Company: GTL Ltd
Income 2005-2006 = Rs 600 Cr (rounded off)
Net profit after tax (05-06) = Rs 100 Cr (rounded off)
Karmayog CSR Rating- 3/5
CSR activities:
GTL’s investment in serving the community has expanded ahead of the impromptu outlay of contributions, to a planned agenda in capability building. This has helped us stretch the random to the consistent.
GTL is the recognized leader in serving the Telecom Sector, thereby bringing together various technologies for addressing the networking, communication & infrastructure maintenance needs of globally distributed Enterprises and Telecom Carriers. But at heart, the company is deeply aware of and committed to its responsibilities towards the society. This seed of consciousness is not new; it was sown at the time of the company’s inception over 15 years ago.
One of GTL’s significant principles is to take care of people the way we would prefer to be taken care of. GTL strives to accomplish this by being a reliable employer and by being an element for the cause of social communities. One of the primary steps taken as a result of this was to form a Social Commitment Cell to execute social projects. In its premature years, the Cell’s participation was restricted mainly to just a small number of humanitarian activities.
With time came the keenness to participate more actively, and aggressively, in the process of development. GTL included more NGOs into its fold, giving them the benefit of its support. Among other activities, the company even organized several blood donation camps and collection drives for books and old clothes, which were distributed among the marginalized and underprivileged. Community conscientiousness became an essential component of the wealth formation practice – which when managed appropriately helped augment the competitiveness of our business and boost the value of wealth creation to society.
In the last two years, GTL has scaled up its community work. On the recommendation of the Social Commitment Cell, a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Cell was formed in January 2004, which aimed at conforming to the best global practices. Subsequently, the GTL Foundation (GTLF) was set up to implement social activities with a clear focus to support areas of health, disability, education, women’s empowerment and children. GTL Foundation was a way to ensure that all CSR activities of the Company were routed through a single, comprehensive source.
Every year, the GTL management donates a percentage of its profit to GTL Foundation for continuing the CSR program. The fact that employees volunteer their personal time for co mmunity work as well as contribute through the ‘Pay Roll Giving Program’ is proof that the culture of social commitment to making a better world is deep rooted in GTL. CSR has become the point of convergence of various initiatives aimed at ensuring the socio-economic development of the community, which would be livelihood-oriented as a whole, in a credible & sustainable manner.
GTL Foundation: Making a better world
GTL Foundation is a Public Charitable Trust formed as on 28th April 2004 by the ‘Settlor’ GTL Limited, with a view to channelise CSR activities of the Company. It was registered with the Bombay Charity Commissioner under Bombay Public Trust Act on 18th October 2004. The Foundation is also registered with Income Tax authorities and donors enjoy the benefit of tax exemption under Sec 80 (G) of IT Act.
An essential component of GTL’s corporate responsibility is to care for the community. The company endeavors to make a positive contribution to the underprivileged communities by supporting a wide range of socio-economic, educational and health initiatives. Many of the community projects and programs are driven by active participation from the employees. GTL’s commitment to address important societal needs extends throughout our philanthropic outreach programs driven by the GTL Foundation.
Established for the purpose of improving, guiding and inspiring the lives of the underprivileged, the Foundation facilitates programs and gives direct assistance and resources to individuals, families and other charitable organizations. Nurturing experiences and personal opportunities are also provided for those in the community who have little or no access to any assistance.A Committee of Trustees drawn from various fields runs the Foundation. The Committee ensures that the objectives of the Trust as listed in the Trust Deed, are achieved.
GTL Foundation: Major Projects Undertaken
Project GYAN IT
In an attempt towards serving society and contributing in small measures towards upliftment of the underprivileged, GTL Foundation devised GYAN IT.
GYAN IT is an educational program aimed at imparting training and educational aids to the deserving and needy. Major focus areas in the field of IT are:
- Education
- Training
- IT Education
- Basic Education in Computers
- Advanced Computer Education for the differently able people
- English Education
- An English Lab has been set up in a rural school with the help of Cambridge University.
- Vocational Training
- Enlightening bright students in rural areas about possible employment opportunities.
