India CSR News Network
BHUBANESWAR: Wipro Group’s philanthropic arm, the Azim Premji Philanthropic Initiatives (APPI), will spend Rs 300 crore within the next 10 years to reduce malnutrition in the state. The APPI signed a memorandum of understanding in this regard with the state government here on Monday, 20 December 2015.
After officials of APPI and the state signed the deal in presence of chief minister Naveen Patnaik and Wipro founder Azim Premji, Premji said the state government’s commitment to address the problems of malnutrition will go a long way for success of the project. Speaking on the occasion, the CM said through APPI the state intends to benefit from the expertise and core competence of WIPRO under the partnership.
“I would request Premji to extend his support in the field of education also and continue his collaboration with state by widening the scope of engagement through APPI in the field of nutrition and governance,” Naveen said. According to a government statement, during a meeting with Premji prior to signing of the MoU, Naveen proposed the WIPRO chief to invest in IT, health and education in the state. Naveen asked Premji to establish a global training centre on the Puri-Konark marine drive, for which land has already been identified.
He also asked WIPRO to be partner in setting up of a second International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) in the state at an estimated cost of Rs 128 crore in public private partnership mode. The CM urged Premji to consider a second campus of Ajim Premji University in Odisha and also asked him to consider establishing WIPRO-Healthcare facilities in the state.
The government statement said Premji promised to expand its facility in Bhubaneswar and consider investment in health sector.
