Dr Reddy’s Enabling Skills, Education, Healthcare

India in 2013 enacted Section 135 of the Indian Companies Act prescribing a mandatory corporate social responsibility (CSR) spend of 2 percent on average net profits during the three preceding financial years for companies meeting specified financial threshold. The Act came into force from April 1, 2014 making CSR a statutory requirement. But much before this, corporates such as Dr Reddy’s have taken a lead impacting education, healthcare and livelihood. The company’s founder, Dr Anji Reddy initiated many CSR activities. In 1996, Dr Reddy’s Foundation (DRF) was born out of his belief that given the right opportunities and skills, people will have the inherent motivation and capacity to progress. His focus was on four areas from the inception- education, healthcare, livelihood and environment. The company’s chairman Satish Reddy, co-chairman and CEO GV Prasad and daughter of Dr Anji Reddy, Anuradha Prasad today carry forward the philanthropic legacy. Dr Reddy’s VP and head- Industrial Relations & CSR V Nanarayana Reddy, said, “Dr Reddy’s has been actively giving back to the society way before the term CSR came into existence.”

Education & Health

For instance, DRF’s School Improvement Program (SIP) in government schools, which commenced in 2011, today covers around 12,940 students in 29 ZP High schools from the districts of Medchal, Medak and Nalgonda in Telangana. The program is aimed at ensuring quality and continuous education to the children living in the rural areas, which lack infrastructure, teachers and drinking water. In addition, Dr Reddy’s combined teaching efforts with wellbeing initiatives such as providing energy efficient lighting to enable an environment that’s conducive to both health and learning, besides providing students scholarships. Through this program, Dr Reddy’s shaped life of over 60,000 students from over 100 government schools in Telangana and AP, he said. DRF has also rolled out ‘school health program’ backed by ambulances and medical staff to detect health issues early.

Libraries and computers had also been provided in the government schools, which helped taking the pass percentage from 68 to 98 percent. Across India, 229 schools are covered under this initiative. Another initiative, Community Health Intervention Program (CHIP) caters to basic health requirements of the population residing in 145 villages of Nalgonda, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam in Telangana and AP, benefiting about 2 lakh people. Of this, CHIP covers 40 villages of Tripuraram Mandal, Nalgonda District alone. This project brings better healthcare facilities to door-steps, ensures patient attendance, periodic treatment and care. The program also evolved a bi-weekly Fixed Day Health Services (FDHS) model through 196 clinics, which are usually conducted at anganwadi centers, community halls, schools and gram panchayat buildings. Dr Reddy’s along with NICE Foundation have so far impacted 3 lakh citizens.

Agriculture interventions

Catering to a different segment, MITRA (Marking Integrated Transformation for Resourceful Agriculture) program addresses the complex problem of ineffective agri-extension service for small and marginal farmers, primarily youth. The program trains farmers who take the lead to train others thus making a wider impact. Mitra also focuses on adoption of new farming techniques and methods to increase farmers’ income and reduce input cost. DRF supports farmers by helping them access marketing information, improve their knowledge and skills on crops apart from gaining access to existing government extension delivery schemes and services. In FY 2018, 7,688 farmers were benefited through the program. Narayana Reddy said, “Mitra is aiming to improve the lives of 10 million marginal farmers in India and so far over 50,000 farmers are positively impacted in 14 districts across seven States.”

Empowering youth

Self-Managed Teams (SMTs), a flagship program, is driving change and fostering youth empowerment. Economically disadvantaged youth from the surrounding areas of the company’s units are imparted rigorous training. DRF has collaborated with Gitam University to offer B Sc Pharmacy to the youth in rural areas. The company has so far recruited 1,221 graduates from Telangana alone. Many of the pass outs from this program have also joined other pharma companies. The SMT program ensures employability in rural and semi-urban areas through it’s ‘learn while you earn’ model. Many members of the early batches are postgraduates today, he informed. DRF’s initiative GROW focuses on improving core employability skills to ensure the student is equipped with appropriate knowledge for his/her sector-of-choice and help kickstart career. The program will benefit 3,000 people. On the other hand, GROW Persons with Disability (PwD) program focuses on youth with orthopedic disability and speech/ hearing impairment and provides them with skills to help them get employment. Close to 3000 people have already benefited from this program. – Telangana Today