Bhubaneswar, Dec 21: Wipro signed an MoU (memorandum of understanding) with Odisha Government in order to eradicate malnutrition and woman empowerment in Odisha at the State Secretariat today.
APPI has planned to spend Rs 300 crore for the noble cause over a period of eight to ten years in a bid to perk up the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) delivery system.
ICDS is the flagship programme of the Women & Child Development Ministry. The special MoU signing occasion was graced by Wipro group chairman Azim Premji, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Women & Child Development Minister Usha Devi and Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi prominent among others.
Prior to the MoU inking, Premji met Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi.
“I am delighted that an MoU has been signed between Government of Odisha and Azim Premji Philanthropic Initiatives (APPI) for reducing malnutrition among women and chidren. I extend a hearty welcome to Mr Premji, founder of Wipro, an industry doyen, a well-known philanthropist, on his maiden visit to Odisha. I am very thankful to Mr Premji for extending his philanthropic endeavour by choosing Odisha. It is an honour to have Mr Premji work with us to reduce malnutrition both for the cause and commitment for saving lives of children and improving the health of women,” Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said on the occasion.
Wipro group chairman Azim Premji said, “In terms of their commitment to our support for reducing the problem of malnutrition in Odisha, I think that commitment will be going very far in terms of the success of this project. I was very pleased to learn that you are appointing nodal officers in each of the four key departments which have to work with us. We will be able to get a concerted end output in terms of what we achieved,” Azim Premji said.
