DS Group upholds philanthropy at the core of its values, and as a committed corporate citizen regards Corporate Social Responsibility as an integral part of its business objectives.
In an endeavour to support the relief operations in the flood ravaged Jammu and Kashmir, DS Group in partnership with Love Care Foundation has worked on a program to construct hutments for 121 families of Saddal-Panjal village. A total of 56 hutments will be constructed for these survivors to help them keep warm and covered during the approaching winter season, as they have lost their houses and other belongings to the deadly and destructive floods.
The size of the hutments will be 12 x 20ft with 12 ft ht. The hutments will have a sloping roof for easy get rid of snow and waterthat might accumulate on the roof tops during winters. These 56 hutments will provide space for the 121 families to live. Depending on the number of members in per family, each hutment will be shared by 2 or 3 families.
These hutments are temporary structures to help the affected people tide over the winters. Once winteris over, the material being used to make these hutments will be reused to make permanent houses. DS Group has contributed Rs.25 lakhs of the total cost of the project, which is estimated to be around Rs.35 lakhs. The construction of hutments has begun and is expected to be completed by 30th November 2014, subject to the weather conditions.
Speaking on the occasion, Bhavna Sood, Sr. VP Corporate Communications & PR, DS Group said, “DS Group believes in extending quick aid in any disaster that strikes in any part of the country, because we firmly believe that like business, care too, does not have any boundaries to work.
We worked with CRDN to give out 5000 blankets and 3 lakhs water purification tablets immediately after the J& K floods. Now with winter approaching, it is imperative that we come together to support people whohave lost everything and are bravely facing the agony of nature here.”
A committee comprising of the members of the affected families and the panchayat representatives, has been formed to ensure and monitor the progress of the construction. The community is also actively involved in the program, by shramdaan and also ensuring that the quality of construction is not compromised.
Saddal is situated in the hill top area of Panjar in Panchari, which is about 70 km from Jammu. This is one of the remotest and far flung areas, which was flattened by a massive landslide triggered by heavy rains, in which 40 people were buried on 7th September 2014. Only 30 bodies have been recovered in the one and half month long rescue operations carried out by the government authorities.
DS Group has also contributed relief material during the rescue operation in Jammu & Srinagar.
