The Chennai-based Pharma major, Orchid Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Ltd (Orchid) has been awarded the prestigious Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Award by the Government of Tamil Nadu for the year 2008-09. The award which carries a Certificate and a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh was given by the deputy chief minister of the Government of Tamil Nadu.
Orchid has from inception looked beyond commercial operations and has believed in the philosophy of giving back to society. In its first year of operations (1994-95), Orchid gave shape to its strong value system by incorporating social responsibility and community development activities as part of its overall business strategy. An independent Trust called Orchid Trust was formed to take forward the social responsibility activities of Orchid. This non-profit organisation employs a collaborative and participative style of functioning by having members of the various adopted villages and select Orchid representatives as part of its project governing council.