- Computer Education
50 Static Computer Labs have been set up in rural schools of Sindhudurg District and Navi Mumbai in Maharashtra. These computer labs have been maintained by the Foundation for over 2 years. 22500 students have already benefited. The Foundation is currently in the process of covering 200 Secondary and Higher Secondary Schools in Sindhudurg District and 53 Municipal Schools in Navi Mumbai.
Project know : To supplement computer education, the Foundation also launched a mobile computer lab to cover schools in remote areas. Known as ‘Knowledge on Wheels’ (KNOW), this involves an air-conditioned, 32-seater bus converted into a computer classroom. The bus is self-sufficient with 8 PIV Computers, UPS and a generator for its own electricity.
The mobile computer lab parks in a school for 20 days and imparts 20 hours of computer training to a batch of 40 students. During the last 2 years, it has covered 20 schools and trained 1000 students. KNOW is also used for conducting Internet training to graduates and teachers.
NMMC Teacher’s Training Program
Our volunteers regularly give teachers of NMMC Schools computer training. This makes them confident to train students independently. This is a 12-day program and we hope to cover all teachers of NMMC Schools within the next 2 years.
Computer Lab Setup at AASARA, Navi Mumbai
AASARA, an NGO in Diga Aaroli, works for the betterment of street children. Their mission is to give meaning into their lives by making them self-reliant and productive, rather than just provide them with subsistence -aid.
GTL Foundation has set up a computer lab in the AASARA premises to make these children computer literate and put them on par with their more privileged counterparts. Every Friday, they get trained in English Speaking and Computer proficiency in GTL premises
Computer Lab Setup at Warrier Foundation, Panvel
Warrior Foundation in Panvel, Navi Mumbai, has made great strides in the upliftment of street children. At present they have about 90 children sheltered in their premises.
On their request, the GTL Foundation established a computer lab in their premises on 23rd November 2005, to impart computer training to their children.
Project: Netra
Advanced Computer Training Centre for the Visually Challenged
GTL Foundation is dedicated to bringing about change in the lives of the underprivileged and disabled. The Foundation has undertaken a number of projects for this. One such project is the commencement of an Advanced Computer Training Centre for the Visually Impaired at the GTL office in Wadala, Mumbai.
The Centre, one of the few of its kind in the country, was inaugurated on 16th August 2005 in the presence of a large number of GTLites and other dignitaries from National Association for the Blind and other NGOs.
Through the Centre, GTLF intends to provide proper training and support to enable the visually impaired cope with a competitive work environment, achieve success in pursuing higher education and discover better employment opportunities. The Centre provides free employment-oriented computer training and endeavors to provide placement on successful completion of the program.
At present 54 visually challenged are undergoing advanced training in this centre.
A DAISY (Digital Access Information System) books library is available, which can be accessed through membership.
Train the Trainer’ courses are available for faculty of other computer institutes for the visually challenged, or for those interested in a similar career.
GTLF hopes that this training program will give the visually impaired an opportunity to improve their software skill sets and helps them take up more challenging employment prospects.All, especially the visually impaired, who can now tap their inherent potential and develop their computer skills, have appreciated the aims and objectives of this program.
All India Chess Federation for the Blind
GTL Foundation supports and sponsors the Annual All-India Competition conducted by the All India Chess Federation for the Blind (AICFB). The Foundation is committed towards AICFB and their cause of putting India on the World Map for Chess for the visually impaired. AICFB hosted the 11TH International World Chess Championship for the Blind. 82 players from31 countries participated in this grand event. GTL Foundation was the co-sponsor for this event.
Computer Software for the Blind
The visually impaired uses separate software to make use of the computer technology of today. This software helps them hear what sighted people can see. However, its high license cost makes it unaffordable for most.
GTL Foundation is developing this software with the intention of making it available at a very affordable price. The software will be ready in the next 12 months. Moreover, this will also be available in other Indian languages. This is a step towards giving better opportunities to the visually impaired population of India.
The Foundation is also developed another speech-based software which will enable the visually challenged improve their chess-playing skills; by helping them access the technicalities of the game. This 1st of its kind in the world project is being funded by GTLF.
Project: Swayam
To support the cause of employment for the visually impaired, and help them stand on their own feet. The Foundation sources suitable employment opportunities for them as per their skills. Six people have already been employed by GTL. The Foundation also approaches other corporate houses for their placement.
