NAYARA ENERGY: POWERING PROGRESS
Through impactful initiatives focused on sustainable livelihoods, environment, education, skill development, health and sanitation, NAYARA Energy is making a real difference
NAYARA Energy isn’t just about energy; it is about shaping a brighter future. At its core lies a commitment to social responsibility, fostering goodwill within the communities it serves as a benevolent neighbour. Imagine disadvantaged young people gaining the skills they need to find good jobs. Picture families, long deprived of clean water and healthcare, finally getting their due. Envision impoverished communities besieged by challenges empowered to create a sustainable future. That’s the positive change NAYARA Energy is driving. Rather than merely handing out help, its programmes empower individuals with the tools essential for long-term success. By focusing on livelihood creation, youth employability, education, and entrepreneurship, it is laying the foundation for a brighter future.…
A NEW DAWN IN HEALTHCARE IN RAJASTHAN: MOBILE HEALTH CLINICS
In Rajasthan, where ancient traditions meld seamlessly with modern advancements, NAYARA Energy is scripting an inspiring narrative of transformation. With its innovative Mobile Health Clinic (MHC), it brings critical medical services directly to the doorsteps of underprivileged communities. This pioneering CSR initiative goes beyond just healthcare—it empowers communities and embodies NAYARA’s core values, standing as a distinctive symbol of its resolve to build a healthier, brighter future for all. Here are some real-life vignettes.
Women of Bittu village, Rajasthan, share a moment of joyful anticipation by mobile clinic
Ravena Charan, like many in Danasani, responds to the siren with a sense of urgency and gratitude. She carefully retrieves her grandmother’s MHC medical card, a record of the personalised care the clinic provides. Her grandmother, a woman of 78, has battled knee pain for years. Now, thanks to the regular visits and consultations offered by the mobile clinic, relief is finally in sight. “This card,” Ravenna shares gratefully, “is not just a piece of paper; it’s a lifeline for my grandmother.
Kishore Kumar from HelpAge India, NAYARA Energy’s partner, talks about the impact of the MHC on the elderly: “Our goal is to empower the elderly by facilitating access to government schemes and providing free medicines. Since the day our operations began , we’ve been able to reach out to the most vulnerable, offering care at the doorstep of patients from Danasani to Beethoo with special attention to home visits.” By activating government support and offering free medication, Kumar and his team have brought much-needed succour to the senior citizens, ensuring their twilight years are filled with dignity. Pratap Singh, a local employer, is just as grateful: “My labourers no longer need to miss a day’s work for a doctor’s visit,” he says. “This van has been a blessing for us all.”
Praveen Sain, the driver of the MHC vehicle we met shares that the clinic’s operation is a masterclass in efficiency and compassion. From registration to consultation, every step is designed with the patient’s convenience and care in mind, ensuring a seamless and stress-free experience for those in need. “The process is simple, but the impact is profound. The village-wise files, updated daily, are an account of the number of lives we’ve touched,” Praveen says, alluding to MHC’s structured approach to healthcare delivery
Praveen Sain, the driver of the MHC vehicle we met shares that the clinic’s operation is a masterclass in efficiency and compassion. From registration to consultation, every step is designed with the patient’s convenience and care in mind, ensuring a seamless and stress-free experience for those in need. “The process is simple, but the impact is profound. The village-wise files, updated daily, are an account of the number of lives we’ve touched,” Praveen says, alluding to MHC’s structured approach to healthcare delivery
In Bhittu, Bhim Singh waits patiently for his wife’s check-up. While coping with the recent loss of his brother, Bhim Singh finds solace in the services provided by the MHC in Bhittu. A retired police officer from Delhi, Bhim is in the village supporting his wife, Narayani Devi, as she receives medical attention for her symptoms. “To see such services in the rural heartlands of our country is remarkable. It’s a proud moment to witness this change,” he states, reflecting on his journey from the capital to the quiet of Rajasthan
In Beethoo, amidst the quiet hustle of villagers waiting for their turn at the clinic, Mangi Lal Patel, a 61-year-old resident, highlights the advantage of the MHC, “The nearest hospital is 22 kilometres away. For people like us, the MHC is a lifesaver,” he says, underscoring the critical gap filled by NAYARA Energy’s initiative.
These stories of hope and wellness from Danasani and Beethoo are but a few of the countless narratives of change authored by the MHC in partnership with HelpAge India. This initiative has gone beyond delivering healthcare and woven a network of community, care, and compassion across rural Rajasthan.
