20 ways ORGANIC INDIA makes a positive difference in the world

OCCASIONS FOR CELEBRATION

20 years ago, we began with a vision: To be a vehicle of consciousness in the global market by creating a holistic sustainable business modality which inspires, promotes and supports wellbeing as well as respect for all beings and Mother Nature.

No one believed it would be possible.  Yet today ORGANIC INDIA is living proof that abundance can be created with an uncompromising commitment to our values. From social and environmental stewardship and serving the regeneration of the Earth, to the dignity and wellbeing of our farmers, all while offering exceptional quality organic products to consumers worldwide. As we celebrate our 20th anniversary this month, we are living proof that our model and vision as a sustainable and ethical business can not only succeed but thrive.

Here are 20 Ways we’re making a positive difference in the world.

1. OUR UNIQUE BUSINESS MODALITY

As a social enterprise, we work directly with thousands of marginalised family farmers in India, creating sustainable communities through fair-market agriculture, access to healthcare, education and empowerment programs.

ORGANIC INDIA farmers and tribal wild-crafters are trained by our team and associated experts in all aspects of organic, agro-ecological practices. We pay the fees associated with acquiring the necessary organic certifications, and then we purchase the crops and wildcrafted herbs that they produce at a premium market price.

The farmers also rotate between growing crops on their land for ORGANIC INDIA with growing other organic food crops. This unique business modality makes it possible for farmers to prosper with farming skills that regenerate the Earth and will be passed onto future generations.

2. REGENERATING THE EARTH

Through organic agriculture, farmers learn regenerative farming practices, which enriches the soil, and increases the long-term yield and nutritional value of food. Certified organic foods comply with strict international standards and are free from all toxic chemicals, herbicides and pesticides. All of which are harmful to human health, contaminate the food supply and water sources, deplete the soil, harm animals and wildlife and devastate natural eco-systems.

The ORGANIC INDIA certification plan is the largest of any organisation in India, extending across parts of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir and Andhra Pradesh.

Thousands of farmers, tribal people and their communities have been touched directly or indirectly by the projects of ORGANIC INDIA.

Together we have transformed more than 10,000 acres of chemically ravaged soil into fields of abundance through regenerative agro-ecological practices that serve, honour and protect the bio-diversity of the Earth.

3. SUPPORTING SUSTAINABLE WILDCRAFTING

Ethical wildcrafting is the practice of harvesting plants from the wild in a sustainable manner, without depleting the population or damaging the habitat of the plants that are being harvested. We provide tribal wild-crafters with training, supervision and organic certification in environmentally respectful, hygienic and sustainable methods of procuring herbs. We also provide the wildcrafters access to more than half a million acres of Certified Organic forests.

4. SHARING THE GIFTS OF TULSI WITH THE WORLD

We are honoured to be the first company to cultivate Tulsi – Holy Basil and produce organic Tulsi tea. Tulsi’s healing properties have been worshiped for 5,000 years in India, and are well documented in its sacred scriptures. Modern scientific research confirms that Tulsi is a potent adaptogen that relieves stress, supports the immune system, helps to rebalance the body and mind, and promotes longevity. Four decades of rigorous research, thousands of happy and healthy patients, and years of fine tuning have been dedicated to making our range of Tulsi teas and Herbal formulas.

6. EXPANDING RANGE OF ORGANIC WHOLE HERB PRODUCTS

ORGANIC INDIA now cultivates, collects, processes, manufactures and markets almost 100 organic whole herb products: Certified Organic Tulsi Teas, Ayurvedic and Medicinal Herbal Formulas, Nutritional Supplements, Desi Ghee, Coconut Oil, Psyllium, and many other organic foods and spices (many of which are still on their way to Australia).

All of our products support True Wellness, in those who consume them, the farmers that grow them and the planet that nurtures them. Here Dr Aruna Vishwanathan, our Medical Director, speaks about respecting the intelligence of Nature, and why we only use herbs in their purest and most potent natural whole form:

7. ADVANCING ORGANIC PRODUCTION PROCESSES

Our unique processing methods, which include advanced dehydration technologies, ensure maximum freshness, flavour and health benefits and, most importantly, the retention of the vital life potency and phytochemistry of the herbs.

