ZEE is of the school of thought that 'you aren't successful if you haven't given back to what you have got from'. The Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policy at ZEE propounds the belief that 'a business cannot succeed in a society that fails'. While falling in line with this thought, ZEE feels that all business houses especially in developing countries like India should invest in the future by building society and environment thus lending a hand to the comeuppance of a bright, shining tomorrow.

A few CSR initiatives undertaken by the group

ZEE Touch India Initiative:
Knowing that ZEE entered millions of homes worldwide and was welcomed and cherished in each of them, it decided to put this reach and goodwill to some charitable use. ZEE launched the Touch India Initiative by virtue of which various organisations and social bodies could air films focussing on social causes on all available ZEE channels without paying for the airtime.

Some of the Public Service Ads featured are:

• Campaign on breast cancer
• Campaign for the visually impaired
• Campaign for HIV/AIDS for the international Aids day
• Aids awareness campaign by Mukti Foundation
• Campaign on pulse polio

Education:
Subhash Chandra is the immediate past Chairman of Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation of India, a charitable trust that initiates, supports and runs one teacher schools providing support education in 39,769 (as on Dec 2012) villages all over the country. Ekal has ambitious target of reaching a lac of villages by 2013, when the movement will be celebrating its silver jubilee. This is also the year when we all will be celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekanand, the inspiration to Ekal movement.

Currently, there are more than 11,21,805 (1 million +) students taking advantage of the support education programmes in 39,769 Ekal Vidyalayas across 21 states working to educate and empower children in rural and tribal India. These schools are spread across remote tribal areas. Ekal Vidyalaya's education programme is customized to meet the needs of rural and tribal children. The classes are scheduled to meet the needs of the village children and are often adapted depending on the season and harvest schedule. The school curriculum is tailored to teach the children basic literacy and life skills to help them develop self-confidence and succeed in rural occupations or pursue higher education, if they choose.

Like the ZEE's drive for tree plantation to save the environment, Ekal also undertook a drive of planting a million trees on 5th June 2010 and achieved the target in just four months. Ekal will continue in its efforts to help in reducing global warming.

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
The work of EKAL and its support organizations has been recognized at various forums in the recent past. Some of the important ones are:

• 'Uttakrishta Samman' by Bharat Vikas Parishad in recognition of the work done in the tribal villages by providing education, primary health care and village development
• 'Outstanding Contribution to Social Work' trophy by the PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry
• 'Excellent in Social Service' award by the Punjab Kesari Group for being the best NGO and  'Meri Dilli Award' by the NNS Media Group
• 'Thakkar Bapa Rashtriya Samman' by the Madhya Pradesh Government for rendering valuable service for promotion of self-respect, education, healthcare and economic development of the backward Janjati Community

SEEING IS BELIEVING
To have a feel of the impact of work done in the villages, Ekal welcomes all to witness the changes through personal visits. These visits are called 'Van Yatras'. This is a unique concept to let the urban donor know what Ekal is doing for its rural counterparts in which villages. The visits help to empower villagers and create opportunity for bonding among the two sets of people. Our assurance is once someone is there, it is a feeling of being in a different world. This comes from the warmth of the people which leaves one spell bound.

Also, to keep oneself updated of Ekal's performance, one can subscribe for 'Ekal Prayas' - a bi-monthly, bi-lingual magazine which can be subscribed at just Rs.150/- annually and also be viewed at www.ekalprayas.org.

Spiritual Uplift:
ZEE is a staunch supporter of the belief that happiness in family life, peace and efficiency at work comes from peace of the mind. The group has supported the Global Vipassana Foundation for years. Vipassana is said to be a 2500 year old non-sectarian, rational process of mental purification through self observation (introspection and abstinence). These courses have helped many an individual to experience spiritual well-being and peace within. The group also has taken a policy decision of granting 12 days leave to all employees desirous of attending the Vipassana course.

Meditation Camps:
A large number of people have benefited from the regular 1 day meditation workshops and courses that the group organises for children and adults alike.