Computer Associates business vision is to transform the way the world manages information technology (IT).  The company also has a human vision -- to transform the quality of life where we live and work by using our time, talent, and technology to build strong and productive communities worldwide. From its very first year of launching the India Technology Center, Computer Associates has focused on making a significant contribution to the community specifically in the area of children’s education and health.

Computer Associates ITC’s foray into corporate social responsibility began in 2004 when a group of my colleagues and me met members of the HOPE Foundation and participated in its activities for children. The initiatives taken up by us soon found favor with the management team.

I always believed that No one can do Everything but Everyone can do Something. I always ensured that I play the role of a catalyst and influence my colleagues and friends at Computer Associates to participate and contribute their bit to make a difference in the lives of the children of the school and the center.

Encouraged and supported by the management, we formed a team called “CA-Together” with interested and committed employees.

Our two key areas of focus are:

1. To provide quality education to the underprivileged through the “CA HOPE School” and the 3E CA HOPE Learning Center.
2. To protect the environment through “Go Green” programs
   

The core CA-Together team comprises of 15 volunteers. I act as a catalyst to provide the team guidance and support on corporate funding and policies, and I also initiate, lead, and run the programs along with the other volunteers.

We meet regularly to discuss new areas and organizations that can be supported by Computer Associates. The core team members visit various organizations and discuss areas of concern. Depending on the needs, the budget and bandwidth available, the team chalks out a plan and decides on the activities. We focus our activities on the CA HOPE school that is fully supported by us.

Computer Associates India has, established a long-term partnership with the Hope Foundation, supporting the creation and development of a pre-primary school in Hyderabad since 2004 and a 3E CA HOPE learning center. Computer Associates ITC fully supports and funds the CA HOPE School that provides kindergarten and primary education to children from the weaker sections of the society. The school currently provides education to 199 students till the 5th grade. CA ITC sponsorship provides breakfast and one meal a day, bags, books, school uniforms, other basic amenities besides meeting the complete administrative expenses.

Computer Associates Together In Action, is a way for Computer Associates employees to join together on team-based projects with local nonprofits, was launched in the fall of 2006. I have been conducting this event and been the single point of contact for ITC from its launch at Computer Associates. Through this program that happens in the months of October and November, at least 100 volunteers participate. We also try to engage the whole organization through this program by conducting funds and gifts drive for the school. We always have more than 90% of the organization participating in these drives.

We conduct Cultural and sports events, Painting, Essay writing competitions and Enact skits to stress the importance of health and hygiene. Volunteers from Computer Associates and teachers prepare cards, bags, artificial flowers, and flower vases, paintings on pots and glass, which are sold at our office.

We conduct medical camps twice a year for the children and staff of the school. We have approached Colgate Palmolive to donate free oral kits to the children of the School during our dental camp and Lawrence and Mayo helped us to conduct free eye camps for the children and staff of the school. We distribute free medicines to the children of the school and also take care of the expenses of the children who need to be given a stronger medicine or visit to the hospitals.

While our focus at Computer Associates on children’s education and health has strengthened considerably over the years and has indeed become a CSR benchmark in the company’s global CSR programme, we have has added another important initiative in the ITC. The ‘Go Green’ programme is designed to not just raise eco-awareness but also aims to minimize the company operations’ impact on the environment. If possible, to probably try and give back more than it takes from Mother Earth.

Recently, in an endeavour to raise eco-consciousness and promote environment-friendly living, we celebrated the Earth Day in a big way at Computer Associates. From tree planting to vermi-composting, it showcased our enthusiasm for such noble causes. An all-out effort was launched to reduce paper and power consumption, was launched. Employees have switched to using ceramic mugs instead of paper cups! Several hundreds of employees took the pledge to reduce, recycle, and reuse!

What I have gained personally and my thoughts
Corporate Social Responsibility is not something we do because people are forcing us to do or it is a corporate decision but because I believe it is a nice and noble thing to do. I am happy that I am able to contribute something from my-side to the society
through the Computer Associates Together programs at ITC. The personal happiness that comes from sharing and giving to the less fortunate is something that cannot be measured or accounted.

I always remember the great Economist Adam Smith’s words, “Howsoever selfish man may be supposed, there are evidently some principles in his nature, which interest him in the fortune of others, and render their happiness necessary to him, though he derives nothing from it, except the pleasure of seeing it”.

Future steps