Chandigarh:
The JRS Eastman Group, a Ludhiana-based conglomerate has announced a pilot initiative to expand its environmental and social responsibility endeavour in Punjab. While addressing a press conference at Chandigarh Press Club, Group’s Chairman Jagdish Rai Singal shared plans to rejuvenate urban wastelands using the Miyawaki forest method, a concept inspired by PM Narendra Modi’s address on “Mann Ki Baat” in June 2023. The initiative aims to transform a 5500 yards of wasteland into a thriving green forest, followed by the development of an additional two acres in association with Ludhiana Municipal Corporation (LMC). A total of Rs one crore are being spent in two phases for this transformation.
The group had also approached the LMC to rehabilitate abandoned parks using the Miyawaki method. This project aligns with the group’s broader commitment to sustainability and carbon neutrality, showcasing its dedication to enhancing environmental health and creating a greener future.In addition to its environmental endeavors, the Group has planned to provide employment opportunities to retired Agniveers under the Govt’s Agniveer scheme. This program, launched in June 2022, recruits young individuals for short-term service in the armed forces.
While 25% of these recruits are absorbed into the defence line, the remaining individuals face the challenge of reintegration into civilian life. Responding to PM Modi’s call for industries to support retired Agniveers, the group has decided to reserve five percent of its future recruitment for them, with a goal to employ 250 Agniveers in the near future. Singal emphasized that Agniveers’ discipline and training would be valuable assets for the company, which currently employs 5,145 workers and aims to reach 10,000 employees by 2029.
Singal urged other industrialists and citizens to contribute to these efforts, stressing the importance of collaborative solutions to societal and environmental challenges. He highlighted the need for private initiatives to complement government programs, stating that the responsibility of creating a sustainable and inclusive future lies with all stakeholders. Singal expressed pride in his company’s dual focus on environmental restoration and social welfare, viewing it as a meaningful way to give back to the nation and future generations. The announcement reaffirms the group’s commitment to creating positive change while setting a benchmark for corporate social responsibility in India.
