Premji Foundation Joins List Of Big Contributors, Offers Rs 1,000 Crore Aid To Fight Covid 19

A total amount of Rs 1,125 crore has been committed, that includes Rs 100 crore from Wipro Ltd, Rs 25 crore from Wipro Enterprises and Rs 1,000 crore from Azim Premji Foundation.

FILE PIC: AFP

Bengaluru, April 1:  As the country is trying to stem the spread of COVID 19, several companies and eminent personalities are pitching in to help tackle the looming crises around COVID 19. The Azim Premji Foundation has extended Rs 1,000 crore aid in response to contain the coronavirus outbreak that has killed 38 people so far. Apart from the foundation, IT major Wipro Ltd has offered Rs 100 crore and Wipro Enterprises Ltd donated Rs 25 crore to mitigate the risks arising due to the crises, which takes the total offering to Rs 1,125 crore. A statement issued by the spokesperson of Azim Premji Foundation, said, "Modern global society has not confronted a crisis of this magnitude and we must all work together to deal with this crisis and minimize its human impact, particularly on the disadvantaged.” “An integrated action will be taken for a comprehensive on-the-ground response in specific geographies, focused on immediate humanitarian aid, and augmentation of healthcare capacity, including containing the Covid-19 outbreak and treating those affected by it," the statement added. In addition to that, the foundation's 1,600-member team will coordinate with the government institutions to collaborate with 350-member strong civil society partners across the country to put the funds to use. Not just this, the relief effort will extend Wipro's technological expertise, sourcing systems, infrastructure, and the company's distribution reach.  This donation is over and above the annual corporate social responsibility activities of Wipro and the foundation's regular philanthropy. The tech major joins the list of big donators including Tata Sons, Reliance Industry, Paytm, Adani, L&T, JSW Group, among others who have extended help in India's fight against the deadly virus. Tata Sons and Tata Trusts had announced Rs 1,500 crore support towards the PM CARES Fund. Reliance Industries also donated Rs 500 crore. The company has also scaled up its capacities to produce one lakh masks and thousands of protective gear for health workers daily.