From (Left to right): Kishore Kumar, Dr Sumit, Harish, the pharmacist and Praveen Sain the driver, stand proud by the MHC
A visionary in Jamnagar witnesses the green revolution of regenerative farming, powered by Nayara Energy
As the sun sets on another day of service, the MHC prepares for its journey to the next village, leaving behind a trail of health and happiness. NAYARA Energy’s CSR initiative is more than a project; it’s a movement towards a healthier, more connected Rajasthan.
Over recent years, farmers around the Vadinar Refinery have discovered several uplifting reasons to be optimistic about their future, with NAYARA Energy regenerating hope and sowing seeds of sustainable growth
In Jamnagar, Gujarat, NAYARA Energy pushes boundaries beyond the industrial horizon, playing the role of a social architect and fostering sustainable prosperity
As NAYARA’s network expands, its blessings broaden across 27 village communities. And, combined with the cooperation of residents in and around its Vadinar refinery, they turn into a tide of change, empowering youth and women.
Water scarcity, unpredictable rains, and soil salinisation once loomed over these farms, threats compounded by limited agricultural opportunities, diminishing soil quality, and under-representation of women. Then NAYARA stepped in, dispelling the gloom and sowing seeds of lasting growth that are rejuvenating the communities here. Here are some of the important interventions:
Regenerative farming yields several wins: healthier soil, carbon capture, increased biodiversity, and optimised water and energy use, translating into long-term economic, environmental, and social dividends. Farmers can expect more reliable harvests at reduced costs.
Narendra’s adoption of a weather station is a good example of how farmers are beginning to recognise such pay-offs and have started gravitating from traditional to tech-driven farming. “Before, we relied on the sky and clouds,” he explains. “Now, the weather station provides advance updates, allowing me to make informed decisions.” He has seen a 25% spike in farm productivity by using vermicomposting, a revolutionary technique that transforms cow dung into potent organic fertiliser.
NAYARA Energy’s project aims to empower 9,000 farmers with regenerative practices and 600 with organic methods. Project Gram Samruddhi educates farmers on practical techniques for boosting their income.
Regenerative farming boosts yields and helps combat climate change by capturing carbon, improving the water cycle, and revitalising degraded soil. Soil testing, previously neglected, is now a key focus. “Excessive chemicals in traditional cotton farming have damaged the soil,” says the project manager, highlighting the importance of sustainable soil management for long-term food security. The project has introduced a ground-breaking device offering quick, chemical-free soil health assessments—a leap towards precision agriculture that promises higher yields and lower costs.
The women of NAYARA Energy’s project EXCEL in Jamnagar weave dreams into reality with skills and resilience
Project Gram Samruddhi goes beyond crop-specific improvements. It seeks a holistic transformation, guiding small-scale farmers towards sustainable practices. By embracing regenerative methods, farms can build natural assets, ensuring longterm agricultural resilience.
As part of their social security project, NAYARA has mapped 21000 individuals across Jamnagar and Dev Bhoomi Dwarka. Of these, 18000 individuals have been provided with information regarding various Government Schemes. Currently, close to 11,000 citizens are linked to several government schemes, such as Ayushman Bharat, E Shram, PM Ujwala Yojana, the Widow Pension Scheme, and the Old Age Pension Scheme. The villages have access to Soochna Saathis who are equipped with all the necessary information.
A focal area this year is to work on mandatory documents like Aadhar and link them to various schemes.
The vibrant threads of skill and empowerment run through these stories of transformation in these parts. One such story is that of 21-year-old Sejal Ramesh Bhai Sumakiya. There are several more…
Sejal’s ambition and dreams soared far beyond the constraints of her underprivileged background in a humble village. Armed with a 12th-grade certificate, she aspired to achieve a self-sufficient and financially independent life. An aspiration that took wing under NAYARA Energy’s Project EXCEL, which lit her path to empowerment. She trained in beauty and wellness and took a soft skills course that boosted her confidence and paved the way for her entrepreneurial venture—a beauty parlour.
Her entrepreneurial spirit didn’t stop with her success; Sejal became a catalyst by joining Project EXCEL, as a beauty and wellness trainer. She trains numerous girls and instills in them the courage to follow in her footsteps. Over the last year and a half, she has been instrumental in empowering around 200 girls, many of whom have started their own beauty parlours.
Meenal Tayde, 27, a graduate from Nagpur and now settled in Jamnagar is happily undergoing a beauty and wellness course. She says, “I had come to the stitching centre and found that it offers a course in beauty and wellness as well and enrolled. It has been a month and I have learnt quite a bit about beauty and wellness. I am also getting trained in soft skills and communication. This has boosted my confidence. My family is surprised by my transformation. They thought I was good for nothing. I have changed that perception thanks to my husband, who has been supportive from the start. Thanks to him I completed my graduation after my marriage.”
