5th November 2024: Radico Khaitan has over the years executed its role as a responsible corporate citizen in the communities it serves very effectively. The regions of Rampur and Sitapur have witnessed a spate of conscious and dedicated initiatives by the company to boost their social, economic, and environmental development. The company has launched several initiatives to boost the economic growth of the region.
- Employment opportunities have registered a huge upward trend.
- Recycling and responsible sourcing and consumption of raw materials, have contributed towards the reduction of carbon footprint and enhanced environmental conservation and sustainability.
- It has adopted specific initiatives on education, infrastructure development, and health, to boost community development. It also provides educational resources and scholarships to improve literacy levels and encourage interest in education.
- Skill development programs for local youth to enhance their employability and foster a spirit of entrepreneurship have also been undertaken.
- Social initiatives comprising information and education on responsible drinking, supporting local festivals, and encouraging good health and well-being form an integral part of the Radico corporate culture. The company organizes health awareness and medical camps, free screening for communicable diseases, and general health checkups to improve the general health and well-being of the local communities.
- The company has contributed significantly towards the local infrastructure development of the regions by building roads and improving the local facilities and utilities.
A mixed bag of overall benefits would be empowering women, promoting art and culture, safeguarding the environment, promoting sports and fitness, fostering women’s health and hygiene, restoring water resources, and enhancing children’s education and nutrition amongst many others.
A few specific initiatives that have created a marked difference, are –
- Addressing water scarcity and ensuring sustainable groundwater levels in nearly 451 villages in the Rampur district of Uttar Pradesh. This has successfully alleviated the water scarcity situation and dried up water resources, and initiated water conservation efforts, to bring relief to the dry areas in the district. A water conservation program has been initiated for the region with a specific focus on the reduction of water wastage, an increase in resource efficiency, and encouraging sustainable usage. The Chamrana block of Rampur witnessed the inception of this initiative in 2016-17. Rampur had been battling water scarcity for years which was intensifying with depleting resources and an increase in demand. This comprehensive water conservation program brought tremendous relief for the residents and enhanced their quality of life with an adequate supply of this basic necessity of life. It not only protected the ecosystem, reduced wastage of freshwater water resources but also furthered sustainability and ensured its availability for the generations to come. To promote efficiency in the usage of water on a long-term basis instead of providing short-term relief, Radico has installed state-of-the-art recycling and water treatment facilities, which have been achieved through the process of converting it into reusable wastewater that can be utilized for agricultural and industrial purposes. The company has made significant investments in the modernization of the water infrastructure, to minimize the losses and optimize the distribution. Pipelines have been upgraded, leaks have been repaired, and smart water management technologies have been introduced. Farmers have benefitted through the ease of groundwater extraction which was very difficult earlier. Enhancing the water positivity of Rampur has been successfully done through various innovative initiatives, including pond rehabilitation and rainwater harvesting. The drastic improvement of the water situation in Rampur is further vetted by the installation of online piezometers, which indicate the actual groundwater level.
The Radico success story is replete with integrating key strategies through a combination of effective short-term and long-term goals to enhance water management and ensure its long-term sustainability. As per our statistics, the initial financial investment in FY 2016 to 2021 by the company towards water recharging activities was approximately Rs 80 lacs.
During FY 2022-2025 the second phase, the company has allocated Rs 400 lacs towards this project. The funds are earmarked to cover expenses on awareness camps, scientific studies, water literacy programs, and other related activities. The planned expenditure is approximately Rs 1200 lacs and the entire construction work is being executed through MANREGA.
On the anvil for the coming years, are plans to cover the entire Rampur district, including the blocks of Bilaspur, Milak, and Suar. During the first phase, Radico implemented the project on its own, while imparting the requisite training to encourage employee engagement in its initiatives, the second phase saw it teaming up with the Art of Living, and embarking on the collaborative “Bhujbal Shakti Project.” There is an ongoing spread of awareness for the water conservation project, with more than 250 recharge structures in various villages to increase the groundwater level. Radico has in 8 years, independently built more than 129 water recharge shafts in areas facing high water crisis which have shown a drastic improvement.
Apart from enhancing the livability and general well-being of the residents, the region has also registered remarkable economic benefits. Reduced water bills for the households in Rampur, an enhancement in the agricultural productivity as a result of the use of better irrigation practices, and lower costs for water-intensive processes dependent industries. This has had a huge positive impact on environmental sustainability, and the preservation of natural habitats, and wetlands. By taking care of watersheds water cycles can be regulated and biodiversity maintained.
- The company has also partnered with SheWings for health and hygiene awareness camps in Sitapur. Tackling rural healthcare is very challenging since, there is a lack of basic health infrastructure facilities, trained healthcare professionals, a high prevalence of communicable diseases, etc. Early detection and treatment therefore become very important and accessible healthcare assumes utmost urgency.
- Radico and Sanjeevani Hospital have together enhanced the reach and quality of healthcare across nine villages. They have jointly organized health care Camps in the villages of Jagdishpura, Bargadiva, Pipra, and Kamhariya under Jagdishpura Gram Panchayat, the villages under Kanduni Gram panchayat that have been covered are Banghusri, Purshottam Pur, Bargadiva and Kanduni. The village covered under Kourasa Gram Panchayat is Kourasa Village. The villages will benefit in terms of general health checkups, diagnostic tests, and twice-a-month treatment for common illnesses. A significant improvement in basic healthcare facilities has been implemented through this fruitful partnership and the villages have received crucial healthcare facilities for healthy survival.
- Radico has teamed up with the Sathee Foundation to address primary objectives concerning children’s education. The company understands and appreciates that education at the primary level is the building block and the foundation of future education, therefore it has initiated strong measures to enhance and develop this crucial aspect, by giving it adequate importance.
As a leading liquor company, Radico is well aware of its responsibilities towards the communities it operates in at a local level and towards the environment and sustainability at a national and global level. It has fostered a positive relationship with the communities it serves by enhancing the general living conditions and well-being of the local residents. It demonstrates strong and dependable crisis backing, during crisis situations.
By integrating sustainability and environmental conservation into its manufacturing/production practice, packaging, and distribution network spanning sustainable sourcing, water conservation, energy efficiency, reducing waste with eco-friendly packaging, and minimizing its carbon footprint it is displaying a strong commitment towards environmental responsibility. It has successfully aligned its business practices with the SDGs.
