Azim Premji Philanthropic Initiatives (APPI) on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding with the Odisha government for making collaborative efforts for reducing malnutrition among women and children in the State.
The MoU was signed in presence of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Azim Premji, founder of IT major Wipro and well-known philanthropist, at the State Secretariat.
The APPI will identify development partners such as NGOs for improvement in programmes to reduce malnutrition. It will spend Rs.300 crore for the purpose.
“Odisha has been taking significant strides towards the well being and development of women and children. Our State initiatives like Mamata for pregnant mothers, decentralised supplementary nutrition programme, introduction of Jaanch committees in every Anganwadi centre, involvement of self-help groups and piloting of community management of malnutrition are already showing significant progress in reduction of malnutrition,” said Mr. Patnaik.
He said: “Through APPI, the State intends to benefit from the expertise and core competence of Wipro in technological innovation and consulting over and above the nutrition sensitive programmes covered under this partnership.”
Mr.Patnaik urged Mr.Premji to extend his support in the field of education also and continue his collaboration with the State by widening the scope of engagement in the field of nutrition and governance.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr.Premji said he was happy that the State government appointed four nodal officers in four key departments through which APPI will work in the State for implementation of the programme.
Earlier, Mr.Premji met the Chief Minister at latter’s office. Mr. Patnaik pushed for setting up a Global Training Centre at Puri-Konark Marine drive for which land had been identified.
Besides, he also sought Wipro Chairman’s intervention for extension of present centre at Infocity and second campus at Info Valley where land can be allotted.
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