Community Connect Initiatives and CSR – MRIIC
Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies (formerly MRIU) has been playing a pioneering role in Enterprise Social Responsibility since its inception in 1997 as Career Institute of Technology & Management. The projects undertaken by MRIIRS include creating awareness about deadly diseases namely, Thalassemia, Haemophilia, Mouth Cancer, Dengue, Chikungunya etc, which are easily preventable; holding free health check-up camps and blood donation camps; running free OPD for Physiotherapy, Nutrition and Dietetics; holding awareness rallies for prevention of ragging including a national level seminar; raising awareness about a cracker-free Diwali; helping Faridabad Police in creating awareness for traffic rules etc. The Institution has taken up various causes for the benefit of society, building up in the process, a sense of community and teamwork among teachers, students, faculty and staff.
Dr. O.P. Bhalla Foundation: Committed towards Nation Building and Social Causes.
To salute the spirit of the legendary visionary Dr O.P. Bhalla, Manav Rachna Educational Institutions (MREI) has formed the Dr. O. P. Bhalla Foundation. The foundation is a registered trust with philanthropy as its sole objective. It is committed to work towards Dr. O. P. Bhalla’s ideals of nation building and aims to undertake developmental activities, research and training in various fields, such as education, sustainable development and environmental protection, gender equality, health and well being etc. Through its sustained efforts, the Dr. O. P. Bhalla Foundation has already initiated work to strengthen education systems, responding to global challenges through a transformative education. Special onus has been placed on protecting and reviving our rich cultural and natural heritage. The Foundation is working for training and capacity building of people with a special emphasis on the needs of the youth in India to help them in seeking employment opportunities. As a step towards the betterment of our society and environment, the Foundation is undertaking various activities for energy conservation, creating awareness about green energy etc. The Dr. O. P. Bhalla Foundation envisages bringing about change in society through incremental articulated steps. For more about Dr OP Bhalla Foundation, Please visit : http://dropbhallafoundation.org
Faridabad Navchetna Trust
Faridabad Navchetna Trust is dedicated towards the transformation of the social and cultural life of Faridabad. The Trust aims to improve the quality of Life of People in Faridabad District with inclusive growth and development of society and its people and conserving the diversity of cultures, Industrial and Infrastructural development, provision of modern Educational Facilities and provision of modern amenities, cleanliness and environment friendly District of Haryana state and finally to project itself as a model district in the Country. For more details on Faridabad Navchetna Trust, please visit: http://faridabadnavchetna.org/
Radio Manav Rachna: A Community Initiative
Radio Manav Rachna 107.8 is the first and only Community Radio Station of Faridabad. Since its inception in July 2009, Radio Manav Rachna has remained committed towards community welfare and development through its various programmes and activities. At RMR, there is an effective involvement of community members from Faridabad and adjoining areas who participate in various programmes depending on their talent and expertise. We particularly air special programmes on health related issues and preventive measures where eminent doctors give their expert views. Discussions with community members and experts on subjects of social and community interests are also aired on RMR. Social issues like creating health awareness, anti-smoking, eve-teasing, historical monument preservation, child labour, road safety, anti-drugs, water conservation, sanitation, blood donation, and such other areas also feature in the programmes. These messages are broadcast on our Radio Station in between our various entertainment and informational programmes.
MANAV RACHNA INSTITUTIONAL SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
MAKING A DIFFERENCE, TRANSFORMING LIVES: Committed to Founder Visionary Dr O.P. Bhalla’s ideals of nation building, Dr O.P. Bhalla Foundation, a trust under the banner of MREI has been carrying forward the philanthropic vision and a rich legacy of Dr. O.P. Bhalla through a series of CSR activities. The Foundation has made many a milestone and a massive transformation in the lives of the marginalized and underprivileged through Skill Development workshops. It has been providing the youth with necessary skills for livelihood and is also working towards improving Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) for higher education in Faridabad. MREI is working hand in hand with Government projects contributing significantly towards the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign launched by the Government of India. Besides keeping in tune with Government projects, a number of other initiatives for social benefits are undertaken by the Foundation.
