Wayanad, nestled in the northern part of Kerala, captivates visitors with its breathtaking landscapes, abundant flora and fauna, and deep-rooted cultural heritage. This enchanting district has recently garnered attention as an aspirational district, facing unique development challenges that have been identified by the prestigious NITI Aayog. With its pristine beauty and untapped potential, Wayanad has taken a significant leap forward by embarking on groundbreaking CSR initiatives that have captured the spotlight.
In the FY 2022-23, Wayanad received CSR funds worth Rs 4.86 crore from a total of 22 companies. Companies like KNR Constructions Limited, Tata Power Solar Systems Limited and Cochin Shipyard Ltd contributed the most in the above financial year.
Wayanad landslides
On the 30th of July this year, Wayanad experienced two massive landslides due to which Mundakkai and Chooramala areas under the Vellarimala village of the Meppadi Panchayat were swept away. claiming around 276 lives so far and causing fatal injuries to over a 200 people. The death toll from the Wayanad landslides was over 420 people, with 397 people injured and more than 118 people still unaccounted for. The landslides were the deadliest in Kerala’s history.
In the aftermath of the disaster, Kerala Chief Minsiter Pinarayi Vijayan said that the state government would recruit global expertise, state-of-the-art and future-proof climate-resilient technologies, and enlist top environmental architects to build a model township for the landslide victims in Wayanad. He ensured that the government would invest heavily in this project, and claimed that several businesses and altruistic entities have come forward to help.
CSR Conclave: Wayanad Initiative for Future Impact (WIFI 2023)
In a remarkable endeavour, the district administration collaborated with the state government, NITI Aayog, and the state IT Mission to organize the Wayanad Initiative for Future Impact (WIFI 2023) – an event that marked a significant milestone as the first-ever CSR Conclave in Kerala. This visionary conclave aimed to bring together corporate entities and leverage their CSR funds to drive comprehensive growth and development in Wayanad. The enthusiastic response from both local and national corporations demonstrated a shared commitment towards uplifting this extraordinary district.
Representatives from 24 agencies actively participated in the event, while an additional five corporate agencies joined the conclave remotely. Esteemed public sector undertakings like Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), Cochin Shipyard Limited, and Indian Oil Corporation were among the prominent attendees, demonstrating the collective effort to make a positive impact in Wayanad.
These corporations recognized Wayanad as an aspirational district with immense potential for growth and development. By investing their CSR funds, they aim to address the district’s specific challenges and contribute to the overall well-being of its communities. The convergence of corporate powerhouses in Wayanad reflects the shared responsibility and commitment towards sustainable development.
Kerala Chief Secretary V Venu, who attended the conclave remotely, lauded the innovative initiative of the district administration to bring together diverse CSR agencies under one roof. He recognized the conclave as a model initiative that promotes sustainable growth and contributes to the upliftment of weaker sections of society. This recognition highlights the significance and potential of CSR initiatives in Wayanad and sets a precedent for similar endeavours across the country.
CSR Projects in Wayanad
CSR of FUJIFILM
FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation announced in August that it will donate Rs 6 million worth of medical equipment through FUJIFILM India Pvt. Ltd. for the people affected by the disasters. Donation of the medical equipment including the ultra-portable DR X-ray system and the ultrasound diagnostic system will be made to the Wayanad Government Medical College, Mananthavady, Wayanad District based on their requests. This activity is aimed at swiftly supporting the high volume of diagnosis that the hospital needs because a large volume of affected people are receiving treatment at this government facility.
Mata Amritanandamayi Math provides aid for landslide-prone Wayanad
Mata Amritanandamayi Math (MAM) is providing an aid package of Rs 15 crores to support the survivors of recent landslides and enhance landslide resilience in the region. Advanced landslide early warning systems will also be deployed in Wayanad District’s most vulnerable areas, to protect people from the growing threat of climate-change-induced disasters in the region. Work on the project is set to commence as soon as official clearance is received from the Kerala State Government.
This new initiative follows a series of devastating landslides that took place on July 30, 2024, causing widespread destruction in the villages of Punjirimattom, Mundakkai, Chooralmala and Vellarimala. The disaster – one of the deadliest in Kerala’s recent history – resulted in more than 400 fatalities and 397 injuries, with another 118 people still reported missing.
