IndiaCSR News Network
Mumbai: India’s fastest growing scheduled commercial bank RBL Bank (also known as Ratnakar Bank) in partnership with Iksha foundation, on the occasion of Children’s day flagged off a one of kind CSR initiative: a Cyclothon starting today en route all RBL Bank branches from Mumbai to Bangalore to create awareness and raise funds to brighten the lives of children suffering from Retinoblastoma (eye cancer). The CSR flag off was initiated by film actress Tamannah Bhatia at RBL Bank’s Panvel branch.
Retinoblastoma (Eye cancer)is a life threatening disease that affects children in India every day. One in every four children diagnosed with Retinoblastoma dies and hence this is a unique CSR initiative by the bank to bring light into the lives of the country’s future generation.
Following Mumbai, the cyclists of this Cyclothon, mostly RBL Bank employees proceeded en route all RBL Bank branches and offices to Pune today, followed by Belgaum where this initiative will be flagged off on Wednesday 19th November at the RBL Bank, Club Road branch by Member of Parliament Mr. Prabhakar Kore. The finale of the Cyclothon will be flagged off in Bangalore on Sunday, 23rd November, 2014 at Narayana Nethralaya Hospital, Rajajinagar by actress Vasundhara Das. The flag off of the Pune Cyclothon will take place tomorrow Saturday 15 November; 6.30 am at RBL Bank Baner Branch, inside Amol Pride, Baner Road, Pune.
RBL Bank employees in offices and branches between Mumbai to Bangalore were highly supportive of this cause and participated in this CSR initiative at their respective locations. A significant number of RBL Bank employees have donated for this cause and we are expecting many more to join over the next 10 days. Almost 200 employees are cycling to create awareness about this cause.
RBL Bank customers have been invited to join in this cause. They can either donate or cycle from the closest branch anywhere across the Mumbai-Bangalore stretch, to a specific point that they are comfortable with. The proceedings of this Cyclothon are being directed to Iksha foundation. Mr. Jasmeet Singh Gandhi, a cycling enthusiast and a corporate professional spear headed this initiative and whole heartedly supported this cause by starting his cycle tour journey of 1000 kilometers from Mumbai to Bangalore today to raise funds.
Commenting on this initiative, Ms. Shanta Vallury Gandhi, Head – Corporate Affairs, Organizational Effectiveness & Special Initiatives, RBL Bank, said “At RBL Bank, CSR is a way of life and not an activity. We are really happy to be associated with Iksha Foundation to improve the lives of children suffering from Retinoblastoma (Eye Cancer). Since eye cancer is a fatal disease that hampers the lives of children we have decided to do something to brighten their lives. And what better way to start than on Children’s day.
We have set a target of raising Rupees 10 lakhs for this cause and we have successfully surpassed our target. This initiative would not be possible without the effort of Jasmeet Singh Gandhi and of course the contribution of Gooqi, Rediff.com, Hero cycles and actress Tammana’s personal contribution. I also thank all RBL employees for being a part of this initiative and the extended family of RBL Bank which includes our customers for being here and making this a great success.”
Supporting this initiativefilm actress Tamannah Bhatia said“I was very happy to learn about this cause from Shanta Vallury Gandhi because in today’s day and age not many people take time out from ones busy schedule to support a cause that is unheard off. This is a great initiative by RBL Bank to spread awareness about
Retinoblastoma – a fatal form of cancer. My very best wishes to the RBL Bank Team and I will be happy to support and be a part of many such initiatives in the future. It has been a great pleasure being here.”