LARGEST TREE PLANTATION: Manav Rachna has also been a part of the Largest Plantation drive in the country in which over 20,000 citizen volunteers from Faridabad planted over 2 lakh plants in three hours on July 25, 2015 under “Ek din go green” campaign. The event was witnessed by Sh Manohar Lal Khattar and depicted the use of 3Rs namely reduce, re-use and recycle. The event made a place in the Limca Book of records. The feat was repeated on July 23, 2016 -‘The first anniversary of the Largest Plantation’ drive. It is felt that such steps would go a long way towards ensuring that we live in a happier and healthier place for generations to come and provide valuable nutrition source of the city’s flora and fauna.
TALLEST TIRANGA: Manav Rachna has also been associated with the installation of the country’s Tallest Tiranga (250 ft in height) to uphold the nation’s pride and honour and is also responsible for its upkeep.
SWACCHH BHARAT ABHIYAN: Under the Dr. O.P Bhalla Foundation’s Swachh Haryana, Swacchh Bharat Initiative, and keeping abreast of Government projects the Old Faridabad Railway Station has been adopted. Initiatives are taken by different constituents of MREI to keep the railway station clean. Around 50 dustbins and 1 smart bin (developed by the students of Manav Rachna Innovation & Incubation Centre) have been installed at key locations across the Railway Station.
MOHNA VILLAGE PROJECT: One of the prime projects undertaken by the Foundation is the Mohna Village Project: Dr. O.P Bhalla Foundation has taken the initiative to provide better healthcare facilities, vocational training and skill development in the rural areas. To cater to the different segments of Mohna Village, The Foundation has come up with different training and developmental initiatives for specific segments. Training for Computer Literacy through Cloud Computing will be given to the students at the village Community Centre. The same has since been equipped with Solar Panel and 24 hours electricity facility. The latest additions includes establishment of a Library. Behavioural training will also be provided to the villagers via workshops to improve their Communication, Language, and Spoken English. They will also be trained to make bio-fertilizers, worm composting, mushroom cultivation and grow exotic fruits and flowers.
PNG CREMATION FACILITY: September 16, 2018 the day when Founder Visionary Dr O P Bhalla left for his heavenly abode was a solemn day for the Manav Rachna family. The day began with a hawan which ushered in a sombre mood. Bhajans by students of Manav Rachna International School and singer Padamjeet Sehrawat added to the pious surroundings of the early morning peace at Dr O P Bhalla Memorial Sthal, fondly known as the ‘Prerna Sthal’ situated in the midst of the Manav Rachna campus.
During his lifetime, Dr O P Bhalla initiated many activities for the upliftment of the society. Following the footsteps of this great social reformer, Dr O P Bhalla Foundation along with the Bansal and the Dhal family initiated a PNG Cremation Facility at the Swarg Ashram, Ajronda Crematorium today. Smt. Satya Bhalla, Chief Patron, Manav Rachna Educational Institutions (MREI) dedicated this facility to the citizens of Faridabad in the presence of Cabinet Minister Sh. Vipul Goel.
This is the first of its kind, pollution-free and cost-effective piped natural gas-based cremation system in the Faridabad city. Also present on the occasion were Dr Prashant Bhalla, President, MREI; Dr Amit Bhalla, VP, MREI; Ms. Savita Dhal (wife of Late Sh. Suresh Chander Dhal); Mr. K C Lakhani; Mr. R K Bansal; Mr. Shammi Kapoor; Mr. Navdeep Chawla; Mr. Vinay Pratap, Deputy Commissioner, Gurgaon; senior dignitaries and eminent people of Faridabad. The dignitaries also planted a tree at the crematorium on this occasion.
While inaugurating the facility, Sh. Vipul Goel appreciated the highly noble and environmentally conscious initiative. He encouraged the citizens of Faridabad to use the PNG cremation facility to save wood and reduce air pollution.
Dr. Prashant Bhalla informed: “It is essential to create awareness about the ill effect of burning wood for cremating dead bodies and about its negative impact on the environment. Traditional funeral pyre requires around 400 Kg of firewood. I, therefore, urge everyone to use PNG cremation system – it is safe, hygienic, eco-friendly and cost-effective. All traditional rituals can be performed during the PNG cremation system”.
