Shillong is popular with tourists but not for corporate social responsibility initiatives
Shillong is the capital city of Meghalaya in the North East region of India. 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 haven for tourists from across India and even from across the world.
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. Despite being a prominent tourism destination, CSR in Shillong is restricted to a few projects by the organisations operating in and around the city and within the East Khasi Hills district. In FY 2021-22, the East Khasi Hills district received CSR funds only worth Rs 3.16 crore mainly towards Healthcare, Education and Rural Development.
Here are the top CSR programmes in Shillong:
CSR of LUMPL
Lafarge Umiam Mining Private Limited (LUMPL), a subsidiary of Lafarge Holcim Bangladesh Ltd (LHBL), Bangladesh, is in the business of limestone and shale related mining in Meghalaya, India. The company has been supporting a number of higher secondary schools and also providing scholarships to students for higher studies as part of its CSR for education.
The company also hosts environment awareness programmes and tree plantation drives. In August this year, organised an eco-restoration drive in and around Nongtrai village.
Lafarge’s CSR towards healthcare includes
–Mobile Health Clinic with Free consultation and medicines.
–Medical Assistance and transportation facility during Medical Emergencies
–Community Health Camps, Eye Camps and Cataract operations.
–Awareness Programmes.
The Company has been contributing to the societal wealth creation for the last few years through its independent contributions as well as through the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV). The SPV’s main objective is to carry out developmental activities in and around the areas affected by the diversion of land in Nongtrai – Shella, East Khasi Hills District.
The SPVs are being used to empower women in pig-rearing complete with training and providing them with sheds and piglets on a shared basis. Livelihood activities include beekeeping, growing citrus fruits including the Khasi Mandarin. Recently, the tea garden run by a self-help group at Shella has also started producing tea.
The company has funded roads, footpaths, water supply facilities and equipment comprising X-ray machines, beds etc., to primary health centres and health sub-centres have been given. Ambulances have been given to the needy villages.
CSR of Universal Sompo for healthcare
Universal Sompo General Insurance: Universal Sompo is a Joint venture of Indian Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, Karnataka Bank, Dabur Investments, and Sompo Japan Insurance Inc. Universal Sompo General Insurance Company Ltd, as part of its societal commitment towards healthcare development, has extended critical medical infrastructure in Shillong. The company announced in April this year that they have provided three Haemodialysis Machines, two Cardiac Monitor Machines, one Ultrasound Machine, and two Dialysis Couches to the Civil Hospital in Shillong.
Shillong Civil Hospital is the largest hospital in the state of Meghalaya in both the State Government sector as well as in Private Sector. This has multi-faculty facilities for the patients such as medicines, surgery, orthopaedic, E.N.T., ophthalmology, cardiology, Dentistry, Psychiatrist, Radiology etc. With its various facilities, the hospital serves as a lifeline to the people of Shillong and beyond.
CSR of Federal Bank
In March this year, Federal Bank, Shillong donated funds to National Health Mission, Government of Meghalaya for the construction of two maternity labour rooms at Wahkaji PHC under South West Khasi Hills and at Zikzak PHC in South West Garo Hills through their CSR programme. The purpose is to contribute to the upliftment of the Preventive Healthcare system in the state of Meghalaya.
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.
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, paediatrics, ENT, urology and psychiatry are provided.
