Steel Authority of India Limited, the largest steel producing company in India, was conferred with the eleventh NCPEDP-Shell Helen Keller Award at a function held at the India International Centre here yesterday. Mr. G. Ojha, Director (Personnel), SAIL, received the award from Mr Kapil Sibal, the Hon’ble Union Minister for Human Resource Development. Mr. Shekhar Gupta, Editor, Indian Express, was also present on the occasion. The award was presented to SAIL in the Role Model – Organisation category for its commitment towards improving employability of persons with disabilities. Among other factors, SAIL was recognized for being a responsible corporate citizen which provides necessary infrastructure and equipment to people with disabilities to enable them to earn their livelihood and become self dependent.
Started in 1999, the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP)-Shell Helen Keller Awards recognizes people and organizations who have worked towards creating a barrier-free, non-discriminative and inclusive India.
The Award also acknowledged learning centres facilitated by SAIL for the education and training of mentally/ physically disabled children by supporting NGOs working in this area by providing buildings, special training equipment and medical aid. Currently, SAIL supports a number of special schools. The company regularly offers financial assistance/ sponsorships to deserving causes, viz., setting up of teachers’ training blocks, providing well-equipped buses for disabled children, construction of school building and clinics, repair and renovation of a leprosy patients’ home and setting up of sanitation units.
SAIL’s credo of ‘Making a meaningful difference in people’s lives’ is manifested in all areas of its operations.
SAIL has won numerous awards in recognition of its efforts in the area of CSR. These include the Business World-FICCI-SEDF Corporate Social Responsibility Award 2006, the FICCI Award for Rural & Community Development Initiatives 2006-07, and various other awards.