ENGINEERING CHANGE, EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES
Kennametal India Limited ‘s three-pronged CSR strategy is changing not only the present, but also promising a brighter future
At Kennametal India Limited, CSR is not just an initiative — it is a long-term commitment to fostering education, environmental sustainability, and community development. Vijaykrishnan Venkatesan, Managing Director of Kennametal India Limited, says the company’s structured approach to CSR, revolves around three key pillars: technical education, community engagement, and environmental protection.
“Over the years, Kennametal, both globally and in India, has been extremely focused when it comes to community efforts. We have crystallised our approach into three key areas. One is promoting technical education, especially for children from underprivileged backgrounds. The second is direct engagement in communities, from supporting schools to empowering differently abled individuals. And the third is protecting our planet — ensuring that our projects contribute to sustainability in a tangible way”, he elaborates.
From revitalising Devanahalli Lake to nurturing young minds at Makkala Dhama at Bettakote, and Nisarga Grama in Hesaraghatta, Karnataka, in partnership with Sparsha Trust, Kennametal’s initiatives are driven by a clear mission to protect, uplift, and empower.
Kennametal’s commitment to community welfare extends beyond environmental sustainability. One of its longeststanding partnerships is with Sparsha Trust, an organisation dedicated to the welfare of vulnerable children. Over the years, Kennametal has supported two key projects in Karnataka: Makkala Dhama in Bettakote, and Nisarga Grama in Hesaraghatta, both of which provide education, shelter, and holistic development for at-risk children.
Science lab at Makkala Dhama, where children have access to hands-on learning, well-equipped facilities, and a space to explore their curiosity
Chess and creativity at Makkala Dhama, where children have every opportunity to learn, play, and develop critical thinking skills And Mr. Gopinath, Founder of Sparsha Trust, whose 15-year partnership with Kennametal has transformed the lives of vulnerable children through education, mentorship, and safe spaces
Kennametal with Planet Sutra at Devanahalli Lake restored one of Bengaluru’s crucial water bodies, improving groundwater levels, biodiversity, and livelihoods
Gopinath, Founder of Sparsha Trust, speaks about Kennametal’s unwavering support. “Kennametal was the first corporate to step in and supported the building of libraries, mentored our children, and have been with us for 15 years. Today, when we think of Sparsha, we think of Kennametal. Their support has shaped the future of hundreds of children.”
Kennametal has played a crucial role in constructing these residential homes, supporting over 450 children. The company has also provided libraries, transportation, rainwater harvesting systems, and volunteering programmes wherein employees mentor students.
“Education is the foundation of empowerment. The challenge isn’t just about getting children into schools — it’s about giving them a safe and stable environment where they can grow into confident, capable individuals”, adds Venkatesan.
One of the success stories to emerge from Makkala Dhama is Hema, a thirdsemester computer science engineering student at SGIT Chikballapur.
“When my father passed away, everyone told me to choose commerce because science would be too difficult. But Sparsha and Kennametal encouraged me to pursue my passion. Today, I am the first engineer in my family”, she says, her voice filled with quiet pride.
Devanahalli Lake is located in the northeastern part of Bengaluru, overlooking the historic Devanahalli Fort, which is famous as the birthplace of Tipu Sultan, popularly known as the “Tiger of Mysore”.
One of Kennametal’s most ambitious projects under its Protecting Our Planet (POP) initiative is the Devanahalli Lake Restoration Project, undertaken in collaboration with United Way India and the Environmentalist Foundation of India. The 17-acre lake, a crucial water body for nearly 5,000 people, had been drying up due to pollution and declining groundwater levels.
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“Freshwater is becoming less and less available. And thanks to how we all live, we have destroyed our water sources. We can’t point fingers — we are all responsible. The idea behind this project was simple: If we restore one lake, we restore an entire ecosystem”, Venkatesan explains.
Over the course of five months, the project led to significant improvements. The lake’s water level increased by 27 million litres compared to pre-restoration levels. Borewells in the surrounding area saw a rise of 2.15 meters, and two previously dry open wells regained water after desilting efforts.
Additionally, fencing was installed around the lake to prevent debris dumping, ensuring long-term cleanliness and conservation. The improved water availability has been a game changer for local farmers, who now report healthier crops and better yields. The rejuvenation has also restored biodiversity, with bird populations returning and fish farming restarting for the first time in years.
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Pramod, Managing Director of Planet Sutra Sustainable Solutions, who led the impact assessment of the project, reflects on its transformation. “When we conducted the assessment one year after the rejuvenation, the results were striking. Water levels had improved, borewells showed a 2.15-meter increase, and for the first time in years, fishing became possible in the lake. Farmers reported better crop yields, and biodiversity around the lake was visibly thriving”.
The impact is also evident in the lives of local farmers such as Gopal Krishna, who depend on the lake for irrigation. “Earlier, my borewell would run dry frequently. Now, I have enough water to sustain my crops year-round”, he shares, standing near his farm, where little shrubs now grow lush in front of his house..
