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A check dam helps sustain life.
How L&T helped a village in Coimbatore overcome perennial water scarcity Water is life. In agricultural societies, it assumes even more importance. That is why the villagers of Malumichampatti in Tamil Nadu’s Coimbatore were alarmed when groundwater levels declined. Their pumping costs increased, agricultural output decreased, and there wasn’t even enough water for drinking and household use. The local gram panchayat had dug 160 borewells, but 128 of them went completely dry. To remedy this pressing issue, the panchayat representatives approached L&T – a reliable resource which has been undertaking development activities in government schools and hospitals in Coimbatore for several years now.
L&T Precision Engineering & Systems (PES), under its Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, partnered with an NGO – Community Organisation for Oppressed and Depressed Upliftment (COODU, which in Tamil denotes ‘nest’), the panchayat and the local farmers to find a solution. They devised a plan to recharge the groundwater by capturing run-off rainwater and to sustain the water supply by strengthening the farmer group to spur community action for operating and maintaining the water assets. Initiated in July 2021, the project involved several activities – such as baseline assessment and documentation of watershed, forming watershed committees, stakeholder meetings, desilting channels and water bodies, renovating and constructing check dams, planting saplings and organising a watershed / farmers’ committee to ensure stakeholder involvement. The major achievements undertaken include renovation of six check dams, construction of two check dams, desilting 118,924 cu.m, planting 1,500 saplings and forming a Farmers’ Trust to ensure sustainability of the project. The efforts have borne rich fruit. The check dams and desilted water bodies got rejuvenated, making all the stakeholders – the panchayat, the farmers and the villagers – happy as they now have sufficient water for every need even in the dry season. The project owes its success to its holistic approach and community participation.
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Tailoring courses at a Community Development Centre in Surat are helping women become self-reliant.
Computer class underway at an L&T-supported skilling centre in Surat.
L&T’s CSR initiatives are transforming lives in Surat and beyond Despite having only one hand, Vibha Patel of Kavas village in Gujarat’s Surat is a computer operator, scanning barcodes and swiftly entering data into an Excel-sheet. Her monthly salary of Rs 11,000 not only sustains her family but also fills her heart with pride. Abhishek Sonagara from Surat’s Sachin acquired proficiency in CCC, Tally and Advance Excel – and now teaches these subjects in a primary school. A native of Olpad in Surat, Nehali Kushanbhai Patel underwent tailoring training which has not only turned her into an expert tailor and ensures a steady income but has also led her to teach and inspire other women to achieve financial independence. With a computer course under his belt, Pinkesh Patel, again from Olpad, earns Rs 12,500 per month and is on his way to charting a successful career.
These are just a few of the success stories arising from L&T’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative of skilling and creating employment opportunities for socio-economically weak women and youth in the tribal, rural and semi-urban areas near L&T’s establishments around the country.
L&T’s skill-building initiatives include a host of activities and programmes – such as tailoring, dress-designing, beautician courses, computer coaching and nursing courses. These aim to make the beneficiaries self-reliant and earn the respect of their families and society. For instance, the CSR team of L&T’s A M Naik Heavy Engineering Complex in Hazira near Surat, runs women and youth empowerment initiatives such as Project Aadhaar, Computer Shakti, etc. The skilling courses are offered in partnership with Community Development Centres and NGOs, and those are recognised by government bodies such as the National Skill Development Corporation and the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, which adds value to the certification.
These CSR initiatives have made a significant impact on the diverse communities in and around Surat. L&T is honoured to count among its many successes the empowerment of underprivileged women and youth.
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Happy to make an impact, here are L&T volunteers after the beach-cleaning drive at Dumas in Surat.
A tree plantation drive underway at AMNHEC in Hazira.
L&T’s Hazira facility throws its heart into greening its surroundings Commitment to the environment takes many forms. L&T demonstrates this commitment in myriad ways. Eco-friendly processes, material substitution, recycling, water harvesting, tree plantation, and using green energy are just a few of the many environment- focussed measures in place to help conserve nature. Creating awareness about ecological matters is crucial if the winds of green change are to blow through the country. At L&T’s A M Naik Heavy Engineering Complex (AMNHEC) in Hazira, Gujarat, a high level of eco-consciousness has led to several green initiatives. For instance, in the run up to Earth Day in April, several environment conservation activities were undertaken in and around the facility. A Public Waste Management awareness session was conducted at the Community Development Centre at Mora village. In line with this year’s theme, ‘Planet vs Plastics’, the women villagers were taught how to manage plastic waste through segregation and mindful disposal. In another move, a team of L&T volunteers descended upon the nearby Dumas beach to clean it up and make it plastic-free. The enthusiastic team was led by Mr Anil V Parab (Whole-time Director & Sr EVP – Heavy Engineering & L&T Valves), Green Guardian of Gujarat Dr Jignasa Oza (Surat Regional Head – Gujarat Pollution Control Board) and others. The waste collected from the beach was sent to a recycling facility with the help of the Surat Municipal Corporation. Energised by this activity, the L&T team pledged to continue to create environmental awareness at regular intervals. That’s not all. AMNHEC’s Environment, Health & Safety (EHS) team of organised a tree-plantation drive on the campus on 22 April in the august presence of Dr Oza. This was followed by a week-long tree-plantation drive at various L&T premises in Surat, in keeping with this year’s World Environment Day theme ‘Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resilience.’ At the Magdalla Housing Society, 200 saplings were planted. On 5 June, the environmental initiatives of each unit of AMNHEC were showcased at an exhibition. Prizes were handed over to the winners of the many competitions held in the preceding week.
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