Our herbs are grown organically with biodynamic farming techniques, dehydrated and gently ground so the matrix of the bioactive molecules is preserved and the herbs are highly bioavailable. Then they are filled into 100% vegetarian capsules – free of toxic chemicals, solvents or alcohol.

We take every precaution to ensure ORGANIC INDIA products are free from pathogens, bacteria, viruses, harmful chemical pesticides, artificial hormones, heavy metals, toxic contaminants, radiation and genetic modification, to provide pure potent and effective True Wellness products for the benefit of our customers in Australia and worldwide.

8. OFFERING THE ASSURANCE OF ORGANIC CERTIFICATION

We are passionate about raising the standards within the organic industry by our own example, and are amongst the few herbal companies in India to receive HACCP, GMP, ISO 9001-2008, Halal and Kosher Certifications.

We have Organic Certifications from Control Union as per USDA-NOP, EU, JAS & NPOP and from SGS as per USDA-NOP and NPOP Organic Standards, and are the first to gain Non-GMO verification. Our Tulsi Original, Tulsi Green Tea, Tulsi Ginger, Tulsi Peppermint, Tulsi Gotu Kola and Tulsi Breakfast are Fairtrade Certified.

From preservation of seed to sowing, from cultivation to harvesting, from processing to production through sales and marketing, each step of the way is a testimony of our commitment to integrity, accountability and responsibility for Holistic Quality Assurance.

9. IMPLEMENTING EARTH SEER STANDARDS

To support our founding vision, we were inspired to establish a new standard called EARTH SEER, for companies of the new paradigm dedicated to nurturing, serving and protecting the Earth and all living beings through their actions, products and services.

EARTH SEER stands for:

Ethical, Accountable, Reliable, Trustworthy, Holistic

Socially, Environmentally, Economically Responsible.

10. COMMITMENT TO RESPONSIBLE PACKAGING

We constantly seek ways to excel in offering solutions and True Wellness products for conscious healthy living. This includes responsible packaging. Our Tulsi tea carton is made from 100% recycled paperboard, with a minimum of 30% post-consumer content. Our tea bags are made from unbleached, biodegradable fibre. Even the ink used for our tags is safe for you and the environment!

11. INITIATING ORGANIC INDIA CLINICS & FOUNDATION

The ORGANIC INDIA Foundation provides health care services to all farmers and villagers in need of medical assistance and treatment through two clinics in the farming communities of Rath and Azamgarh in the State of Uttar Pradesh.

We provide in-home visits for education in women’s health, infant care and hygiene. We also organise regular community-based hygiene and health awareness campaigns and vocational trainings to assist villagers in becoming self-reliant.

During the year 2014-2015, 10,500 patients were treated in Azamgarh and 6,000 in Rath, with more than 22,000 participating in health awareness activities. On the spot health services were provided in remote villages to more than 500 needy patients through 5 health camps organised by the ORGANIC INDIA Foundation. Twenty-five training programs were conducted for our Community Health Educators, Outreach Workers & Community Peer Educators.

12. INNOVATING PROJECTS WITH ENERGY, WATER & SANITATION

As a social enterprise we’ve developed many Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, which have been implemented in recent years. These projects aim to improve sanitation and health conditions. They also provide energy, sanitation and water access in response to specific needs encountered within ORGANIC INDIA’s farming communities.

• WATER: solar water pump Bundelkhand, 3 hand pumps Azamgarh, water filters in Jalore (100 households)

• SOLAR: home light systems (100) Rath, UP and (100) Tikamgarh, Madhya Pradesh

• SANITATION: 105 toilets with flush & septic tank in Rath (65) and Azamgarh (40)

• TUBE WELL/PIPELINE: In Tikamgarh, Madhya Pradesh (2015) and Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh (2016)

13. INAUGURATION OF OI EXCLUSIVE STORES

ORGANIC INDIA products are available in more than tens of thousands premium and organic retail stores throughout the world. Our flagship store was established in 2012 at the Lucknow Airport, soon followed by 3 more in Lucknow, 2 in Kanpur, also Gaziabad, Allahabad, and Varanasi. Most recently, 4 stores have been opened in Delhi and 2 in Noida.