Beyond water conservation, Kennametal ensured that the project was designed for long-term sustainability. Instead of a one-time intervention, the company collaborated with the local panchayat and villagers, ensuring that the community would take ownership of the lake’s maintenance.
“When we started, we didn’t know how much impact this would create. But what really made this project successful was the enthusiasm of the villagers. They were looking for someone to take the first step, and they have taken charge of maintaining it ever since. Now, three years later, the lake remains full and thriving”, Venkatesan reflects.
Kennametal’s focus on technical education extends beyond residential homes. Since 2016, the company has partnered with the Indian Literacy Project (ILP) to implement STEM kits, smart classrooms, and libraries in rural schools.
“STEM education is about kindling curiosity. Whether or not a child becomes an engineer, the ability to explore, question, and experiment shapes their future. That’s why we focus on making science more accessible”, Venkatesan feels.
STEM kits and smart classrooms at Government Higher Primary School, Rural Bangalore, making science engaging and accessible for students
At the government higher primary school in rural Bengaluru, seventh-grade student Tanushri is engrossed in a STEM kit, a portable box with over 150 experiments. Unlike traditional learning, these hands-on activities allow students to explore complex scientific concepts in a tangible way.
Harish, senior programme manager at ILP, explains how impactful this initiative has been. “We have implemented these STEM labs in eight schools and impacted 1,250 high schools across four districts. The goal is simple — to make science exciting so students stay engaged.”
Beyond just providing tools, Kennametal ensures that teachers are trained to deliver interactive, hands-on science lessons. Purushottam, a technical facilitator at ILP, believes that education is a chain reaction. “One candle can light up so many other candles. We are lighting up one child’s future so they, in turn, can light up another’s,” he says.
Kennametal’s three-pillar CSR strategy — Protecting Our Planet, Technical Education, and Community Development — has created lasting change. Venkatesan emphasises that these efforts are not just about financial investment, but also about creating self-sustaining ecosystems.
“CSR is not about giving money and walking away. It is about ensuring that our projects continue to thrive long after we step back. Our employees resonate with this, and that’s why they actively participate in volunteering,” he shares.
Kennametal’s future goals include expanding STEM education to reach one million children in six years, scaling afforestation efforts with 100,000 trees, and restoring one lake each year. “Every initiative we undertake has a singular goal — to create opportunities, empower individuals, and leave a lasting legacy of positive change,” Venkatesan concludes.
Kennametal is not just investing in projects then - it is investing in futures.
Waving towards a brighter future with STEM education at Government Higher Primary School Bagalagunte, where learning becomes an exciting journey for all
Kennametal, is deeply committed to CSR. Mr Vijaykrishnan Venkatesan, MD Kennametal India Limited shares insights on the company’s impactdriven initiatives. Edited excerpts:
Kennametal’s CSR is structured around three key pillars — promoting technical education, involvement in community and protecting our planet. We have undertaken lake restoration projects such as Devanahalli Lake, benefiting local farmers and communities, while our ‘One Billion Drops’ initiative promotes water conservation in public spaces.
In education, we actively support STEM learning, especially for girls from underprivileged backgrounds, in partnership with Katalyst, an NGO based in Mumbai. We have also partnered with the Indian Literacy Project (ILP) to provide science experiment kits to government schools, impacting over 400,000 students so far. Our community programmes include infrastructure support for schools, orphanages, and differently abled women, with strong employee volunteer participation.
We identified a dropout trend among girls in STEM fields after grade 10 and intervened early by targeting students from grades six to nine. Our programmes ignite curiosity in science and math, aiming to strengthen the pipeline of future STEM professionals. By creating long-term interest in these fields, we contribute to nationbuilding and skill development.
Freshwater scarcity is a growing concern, and restoring Devanahalli Lake has recharged groundwater, improved agriculture, and supported 5,000 families. Our efforts, including plastic removal, soil restoration, and afforestation, ensure sustainable water management, with local communities actively maintaining the lake.
It reflects continuous efforts in reducing Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, energy consumption, water consumption and increasing waste recycling, thus ensuring that sustainability is a part of everyday operations rather than a compliance requirement alone.
As an ESG-focused enterprise, and a listed company in India, Kennametal integrates sustainability into its operations and strives to uphold transparency by way of Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR).
Our acetone recycling reduces waste and new production, with 50% of used acetone being recycled and reused. Tungsten carbide recycling minimises mining and energy-intensive processing, since we collect and repurpose used carbide from customers and internal operations. This significantly lowers environmental impact while ensuring efficient resource utilisation.
Building an inclusive workplace is our priority. Our women’s representation grew from 1.6 percent to 8% in four years, with a 9-10% target this year. We are introducing the Women in Shop Floor programme to train and induct women into manufacturing roles, ensuring a merit-driven, diverse workforce.
We believe that diversity of thought and approach strengthens an organisation, making it more sustainable, profitable, and (Above) Waving towards a brighter future with STEM education at Government Higher Primary School Bagalagunte, where learning becomes an exciting journey for all growth oriented.