Project: Pralay
Financial Assistance: The totally unexpected disaster of the Mumbai floods on 26th July 2005 badly affected thousands, especially those living on lower floors. Many lost lives and possessions. Financial assistance was given to about 100 families for immediate procurement of necessities.
Books: Note Books were distributed to students who lost their study material during the flood through “Yuvak Prathishtan”, an NGO dedicated to social and constructive causes for the last 25 years.
Project: Idaya
Tsunami, the worst disaster of the century, hit the eastern coast of our country on 26th December 2004. Thousands of families were orphaned and many more lost their entire belongings. All nations came forward to extend a helping hand. GTL Foundation also supported those who lost their houses by constructing 30 concrete houses in Cuddalore, Pondicherry. Within 13 months, these houses were handed over to the most deserving families on 22nd January 2006.
Financial Assistance towards Health Issues
Cancer Patients
Sri Matha Trust, Chennai shelters cancer patients and offers treatment with Adayar Cancer Institute. At any given time, about 100 patients are being given lodging and boarding by this Trust. To build up their corpus, GTL Foundation made a financial contribution of Rs. 1 lac.
Thane Police Welfare Fund As part of GTL’s commitment to Society, the Foundation assisted the Thane Police Welfare Fund with Rs. 5 lacs for the construction of a hospital and school.
Community Development
ICT Research Supported Nasscom Foundation for using IT to help Mumbai Police reach out to citizens of Mumbai, and make Mumbai a safer place to live and work in.
Senior Citizen Meet.Participated in the Senior Citizen’s Meet organized by the Bombay Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Senior Citizens have taken full advantage of the facility provided by GTL Foundation.
Standard Chartered Marathon
The country’s largest international sporting event, which rocked the entire city. GTLites together with their family members and two visually challenged persons participated in this event. All sweated it out for a charitable cause and to create awareness of the CSR activities carried out by GTL Foundation.
Projects Undertaken for the Employees:
Project: Gyan Jyot
A program initiated to encourage young achievers through scholarships.
GTL Foundation launched this scholarship program in 2004 for children of GTL employees studying from Standards 7 to 12. This is in line with the education objective of the Foundation to provide financial assistance and support towards the education of select students. Scholarships are awarded on merit cum need-based. In 2004, the Foundation added one more scholarship program covering the students passing 12th Standard. This scholarship covers the following 3 years up to degree completion. 32 children are been awarded with this scholarship sofar.The Foundation is in the process of reaching out to more and more children of GTL employees who deserve financial assistance and for whom, a scholarship program will be a motivator to excel, despite all odds.
Project: Samrakshan
One of the most trying times the family of a GTL employee goes through is at the time of the latter’s untimely death or severe disability. GTL Foundation launched Project Samrakshan to support such causes. The objective is to provide financial assistance to the dependent families of the deceased or totally disabled employees of GTL Limited.
Project Art of Giving
A voluntary program in which employees of GTL are encouraged to support the CSR activities with their time and financial support. So far, about 200 employees contribute every month to GTL Foundation through their Pay Roll.
A team of young volunteers radiating positive energy in bringing about a change in one’s outlook towards CSR and working for a cause. We believe that we can make things happen.60 + positrons are associated for this noble cause.
Awards:
GTL has been selected by National Association for the Blind (NAB) India, to receive the 12th Piloo Dorab Khambatta Memorial Award for this year under the category of ” Best Employer of the Blind” on March 14, 2006.
Mr.Charudutta Jadhav was selected by National Association for the Blind (NAB), to receive the 11th Piloo Dorab Khambatta Memorial Award under he category of “Best Employee of the Blind 2004-05”
Mr.Charudutta Jadhav – Project Manager GTL Ltd is awarded the Best Disabled Employee for the Year 2005-06 (National Award).
Amount spent on CSR : Every year, the GTL management donates a percentage of its profit to GTL Foundation for continuing the CSR program. The fact that employees volunteer their personal time for co mmunity work as well as contribute through the ‘Pay Roll Giving Program’ is proof that the culture of social commitment to making a better world is deep rooted in GTL.
Contact details : GTL Ltd
412, Janmabhoomi Chambers
29, Walchand Hirachand Marg, Ballard Estate,
Mumbai 400038
Tel:+91-22-22613010/ 22644242 / 22715000
Fax:+91-22-22619649/7000
Web address : http://www.gtllimited.com/