One of the strongest pillars of the Haldiram Group of companies is their commitment to societal upliftment. Rooted in the philosophy of community living, Ganga Bhisen (Haldiram) Agarwal and his wife Champa Devi always believed in sharing a portion of whatever they could within the community. As a gesture of care for passerby and travellers, Champa Devi even established watering holes with resting spots in various places in Bikaner. The intent was to provide whatever was most necessary and important to the betterment of society as a whole. 

Inspired by this spirit of the forefathers, Manoharlal Agarwal (Group CMD, Haldiram Group of Companies) has contributed significantly to Bikaner, Delhi and Noida, to support infrastructural and betterment needs in various areas of social development. 

For this, under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, the company provides support through the Haldiram Educational Society and Haldiram Charitable Society.

The secret to happiness lies in helping others.  

While man can today meet his basic needs, what he usually falters in securing is access to education and good, reliable medical facilities. The need for green spaces too today could be considered a basic necessity important to sustain healthy living. These necessities are sidelined in daily living and remain invariably compromised.

Through our contribution to the existing infrastructure of government owned facilities, we are trying to make these facilities accessible to the common man. Bikaner is our birthplace, and it gives us immense joy to make financial contributions in ways that enhance its overall living conditions. In tandem with the central government, we decided to adopt some schools, medical facilities and green spaces too, and spearheaded their infrastructural management, maintenance and upkeep. 

Very close to home is the thought that a society that educates its girl child will continue to thrive. From an early age, it was inculcated in all of us brothers that education can take you places. It is another matter that not all of us prioritised it. I completed my necessary education but always felt that women get left out in the rigamarole of societal expectations. 

The women in our household have all been well-educated and contributed greatly at home and in their own chosen area of expertise, when it comes to business too. As a family we thus decided to contribute to the cause of girl child education above everything else. 

Overall development of a state also depends on how responsibly its dwellers caste their vote. By receiving basic education, young girls and boys will go onto become responsible citizens and exercise their right to vote in a responsible manner as well. 

Today, under the banner of Haldiram Educational Society, Bikaner and Delhi facilities are being managed in ways that ensures eager girls and boys who seek education, can receive not just academic support but also thrive in their chosen field of extra-curricular activities like sports, self-defence, computer literacy, research, to name a few. 

The adopted schools are striving to ensure their infrastructure supports a safe and clean educational environment for these children. We provide access to primary and secondary education to both girls and boys across Bikaner through five schools adopted by the Society. 

The existing medical facilities have been in need of maintenance and infrastructure overhaul. By providing state-of-the-art equipment, clean and green exteriors, access to doctor support, Emergency treatment, research and development support in cardio-vascular treatment, we have made a humble attempt and extended a helping hand to those in need of medical treatment.

Manohar Van in Jewar is an attempt to bring life to barren lands and promote afforestation. We have provided the technical knowhow and financial support that has led to the establishment of a sprawling 100 acres of forest space. We would be happy to continue to contribute to the cause of environmental development in tandem with the local government agencies that have till date supported our work. 

We are also aiming to extend educational support to colleges in Bikaner in the near future. The Society would ensure that work continues to be done in close co-ordination with the local authorities and state government, in order, resources can be put to good use and create value for the common man. 

1. How did you get associated with Haldiram Society? Why did you start this work? 

My association with Haldiram’s dates back to April 2013, when the construction of Gyanshree School was to start. The school started in April 2014 with about 150 students and by the time Covid struck in 2020 the school, the school was almost full. Both classes ten and twelve results were out. The school had created a niche for itself in the national forums/rankings.It was during Covid time that it was decided that empowering youth was something the HSA should focus on as part of CSR program of Haldirams.

2. What obstacles did you face and how has your journey been in CSR work?
There were challenges like mobilizing youth. Children coming from economically weaker sections don’t want to let go the opportunity of earning little money that they get by doing menial work to spend atleast three months in doing the training. Secondly studying and doing the training, together is something they don’t prefer. It was challenging to convince them to do so initially, but now they see merit in doing both. Apart from HSA, our CSR work in education in Bikaner and other places wasn’t much of a problem. Even our afforestation project in Jewar went off smoothly.

3. What is your vision and personal goal for Haldiram Society and New Delhi?

My personal vision is in tandem with the larger goal of Haldiram Educational Society- we stand committed to empowering youth. Not merely training them, but enhancing their employability skill and getting them jobs in structured industry is a part of the Society’s commitment. We also continue to focus on helping youth to go for higher education through open institutions. Another area of focus is to empower them as young entrepreneurs who can fulfil their dream of running their own business. Personally, I stand committed to work towards this mission as long as I can physically and mentally manage this.