|
|
|
| |
|
| |
Himalaya Herbal Healthcare |
| |
Helping in India |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
HELPING DIAGNOSE OSTEOPOROSIS IN HIGH-RISK POPULATION |
| |
"70% of postmenopausal women don't even know they have Osteoporosis!
What's Himalaya Doing About It?"
Did you know that over 300 million people suffer from osteoporosis in India without realizing that every osteoporosis-related bone fracture doubles the risk of death? More than 70% of postmenopausal women are undiagnosed and untreated because of the absence of easily accessible information about the condition!
These are not small numbers and neither are these people mere statistics. Osteoporosis is something of a silent but very lethal disease. It shows no overt symptoms and is often diagnosed only after a fracture, by which time the patient may have suffered considerable bone loss. Each time we choose to ignore these facts and figures we condemn somebody to a life of extreme and unnecessary pain.
As developers of Reosto, a pioneering herbomineral formulation for strengthening bones and reducing bone loss, we felt we could do to address this situation.
Himalaya runs free diagnostic medical camps to test people for osteoporosis and provide them with appropriate medical alternatives. The BMD (Bone Mineral Density) test camps can diagnose osteoporosis when the condition is still in its initial stage and when patients do not display any overt symptoms.
Over the past few years Himalaya has conducted over 1000 camps across India. Trained Himalaya personnel including doctors, technicians and field staff travel to remote areas with specialized diagnostic equipment for accurate diagnosis. The team also educates patients on osteoporosis by disseminating Patient Information Leaflets at local health clinics.
Himalaya's Dr. Shrikanth, who participates in the BMD camps, comments, "The level of awareness for a condition like Osteoporosis amongst the lower middle classes in cities and people in rural areas is abysmally low. We have to start at the basics when explaining this condition to them. It makes a big difference that our team of doctors working on this program is extremely dedicated, travelling to far off areas to conduct these camps". He further adds, "With diseases like Osteoporosis, prevention is better than cure."
This ongoing initiative has helped many people in the 'high-risk' category. Early detection has prevented their condition from deteriorating and developing into full-blown osteoporosis at a later stage.
With this nationwide campaign Himalaya intends to bring good 'bone' health to the poor at the doorstep through their neighbourhood clinic. |
| |
|
| |
|
|
INVESTING IN THE COMMUNITY |
| |
In pursuit of our social goal of promoting economic empowerment of marginalized farmers, Himalaya has outsourced collection of medicinal herbs to rural farming communities in Karnataka.
The contract-farming project initiated in 2003 through Gram Mooligai Corporation Ltd. (GMCL), a company working with rural communities in Southern parts of India, aims at building sustainable livelihoods for small and marginal farmers
As per the arrangement, Himalaya procures a substantial proportion of its requirement of Eclipta Alba and Phyllanthus Amarus herbs, used in its animal health products, from GMCL. GMCL in-turn buys this produce from small and marginal farmers at a fair price. This helps eliminate middlemen, ensures higher returns to rural farmers and guarantees a stable source of income.
Over the past two years, Himalaya has significantly increased the quantity of herbs procured through this arrangement. |
| |
|
| |
|
|
A BETTER LIFE FOR SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN |
| |
For many of us being a child meant a whole lot of love, a life without care and loads of fun. But even in the 21st century, a majority of the world’s children suffer many disadvantages and have no access even to the basic necessities of life. These disadvantages are further compounded if the child is poor and suffers from disabilities.
To do our bit in addressing this problem, Himalaya is partnering with Shristi Special Academy (SSA), a Bangalore based NGO working with special needs children. SSA works towards making the resident children self-reliant and economically independent by giving them skill training.
Himalaya is sourcing products made by the SSA children and thus helping them make their own money.
Suchita, Co-founder of SSA comments, "When we earn money for our hard work, we feel a sense of pride. It is no different with the children at SSA. When they take their hard earned money home and see that it makes a huge difference to their families, it gives them a sense of achievement and is a boost to their self-esteem."
Himalaya distributes the products made by the children of SSA to our business partners and associates; this in turn raises awareness about the work being done by SSA and opens up more channels of funding.
|
| |
Making a difference.
Meet Shobha. She has Down syndrome. Shobha used to study at her village school. The children in her class didn’t like her very much because she was different. She couldn’t learn as quickly, she knew only a few words and she understood very little. Her classmates often beat her, pinched and even bit her.
|
When Shobha’s parents heard of SSA, they decided to send Shobha to the institute in the hope that she might get the special care she needs.
