Top CSR projects in Shillong

Shillong is the capital city of Meghalaya. It has an old-world charm that has led to the city being bestowed with the title: The Scotland of the East. Shillong used to be the capital of undivided Assam until the state of Meghalaya was formed in the year 1972. The soothing weather and splendid waterfalls make it a tourist haven in the North East region of India.

Tourism contributes heavily to the city and to Meghalaya’s profits. The economy of Shillong is agrarian in nature as a large section of the people there are dependent on agriculture. The other sources of livelihood are small scale industries such as handicraft and handloom items in cane and bamboo.

Shillong is a storehouse of natural resources and hence an ideal place to set up industries. Despite the natural wealth, liberal industrial policy and the advantage of being located close to the South East Asia market, this city has not developed industrially. CSR in Shillong is restricted to a few projects by the organisations based in the city.

Shillong is district headquarters of the East Khasi Hills District, which was the top recipient of CSR funds in FY2023. In FY 2022-23, the district received CSR funds worth Rs 6.34 crore. 

Here are top programmes of the lot:

NIT Meghalaya – RuTAG

RuTAG (Rural Technology Action Group) has a mission to bring Government and Non-Governmental groups or stakeholders together to proactively work for the development of the region so that people can derive the benefits of Research & Development in various scientific fields. It is an endeavour of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Govt. of India for revamping the rural economy of our country by setting up a number of Centres in different parts of the country. For the North Eastern Region, a Tier-II institute of RuTAG-NE has been set up at National Institute of Technology (NIT) in Shillong. The modus operandi of RuTAG Mission is to identify challenging problems and the potential technologies that can impact the rural economy of artisans, rural-based industrial groups and entrepreneurs.

HCLtech Grant Symposium

HCL Foundation which drives the corporate social responsibility (CSR) agenda of global technology company HCLTech in India, today conducted the fourth HCLTech Grant Pan-India Symposium 2024 at North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, Meghalaya, on the theme ‘Role of CSR in Development of Rural Parts of Northeast India’.

With an intent to strengthen sustainable rural development in the country, the HCLTech Grant Pan-India Symposium series provides a platform for social purpose organisations, including NGOs, civil society organisations, etc., to network and exchange ideas and learnings.

“Our priority has always been to contribute towards the development of local communities and the HCLTech Grant is the medium through which we assist NGOs with the common goals. The symposiums have proven to be especially important and have allowed us to reach out to NGOs and civil societies to discuss critical topics. Beyond these symposiums, we are excited to see NGOs submit their proposals for HCLTech Grant and collaborate with them for bringing about change in the society,” said Dr. Nidhi Pundhir, Vice President, Global CSR, HCLTech and Director, HCLFoundation.

The HCLTech Grant Symposium 2024 series aims to raise awareness of the HCLTech Grant among NGOs.  Edition 10 of HCLTech Grant India will provide funding of ₹16.5 Crore (~$2.2 million) to nine NGOs, selected through an independent, robust and democratic process. Three NGOs will receive ₹5 crore each for their projects of four-year duration in the categories of health, education and environment. Another six NGOs will receive a grant of ₹25 lakh each for projects of one-year duration.

IDFC FIRST Bank – Honour FIRST

IDFC FIRST Bank offers Honour FIRST to serving personnel and veterans of Assam Rifles. The MoU for Honour FIRST was signed at the Assam Rifles headquarters in Shillong between Col P S Singh, Colonel Administration and senior officials of the Bank. Assam Rifles is the oldest paramilitary force of India, instituted in 1835. Entrusted with internal security and border management roles, Assam Rifles is referred to as the Sentinels of the North East. Honour FIRST is specially designed keeping in mind the needs of the Armed Forces community. It includes a zero balance Honour FIRST salary account with 6% interest, unlimited free ATM transactions from any location, free fund transfers and other benefits. The debit card is also customised to the needs of Armed Forces personnel.

Power Grid Telemedicine Centre

Power Grid Corporation of India Limited is India’s largest electric power transmission utility. Under its CSR scheme for healthcare, Power Grid opened a telemedicine centre in Shillong during the first wave of the pandemic. The Shillong and Sohra centres of Ramakrishna Mission (RKM), in collaboration with NEIGRIHMS, are managing the medical facility. The cost of the CSR project is Rs. 49.47 lakhs that went into a Mobile Medical Van and equipment for setting up two Teleconsultation Centres. This initiative provides the facilities for medical consultation initially in collaboration with North East Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Shillong (NEIGRIHMS). Medical facilities in specialised domains like neurology, oncology, dermatology, ophthalmology, gynaecology, cardiology, dental, pediatrics, ENT, urology and psychiatry will be provided.