Corporate Sustainability Management : Redefining the ways of doing business
For more than a decade now, sustainable development is a concept, which the management of Paharpur Business Centre has believed in and practiced. We have observed that sustainability is not just about doing the right thing: it is good business. The journey started with getting our systems, processes and procedures documented which led to ISO 9002:1994 certification in 1995 and re-certification as ISO 9001:2000 in 2002, then progressed further with taking up of environment related initiatives leading to ISO 14001:1996 certification in 1998. We have always been a company with a social conscience and the SA 8000:2001 certification in 2003 brought this on the record. Our safety performance has been exemplary and this has led to the OHSAS 18001 certification in 2003. We are also a member of UN Global Compact and publish our report as per GRI guidelines. We feature in the UN web site www.unglobalcompact.org as well as GRI website www.globalreporting.org We are committed to perform our business and related activities in a socially and environmentally responsible manner so as to achieve continual improvement, responsive to the needs of the organization. One of our initiatives has been the Nehru Place Greens Project that has made a significant difference to the health, safety and quality of life in a commercial area like Nehru Place. PBC had been nurturing this Green Belt over years by planting selected trees and vegetation, which has resulted in the improvement of the ambient as well as the Outdoor Air Quality and has been able to create a healthy microclimate in the area. With the takeover of the Park by DDA Horticulture, there has been burning of leaves, park fences being removed/stolen, placards and sign - boards nailed on trees leading to deterioration in the condition of the plants and trees along with the hawkers being back in force. As a socially responsible corporate, Paharpur Business Centre invited citizens and eminent personalities on Earth Day, April 22, to water the Trees in Nehru Place Greens and to save them – a show of support for the care of Trees and an opportunity to show one’s care and concern for the Environment. This initiative received overwhelming support from a large number of dignitaries and diplomats including Lady Plaxy Arthur, wife of the British High Commissioner, Ms. Fiorenza Richter, wife of The German Ambassador, H.E. Mr. Mangala Moonesinghe, High Commissioner, Sri lankan High Commission, H.E. Mr. Hemayet Uddin, High Commissioner of Bangladesh, Mr. Ajay Singha, Deputy Director General, Indo German Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Mr. Yoed Magen, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Israel, H.E. Mr. Ladislav Volko, Ambassador, Embassy of the Slovak Republic, Ms Rita Rahman, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Netherlands, Dr. Marco Di Capua, Science Counselor of the U S Embassy, Mr. Ashok Lavasa, Haryana Resident Commissioner in Delhi, Mr. Maxwell Pereira, Joint Commissioner of Police, Former Lt. Governor of Delhi, Mr. Tejendra Khanna , Mr. Mahesh Prasad, Former Secretary, Ministry of Environment & Forests, Mr. & Mrs. S. K. Somany, leading NRI from UK, Dr. B.P. Dhaka, Secretary General, PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Mr. & Mrs. Jayakrishnan, Former Secretary, Ministry of Environment & Forests and others who participated, to show their concern and care for the Environment. Mr. Pradip Burman of Dabur and Mr. Ashok Chauhan of Bisleri sponsored juices and mineral water for all. PBC arranged water tankers to water the trees. The participants watered over two hundred of the two thousand trees planted by various dignitaries and children including the ones planted by the Hon. Chief Minister of Delhi. Mr. R.K. Anand, the Congress nominee for Parliament from South Delhi also participated actively in the celebrations. He expressed his concern for environment and said "It’s a matter of responsibility and taking onus for the Mother Earth & Environment. We can reduce the pollution levels and be more environmentally conscious provided each one of us works towards a better and greener environment." Mr. Vijay Kumar Malhotra, BJP nominee and currently the elected member of the Lok Sabha from South Delhi expressed his regret in attending the event but assured in writing that he would surely take up the various issues related to environment protection especially of this green belt. A large number of school children from Delhi Public School, Mathura Road also participated and watered the plants to show their support. A painting competition was organized for the school children and the winners were rewarded. A large number of representatives from nearby offices and also members of several RWA’s attended this meeting when the aspiring MP’s were asked as to what they would do for the environment if elected from South Delhi. Another venture towards being a socially committed organisation has been the PBC Art Gallery. PBC’s share of proceeds from art exhibitions goes to support environmental initiatives undertaken by it thus supporting Art for Environment through its attempt of providing a platform to eminent as well as upcoming artists to showcase their works of art. The most recent exhibition was "Expressions" by Ludmilla Chakraborty in vibrant colours and shades. Her paintings have been executed in diversified medium that vivify new ideas and can be viewed online at www.pbcnet.com. A new exhibition is planned for August. Amongst the other key happenings during this time was our participation in CeBIT Australia in Sydney & CeBIT America in New York, along with Outsource World London Conference. CeBIT is the leading Technology event in the ICT industry and after our successful showcasing of upcoming Haryana Technology Park at Hannover in March 2004, the response received at all these places was quite encouraging. At CeBIT Hannover, one was able to meet with Chancellor Schroeder and his gracious wife, Christian Wulff, Minister President, Mr. Schmalstieg, Mayor of Hannover and the CEO’s of Siemens, Sony, Nokia, T- Systems amongst others. The Hon. Chief Minister of Haryana inaugurated the India Pavilion where PBCTM-STIP was a participant and the visitors to its stall included the Additional Secy, Information Technology, G.O.I – Mr. S. Lakshminarayan. At CeBIT Australia, a meeting was held with Mr. Neville Roach, President, Australia India Business Council to promote business interests between Indian & Australian IT companies. A visit to the Australian Technology Park was also carried out to have a look at the facilities and amenities being provided to the companies. During CeBIT America, we met with Mr. William P. Kupper Jr., the Publisher of Business Week, Mr. Gary J. Beach, Group Publisher, CIO Magazine, Mr. William Martorelli, Vice President, Giga Research, Forrester Research Inc., Mr. Deepak Khandelwal, Principal, McKinsey & Company amongst several other eminent people. Another high- point of the trip was a meeting with Mr. Neil Armstrong, the first man to land on the moon in 1969 as part of the Apollo mission, at the convocation ceremony in Tufts University along with Mr. Larry Bacow, President, Tufts University and his wife Adele. We also participated in Outsource World, London 2004 exhibition cum conference in June, 2004 where in we met with the CEO of The Dubai Internet City and several other organizations with an interest in setting up BPO operations in India. Another important event was the visit of FICCI Ladies Organisation ( FLO ) members along with their President, Ms Namita Gautam at Paharpur Business Centre with special focus on PBC’s innovative solutions to improve Indoor Air Quality. The delegates appreciated the facilities at Paharpur Business Centre as well the concept of Indoor Air Quality and became familiar with indoor plants that they can use to improve the quality of air in their own homes and offices. There are specialized plants for Day use and for Night use.
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