Shillong: HCL Foundation, which delivers the corporate social responsibility (CSR) agenda of HCLTech, recently organised a symposium in Guwahati as part of its concerted efforts in sensitising and creating awareness among NGOs, civil society organisations and start-ups working in the social impact space about HCLTech Grant Edition IX.
Aligned with India’s G20 presidency this year, the symposium’s topic was ‘G20’s Role in Combating Unemployment and Creating Jobs for the Youth’.
The symposium was the fifth in a series of pan-India symposiums being organised by the HCL Foundation across various cities. Several NGOs and civil society organisations from Assam and neighbouring states engaged in discussion and dialogue on a range of issues and themes relating to the role of CSR in contributing to nation-building.
Through these symposiums, HCL Foundation aims to educate NGOs, civil society and social impact organizations about the HCLTech grant, which identifies NGOs that are undertaking groundbreaking work in rural development through an independent, robust, and democratic process.
Grants are given to three winners in the categories of education, health and environment with a commitment of Rs 5 crore for a four-year project in each category. Additionally, a grant of Rs 25 lakh is given to each of the two finalists in each category for a one-year project. The total funding committed for the ninth edition is Rs 16.5 crore.
Three NGOs — Planetearth, Innovators in Health (IIH) India, and Meghshala Trust – were winners in the Environment, Health, and Education category of the HCLTech Grant 2022 and received Rs 5 crore each for their projects.
Dr Nidhi Pundhir, vice-president, Global CSR, HCL Foundation, said, “Through collaborative efforts, we aim to harness the collective potential of the G20 in India to implement policies and initiatives that address the pressing challenge of youth unemployment. By fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and inclusive economic frameworks, we can unlock the untapped talents and aspirations of the next generation, paving the way for a brighter future for all.”
“These symposiums strive to create a positive impact on the lives of millions through the establishment of a distinctive platform for NGOs to join forces, share insights, and cultivate inventive strategies to tackle the urgent obstacles that our nation encounters,” she added.
The event featured multiple sessions and panel discussions with eminent speakers including, Dr Kalpana Sarathy,
Professor and Deputy Director, TISS Guwahati; Dr Rousy Baruah, State Project Manager, Social Mobilisation, Institution and Capacity Building, ASRLM, Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana, National Rural Livelihoods Mission; Santala Ronglo, Development Consultant and Founder - Mountain Trails Thallem; and Gaurav Majumdar, Lead-Skill Development and Livelihoods, HCL Foundation.
The symposium also included a masterclass on CSR laws and their amendments by Nikhil Pant, CSR advisor and former chief programme executive, National Foundation for CSR, Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs, Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
As part of the series of symposiums this year, symposiums have been held in Bengaluru, Thiruvananthapuram, Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Jaipur. Further, symposiums will be organised in Raipur and New Delhi this month.
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