Shobha now lives at SSA and because of the care and love she receives from the counsellors she has made phenomenal progress in her academics. She identifies names, objects, vehicles, flowers, fruits and can even write and recite numbers 1 to 5 and the entire English alphabet! Shobha loves sports and has a great time playing with children her age. She has learnt to wash her face and brush her teeth all by herself! |
The personal attention that children get at SSA, all the more convinced us to partner with the organization. It has been a wonderful association for Himalaya, as we have seen many children like Shobha learn to smile again...
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
SUSTAINABLE CIRCLE OF TRADE |
| |
The story of Kollama, a woman farmer, living in Andhra Pradesh, a southern Indian state, is typical of poor farmers across the country. Kollama recently took a loan of Rs 3000 (US $ 68), to repair her home. Her farm income was not enough to pay off her loan and the interest was mounting. Struggling to pay off the loan, her husband took on a second job, working as an agricultural 'labourer' on land belonging to other farmers.
With only small, fragmented farms that generate limited income, lack of alternate employment opportunities, burden of debt, poor access to proper health or education- farmers like Kollama find themselves trapped in a vicious cycle of poverty.
One of the major problems faced by farmers in India is the absence of direct market linkages. Most of them depend on agents to sell their farm produce and these intermediaries are usually exploitative. In order to improve their economic condition, farmers need access to the market, fair price for their produce and information and technical assistance on farming technology. |
| |
|
| |
As part of our community development initiative, Himalaya has partnered IDEI, an NGO providing low cost irrigation technologies to small and marginal farmers. The purpose of this partnership is to create effective trade linkages for farmers like Kollama. By connecting the farmer on the field to the procurement department at Himalaya, IDEI plays the role of a facilitator.
The project involves sourcing medicinal herbs from small farmers at a fair market price. Since Himalaya needs huge quantities of these herbs on a regular basis, the farmers are guaranteed an extra income. By entering into a direct contract with the farmer, we are able to bypass middlemen and provide farmers with a reliable source of income.
Using IDEI's network on the ground, Himalaya has started sourcing neem dried leaves, a herb used in our products like Neem face wash and Neem capsules, from small and marginal farmers in certain village areas of AP. The farmers provide us with high-quality neem leaves, organically grown, which meet our stringent international standard. This reinforces the fact that with adequate training, it is possible to build skills and capacities of the local farming community. Skill enhancement also strengthens the farmer's bargaining position vis-à-vis other suppliers.
Nearly 50 farmers are involved in this project, including 20 women, Kollama being one of them. "With the additional income I get from collecting neem leaves, I have been able to pay off my loan. This is a huge burden off my shoulders. I am also happy that this is a regular source of income for my family," says Kollama.
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
HARVESTING WATER FROM THE RAIN GODS
|
| |
The world's supply of fresh water is running out. Already one person in five has no access to safe drinking water (BBC Website)
The seriousness of the situation motivated Himalaya to take measures to conserve water. We set up a rainwater-harvesting project at our facility to ensure that we make effective use of rainwater, which was previously drained off as surface runoff.
As part of the project we channelized the flow of rainwater through percolation trenches into an open abandoned well. In fact, we draw our entire daily requirement of water, which is approximately 2,50,000 ltrs, from 2 borewells! |
| |
|
| |
A thumb rule states that one-inch rainfall per acre of land will mean 100 tones of water! This gives us enormous scope for rainwater harvesting and conservation along with revival of underground water sources by recharging them.
This simple, cost effective and eco friendly water conservation technique has had multiple benefits for us- from improving soil quality to raising ground water levels in and around the area.
Himalaya was one of the first companies in Bangalore to implement this initiative.
Besides the tangible benefits to the environment and water sustainability project, we believe that it always helps to keep the rain gods smiling! |
| |
|
| |
|
|
SUPPORTING THE SOLIGA TRIBE |
| |
|
| |
Himalaya has engaged the Soliga Tribe to collect certified organic honey from the tropical evergreen forests of South India.
The honey is 100% Organic, fairly traded and sustainably harvested.
Fair trade ensures there is no exploitation of the honey collectors, they are guaranteed a fair price for the honey harvested and the trading partnership benefits all parties. It stands for all-round sustainable development.
|
| |
|
| |
Himalaya is supporting over 1000 families of registered traditional honey collectors through the honey collection project.
Himalaya pays 25% more than the market price for the honey. We have also pledged a percentage of our profits to help the Soligas build a better life.
For the Soligas, this partnership brings them an additional source of income and also helps them build links to the world market.
By engaging the Soligas, Himalaya helps preserve their tradition of honey collection, which draws on indigenous knowledge and cares for the earth. |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