CSR of Star Health and Allied Insurance
Star Health and Allied Insurance (Star Health Insurance), India’s largest retail health insurance provider, made a contribution of Rs. 50 lacs to the Kerala Chief Minister’s Relief Fund in support of those affected by the recent landslide in Wayanad. The donation was presented by Mr. Anand Roy, Managing Director and CEO of Star Health Insurance, to the Honourable Chief Minister Shri. Pinarayi Vijayan, in a meeting held in August.
Rural Rising Program
Herbalife Nutrition Ltd., United Way of Bengaluru (UWBe), and the Noolpuzha Gram Panchayat have come together with a vision to ensure integrated development of the Noolpuzha Gram Panchayat, Wayanad’s second largest tribal belt.
This integrated rural development program, called ‘Rural Rising’, is a flagship intervention of UWBe, built on a ‘convergence model’ where the program is implemented in aspirational districts and remote areas in various geographies in alignment with government schemes and implemented in partnership with government and private partners.
The multi-year Rural Rising program in Noolpuzha Gram Panchayat (GP) will address five key areas based on the need assessment – enhancement of children’s nutrition; quality of engagement with children in Anganwadi Centres through the Born Learning Campaign (BLC) of UWBe; strengthening the schools to retain and attract students from tribal hamlets; supporting the livelihood of women in Self Help Groups (SHGs) and skill development of youth in the areas of intervention.
Most children with malnutrition in Wayanad have been reported from tribal communities. Children and women suffer from nutrition deficiency and anaemia due to a lack of a proper and balanced diet. The Rural Rising intervention will ensure the availability of cooked meals thrice a day, six days a week, to children enrolled in four Anganwadi Centres, to begin with, at Noolpuzha.
Low attendance of students in schools and Anganwadi Centres have been another concerning issue. To make schools attractive and welcoming, play areas will be set up in two schools – Govt Lower Primary School, Muthanga, and Sri Jaya Aided Lower Primary School, catering to 250 students.
In addition, two Anganwadi Centres will be strengthened with new facilities and infrastructure support to make the centres safe and conducive for children in line with the ICDS guidelines. Additionally, Anganwadi Workers and Helpers will be trained on the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) curriculum and pedagogy.
The intervention will closely work with the Jilla Mission of Wayanad. Three hundred executive members of registered SHGs in Noolpuzha GP will be provided training in entrepreneurship development. Specific livelihood interventions will be provided to other SHGs.
Interventions ranging from providing grinding equipment to setting up of a grocery store are planned for various SHGs. To support the locals engaging in honey collection, eighty honey collectors will be supported with honey harvesting kits containing modernised tools to help increase their productivity and ensure safety. Apart from these, skilling programs will be provided to special people from the ‘BUDS’ Centre to help them generate income and live with dignity. Overall about 650 SHG members will be directly benefitted from the livelihood interventions.
Sports has been recognised as a powerful medium to instill positive social skills, leadership qualities, self-awareness, and creativity. For the well-being of community youth and to help them utilise their time judiciously, football coaching will be offered at the existing two Youth Resource Centres. The sports centres will also be equipped with different types of sports equipment and books for the youth and children of the community.
Federal Skill Academy
The Federal Skill Academy is committed to creating opportunities for young girls and boys and empowering them to achieve their dreams. This is part of the Bank’s CSR initiative under the aegis of Federal Bank Hormis Memorial Foundation.
Under the initiative, Federal Bank announced the successful completion of the first residential batch of girls from Wayanad at their Federal Skill Academy. The academy aims to empower young girls also and provide them with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel. The residential training program, for a duration of 3.5 months was designed to offer an immersive learning experience to the participants. The first residential batch of girls from Wayanad consisted of 24 young, talented individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Books Donation by IIM Kozhikode
The 5th Edition of Book Donation programme, organised by The Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode (IIMK) in May 2022, donated over 15,000 books worth Rs 75 Lakhs (approx.) to 30 colleges belonging to Kannur, Wayanad, Malappuram and Kozhikode Districts of Kerala. The event was attended by over 300 students and faculty members of the beneficiary colleges.
This Book Donation programme was organized by the Institute, as a part of IIMK’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative and was the fifth such instance since its inception. The event witnessed every beneficiary college being handed over close to 500 books each, worth Rs 2.5 Lakh (approximately) and covered a vast spectrum of academic subjects like Economics, Management, Accounting, Commerce, Marketing, Operations Research, Quantitative Methods, Organisational Behaviour, Human Resource Management, Business Ethics, Information Technology and Literature. These books have been handpicked and recommended by the Faculty, for IIM Kozhikode students, and were later contributed for the book donation drive spearheaded by the Library & Information Centre (LIC), IIMK.
