Corporate Responsibility (CR) remains a top priority at BG India, based on a recognition that the company has a duty to act responsibly both towards its employees and the wider community in which it operates.
BG India contributes to society in several ways: delivering gas to markets; providing energy and infrastructure to support development; creating and sustaining jobs in local economies; and through taxes and duties paid. These benefits are enhanced by the company’s CR strategy, which not only ensures that it behaves in a socially responsible manner, but also makes a positive and meaningful contribution to community development.
Mumbai
Vocational Training courses in partnership with KSWA
Vocational training courses for underprivileged youth:
The programme, in partnership with Kherwadi Social Welfare Association (KSWA), a 75 year old NGO, includes courses on electrical wiring, tailoring and computers. In addition, training modules in English speaking and entrepreneurial development are also conducted. BG India began its support to the programme from 2004 onwards and this will continue up to March 2006.
Vocational training for underprivileged youth in the repair and maintenance of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fuelled vehicles:
This programme, also in partnership with KSWA, aims to replicate a similar BG India-supported initiative that has been in operation in Delhi since 2003. The programme in Mumbai is expected to be launched in March 2006.
Environment and nature education activities
On April 22, 2004, BG India inaugurated a new Nature Information Centre at Borivali National Park, Mumbai. In addition to upgrading the education facilities at the Nature Information Centre, BG India is supporting activities in the Park that are aimed at local capacity building and raising environment awareness. The unique public and private partnership (PPP) project is expected to benefit the over three million visitors the Park receives annually.
The partners involved in the PPP, Maharashtra Government Forest Department and BG India are working jointly to raise environmental awareness and address the need for nature conservation with the technical support of the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS).
The BG India funded project began in May 2003 and showcases the new Nature Information Centre, where visitors are now able to appreciate the flora and fauna in the Park through a photographic exhibition which is accompanied by details about the Park�s ecology. Slide shows and films highlighting the beauty and splendour of the Park are screened at the Centre�s auditorium. Guided nature trails are also conducted by a specialist team from BNHS and the Forest Department on a regular basis.
The 104 square kilometer Borivali National Park is a preserved green oasis spread across Thane and suburban Mumbai districts in the north of the city. In addition to acting as the �green lungs� of Mumbai and adjoining areas, the Park is also the city�s main source of water supply through the Tulsi and Vihar Lakes.
Gujarat :
Vocational training initiatives with International Centre for Entrepreneurship and Career Development (ICECD)
Vocational training for underprivileged youth in the conversion, repair and maintenance of CNG fuelled vehicles:
This programme is being carried out in Surat in partnership with International Centre for Entrepreneurship and Career Development (ICECD). Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) has been recently introduced as an automobile fuel in the city, and this provides a new source of livelihood for mechanics and other underprivileged youth. Based on the lines of a similar initiative supported by BG India in Delhi, the project was launched by the Mayor of Surat in January 2006 and the first batch of 23 trainees are expected to finish the course by mid-April.
Vocational training of slum dwellers:
Over 125 men and women in Ahmedabad and Ankleshwar have been trained in marketable skills, in partnership with the ICECD since 2004
Environment
On February 17, 2005, BG India and Gujarat Gas Company Limited launched ‘Prakriti’, Gujarat’s first mobile environment education bus, in partnership with the Centre for Environment Education (CEE). ‘Prakriti� will travel to schools, rural areas and education and environment fairs in the districts of Surat, Bharuch, Ankleshwar and Ahmedabad over the coming years.
The bus will help create awareness about environmental concerns and provide an opportunity for the community to access a ready resource for environment education and nature conservation. Six foldable panels detail information specific to Gujarat state on biodiversity, land, water, energy, air pollution, industries and natural gas. The bus is equipped with models on rainwater harvesting, energy efficiency, solid waste management and grey water and gives the viewers a peek into the processes involved in each one. The back panel of the bus opens up and using a roll down screen, films on environment and conservation can be screened in rural and other areas where such facilities are unavailable. Interactive panels with self test quizzes have been positioned with each of the topics and make the exhibition an enjoyable experience. Interactive outreach activities such as games and quizzes are also planned for specific audiences, and carried out while the exhibition is on display.
While CEE will be undertaking project implementation for Ahmedabad, the project will be implemented by the Nature Club in Surat and National Green Corps and District Forest Department in Bharuch and Ankleshwar, with support from the District Education Office at all locations. The bus will be based at one location for a specific time period, during which it will travel to schools and local community on a regular basis as per a planned route, before moving on to other areas.
To know more about this initiative, please visit: www.sayen.org/eebus.htm
2001 Gujarat Earthquake relief work
The state of Gujarat, an area of key business operations of the company, was severely affected by a devastating earthquake in January 2001. BG India actively supported relief operations through providing essential supplies, staff resources and financial assistance as a part of the immediate support. The company also provided further financial assistance to the Chief Minister�s Relief fund that aided the rehabilitation and reconstruction initiatives for thousands affected by the earthquake.
In December 2003, as part of the earthquake rehabilitation process, BG India inaugurated a hostel for girl students of the JNV School in Kutch, one of the worst affected districts in the state. The school complex, the only establishment of its kind in the area, provides free education to over 500 students drawn predominantly from rural areas. The BG India supported hostel is expected to benefit over 100 girl students.
Delhi :
Technical Skills Training
BG India is supporting technical skills transfer to underprivileged youth in New Delhi. The project involves institution of automobile repair and maintenance courses of one and two-years duration, with special focus on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) related technology.
The training is being imparted through the Delhi Brotherhood Society (DBS) which runs St Johns Vocational Technical Training Centre. The Centre provides life skills and vocational training to underprivileged youth and women to enable them to join the economic mainstream of society.
BG India�s support involves supplementing the existing infrastructure for skills impartation as well as provides for scholarship support to needy and deserving students.
The project was officially inaugurated by HRH The Prince of Wales on 29th October 2003.
Other Initiatives
BG India supports a study centre for street and working children in partnership with Chetna, an NGO, that aims at imparting basic literacy skills to children. Supported since 2004, the project aims at reaching out to over 500 children by March 2006.
A primary education initiative for underprivileged children aged between 4-12 years and who have never been to school or have negligible literacy levels, is being run by BG India in cooperation with Pratham. Over 800 children are expected to be covered in this eight month project.
BG India supports an orphanage in Gurgaon that houses over 50 children. BG India provides support for their school education, summer training programmes and festival celebrations and has also donated a bus to the orphanage and provides for its repair and maintenance.
British Gas India Pvt. Ltd.: IIIrd floor, Tower B, First India Place, Sushant I, Mehrauli Gurgaon road, Gurgaon 122 002 Tel: 124 – 2356991/95 Website : http://www.bg-india.com/