Cognizant loosens purse strings for NGOs

Cognizant Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of Cognizant, has extended a financial aid of approximately Rs 40 lakh (Rs 4 million) to Maharashtra-based non-governmental organisations.

The foundation was established for improving, guiding and inspiring the lives of underprivileged people in the areas of education and healthcare.

Cognizant Foundation presented cheques to Manavya, Saraswati Pratishtan Dadhichina Pranam, Centre for Youth Development and Activities, Social Action for Manpower Creation, and Swatantryaveer Sawarkar Educational Trust here.

In the past, Cognizant Foundation had provided aid to Pune's Sassoon General Hospital for upgrading its Thalassaemia Treatment Centre, and to the Baba Amte Maharogi Seva Samiti, Anandvan, for setting up an artificial limb centre and calliper-fitting and repair centre to cater to the needy.

Till date, "We have contributed to over 60 projects of which 39 are in education, 21 in healthcare, 1-2 each in rural development and individual assistance," said N R Krishnan, an independent director with Cognizant Foundation.

The projects have been one-time assistance and the foundation is now mulling a long term relationship with some of these institutions.

"We are conducting feasibility studies to check how we can establish scholarships and financial aid programmes for students at the school and college level," said Krishnan.

Debashis Chatterjee, vice president and head of Pune operations, Cognizant, on the occasion said, "This is a source of immense pride and fulfillment both for the organisation and the employees."

With a young workforce increasingly keen to contribute to the cause of creating a better society, voluntarism has acquired a new dimension. We firmly believe that corporate actions play a very important role in creating a climate of positive opinion."