At Tata Communications, our focus is on the seven UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 13, 17) to drive CSR initiatives through impactful social programmes. Our programmes are designed to improve the quality of life of the undeserved communities as primary beneficiaries particularly women, young girls, persons with disabilities and youth.
The Tata Affirmative Action Programme (TAAP), a Tata group-level initiative, has been implemented to support the underserved communities in India by providing equal opportunities and inclusivity through mitigating structural and social imbalances. This is consistent with the affirmative action (AA) framework of the Confederation of Indian Industry, which focuses on four areas of development such as employment, employability, entrepreneurship, and education.
USD 1.56 Million (INR 12.6 Cr) consisting of 53% of our CSR budget was spent to Affirmative Action projects
In the TAAP Assessment FY23.
There was a significant triple band jump for the second consecutive year with a score band of 550-575 from the Tata Business Excellence Group
We were awarded the National Award for CSR in Aspirational Districts / Difficult Terrains for 2021 by India’s Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
Tata Communications Limited works towards creating a sustainable eco-system by keeping the community at the centre of its developmental objectives. We have identified Education, Sustainable Livelihoods, Healthcare and the Environment as our priority areas.
One of Tata Communications’ primary objectives is to promote world-class education. We believe education can ensure equal opportunities for members of underserved communities, regardless of their socio-economic background. We have collaborated with our non-profit partners to provide sustainable and technology-based solutions in the states of Haryana, Maharashtra, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, West Bengal, and Telangana.
Covered in the ongoing initiatives
We have embarked on a comprehensive school transformation initiative to assist in the holistic reformation of schools throughout the aspirational district of Nuh in Haryana.
Beneficiaries (including 34,824 direct beneficiaries such as students, teachers and head-teachers)
Girl beneficiaries
The Saksham Bitiya Abhiyan initiative was started to address issues arising from the pandemic, like high dropout rates and unemployment. A team of volunteers, called Sanginis, were trained to assist and educate girls who dropped out of school. Their training covered emotional learning, technological skills, and career guidance. Over time, Sanginis showed remarkable improvement, and this positively impacted the learning and behaviour of the students. Regular assessments showed increased regularity in the attendance of girls and an enhanced capacity of Sanginis to conduct meetings and share learnings digitally.
This is a rolling scholarship-cum mentorship programme to give financial aid as well as mentorship to economically disadvantaged undergraduate students to reach their potential, in Pune, Maharashtra.
The project extends equal opportunity to deserving students from marginalised and disadvantaged socio-economic groups by providing them scholarships for higher education across India.
We are working to improve the academic performance of children from socially and economically underserved sections through seamless and effective instruction using cutting-edge teaching approaches and the building of a network of community educators who are trained para-teachers. These students attend four different schools in Vakola and Oshiwara, Mumbai, that are managed by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (‘BMC’).
This fellowship aims to complement the education transformation efforts of Project ANEW (Phase II) by offering a holistic approach to empower local women to flourish and realise their potential in Nuh, an aspirational district of Haryana.
The programme covers life skills, livelihoods and digital skill development, offering constructive employment post fellowship. The programme also supports them in learning basic computer, technical and communication skills. Ten promising young girls from underserved communities were chosen as Fellows in FY 2023 with the goal of empowering them to become economically independent.
We carefully created modules for this project that emphasise on educating elementary school students on the value of sustainability and taking care of the environment, society and culture. Twenty schools in Chennai are carrying out this project using fieldbased learning.
At Tata Communications, we support community projects that support ecological restoration and regeneration, as well as incorporating action on climate change, biodiversity, water and energy into community activities.
The project enhanced the standard of living of rural inhabitants by improving the community’s access to clean energy and healthcare services in the remote terrain of Garo Hills region in Meghalaya, through solar electrification of households, upgradation of health centres, solar electrification, and distribution of clean cook-stoves.
