Over 150 employees from the firm's Pune office participate in this important initiative

PUNE, 7 December 2012 — BNY Mellon, in association with the Pune Traffic Police and their charity partners Deep Griha and MAHER, has launched a unique initiative to address an ongoing traffic problem in the city – poorly lit roads that lead to accidents at night. Over 150 employees from BNY Mellon's Pune operations today began the process of putting up reflector stickers on lamp posts that are not functional, poles and trees all across the city to help the city's commuters.

The initiative is the brainchild of Sujeet Patharkar, an employee of BNY Mellon in Pune. A voluntary traffic warden, Sujeet has been actively involved in trying to solve the traffic issue thousands face every day in the city of Pune. The BNY Mellon team, along with their charity partners, today covered over 15 areas in the city that had been identified earlier as being most urgent.

A firm believer of people being the ultimate solution to the chaotic traffic on the roads, Sujeet joined hands with the Pune Traffic Police to create a documentary film to raise awareness about the issue as well as reach out to a larger audience. The film entitled ‘Chaos on Wheels' has been made in English as well as Marathi. BNY Mellon sponsored the film, which was launched on 26th October 2012 by the Commissioner of Police, Pune and other senior Pune Police officials. The video is now shown at commercial theatres, schools, workshops and corporate events across Pune.

“Around 80,000 people are killed in road accidents every year in India, which amounts to approximately 13% of the total road fatalities recorded in the world,” observed Mr. Dinesh Deo, CEO, BNY Mellon's Pune and Chennai operations. “We are all commuters and know how some roads in Pune can be dangerous, especially at night due to poor lighting and a general lack of requisite infrastructure. Sujeet brought this issue and recommended solution to our notice and we readily put this traffic drive together to spread crucial road safety messages, and help to play a part in reducing the number of road accidents on Pune's roads.”

Deo added: “BNY Mellon strongly believes in contributing to the needs of communities by supporting organizations and activities that advance the quality of life where our employees work, live and do business. This could be anything from sprucing up a public space like Empress Gardens or making a difference to the lives of the children who are tutored in our offices week after week. We hope that this drive makes a difference. The larger aim is for people to understand that while one person may not be able to make an immediate change, the effort must start somewhere with someone – so why not each one of us?”

Powering Potential, BNY Mellon's philanthropic focus, is designed to help others in need by concentrating on basic needs and workforce development. BNY Mellon works with its community partners to provide food, clothing, energy and housing assistance to those who require immediate help. The company's workforce development investments are designed to improve access to employment through job training, education, mentoring and skills development, adding a rung to the ladder of opportunity.

Globally, through a combination of charitable donations and sponsorships provided by BNY Mellon and the dedicated involvement of our employees, the company supports organizations and activities that drive positive change where it is needed most.

BNY Mellon is a global financial services company focused on helping clients manage and service their financial assets, operating in 36 countries and serving more than 100 markets. BNY Mellon is a leading provider of financial services for institutions, corporations and high-net-worth individuals, offering superior investment management and investment services through a worldwide client-focused team. It has $27.9 trillion in assets under custody and administration and $1.4 trillion in assets under management, services $11.6 trillion in outstanding debt and processes global payments averaging $1.4 trillion per day. BNY Mellon is the corporate brand of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation. Additional information is available on www.bnymellon.com or follow us on Twitter @BNYMellon.

Deep Griha works for the empowerment of the marginalised through capacity building and sustainable urban and rural development programmes. In 1975, medical practioner Dr. Neela Onawale and her husband Rev. Bhaskar Onawale started a one-room clinic to treat the residents of Pune's marginalised community. With the help of likeminded friends, Deep Griha Society began operations in July that year, and within a further two years, was serving more than 100 people a day. From treating patients, Dr. Onwale quickly realised that many of the medical conditions affecting the slum community were caused by malnutrition and lack of education. As a result, she began programmes to support community members, as well as to educate them on how to maintain good health. Since 1975, Deep Griha has constantly expanded and adapted its services to empower the disadvantaged community through support and education, giving people the skills and confidence and they need to improve their lives.

Maher Ashram was founded in 1997 to help women who had nowhere else to turn for help, irrespective of religion, caste or social status. Maher's mission is to care for and shelter destitute women and children while enhancing their capabilities with a view to facilitating their life-long rehabilitation and to bring about the general advancement of the underpirvileged in our society. More information about Maher Ashram can be found at www.maherashram.org