The Spirit of Caring
Aligning business strategy with social responsibility in a sustained manner has already been well established by running an ethical company, having fair practices, offering high quality, fair pricing and integrating green concepts in all projects. Beyond these, the group is actively involved with several far-reaching CSR activities.
Philanthropy
Through focused and integrated social services Ozone Group makes regular and huge donations that make a definite difference to deserving causes such as:
- Healthcare
- Research on fighting rare diseases
- Upliftment and empowerment of women
Ozone Group wins accolade for women empowerement at Vanxim Goa.
Ozone Leisure and Resorts Private Limited was awarded the ‘Corporate Excellence Award in CSR’ for women empowerement
The empowerement of women is crucial for any society. By undertaking an initiative in a remote area, completely isolated from the rest of the state, Ozone Leisure and Resorts Private Limited (OLR) has been creating a wave of empowerement for the women of Vanxim island for the last six years. The purpose of this CSR initiative is to focus on reaching out and empowering the community in the village.
OLR has instituted a self help group, called “Vaxi Self Help Group” consisting of 24 ladies, which grants employment, sustainability adding to the family’s monthly income and aiding the self-sustainance. The company has also established a jute bag and candle making enterprise to facilitate the same.
The journey of this initiative began in 2010-11 on the Vanxim Island by imparting skill development training to the women of island of Vanxim and Diwar. These training programs, which are part of the United Nations Development Program policy initiatives of reaching out to needy people in remote areas, are imparted by professionaly skilled trainers through the prestigious Agnel Ashram Institute, Goa. This has eventually led the women to start small scale business like handicraft and Jute bag making.
What began as a small jute bag making session has today evolved into a self-sustaining entrepreneurial venture and has now furthered into making different variety of bags.
Community initiatives on Vanxim island, Goa
Ozone Group’s belief and effort in Conservation of Natural Resources is reflected in its initiatives taken on Vanxim Island, Goa, where the Group is developing a tourism leisure resort as an ultimate destination. While utilizing only a tiny fraction of the island for its development, the Group will not only ensure preservation of the existing settlement as a heritage village to retain its original integrity, but also help in renovating the same Vanxim island is devoid of any modernization and the women are confined to looking after the homes. Appreciating the vast potential of the local people, Ozone Group has initiated several programs with the objective of empowering and uplifting the womenfolk in Vanxim, bringing about a big difference in their lives. With the objective of catering to the socio-economic sustenance, the company has thrown open hitherto unavailable opportunities in skills and knowledge, by establishing a Community Development Centre where it runs many courses in entrepreneurial and marketing skills. Jute bags, handicrafts, candles, etc, are now being made by the women and marketed to Corporate Houses.
These self- help programs have provided renewed self confidence, boost of self esteem and a strong sense of identity to the people who have also become independent contributors to the economy. The acceptance and popularity of the activities run by Ozone Group have even attracted the women from neighboring islands.
Other initiatives include:
- Vocational training programs carried out by Agnel Ashram, in association with the United Nations Development Program to create entrepreneurship opportunities for the residents.
- Facilitating access to daily essentials like fish, bread, etc.
- Sponsorship of medical facilities through a health clinic in the premises
- Sponsorship of community activities like Tiatr (local Goan theatre), feasts, etc.
Ozone Football Academy, Bangalore
A special kind of CSR activity that Ozone Group has adopted is the establishment of a football academy in Bangalore – an initiative of the Chairman S Vasudevan, established in 2010 with the sole purpose of trying to promote football among the children of India by providing free training for underprivileged children.
Trained by coaches from the prestigious Dutch Football Association (KNVB), the children are being groomed to play in international competitive leagues. Training starts as early as 6 years to be able to truly excel in the game. Committed to the belief that only a holistic approach to trainees will produce world class talent, the children’s food, clothes, schooling, wellness, etc. are sponsored by the Academy.
Ozone Group Football Academy and KNVB are closely working together to use football as a path to a better future. The grassroot program of the football academy is specially designed to uplift the section of underprivileged children aged under 12. Selection is done through regular talent scouting programs, festivals and interschool tournaments.
To present an invaluable opportunity to children from the economically weaker section is one dream fulfilled not only for Ozongroup but also for the children who can look forward to building a career for themselves in this field.
Significant achievements in a short span of time:
- Young player Ajay Alex selected for under 15 Indian national team
- The grassroot program of the academy has reached 4000 children in Bengaluru
- ‘Coach the Coach’ initiative by KNVB has certified 50 coaches from Bengaluru
- ‘Exposure Tour’ for players to play in premier clubs of Netherlands