages of such activities is the development of internal branding among employees. Employees feel a sense of pride when they are involved in such activities which in turn help in retaining them. Similarly, such activities also in a small way contribute towards image building, says Bharti Das Gupta, Advisor, Social Initiatives and Managing Trustee of Catalyst for Social Action (CSA), Kale Consultants. Besides, with hectic work schedules, these activities help in de-stressing many employees and help in developing more evolved and conscientious human beings.

CSR is an inspirational and motivational exercise for employees Radha Shelte CTO Veritas

According to Prof Kesav Vithal Nori, VP, TCS Hyderabad, at an individual level these initiatives help in leadership and character building among employees and at the company level, social recognition. Many feel that such activities help in creating a value system for the organisation. It is carried out as an inspirational and motivational exercise for employees. It also helps them know he other side of the organisation, creates an image of corporate citizenship and also shows the concern towards the problem of that particular city, says Radha Shelte, CTO, Veritas. Jean-Charles Thuard, MD, Legrand (India) believes that an organisation is able to fulfil its social responsibility by regularly engaging in CSR activities, which enhances the value system of the organisation. This in turn helps in developing its brand, and customer and employee loyalty. Besides, employees feel a sense pride for belonging to the organisation which is committed to the society. Legrand (India) provides products and systems for electrical installations, data networks and has been contributing to relief causes such as the Kargil war, the tsunami disaster, etc. In almost all organisations these activities have major employee involvement. In fact, all organisations feel that the success of such initiatives always depends on employee participation. Besides, it makes leaders out of employees and helps them realise the concept of teamwork. These efforts create a teamwork culture in the organisation, says Masteks spokesperson. Funds and focus CSR activities as a part of the internal structure of the organisation is quite new and many are approaching it in a structured fashion. iflex started with a Rs 1 crore funding and now plans to get a permanent arrangement after the approval from the board. At TCS, funding was done project-wise but recently they have passed a resolution in favour of creating a foundation.

There is no direct benefit from CSR exercises, but it shows the way an organisation is evolving Vivek Govilkar Senior VP, HR and Training and Convenor CSR Activities, i-flex

As Vivek Govilkar, Senior VP, HR and Training and Convenor CSR Activities, i-flex says, Getting involved in CSR is like an investment for us. There is no direct benefit out from it. But it shows the way an organisation is evolving. He does believe that such activities generate a feeling of credibility. For instance, when parts of India were recently hit by the tsunami, many of their overseas customers wanted to contribute and used i-flexs channels to do so.

Infosys has been one of the most successful stories of CSR activities. It contributes up to 1 percent of its profits every year through the Infosys Foundation, a not-for-profit trust. The Foundation focuses on areas such as the underprivileged in rural areas, healthcare for the poor, education, rehabilitation and promotion of Indian arts and culture. Social welfare
Company TCS Major CSR activities Accelerating Adult Literacy Programme through computer-based functional literary method. Catalyst for Social Action adoption programme for children. It includes child welfare, adoption, foster care and rehabilitation. i-flex for children programme. Focuses on the underprivileged in rural areas, healthcare for the poor, education, rehabilitation and promotion of Indian art and culture. Infosys Hyderabad development centre has launched a computer literacy programme for Cyderabad police personnel. Children and youth, with education as the focus area. Mastek Foundation facilitates members to understand their interest areas and informs them about all NGOs working in that field. Education for street children with the Hermann Gmeiner organisation. Education, healthcare and environment.

Kale Consultants i-flex Solutions

Infosys

Geometric Software Solutions Mastek Honeywell Automation and Solutions Veritas

Diversified activities CSR activities encompass three areas. The first is corporate governance, the second is employee satisfaction through HR activities and the third is community based social activities. Prof Nori agrees that the current CSR activities are much different from those implemented earlier that were primarily philanthropist initiatives, while now it involves creating linkages between the internal and the external communities and using the core competence of the organisation. As an organisation, software major Infosys has clearly identified its multiple stakeholdersits customers, employees, investors, vendor-partners and joint-venture-partners, the government of the land and, finally, the society-at-large. We believe that corporations are social institutions. Companies are in a way like individuals; those who show long-term thinking and commitment and exhibit sincerity, accountability and transparency, will succeed. Visible actions to foster transparency, exhibit corpo-rate governance standards and demonstrate innovative and selfregulating behaviour need to feature high on the corporate

agenda, adds the Infosys spokesperson. Most organisations are either into creating their own way of dealing with the cause they believe in or work closely with a third party. For instance, Mastek has created a 10-module programme for its employees under the Mastek Foundation a year back. The module makes them aware of their environment, what has to be done, whom to approach and interest areas. All these aspects were taken into consideration after a thorough research among colleagues. The other major problem was the inability of NGOs in managing funds due to a shortage of staff, no proper board, etc, informs the Mastek spokesperson. Registr-ation of the programme is free for employees and the modules are sent through mail. The module allows volunteers to understand their interest area and the NGOs working in that field. At the end of the module there is a field visit that allows them to see the progress. With a growing feeling that corporates should also contribute to social activities, globally, and with a desire to improve the immediate environment where they work, many companies are taking keen interest in such activities. For instance, Kale Consultants has a dedicated programme for adoption of children. Working in association with various NGOs in Pune that are in the same field, it is creating a centralised database, which would have details like history of the child, post adoption follow-ups, etc. The project, started since 2002, has been completely funded by the organisation with about Rs 10 to Rs 12 lakh invested annually. When Geometric Software Solutions decided to get into CSR activities they planned the whole process beforehand so that the initiative was not a one-time process. We were sure that we wanted to work with children and the youth, and that education would be the focus. We approached NGOs that were working in this area and since we too were based in Pune, we decided to work in the city, says Jaishankar. At Honeywell Automation and Solutions, employees under Community Solutions have adopted street children and provided them with quality education. Employees who are interested visit them and teach. Those who cannot give time to teach are making a Web-based curriculum so that teaching can become easier and fun. Many senior officials participate in the programme called Wings by mentoring children and giving them guidelines. This works in two ways, it shows the seriousness of the organisation in such programmes to the employees and creates a feeling of loyalty in them, says the official spokesperson of Honeywell.

In an era of increasing global competition, the need to create an image that shows that corporates are part of the community and care about it is growing.
shivani@expresscomputeronline.com

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