Industrialists and companies across India are coming together to fight the unprecedented situation created due to the Coronavirus, COVID-19, pandemic.
Calling for public participation to mitigate the pandemic, PM Narendra Modi on 28 March 2020 announced the creation of an assistance and emergency situation relief fund where people can contribute and help in the government's fight against Coronavirus. "It is my appeal to my fellow Indians, to kindly contribute to the PM-CARES Fund. This Fund will also cater to similar distressing situations, if they occur in the times ahead," the PM had tweeted. "People from all walks of life expressed their desire to donate to India's war against COVID-19," the PM had said on twitter, adding the fund has been constituted respecting that spirit.
While several companies from across sectors were pitching in to help the government and citizens fight the COVID-19 pandemic in India, the creation of the Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations (PM-CARES) Fund has further strengthened the cause. Heeding to the PM’s, India Inc has opened its purse to donate generously to fight the pandemic. Industry giants such as Reliance Industries, Tata Sons, Adani Group, Wipro, Paytm, Infosys, HDFC Group, SBI, Kotak Mahindra Bank have joined in the fight against COVID-19. Every day companies and leaders are joining the fight against the pandemic announcing their contribution to contain the further spread of Coronavirus in India.
In these trying situations, the Indian building product and material industry is living by example. Rising up to the occasion and responding to the PM’s clarion call, Asian Paints has announced its contribution of Rs 35 crore towards COVID-19 Relief Fund. The contribution will be made to the Central as well as other Emergency Relief State funds to combat the pandemic.
When it comes to the national duties, Gujarat-based Simpolo Ceramics is never behind in playing the role of a responsible corporate citizen. No wonder, it didn’t take much time and announced its contribution of Rs 50 lakh to PM & CM Care funds to fight the COVID-19 menace and help bring the country to normalcy. Not only is Simpolo contributing to PM-CARES Fund, but is also taking care of its 3,500 workers who are stationed in Morbi amid the lockdown. According to the company's CMO, Simpolo has arranged for food and essential supplies for over 2,000 employee families already for the next one month.
Likewise Morbi-based Varmora Group has made a total contribution of Rs 25 lakh to the Prime Minister’s and the Chief Minister’s Relief Funds to help the people in need. The company in a message on its social media platform has stated that it as a company it completely understands its social responsibility in this prevailing outbreak of Coronavirus. It has also urged others to pledge their support towards India’s fight against COVID-19.
The C K Birla Group (owners of HIL and Orient Electric) has made a commitment of Rs 35 crore to support the government in the fight against COVID-19. Out of this Rs 25 crore will be contributed to the PM-CARES Fund, and the remaining amount will be directed towards state government funds and to supply equipment, masks, and PPEs.
Recognizing that the current situation in India and across the world is of grave concern and needs immediate action, Delhi-based wire and cable manufacturer, KEI Industries Ltd has pledged Rs 2 crore to the PM Care Fund supporting the call of fighting against the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in India. Further acknowledging the plight of the migrant labours who are struggling for survival the company has taken up the responsibility in partnership with ISKCON to serve meals to these individuals and has accordingly contributed Rs 50 lakh to ISKCON.
The $14 billion JSW Group with presence in sectors like steel, energy, cement, infrastructure, paints and sports, has pledged Rs 100 crore to PM-CARES Fund for COVID-19 relief efforts. Also the employees of JSW Group have also committed a minimum of a single day's salary as a donation to the fund. Funds have also been earmarked to source and import ventilators for immediate use in all healthcare facilities across the country and to fund Testing Kits, as well as Personal Protective Equipment (masks, gloves etc) for health care workers. The Group has also offered to convert a number of facilities across JSW Group locations, to isolation wards, limiting the stress on community hospitals in the areas.
Trade association in the laminates sector too has come out to support the Government in its fight against the pandemic. Ahemdabad-based Indian Laminate Manufacturers’ Association has collected Rs 31 lakh from its fraternity members to contribute to PM-CARES Fund. Likewise Delhi based AICA Laminates has contributed Rs 25 lakh to PM-CARES Fund and Rs 6 lakh towards Uttarakhand CM Relief Fund.
Many more companies and leaders from the building product and material industry are pledging their support to the government’s effort. They believe that it is the collective effort of all that will help win over the pandemic.