From its inception PCI has been a socially responsible company. The acronym ‘PCI’ denotes priority to the Public, the Company and the Individual, in that order. Three examples of PCI’s social involvement and initiative, illustrate its corporate mission.

KARMA

Karma, (Karjat Agricultural Rural Management Assistance) was initiated by the rural development cell of PCI in 1975. The project seeks to promote an integrated, sustainable life-style in a rural setting. PCI contributes towards the cost of the staff and its offices as its financial contribution to rural development. Under the guidance of Chairman Mr. N.S.Rao, it initiates projects directed towards improvement of health, education and overall socio-economic development of numerous villages at Karjat, a small town near Mumbai.

The Academy of Development Sciences (ADS) was set up subsequently to train and equip local tribals and help them attain a better quality of life and at the same time, keep their traditions and valuable knowledge alive. The food-processing factory produces jams, pickles, squashes and candy using traditional recipes and is marketed under the popular “Tungi” brand name.

The cane factory produces fine cane and bamboo furniture and articles, while the Scientific Nursery contains various species of local and indigenous medicinal trees, herbs and shrubs and even a “vaid” or local medicine man in attendance. A local boys orphanage has been adopted and free eye camps are a regular feature in the area.

Pied Piper Colaba

The Pied Piper rodent control campaign was carried out jointly by the Bombay Municipal Corporation, the Colaba Residents Association and PCI between 2-19 December 1992. The well-planned exercise nominated an urban area of Mumbai for the mass eradication of rodents. The area encompassed P.J. Ramachandani Marg, Arthur Bunder Road, Shahid Bhagat Singh Road and BEST Marg including Mere-Weather Road, which contained about 70 buildings of 4-5 storeys and numerous shops, commercial establishments, milk distribution centres, a large B.P.T. recreation garden, Petrol bunk, School, Restaurants, Nursing Home and dispensaries. Around 750 families resided in the area at the time.

The entire area was divided into six blocks and the campaign was was conducted in three phases - Pre-Campaign infestation, ROBAN® treatment and Post Campaign infestation. Local citizens were informed about the campaign and requests for their cooperation and information evoked a very good response.

Occupants of some 200 residences were interviewed and presentations and demonstrations were made to spread awareness about the rodent problem. The campaign achieved 95% control and was a textbook success. It established an awareness that rodent control, earlier assumed to be an impossible task, was definitely achievable.

Picture Mumbai

In 1996, PCI managed and implemented the Getty Conservation Institute’s project - Picture Mumbai - Landmarks of a New Generation. This globally linked project seeks to foster through the medium of the camera, an awareness in today’s youth of what they value in their surroundings. Nine young residents of Mumbai were encouraged to toam the city in search of icons of their time. The body of work was exhibited at Mumbai and has led to the formation of the Picture Mumbai Trust, which aims to uncover and showcase talent amongst today’s youth in various artistic disciplines related to conservation.


Visit Picture Mumbai Website