Households across seven villages provided with clean energy solutions
Public Health centres powered by solar panels
Clean cook-stoves were distributed
Beneficiaries in the Garo Hills region of Meghalaya
This initiative intends to develop a horticulture orchard in the tribal communities of Dhadgaon and Akkalkuwa block in the aspirational district Nandurbar as a sustainable source of income while increasing green cover. After 4-5 years of plantation, the horticulture and forestry plantations will become profitable, offering a continuous source of revenue year after year.
of land has Kesar and Rajapuri mango plantation
In addition to this, trees would also be planted at other locations, such as schools, temples, panchayat offices, and along pathways.
The project primarily focuses on the rejuvenation and restoration of Nagan Thangal Lake for effective groundwater recharge and enhance biodiversity in Upparapalayam, Pothur village, Villivakkam block, Thiruvallur district of Tamil Nadu.
Trees planted
Built for students to learn about biodiversity, indigenous plant species and flora and fauna
Living in the remote settlements of the Garo Hills in Meghalaya, Manji Sangma battled with conventional mud cook-stoves. The Global Himalayan Expedition (GHE) and the North East Slow Food & Agrobiodiversity Society (NESFAS) project implementation teams told the villagers about the Tata Communications' initiative to provide clean cook-stoves and its benefits. The distributed cook-stoves were successful in lowering hazardous gas emissions and reducing firewood usage by 509%. Daily improvements in quality of life and a drop in health risks were recorded by beneficiaries, which benefited households and the environment.
Testimony of Beneficiary
The new cookstove has helped us to save a lot of firewood. Earlier we used so much in the traditional cookstove that we had to visit the jungle every day for collecting firewood, but now every alternate day works. Also, the food is cooked much faster here and there is less smoke. I would like to thank you all for giving up the cookstove.
Aiming for holistic national development, we are fostering sustainable livelihoods by empowering citizens, particularly youth and rural communities, through diverse income-generating activities.
Beneficiaries
Direct beneficiaries
Youth Trained
Women Beneficiaries
Affirmative Action
Tata Communications have successfully led six sustainable livelihood projects in Maharashtra, Telangana, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, Odisha and Bihar
We are working on a comprehensive rural development initiative in the tribal majority Dhadgaon block of Nandubar, Maharashtra. This multi-sectoral effort targets irrigation and agricultural development, improved livestock management, access to potable drinking water and the establishment of village Institutions to drive rural growth.
Households covered
Villages covered
Beneficiaries
This project aims to improve the lives of women from the Affirmative Action community (Dalits and Tribals), PwD and vulnerable communities in Raigad and Ratnagiri districts of Maharashtra and increase their participation in economic activities by developing their entrepreneurial skills to achieve a sustainable living.
We spearheaded comprehensive project promotional campaigns including workshops, social media, and different project related distributions, we raised awareness and promoted entrepreneurship by implementing Udaya Project. One of the beneficiaries, Suresh Shirsat, got involved through a workshop and underwent a month long entrepreneurship training tailored for People with Disabilities (PwD). Despite his disability, Suresh demonstrated high engagement by participating in market surveys and seeking guidance. He capitalised on his chocolate-making skills, deciding to build a business around this. With our support, he was able to establish his own chocolate-making unit.
Through mobile technology and interventions that support sustainable livelihood development and digital, social, and financial inclusion, MPowered aims to empower some of the poorest and most vulnerable women (the ultra-poor) in Sundergarh, Bolangir (an aspirational district in Odisha, India), and West Singhbhum, Pakur (an aspirational district in Jharkhand, India). These women live on less than $1.25 per day. The project aids the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) state chapters’ initiatives in both states.
Beneficiaries catered through 800+ sessions on livelihood options
Average savings
Active users of Package of Practice application (POP app) for better information for their money management, as well as livelihood planning
The project, an employment-linked skill development program, focuses on inclusivity and gender diversity within the beneficiary group while offering training in industry-specific crafts to underserved youths. Through 13+ courses spread throughout eight educational centres, it prepares the students for employment.
