Clean Drinking Water Taken up as an Important CSR Initiative by Companies in India

CSR India is currently one of the most important actualities of the country which is under the lime light in recent times. There have been many recent developments under this segment which is going to aid many lives within local communities. One such significant step has come from GWEL. The GMR Warora Energy Limited (GWEL) which is a subsidiary of GMR Energy has taken up the initiative of installing water ATMs across 7 villages in Warora, located in Chandrapur district of Maharashtra. These 24 x 7 water ATMs will provide clean and safe drinking water to the people of these villages. Yes Bank partnered with Buldana Urban Co-operative Society for the installation and functioning of 100 water purification systems across Pune, Sangli, Satara and Kolhapur. There are some other initiatives taken up companies like Nestle India and Cairn India along the similar lines.

Clean drinking water is still a missing amenity in most rural parts to India. The companies are taking up CSR activities with the focus of providing the same in these backward regions. For instance, the initiative of clean water ATMs by GWEL in these 7 villages was taken up after performing a thorough survey of the area and looking in to the health and drinking water scenario. Studies and research revealed that the water in these villages were high in nitrate and fluoride content which resulted in contamination of drinking water and the people were prone to diseases like arthritis, kidney stones and stomach related problems. It also led to crippling of limbs. Installation of clean drinking water ATMs in these villages is a major step towards community development. Contributing towards this cause are other Indian companies as well. As mentioned earlier, Yes Bank has made 100 water purifications systems available to places in and around Pune and Kolhapur. These water purification systems were distributed among families, schools and old age homes in order to promote clean and safe drinking water among locals. This was a part of water availability CSR scheme of the bank. Nestle India, a globally renowned brand has taken up the task of installing 255 water tanks across six states of India. It also has plans to set up water treatment systems in areas where in the underground drinking water is contaminated or below par the drinking condition. Rajasthan is one of the states of India where the rainfall is pretty scarce. Hence the availability of drinking is difficult for the people. Cairn India had partnered with Public Health and Engineering Department (PHED) of Rajasthan to provide ATW (Any-time Water) kiosks in the region of Barmer. This will benefit the residents of the region for the supply of clean drinking water.

As per the management of GWEL, the initiative has been taken up to contribute towards the government’s Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. The clean and safe drinking water schemes of other companies are a significant step towards healthy lifestyle and rural development. Clean drinking water is one of the most basic amenities which a citizen of India deserves. The CSR India is a concept that is contributing not only towards the social and environmental benefit of the country, it is also encouraging companies to expand their good will and create a brand image for attracting funds and investors.