42 Dialog with our Stakeholders
Dr. Mandke, how important is corporate social engagement
in India?
Dr. Kalyani Mandke: In India, the gap between rich and poor
is very, very wide. International nongovernmental organizations,
NGOs for short, want to and can help to bridge this gap, for
example, in the two central fields of education and health. But
involvement at the level of ideas alone is not sufficient. Success-
ful support work also requires knowhow and financial resources.
By cooperating with companies, we can help things take a
turn for the better. Let me add this: We often see that companies’
involvement starts to flag when the company is faced with
major internal challenges. This has never been the case at ELANTAS
Beck India!
Why is that, in your opinion?
Dr. Kalyani Mandke: Each person works for his individual happiness,
for her very personal goals. But it is equally important
to give something back to society. Because society enabled us to
reach our goals. The two things go hand in hand. Giving people
some of your time makes a difference in life. That gives helping
people a new perspective, indeed even meaning in their lives.
Mr. Dabir, what are the most important reasons for social
engagement, in your view?
Shirish Dabir: Dr. Mandke rightly observed that social engagement
is very important to us. We use society’s resources. So it
is our responsibility and duty to give something back to society
in return. We at ELANTAS Beck India have been involved in
certain social-engagement activities for a decade; however, we
have been very actively involved now for nearly three years.
What is the focal point of your support?
Shirish Dabir: Here in Indian society, there are strong needs,
particularly about getting a decent school education. Many people
are trapped in a vicious circle. Families with very little money
cannot offer their children a good education. Later, being poorly
educated, these people do not earn enough money to pay for
a good education for their own kids. So, improving educational
standards is our most important objective. This should also be
seen in the context of the ALTANA’s general focus on funding
education and science.
And how important is health as a social objective?
Shirish Dabir: Very important! India’s Prime Minister has initi-
ated a countrywide “Clean India Mission” to improve people’s
health and hygiene. It’s a good initiative for a noble cause, be-
cause many people live in slums below the poverty line. As a result,
the standards of health and hygiene are dangerously low. Help-
ing to improve these standards is another, equally important ob-
jective for us alongside education.
Dr. Mandke, has ELANTAS Beck India set the right
priorities?
Dr. Kalyani Mandke: Yes! And I’ll tell you why. Almost 20
percent of the Indian population lives below the poverty line. The
illiteracy rate is around 66 percent. Having recognized this,
ELANTAS Beck India is concentrating on improving education as
well as health and hygiene. Focusing – that’s the right path.
Because financial resources and the employees’ time and ability
to help are limited.
How long should projects be accompanied in your
experience?
Dr. Kalyani Mandke: Three to five years is a good time span.
The fact is that you can’t get any result in just one year. And
over this period of time there’s no need to worry that the activities
are just a drop in the ocean.
Dr. Kalyani Mandke is an audiologist who has had her own clinic
in Pune, India, for 35 years. She is also the Chairwoman of “Suhrud
Mandal”. The NGO runs four schools for hearing-impaired children
and has taken a number of measures to improve their future oppor-
tunities.
Shirish Dabir has more than 30 years of experience in the industry.
The business graduate and lawyer has worked for more than 11
years for ALTANA’s subsidiary ELANTAS Beck India in the fields of Legal
and Compliance and is also responsible for the company’s social
engagement.