Beneficiaries
Beneficiaries
Umang is a vocational training programme focusing on the economic empowerment of women from the peri-urban neighbourhoods of Tata Communications facilities in Pune, through skill development training.
Attended entrepreneurship training and awareness sessions
Average monthly earnings
Participants in digital literacy training
Run by 116+ women entrepreneurs, the centre conducted 29+ exhibitions and generated a revenue of INR 8.5 lakh
Nahida Khan, a single mother of four, overcame challenges to become a successful entrepreneur. She joined a tailoring course and later advanced her skills in bag-making. Despite initial opposition from her family, Nahida’s talent and popularity grew, leading to their support. Today, she is financially strong, supporting her family, and inspiring others in her community. The intervention by the Idea Foundation and Tata Communications’ Umang project played a crucial role in Nahida’s success, providing training, guidance, and empowerment. Her story exemplifies the power of perseverance and determination to overcome adversity and achieve goals.
School of Hope and Empowerment is a multi-media and multi-stakeholder impact communication initiative geared towards harnessing the power of digital connectivity and partnerships to create an enabling environment that supports women entrepreneurs residing in smaller towns and villages in India. Equipped women with inspirational and educational series to aid them in setting up managing an enterprise by:
Partnering with experts to build educational and inspirational videos that are relevant for setting up and managing enterprises
Working in the aspirational districts of Bihar and Odisha
25 lakh+ people consumed the Bihar inspirational series across 38 districts including 13 aspirational districts of Bihar.
Testimony of Beneficiary
I am very grateful to IDEA Foundation for giving me the opportunity to learn and become financially independent. The foundation’s support and guidance have helped me scale my business, and today, I am able to provide for my children’s needs and support their education. I am proud of what I have achieved and grateful for the Tata Communications’ and foundation’s role in my success.
We focus on enhancing access to quality healthcare services among the underserved segment of society, with an emphasis on the prevention and treatment of non-communicable diseases to promote well-being for all.
This project is intended to provide cancer patients from economically weaker sections with an expert treatment plan. This includes the provision of an online professional opinion for free through Tata Memorial Centre’s (TMC) Online Expert Opinion Service, ‘TMC Navya’. This virtual solution brings the expertise of 300+ leading oncologists from Tata Memorial Centre and other NCG centres to patients across India, regardless of their demographic or social standing.
Getting a TMC Navya online opinion typically results in patients saving:
on travel-related costs
of travel to major cities
of travel to major cities
Tata Communications sponsored 1,440 socio-economically disadvantaged cancer patients to receive expert opinions from TMC Navya, a platform connecting patients with leading cancer specialists. This initiative, in collaboration with the National Cancer Grid (NCG), was aimed at standardising care and reducing disparities in cancer treatment across India. The funding provided by Tata Communications has enabled remote consultations, ensuring patients receive quality care while staying out of hospitals. Beneficiaries from 26 states and union territories, including underserved regions like Manipur, Meghalaya and Nagaland, have benefited from this programme. The evidence-based approach has yielded positive outcomes in terms of cure, longevity and improved quality of life.
Beneficiaries from socioeconomically disadvantaged communities
States covered across India
Under the Assam Disaster Relief Project, we focused our efforts on Cachar, one of the most severely impacted districts. In collaboration with the district administration, Assam Rifles and Tata volunteers, the programme penetrated hard-to-reach areas, positively affecting over 6,000 individuals.
Individuals reached
At Tata Communications, we encourage our employees to participate in the Company’s social and environmental activities as part of our global employee volunteering programme. Employee volunteering is embedded in our organisational culture. We provide our employees with the choice and chance to pick the cause for which they want to work, depending on their abilities, the time available to them and their family’s participation scope.
Employees volunteered in the Tata group-level long-term volunteering initiative ProEngage during FY2023.
Employees volunteered
Dedicated volunteering hours
Lives were impacted across several locations in India, APAC, MENA, the Americas and Europe
