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Hyundai Motor India Foundation launches CSR projects in Maharashtra
Mumbai: Hyundai Motor India Foundation (HMIF), the CSR arm of Hyundai Motor India Ltd. (HMIL), announces the launch of multiple Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes across the Art, Health, and Sanitation sectors in Maharashtra. The initiatives were inaugurated under the esteemed presence of Shri Girish Mahajan, Minister – Rural Development & Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of Maharashtra, at the Bombay Art Society in Mumbai.
The inaugurated projects include a 2-day cultural extravaganza under the third season of HMIF’s flagship ‘Art for Hope’ initiative, celebrating 10 differently-abled grantees from across India. Additionally, 5 telemedicine clinics were unveiled by Shri Girish Mahajan, along with 2 mobile medical vans that were flagged off under the Sparsh Sanjeevani project. Furthermore, 100 water RO systems were virtually unveiled at 100 schools in Gadhchiroli as part of project H2OPE, which aims to make water accessible for all.
Speaking at the inauguration event of the CSR initiatives, Shri Girish Mahajan, Minister – Rural Development & Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of Maharashtra, said, “I commend HMIF for their commitment to improving the lives of our citizens through these valuable CSR initiatives. The telemedicine clinics, mobile medical vans, and water RO systems will greatly enhance accessibility to proper healthcare and sanitation across Maharashtra. We laud such collaborative efforts, which are indeed essential to achieve the sustainable development goals.”
Commenting on the launch of the CSR initiatives, Hyundai Motor India Ltd MD & CEO Unsoo Kim said, “At Hyundai, we believe in Creating Shared Value and driving positive change in the communities we serve. Aligned with Hyundai’s global vision of ‘Progress for Humanity,’ Hyundai Motor India Foundation has been at the forefront of numerous impactful CSR initiatives aimed at driving positive change in society. Our latest CSR initiatives in Maharashtra underscore HMIF’s commitment to inclusive growth and community development. We are dedicated to supporting the differently abled, enhancing healthcare access, and improving the overall well-being of society.”
Art for Hope – Season 3:
Art for Hope, now in its third season, is a flagship program under HMIF’s inclusive arts initiative. The 2-day exhibition at Bombay Art Society showcases the artworks of 10 specially-abled artists who received grants under this initiative. This exhibition is an extension of the display of 40 grant winners’ projects at Triveni Kala Sangam, New Delhi, in March 2024. Besides grants, the 10 artists from Chennai, Mumbai, Ghaziabad, Bengaluru, and Noida underwent virtual upskilling training on soft skills, art management and personal branding, along with their caregivers. The initiative aims to empower artists by providing sustainable, inclusive, and unbiased income opportunities, in line with the Samarth initiative by Hyundai.
Establishment of 5 Telemedicine Clinics and deployment of 2 Mobile Medical Vans:
In a significant boost to healthcare access, HMIF has set up 5 telemedicine clinics in underserved areas of Maharashtra, benefiting people in Pait, Kadus, Wada, Navalak, Umbare, and Sudumbare villages in the district of Talegaon. These clinics will provide essential medical consultations and healthcare services remotely, bridging the gap between healthcare providers and patients in remote regions. With this addition, HMIF will operate 40 telemedicine units across India, aiming to reach 50 units nationwide.
HMIF has also introduced 2 customized mobile medical vans equipped with essential medical facilities to serve remote and underprivileged areas of Nagpur and Aurangabad, offering diagnostics and treatment directly to those in need. Together, the telemedicine clinics and medical vans will cater to a rural population of over one million across the districts.
Installation of 100 water RO systems in schools:
In a move to ensure clean drinking water for students, HMIF has installed 100 RO plants across 100 schools of Gadhchiroli, the forest district in Maharashtra. This initiative aims to promote better health and hygiene among students, contributing to a conducive learning environment. This project will benefit 35,000 schoolchildren in the region.
These initiatives are part of HMIF’s broader strategy to contribute meaningfully to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and align with Hyundai Motor Company’s global vision of ‘Progress for Humanity.’ Through these efforts, HMIF continues to build on its legacy of social responsibility and community development.
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33 per cent of women believe the salary scale is rigged: Naukri report
Voices @ Work study finds rising calls for equal pay audits and lingering bias
MUMBAI: Progress may be visible in India’s workplaces, but many women still feel the need to tread carefully. A new report by Naukri reveals that one in two women hesitate to disclose marriage or maternity plans during job interviews, worried that such information could influence hiring decisions.
The findings come from the second edition of Naukri’s annual Voices @ Work International Women’s Day report, titled “What Women Professionals Want.” Drawing insights from more than 50,000 women across over 50 industries, the survey sheds light on evolving workplace aspirations alongside the biases that continue to hold women back.
One of the report’s most striking insights is the growing demand for equal pay audits. The share of women calling for regular pay parity checks has climbed to 27 per cent this year, up from 19 per cent a year ago. The demand now stands alongside menstrual leave as the most sought after workplace policy.
Interestingly, the call for pay transparency grows louder higher up the income ladder. Nearly half of women earning between Rs 50 lakh and Rs 1 crore annually say equal pay audits are a priority, suggesting that pay gaps become more visible as women move up the career ladder.
At the same time, confidence and ambition appear to be rising. About 83 per cent of women say they feel encouraged to pursue leadership roles, a significant jump from 66 per cent last year. Cities in southern India appear particularly supportive, with Hyderabad leading the way as 86 per cent of respondents there reported encouragement to step into leadership positions. The education sector recorded the highest sense of encouragement at 87 per cent.
Yet the report also highlights a growing trust deficit around pay equity. Nearly one in three women, or 33 per cent, say they do not believe men and women are paid equally at their workplace. That figure has risen from 25 per cent last year, pointing to widening perceptions of disparity as careers progress.
Bias in hiring and promotions continues to be the biggest hurdle. About 42 per cent of respondents say workplace bias is the main challenge for women from diverse backgrounds. The concern is consistent across major metros, with Chennai and Delhi NCR reporting similar levels.
Reluctance to discuss personal milestones during hiring processes is also widespread. While 34 per cent overall said they hesitate to share marriage or maternity plans in interviews, the anxiety increases with experience. Among professionals with 10 to 15 years of work experience, the figure rises to 40 per cent.
Info Edge group CMO Sumeet Singh, said the data reflects both progress and unfinished work. “Behind every data point in this report is a woman who is ambitious. The fact that 83 per cent feel encouraged to lead is something to celebrate. However, the fact that one in two still hide their marriage or maternity plans in interviews tells us the work is far from done. As India’s leading career platform, it felt not just important but necessary for us to shine a light on these gaps through the second edition of our report,” he said.
The report suggests that while ambition among women professionals is growing, structural changes around pay transparency, fair hiring and supportive policies will be key if workplaces hope to keep pace.