Similar is the story of Alisha Keniya and Pooja Sharma, who are pursuing their beauty and wellness courses. Alsha says she would like to start her salon, and Pooja wants to learn the art of beauty for her daughter, her family, and her friends.
NAYARA Energy’s ethos resonates with the belief that progress is measured by the upliftment of society’s youth and women. NAYARA is not just a participant but a leader in sculpting a promising future, offering skill development courses tailored to the burgeoning beauty and wellness sector’s needs.
Project EXCEL opens a realm of possibilities. With over 3,500 young individuals armed with advanced employability skills in domains ranging from digital literacy to apparel creation, it has redefined vocational training. But perhaps even more impressive is the entrepreneurial wave it has set off by inspiring over 1,000 youths in awareness sessions and encouraging over 400 to take entrepreneurship development programmes.
Project EXCEL is expanding its repertoire beyond beauty, wellness, and stitching courses and now includes a special focus on soft skills and personality development for women. “Many young girls and women lack confidence for job interviews. This course aims to change that and make them more employable by teaching them computer skills, AI, and more,” explains Mansi Gopiyani, a Master Trainer.
Project EXCEL launched a comprehensive nursing and healthcare course in April 2024 in partnership with a local hospital in Jamnagar City. Indumati Gondal, a leading nursing instructor, is enthusiastic about the programme’s potential. “The future of nursing is bright,” she says. “We’ll teach modern practices like first aid, CPR, patient care, and even hospital management. All you need is a 10th-grade education to join!”
NAYARA Energy goes beyond healthcare to empower women. A standout example is the support it lends to a canteen run by a women’s self-help group near the Khambaliya District Hospital. Led by Chetna Thakkar, this group serves home-cooked meals to families and others visiting the hospital, churning out a monthly profit of about Rs 32,000/- which ensures each woman earns at least Rs 8,000/- .
Similarly, the nearby Mahila Sashaktikaran Kendra is tailored to help women learn stitching skills and make a decent living, exemplifying NAYARA Energy’s commitment to empowering the disadvantaged with income-generating proficiencies. Launched in partnership with the BAIF Institute in 2016, this centre has grown into a full-fledged manufacturing unit and transformed the lives of over 1,000 girls. These stories are part of a larger narrative wherein NAYARA Energy facilitates women’s SHGs,
Project EXCEL’s nursing course fosters a new era of healthcare professionals in Jamnagar
connects them with micro-enterprises, and promotes local businesses, propelling hundreds of individuals to take off on their successful entrepreneurial journeys.
connects them with micro-enterprises, and promotes local businesses, propelling hundreds of individuals to take off on their successful entrepreneurial journeys.
In the heart of Jamnagar, an extraordinary movement is taking shape around the principle that waste is not necessarily worthless. NAYARA Energy’s Swach Halar is a worthy story of a community turning waste into wealth and contributing to sustainability
This transformative narrative revolves around an incubation centre that symbolises innovation and women’s empowerment. Here, as upcycling breathes life into discarded clothes, women learn to blend creativity with entrepreneurship. Beyond skilling them to turn physical scraps into functional art, Swach Halar paves the way for environmental stewardship, setting a precedent for a greener tomorrow.
At NAYARA Energy’s incubation centre in Jamnagar, women are skilled in sustainably upcycling textile waste into products like cloth bags, stationery, coasters, door mats, purses, and even turning tyres into stylish cushions. A project associate highlights the initiative’s community impact: “We invite local women to learn and engage in upcycling textile waste into beautiful and marketable artefacts. This serves not only as an enterprise model but also champions environmental sustainability.” The centre has transformed the town into a hub of creative enterprise.
Over two years, the 75 trained women have gone on to start their home based businesses, earning an additional income of about Rs 3000/- per month. The eco-friendly products find their way to various exhibitions, showcasing the talent and entrepreneurship of these women.
(Facing page) A glimpse into project EXCEL’s beauty training, empowering the women of Jamnagar to build their futures
(Right) The champions of swachh halar project in Jamnagar paves the way for sustainable innovation and women’s empowerment.
(Below) Wardha’s villagers find health and hope under the canopy of Nayara Energy’s mobile health clinic initiative
Elsewhere, spanning the regions of Khambaliya taluka, 10 wards in Jamnagar, and Dev Bhoomi Dwarka, the Swachh Halar, a joint initiative of CSR Trust and Khambaliya Municipal Corporation, is refining waste management practices by adopting efficient methodologies, process optimisation, stakeholder collaboration, and cutting-edge solutions. Built around NAYARA Energy’s waste collection and sorting infrastructure, the initiative is reinventing plastic waste management and transforming the waste value chain.
