Ravi Raheja introduces organic farming at K Raheja Corp – The new age corporate stress buster

A calm mind brings inner strength and self-confidence, so that’s very important for good health             

–Dalai Lama

In today’s hectic world, most working professionals go through an emotional roller coaster at the offices. Long hours, tight deadlines, and ever-increasing client demands lead to constant stress at work and take a toll on an employee’s performance and productivity, in turn, impacting their physical and emotional health. There are umpteen ways to de-stress and bolster one’s well-being in and out of the workplace. Stress busting programs and initiatives at the workplace are essential and do wonders for working professionals. It is believed that employees who work in offices that are well connected with nature have proven to be more productive at work. Being connected with plants has proven to be therapeutic and helps in keeping an individual’s mind calm and decompresses the person after a long week at work.

Pioneering the responsibility towards contributing to a green society, K Raheja Corp, encouraged by Group President Ravi Raheja signed a memorandum of understanding with the CII-Green Building Council to construct green buildings back in 2007. Apart from building green edifices and communities, the Company initiates several activities in the green space, which allow for its dwellars to come closer to nature.

Amongst the various green initiatives, the Company, with the encouragement of Group President Mr. Ravi Raheja, initiated Organic Farming in 2011, with the sole purpose to break the monotony of the daily work pressure and take a respite from the hectic work schedules for the employees. This integrated farming system is actively practiced at the commercial complexes; Mindspace Airoli, Mindspace Madhapur, and Mindspace Malad. Mindspace, Madhapur was the first K Raheja Corp property to have implemented this activity and is now a full-fledged organic farm within the property.

Ravi Raheja is also the Chairman of Mumbai Chapter of Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) and is known to be a propagator of sustainability and green in all operations. In fact sustainability is not an afterthought but part of the very start strategy of business.  What started as an experiment soon transformed into a much-welcomed reprieve for the employees who not only enjoyed the activity which engendered more greenery but very enthusiastically employed the concept at their respective homes as well. The employees could flock down during their lunch breaks or free time to be connected with nature. The employees started off by experimenting with easy to grow and short cycled vegetables like Spinach, Amaranthus, and Radish in a 3500 sq.ft area.  The entire project was developed out of un-used materials lying at the site without any labor cost thanks to the many volunteers. This initiative has grown bigger by the day with complete support and commitment from the employees.

The clients at these business parks who are continuously working indoors have also responded well, with an active intent to learn the process of organic farming allowing them to refresh and unwind. A weeklong workshop conducted by Mindspace saw over 5000 people participating in it. Considering the keenness of employees and the clients, a host of workshops are in the pipeline. Invitations to attend these workshops are extended to teachers and students of various schools to give them an understanding of urban farming and composting. All requisite amenities including seeds, pots, containers, recycled water were made available to the employees for them to plant a crop of their preferred choice using manure produced in-house by the regular composting activity. A skilled horticulture team helps maintain and develop the farm ensuring healthy growth of plants through the year.

Various vegetables like Capsicum, Maize, Tomato, Cabbage, Onion, Curry tree, Spinach, Chilli pepper plants, Potato, Sweet Potato, French Beans, Sweet Corn, and even Rice, Wheat, Sugarcane, and Mustard have found a place at the farm. With a change in season, the farm is brimming with patches of Cucumber, Sweet Peas, Brinjal, Bottlegourd, Cauliflower, Pumpkin, Snake Gourd, Cowpea, Coriander, Red and Green Amaranthus, Drumstick, Mint, Red and White Radish, Colocasia, Ridge Gourd, Sponge Gourd, Water Melon, Cluster Bean, Ginger, Beet Root, Basil etc. The produce, which is roughly 60 to 65 kg per Business Park, is donated to orphanages that are associated with K Raheja Corp and also distributed among the support staff working on the campus.

Organic Farming, has helped K Raheja Corp provide the employees an opportunity to have a more positive mind set, spread positive vibes, and lead a more positive life.