State-of-the-art modern cameras have been installed at the crematorium. This will enable people living in foreign countries to watch the final rites of their near and dear ones online. Dr. O.P. Bhalla Foundation urges all ecologically conscious people to promote the PNG cremation facility.
MOHNA HEALTH & SKILL DEVELOPMENT CENTRE: Adding to the project a Health and Skill Development Centre was inaugurated at Village Mohna on November 2015 by Sh. Krishan Pal Gurjar, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment. The center is now providing medical facilities through a special OPD (out-patient department) serviced by qualified doctors from Doctor on Call (an initiative by Mr. Sunil Sachdeva, co-founder Medanta, the Medicity).
INTERNATIONAL YOGA DAY: Manav Rachna Educational Institutions were in forefront in organizing the International Yoga Day on June 21, 2016. The event was very well attended by dignitaries including Yog Guru Baba Ramdev, Mr. Amit Shah, National President, Bharatiya Janata Party, MLA, Faridabad, Mr. Vipul Goel (now Cabinet Minister, Haryana), MLA Ballabhgarh, Mr. Mool Chand Sharma, MLA, Faridabad NIT, Mr. Nagender Bhadana, Swami Avdheshanand, Acharya Balkrishna, senior officers of Patanjali Yogpeeth and a large number of prominent residents of Faridabad amongst the sea of humanity. Besides the Mohna village project other social initiatives are undertaken by the Foundation. To pay homage to the legendary Dr. O. P Bhalla, on his first and second death anniversaries, blood donation camps were organised in association with Lions Club & Rotary Club, Faridabad. MREI also regularly organizes Rural Dental Health Camps focusing on health and hygiene in the backward areas of Haryana. The Ek Mutthi Daan is yet another step towards social service and under this movement where No-one Sleeps Hungry till date, approximately 14,000 kgs rice and 700 kgs of wheat flour have been donated to NGOs namely Prayas, Sai Milan and Naaz Foundation. Besides, MREI regularly supports relief funds under the aegis of Dr O. P. Bhalla Foundation. As a movement to support the victims of natural disasters, the employees of MREI have contributed one day’s salary to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund.
Go Green initiative is yet another initiative undertaken by the Foundation and Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies (formerly MRIU) was declared the first University of Haryana to be polythene-free. Students of MREI made creative carry bags with used old T- shirts. Training in Solid Waste Segregation was conducted for the Class IV employees of Manav Rachna on how to segregate waste.
MREI has always been in the forefront to focus on social development and it is the endeavor of the Management to continue their efforts to bring about a change in the society.
PROMOTING GENDER SENSITIZATION: The Faculty of Management Studies, Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies (formerly MRIU) celebrated ‘SWAYAM SIDDHA-Celebrating Being a Woman’ as part of its efforts in creating awareness on gender sensitization amongst the youth in association with Sindhu Srijan, an NGO working on Women and Youth Empowerment. A galaxy of dignitaries from the Government holding important portfolios graced the month long celebrations from 12 February to 8 March 2016.
As part of the celebrations on International Women’s day, on 8 March 2016, Smt Smriti Zubin Irani, Hon’ble Minister of Human Resource Development, Government of India was the Chief Guest at MREI and she hoisted a 36’x24′ national flag atop a 108′ tall mast to mark the celebrations. Earlier on 26 February, 2016 as part of the Women’s Empowerment programme Smt. Maneka Gandhi, Hon’ble Union Minister for Women and Child Development was the chief guest and spoke of the various initiatives her Ministry had undertaken for the safety of Women. On 3 March, 2016, Ms Lalitha Kumarmangalam, Chairperson of National Commission for Women sensitized the audience at MREI on laws governing women’s rights and how necessary it was to make use of them if and when the need arose.
Additionally, a National Conference on ‘Women in Media: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow’ was organized at MREI, by the Faculty of Media Studies and Humanities on 8 March, 2016 in which former Captain of Indian Women Cricket Team, Ms. Anjum Chopra, was the Chief Guest.