“Waste management used to be a simple process where all types of waste were randomly dumped together. However, now dry and wet waste are segregated; organic waste is turned into compost, and dry trash like paper and plastic are recycled to create new products,” explains the project’s steward stationed here.
Every day, around 20 tonnes of waste are collected from Khambaliya, and over 1,300 tonnes of mixed waste have been segregated. This initiative redefines waste as a valuable resource and promotes sustainability. It educates and empowers Safai Saathis in waste collection and door-to-door collection techniques. Around 50,000 households have been enlightened about waste segregation, and 17,000 homes now practice this eco-conscious habit.
Swachh Halar’s work has sensitised the younger generation about the adverse impacts of single-use plastics and the virtues of waste segregation. Awareness programmes have been conducted at 86 schools.
To ensure the operation’s effectiveness, NAYARA has set up a modern waste management infrastructure, which sorts and processes five tonnes of waste daily. This ensures that recyclables find new life, while non-recyclables are repurposed for co-processing or sold to cement manufacturers.
Swachh Halar embodies a holistic approach to environmental stewardship and sustainability by fostering a culture of responsibility towards our planet.
What started as a mobile clinic has evolved into a full-fledged weekly OPD that dispenses care and medicines free of cost to communities long deprived of even primary health care
It’s a bright Thursday morning with temperatures hovering around 35 degrees Celsius at the Dahegaon Station, Wardha. A mobile health van is stationed outside a community centre, and villagers are seen waiting in line for a free check-up and medicines. The community centre has been converted into a makeshift day clinic (OPD), staffed by a committed team of a doctor, a paramedic, a social mobiliser/attendant, and a driver.
"We started this clinic because the villagers had to travel far to access even primary health care. The clinic helps them get weekly check-ups and medicines. If there is a serious issue, then the doctor refers them to the hospital,” says a Medical Social Worker. “Once a month, we have a specialist at the OPD. This month, it is an ophthalmologist. Last month, it was a dentist.”
“Earlier, the villagers had to travel 9 to 12 km for even a basic check-up or medicines for common colds and coughs. The weekly day clinic has changed that,” says Dr Gaurav, who hails from Wardha and is on a rural posting.
A medical social worker points to Ramesh Baburao Thakur, 58, a private sector employee in Dahegaon, who has taken a break from work for an ophthalmology consultation. “The doctor has recommended a cataract operation, which will be taken care of by us.” Says a relived Ramesh: “My Family and I come here every Thursday for a regular check-up. Having this clinic in our village has saved us from travelling far for even small ailments, saving us time and cost.”
Among NAYARA Energy’s earliest CSR initiatives, the mobile health clinic was launched in April 2020 in Wardha as a source of hope for five villages near the depot.
In the beginning, it was a mobile clinic, but as the number of patients increased, the MHC evolved into a vehicle for transporting medicines and medical staff. It is now stationed outside the community centres in the villages, which function as OPDs once a week, providing check-ups, consultations and medicines--all free.
The MHC also organises specialised camps in paediatrics, gynaecology, dentistry, and ENT, among others, once a month, ensuring the rural population has access to a wide range of medical care. The MHC has created health cards for issues involving the kidneys, diabetes, PCOD, cardiac health
Eye chekup camps in progress
The clinic has logged over 23,000 consultations so far, with an average of more than 800 individuals benefiting from its services monthly.
and so on. The villagers are linked to government schemes like Ayushman Bharat to help them get free treatment for serious health issues like cancer, renal failure or heart disease.
The clinic has logged over 23000 consultations so far, with an average of more than 800 individuals benefiting from its services monthly. NAYARA Energy’s Mobile Health Clinic stands as a testament to the company’s dedication to closing the healthcare accessibility gap in rural Wardha.
NAYARA’s sustainable livelihood intervention, headlined by its artificial insemination programme, has helped cattle farmers in Wardha breed superior livestock, keep them healthy and milk higher returns.
NAYARA Energy’s Sustainable Livelihood Project in Wardha isn’t just about business growth; it’s about empowering communities and protecting the environment. At its heart lies the Integrated Cattle Development Project (ICDP), which focuses on the health and productivity of livestock – a vital asset for many local families.
The ICDP offers a holistic approach, bringing services and training directly to farmers’ doorsteps. A key feature is the free Artificial Insemination (AI) service, promoting healthy breeding and improved genetics without financial burden.
