WORKING TITLE: THE TASTE OF POWER
DURATION: 15 MIN
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
AUDIANCE: HETROGENEOUS
INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENT STEWARDSHIP THROUGH A BENIFICIARY NAMED
'SHANKAR'
Everyday amidst morning mist, Shankar scoots over this narrow road under
the canopy of green trees. He strives to reach work on time. After all
this job has come to him after a long lull of hardships, dejection and
frustration.
This beautiful garden is his work place. yes he works as caretaker of this
lush biodiversity hot-spot which was established by the authorities of
nearby nuclear power plant.
Unlike this thriving garden bustling with gaudy butterflies, Shankar's
earlier life was a misery.
SHANKAR
There was no job for me...nor there was any hope...there were
hundreds like me in the village and surrounding areas... Then we
heard the news of nuclear plant being set here...it was a shock...we
were horrified....we thought we would be deprived of our homes...our
land...thinking of this, many of us joined the agitation..we opposed
the plant. Later we were counselled by the plant authorities. They
promised us jobs and look here I am...All my fellow friends are now
placed. Some work inside the plant. This plant has been a real
bounty of the God for us. I am exactly where I wanted to be- close
to the Mother Nature....
Close to Mother Nature...indeed...yet close to a nuclear power plant. It
is very heartening to know that all the nuclear plants in India employ an
ingenious policy towards the environment. Highlight of which has been the
ENVIRONMENT STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM.
This program is aimed at striking the balance between development and
environment where the stride towards prosperity is being cheered and
witnessed by youths like Shanker.
Environment stewardship program is voluntarily taken up by Nuclear power
corporation limited with the objective of studying biodiversity
particularly avifauna within and around one mile of the nuclear power
plant. This zone is called exclusion zone (EZ)which is a no men's land
guarded by central industrial security force.
The main purpose of this project is to create pesticide free green
landscape which will attract butterflies, moths, insects, birds and other
living organisms. An MoU has been signed between NPCL and Bombay Natural
History Society for a long term partnership to implement the Program. This
partnership have started to bourn fruits.
MEMBER- NATURE CLUB, KAKRAPAR
One such butterfly garden has been established at EZ of Kakrapar
Atomic Power station. More than 2500 plants of 63 different species
have been planted in the garden. They include flowering plants,
necter plants, host plants and creepers. It is had to believe that
what was a barron land a few years back is busteling with these
gaudy butterflies. Local people are employed at various capacity at
these gardens.
MEMBER- NATURE CLUB, NARORA
At Narora over 10,000 migratory birds visit every year at the
wetlands created in EZ. These flying guest bring good omen. I won't
be surprised if our nuclear powwer plant some day becomes a bird
sanctuary.
At each power station, a nature club named after a threatened species of a
bird has been set up. members of these club also run awareness campaigns
and workshops on environment and conservation.
MEMBER NATURE CLUB, MOCK CAMPAIGN
(explaining to the people, pointing in the poster)this drug
diclofenac is responsible for killing of vultures which are
municipal agent of [Link] keep our surroundings clean by
scavenging the dead....do u want vultures to be dead....then stop
using this drug..it is banned by government too.....
These watch towers are not just any security ho ha but they are for bird
watching. many studies conducted at ez of various power stations have
found their way in international journals of great repute. All the
endeavor of executives of NPCL has been truly rewarded when all its sites
got accredited with ISO 14001 (Environment management system).
INTRODUCTION TO EMPLOYEMENT OPPERTUNITIES & EDUCATION SUPPORT
Apart from serving mother nature NPCL also embrace its sons. With regard
to local Employment Opportunities, posts for Group-B, C and D are being
filled mostly with the surrounding [Link] addition, various
contract employees are working under major contractors of the plants and
also through jobs like housekeeping, garden maintenance, civil maintenance
[Link] is Pratap's house she is his daughter Shreya. Its Roush
hour...while pratap works as plumber at power plant, Shreya is class Vth
student of the village school which is supported by NPCL.
PRATAP
I though knew a bit of plumbing, I wasn't an expert. I had to go to
the town to fetch a work... that was tedious. One doesn’t get work
all through the month...but while the nuclear plant was being
constructed, I got employed...we got training also...I now work full
time with the plant with many of my friends from my village. My
daughter goes to a better school...she aspire to become Kalpana
Chawla one day. I am very glad to the God...he is very kind to have
sent us this plant...it has changed our lives. we all are very
happy.
SHREYA
plant people come to visit our school. they take care of the
facilities like classrooms, toilets....they are good people who
teach us about sanitation, they show us puppets...teach us
computers...I want to be a nuclear scientist one day...
NPCIL has been supporting the education of the children around its plants
with the intention that more and more persons in future qualify for these
jobs. At Narora it has supported for school building, laboratory, and
school uniforms. At Kudankulam a Talent Nurture Program is introduced to
provide quality education to the bright and talented children of the
rural/ economically backward class living in the vicinity of KKNPP.
Atomic Energy Education Society (AEES) has offered to admit the students
from the nearby areas. Under this programme, economically backward
children from the neighbouring villages with rural background will be
selected based on merit for admission to Standard - I in AEC School,
Anuvijay Township.
INTRODUCTION TO HEALTH CARE AND SANITATION RELATED CSR
This Medical Camp is one of many organized on regular intervals in the
surrounding villages of all the NPCL sites. Hepatitis 'B' Vaccine are
administered to the school and other village children. Sita devi a widow
has got a hearing aid. she now can go to the local temple and listen to
bhajans she enjoy.
SITA DEVI
My path to the heaven has been paved. I thank behenji of plant who
gave me the power to [Link] are many who got somthing or other
from behenji. we all are happy my grandson got a job too.I was
worried for him..now I am happy..
Hearing aids for hearing-impaired have also been provided at schools. At
Kudankulam Emergency services including Ambulance are being provided.
Sanitation facilities are improved and and air of awareness has been
created about health and sanitation. A recent study has reveiled that
overall health of the surrounding villagers has incerased.
PHILOSOPHY BEHIND THE CSR ACTIVITIES
PLANT DIRECTOR/ DIRECTOR NPCL
Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited is committed to generate
electricity in a safe and commercially viable manner and with the
public acceptance and [Link] while expanding the nuclear
energy has kept aim to contribute towards development of local
community in the vicinity of the [Link] goal of CSR is to
embrace responsibility for the company's actions and encourage a
positive impact through its activities on the environment,
consumers, employees, communities, stakeholders and all other
members of the public sphere who may also be considered as
stakeholders.
Call it social responsibility, corporate conscience or corporate
citizenship. NPCL has yielded power for the nation and smiles for its
sons....to which many Shankers, Prataps, shreyas and sitas today stand
testimony....for they also know the real taste of power.....
