CSR an investment to improve lives of underprivileged: US Consul General

• APCCIF chief underscores the need for linking the ground-level NGOs to work for education, health, sanitation and development of greenery
• United Way Hyderabad will adopt schools and public health centres in Vizianagaram, Srikakulam and East Godavari
   

Visakhapatnam: Corporate Social Responsibility is not a charity but an investment to improve lives of underprivileged by mobilising communities around the world to advance the common good, said Consul General of the US Consulate Hyderabad, Katherine Hadda. 

Participating at the curtain raiser programme of Andhra Pradesh Chapter for the United Way, one of the internationally renowned NGO, in the city on Saturday, she said it helps underprivilaged in building community-based solutions for health, education and financial stability of every person in community. 

The NGO spread across 41 countries with a network of 1,800 local chapters and having good track of raising 6 billion dollars annually towards charity, she added.

AP Chambers of Commerce and Industry Federation president G Sambasiva Rao along with other members felicitated the Consul General Katherine Hadda, who is also a board member of United Way, for opening AP Chapter of United Way which is a 130-year-old trusted and global charity brand to the city of destiny. 

Sambasiva Rao underscored the need for linking the ground-level NGOs to work for education, health, sanitation and development of greenery. 

Welcoming the delegates and industry heads, Rekha Srinivasan, CEO, United Way Hyderabad (UWH), said apart from empowering women with the help of corporates, the other potential areas like health and education would have scope to work. 

With support from the donors, the UWH would adopt schools and public health centres in Vizianagaram, Srikakulam and East Godavari. 

A full-fledged office would be opened in Visakhapatnam shortly, she said. 

Ramesh Kaza, Chairperson, Board of UWH said, United Way is a unique platform which brings NGOs, donors and governments together to bring in a sustainable impact in the communities. 

The UWH believes the brand would resonate well with the city and the state given its vibrant and diversified community.

United Way organised Seva Mela 2018 under the aegis of Daan Utsav, India’s festival of giving a platform is created for people of Visakhapatnam for the first time to connect and interact between Non-Profit Organisations, volunteers and donors to inspire volunteerism and support social causes. 

P Basanth Kumar, Commissioner, Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development authority (VMRDA) also inaugurated the Seva Mela.  

Board Members of UWH,  Suchitra Ella,  Kiranmai Pendyala, Subramaniam Anikode, Director, Investment Accounting, Franklin Templeton  Subramaniam Anikode, Director, Phoenix, Srikanth Badiga and  Srinivas Farms CSR head PMS Srinivas were present.