Whilst these stores are opening in our homeland of India initially, they will provide our global family with an opportunity to further connect with our activities and vision. Content, information and resources will be developed (for use in stores) which all of our customers will have access to (online). So we’ll all have a chance to learn more about our products, and how they can help us to achieve True Wellness for All.

14. PARTNERING WITH FAB INDIA

As globalisation continues to grow and the modern technological world advances, rural communities are being left behind. That’s why in 2013, ORGANIC INDIA announced its partnership with Fabindia, India’s largest private retail platform for craft-based products. Fabindia brings a contemporary range of lifestyle products to customers around the world, sourced from rural artisans across India’s vast country.

As ORGANIC INDIA works to restore the dignity of marginalised farmers in India, Fabindia works to do the same for rural Indian artisans and craftspeople. Over 55,000 craft based rural producers connect with modern urban markets via Fabindia, creating a base for skilled, sustainable rural employment while preserving India’s traditional handicrafts. Together ORGANIC INDIA and Fabindia play an intricate part in supporting rural Indian communities and preserving heritage and traditions.

15. ACKNOWLEDGING THE CONTRIBUTION OF EMPLOYEES

ORGANIC INDIA is a large and growing business that treats employees with fairness, respect and dignity. We continuously seek ways to acknowledge the contribution of our employees. ORGANIC INDIA’s holistic model creates abundance for all stakeholders, socially, environmentally and economically.

16. GROWING THE ORGANIC INDIA FAMILY WORLDWIDE

ORGANIC INDIA is committed to becoming globally recognised as a reliable and competitive supplier of the highest quality organic food and health products. ORGANIC INDIA products are now available in retail stores, cafes and pharmacies in more than 40 countries throughout the world.

17. RECEIVING RECOGNITION & HEARTFELT SUPPORT

We are grateful for the company recognition and product awards the entire ORGANIC INDIA Family receives for our commitment to True Wellness.

Most importantly, the heartfelt sharings of sincerely satisfied customers, many with extraordinary healing stories! Our sincere thanks to all friends and associates of ORGANIC INDIA who have offered their heartfelt sentiments for our anniversary celebrations. Being recognised for making a difference helps us make more of a difference in the world.

18. NURTURING WELLNESS FOR YOU & YOUR FAMILY

We celebrate the opportunity to provide the solutions and products to serve True Wellness for you and your family. If you want to improve your health, find a natural approach for an illness, build your immune system, reduce stress, or simply feel better and have more energy, our pure and potent products are here for you.

The invitation for all of us is to discover in our daily lives how we truly care for ourselves and our planet and experience greater health and happiness. What better gift to give, than to make everyday choices that ensure our wellness and also heal the planet, our fellow humans and our future generations. We thank you for joining us in sharing this vision of True Wellness with the world!

19. CONTRIBUTION TO HERBAL MEDICINE RESEARCH

We recognise the value of modern day science which is why we invest significantly into research & development, and choose to work with world-class research experts in areas such as Tulsi-Holy Basil, herbal medicine, and wellbeing generally. We like to ensure the ancient herbal wisdom that has been revered for thousands of years, and that is steeped in efficacy, has contemporary relevance and application, which is why we turn to Science. Our current research projects will make a significant contribution to the wellness industry all around the world. We are determined to realise our vision of True Wellness for All by working collaboratively and inclusively.

20. REALISING THE VISION OF ORGANIC INDIA 

For us, the organic revolution began in India 20 years ago when we started it. Since then, many other companies have followed. The momentum continues to build for our vision to be realised.

Every day, the impulse grows in support of holistic sustainable development for all beings through organic agriculture. ORGANIC INDIA customers enjoy experiencing the benefits of our products, supporting more farmers to regenerate more land. A growing number of businesses and organisations are being empowered to share in the vision to create a sustainable environment of True Wellness for the benefit of All.

At the heart of ORGANIC INDIA is our commitment to be a living embodiment of love and consciousness in action. We celebrate our successes in honour of Tulsi – Holy Basil, the Queen of Herbs. Together, we celebrate every member of the entire ORGANIC INDIA family with profound gratitude for creating these successes collectively.

Thank you for your support. By choosing ORGANIC INDIA you not only enjoy premium quality, you also participate in a holistic mission that promotes a sustainable environment of True Wellness for all living beings.