The Joy of Caring: 20 Years of ‘Care for Society’- Our Story

This October, Apollo Tyres celebrated 20 years of our 'Care for society' philosophy. I couldn't think of a more fitting tribute to this milestone achievement than a trip down memory lane to reflect on all that we have achieved ‘Driving Progress, Together.’?

So, where do we begin?

The Apollo Tyres 'Care For Society' journey started in the year 2001. True to our vision of enhancing stakeholder value and in an active partnership with the Department of International Development (DFID), the Apollo Dealers and Consumer Welfare trust pioneered 'Healthy Highways,' a healthcare initiative for the trucking community. The front line warriors and silent heroes of the road are our key customers, with over 70% of the Indian operation's revenue from the sale of truck tyres. Sadly, long-distance travel and poor working conditions can leave truck drivers vulnerable to health risks, such as HIV-AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections.?

We wanted to help prevent this, so in 2003 and in partnership with CARE India, the Apollo Dealers and Consumer Welfare trust worked with Sanjay Gandhi Transport Nagar (SGTN) where we helped to equip drivers to be able to protect themselves from disease. In 2006, Apollo Tyres took charge of the initiative and soon after launched the Workplace Awareness Programme. In partnership with the International Labour Organisation (ILO), we focused our efforts on employees across Indian operations and trained a total of 44 master trainers in a safe and positive learning environment.?

Since 2007, alongside various supply chain partners, the Apollo Tyres sensitisation workshops on HIV-AIDS have proven to be a huge success. In 2008, built on ILO guidelines, Apollo Tyres planted its first solid foundations and announced its HIV-AIDS workplace policy in which we recognise HIV-AIDS as a workplace issue.?

Apollo Tyres Foundation Was Born

I will always remember 2008 as the year the Apollo Tyres Foundation (ATF) was born. A new identity was established and with it came a new commitment to corporate, social responsibility.

Apollo Tyres Foundation developed a CSR framework that identifies and prioritises our key stakeholders, with people, planet and profit at the forefront of our decision making.?

Our initiatives, categorised into Environment and Social, are strategically aligned with the UN’s sustainable development goals. In 2009, Apollo Tyres Foundation kick-started its community engagement activities across its manufacturing locations. I am proud to see how far we have come since then and as the foundation grows , we continue to work hard to discover avenues of prosperity and entrepreneurship within the communities that have always extended their support to Apollo Tyres, both in times of need and celebration.?

We began the Apollo Tyres CSR initiatives in the two villages of Ishwarpura and Limda. We helped to build a basic infrastructure by improving the roads and providing a clean, working water facility to a community of over 4,500 villagers. We know change comes from the heart of the community itself, which is why shortly after we introduced a rural women skill-building programme focused on strengthening the skills and improving the livelihood of those in the community.?

In the villages of Perambra and Chennai and with a vision to empower communities, the Apollo Tyres Foundation proudly introduced a livelihood programme for underprivileged women and youth. The programme provides skill-building and income generation activities to help address the problem of poverty and the unequal social status of women in the community.??

In 2010, the Habitat Apollo environment initiative was born and was launched across all India-based manufacturing sites, promoting eco-conscious behaviour within our communities. We didn't stop there. Our environment based initiatives saw the development of the afforestation project, mangrove conservation, installation of purified RO drinking water, eco-restoration of habitats and the maintenance and development of local community parks (and that's only to name a few - WOW)!

After revisiting the Apollo Tyres Foundation programme strategy, in 2016, we decided to categorise our work into four key areas:?

?1) Healthcare Programme for the Trucking Community

2) Solid Waste and Sanitation Management (SPARSH)

3) Livelihood for Underprivileged Women (Navya)

4) Biodiversity Conservation

However, since then and accelerated by global warming, we now face more natural disasters than ever before. As a result, more communities are sadly becoming victims of floods, earthquakes, cyclones and more recently, the Covid-19 pandemic. We believe we must support our people in their time of need, which is why the Apollo Tyres Foundations has now implemented disaster relief as part of our CSR activities.

We get great satisfaction knowing that we have played our part and done what we can to help our people. Since 2014 as a part of the Taru Foundation, we have been hard at work supporting those less fortunate by helping the poverty-stricken communities through our local philanthropic initiatives. Today, in 2021, Apollo Tyres remains committed to its work for society and looks forward to 20 more years of helping make the world a better place.?

?"No one needs to wait a single moment to improve the world."