At a time when corporations around the world are striving hard to engage their employees, Canon India has definitely found a way to nurture talent among children by leading the way to their holistic development.
Commenced in 2012, the company’s flagship corporate social responsibility programme, “Adopt a Village” today includes four villages across India.
“Adopted” last year, Sol Gohalia village located around 40 km from Kolkata in South 24 Parganas celebrated its first anniversary recently. There, Canon is striving to improve the quality of education — it has established an activity resource centre with proper aids, built clean drinking water and toilet facilities over the best part of a year. The village has witnessed several notable developments like a computer teacher being engaged to impart literacy, art and crafts education along with a vision centre for better eye care services apart from sporting activities for students. “We are committed to giving back as much as possible to the community. Our CSR reflects living and working together for common good. We work hard to ensure that we undertake the relevant steps to help our ‘adopted’ villages become progressive self-reliant rural communities.
Through this initiative, we try to provide better living standards and growing infrastructure — we aspire to continue our focused energies on more social development arenas like this,” said Kazutada Kobayashi, president and chief executive officer, Canon India.
School children brimming with vigour gave a warm welcome to the employees of Canon with regional dance and singing performances. A painting competition was organised and various skills acquired in the resource centre were showcased, which shone a light on the importance of extracurricular activities, thus ensuring all an inclusive progress of young minds.
“Their support has always put smiles on the faces of the children in our village and adds value to their growth and development. Over a short span the company has contributed in many areas and ensured empowerment as well as development of school infrastructure,” said Shipra Sardar Gayen, headmistress, Sol Gohalia Primary School.
“CSR has become an integral part of business practice. It is no longer a luxury but rather a necessity that should be institutionalised as the core of any strategy business. Four of our adopted villages are our extended families and I am delighted to share that all of them are undergoing positive transformations. It is great to notice the visible progress this village has undergone and yet the ultimate impact will be witnessed when these villagers and especially students, are able to lead healthy and informed lives,” said Kobayashi.
The management team continues to set an example in the area of corporate citizenship. Aiming to bridge disparity and build a safe playing area for children, school ground levelling was undertaken by Canon. For imparting better education and making learning a fun process, students are provided with e-learning materials, a library and sports equipment. The company is also keen to become a successful catalyst for change. With its focus on the “4E’s” concept comprising eye care, education, environment and empowerment, the village adoption initiative has already made a discernible difference to Ferozpur Namak in Haryana, Maharaja Katte in Bengaluru and Karonjoti in Maharashtra. “There was no toilet in the school till last year but now we don’t have that problem,” said Urmila Mondal, a student of class V.
The rural outreach programme has the complete support of Canon’s employees. Regular volunteering opportunities are organised to build a close connection with the villages as such engagements help to further foster a vibrant culture of social responsibility. The world leader in the imaging industry is, no doubt, continuing its social endeavours by making school an enjoyable place to attend. The sparkle in the eyes of the children and their effortless smile made one’s day.
This article was taken from here.