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Employment > Awards > N.C.P.E.D.P. - Shell Helen Keller Awards 2004

Kinetic Engineering Ltd: Sociality committed

From developing the country's first indigenously designed and manufactured two-wheeler in 1972 to India's first takeover of management control from a foreign Joint Venture Partner, Kinetic has always been at the forefront of the two-wheeler industry. What has also remained constant for more than 40 years has been its commitment towards its social responsibility.

The company has successfully implemented a novel and imaginative way to rehabilitate leprosy-affected people at Ahmednagar, the location of its factory. For more than 15 years, Kinetic has – in collaboration with Pune District Leprosy Centre (P.D.L.C.) – been running a Special Workshop as Ancillary Unit to the main factory. While P.D.L.C. manages the Unit, Kinetic has provided the entire machinery and materials; and also trains leprosy-affected people to operate the machines, observe quality standards and maintain the machines. Moreover, assured demand from the factory ensures that the Unit is always functioning to peak capacity. This has raised the standard of living of its leprosy-affected personnel, and brought about a tremendous change in their lives and that of their families.

The company also employs 23 people with disabilities in a full time capacity.

In addition to this, Shri H.K. Firodia, the late Chairman of the company, set up an N.G.O. called the Social Economic Development Trust (S.E.D.T.). In operation for more than 20 years, S.E.D.T. is a community-based voluntary organisation, working in backward areas of Parbhani and Nanded districts in Maharashtra. Operating in about 100 villages, the project 'Swapnabhumi' is staffed by more than 100 teachers, 40 village level workers and 21 women field supervisors. Focusing on women, children, marginal farmers, nomadic communities and other weaker sections of society, S.E.D.T. works in the areas of homes for destitute children, income generation for women, watershed development and training to rural youth for self-employment.

And that's not all. The H.K. Firodia Memorial Foundation aims to inspire youth by helping them develop a scientific temper, essential in building the knowledge society of the 21st century. The Foundation has instituted annual Awards for Excellence in Science and Technology, presented to Indian scientists who have done exemplary work of international standards in any branch of science.

An erstwhile family of freedom fighters and strong believers in the principle of Swadeshi, the Firodias of Kinetic Engineering have been role models and have ensured that, as an organisation, they fulfil their corporate social responsibility.

D1 Block, Plot No. 18/2,
Chinchwad, Pune 411019.
Phone: +91-20-27474301-5
E-mail: kel@vsnl.com

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