Lalitha Ramesh Shendre, a 36-year-old farmer, exemplifies the project’s impact. “We started with one cow,” she says. Thanks to AI, we now have a healthy, well-bred calf. This means better-quality milk, and the cow can have more calves, improving our income.” Recognising Wardha’s scorching heat, the project promotes breeds like Osmanabadi or Berari. Veterinary care, another pillar of the ICDP, provides essential healthcare
Vijay Sonpimpare smiles amidst his flourishing farm: A testament to sustainable farming impact in Wardha
for livestock, It integrates the well-being of agrarian families and their livestock, enhancing their potential and prosperity. Between May 2023 and February 2024, AI services have covered over 300 cattle.
Goat farmers, too, have benefited from the project. Take for example, Deepali Shendre of Amboda village. Thanks to the project, this one-time daily wage labourer is now the owner of four goats and enjoys a regular income. “They gave me one goat, and now I have four, worth about Rs 40,000/-.” These goats can breed through AI, further increasing their market value.
Deepali is grateful. “We’re so thankful to NAYARA Energy for choosing us,” she beams. “Without land, these goats are more valuable than land itself.”
Understanding the monsoon’s impact on livestock health, NAYARA provides bamboo for building elevated goat platforms. This simple solution has reduced mortality rates by 30%. Goat farmer Mahadev Gaikwad, 53, says that because of the platform, his “goats are healthy and rarely get sick.”
The project also teaches farmers how to cultivate high quality feed for their animals. Vijay Sonpimpare shares his experience: “The Hybrid Napier fodder is amazing— it’s greener and tastier, and we can harvest it multiple times a year. Thanks to it, my milk production has increased significantly.”
Also, NAYARA Energy supports cattle farmers with mineral mixtures, which enhance milk quality. Says Sudhir Digikakar, a beneficiary: “Since using the mixture, the fat content in my milk has risen by 5%. I now get a better price per litre.”
In essence, NAYARA Energy’s Sustainable Livelihood Project reflects a deep commitment to a sustainable future. It integrates the well-being of agrarian families and their livestock, enhancing their potential and prosperity
Mr. Deepak Arora, President of Public Affairs at NAYARA Energy Limited, leads the company’s CSR efforts, driving impactful changes and fostering community development
How is CSR embedded within the core business strategies and values at NAYARA Energy?
Since we began our CSR initiatives in 2014, we have been committed to aligning our efforts with our larger business goals, prioritising the building of trust and a deep understanding of community needs. This approach has evolved from initiating simple engagement activities to implementing complex, technology-enhanced programs aimed at addressing specific challenges faced by the communities. Our focus on resilience, innovation, and community engagement ensures every initiative we undertake is both sustainable and impactful.
Could you highlight some of the groundbreaking achievements of NAYARA Energy’s CSR programs?
Certainly, one of our key accomplishments was conducting the region’s initial hydro-geological study, which has been crucial for our targeted water management initiatives. Another milestone is Project Tushti, our nutritional intervention that has drastically improved health outcomes by reaching thousands of children, adolescent young girls and mothers. These programs lay the groundwork for continued community development .
Looking forward, what are the strategic directions for CSR at NAYARA Energy, particularly with evolving industry trends?
GROW is our motto when it comes to building programs. With every passing year each program must grow, evolve and enhance its impact else we are not being fair to the community and ourselves. We ate NAYARA Energy understand that the community needs have evolved and grown over time, with the issues becoming more complex and multi-fold, and ones that may require integrated solutions, instead of a one-size-fits-all kind. Moving ahead, we envision CSR as a pivotal part of our strategic framework, focusing on cultivating self-sufficiency and sustainability in the communities surrounding us. We are set to broaden the scope of our existing programs and introduce new initiatives tailored to the dynamic needs of these communities. A relevant example of the same would be Project Tushti, which we began in Devbhumi Dwarka but are extending to the District of Jamnagar. And with the said addition, we would now be reaching out to 2000 more beneficiaries at the minimum. Within the same program, the Centre of Excellence in Nutrition (CoEN) under Project Tushti would work on improving the nutritional indicators and parameters in the state of Gujarat.
How does NAYARA Energy ensure active community engagement and participation in its CSR initiatives?
Our programs are designed to generate significant social and financial value, fundamentally transforming community dynamics. For instance, Project Gram Samruddhi has developed a network of local experts in agriculture, animal husbandry, and water management, reducing dependency on external resources. Similarly, Project EXCEL has transformed over 200 women into entrepreneurs, significantly enhancing their economic and social status, while also linking children and adults to educational opportunities that open up future employment prospects. These initiatives not only address specific issues but also contribute to the holistic development of individuals and their communities, embodying our commitment to educate, enable, and empower.