Azim Premji Philanthropic Initiatives emerging as a frontrunner in philanthropy

As the rest of the world observed World Mental Health Day earlier on October 10, 2020, in its bid to boost mental health awareness in smaller states like Dimapur, the philanthropic arm of Azim Premji Foundation – Azim Premji Philanthropic Initiatives poured in funds for the launch of Community Mental Health Programme (CMHP) in the region. The three year-long programme will be addressing common and severe mental disorders, intellectual disability and convulsive epilepsy. Awareness programmes will also be carried out at the community level including Asha and Anganwadi workers. Workshops, free OPDs and medicines as well as home visitations for psycho education/counselling will also be a part of the programme.

Amid the pandemic, Azim Premji Philanthropic Initiatives has also been providing aid to underprivileged communities. It provided critical daily supplies including adult diapers, male external catheters, uro bags, leg bags and medicines to around 100 beneficiaries at the Ability Rehabilitation Centre, hailing from poor families in East and West Godavari, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts. It also donated air and water beds to those who were in immense need of them. In addition to this, it recently joined hands with non-government organisations like KIIT, KISS and Sakha Foundation to distribute groceries and other daily essentials for the transgender community in Bhubaneswar, Rayagada and few other districts in Odisha that were severely hit by the pandemic.

Azim Premji Philanthropic Initiatives mainly focuses on three areas to carry out its philanthropic activities – vulnerable groups, governance and nutrition, through strategic partnerships with organisations with shared goals. Aashray Adhikar Abhiyan, ACWADAM, Aga Khan Rural Support Programme, KHOJ, Magic Bus India Foundation and Railway Children India are a few among the multitude of organisations that it has been working with so far.