Having carried out an array of CSR activities especially amid the pandemic, Infosys is among the top companies that has initiated maximum number of CSR works, next to the companies like Tata Chemicals, Mahindra & Mahindra and ITC. Among its recent contributions is the donation of around Rs 20 lakh made by the Chairperson Sudha Murthy to the Mysuru Zoo, on September 25, 2020. This is her second time making similar donations this year. Earlier in May, she pitched in Rs 20 lakh for the zoo’s maintenance.
Ajit Kulkarni, Executive Director of the zoo, said that the donation has been invaluable considering the difficult time they have been going through amid the pandemic. Because of the lockdown, Mysuru Zoo has been shut down for more than three months due to which its revenue has starkly fallen. Even after it has been reopened, the footfall is not anywhere close to the pre-pandemic time. With the falling revenues of zoos across the entire state, the Zoo Authority of Karnataka has in fact, launched a mobile app for donations and adoption of animals in its bid to acquire some funds for the upkeep of the zoos.
Amid the pandemic, Sudha Murthy has emerged as a hope for many and a source of inspiration for thousands others. Under her leadership, Infosys has spent nearly Rs 360 crore in various CSR activities this year including relief works for Covid-19 hit victims with education and health-related programmes. The foundation has launched a 100-bed quarantine setup in Bangalore in partnership with Narayana Health city and another 182-bedded quarantine facility for covid-19 patients at Bowring and Lady Curzon Medical College & Research Institute.
Sudha Murthy has been independently carrying out social works as well. Recently, upon learning about the hardships of two students who have been climbing a hillock with a table and a car battery for attending online classes, the Chairperson of Infosys Foundation gifted the sibling duo with laptops, internet dongle, subscription fee along with a UPS.