Deepalaya - Enabling Self-Reliance

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has become a buzzword in the past few years. Corporates in India are getting more sensitive towards social responsibility which reflect their commitment towards society. In one such initiative employees of Citigroup, one of the largest companies of the world that provide services from insurance to finance visited different project locations of Deepalaya.

Excitement was high in the air as the newly admitted LKG and UKG kids at Deepalaya School Gole Kuan got set to welcome special guests on 25 April, 2008. A team of eight people from Citi Financial was welcomed by children with greetings and poems. The team spent the afternoon with the students at Deepalaya School. Guests were like Santa Clause for the little kids. Distributing sandwiches and new stationery items which include sheets of handmade paper to coloured pencils, glaze papers, colour boxes, ivory sheets, thermacol sheets and some cd’s of nursery rhymes, to the children, the Citi team was touched by the work Deepalaya is doing at Gole Kuan slum cluster. Pooja, Regional Customer Advocacy Manager, Citi Financial said, “We are completely swayed by the dedicated efforts of teachers of Deepalaya. We are extremely happy to share our joy with these little kids” Adding on, Sonali Escreder, Regional Client Advocacy Head, Citi Financial said, “We are a team of 13 – 14 members and each one has contributed for this cause. This is our own initiative and the desire to bring good to society percolates down to each employee of Citi Financial”.

Corporate houses feel contended and proud in meeting their responsibility towards the society and this pride trickles down to their employees. The sense of fulfilling their social responsibility leaves them with a feeling of elation. Moreover, it serves as a soothing diversion from the mundane work place routine and gives one a feeling of satisfaction and a meaning to their lives. Children of Gole Kuan School thoroughly enjoyed the pampering they received from the guests.

In yet another social initiative 13 employees from Citi Group visited Swagat Kendra, Deepalaya’s home for runaways and street children. This was as part of their celebrations of National Community Day, which is celebrated thrice a year. The 16 children of Swagat Kendra were exposed to diverse activities organized by the Citibank officials. Children had a chance to exhibit their confidence and talent in painting and dance competitions organized by the guests on the spot. There was an exercise where each child was grouped with one member from Citibank team and each couple had to perform a distinct and unique activity. For the children of Swagat Kendra the experience was filled with knowledge and learning along with the other gifts that they received from the guests. After enjoying their afternoon meal together they all collected for some sports activities.

Rajat Kishore, employee from Citi Finacial shared, “It was a wonderful experience. These kids are extremely talented. I would love to come back and visit them”. Another team member, Vikas Kataria said, “It left a great feeling of satisfaction and insight that still how much more needs to be done, before we truly call this country a progressive and developed one.”

“We had a great time with Citi team. We learnt to make lot of handicraft items and creative paper works” said 9 year old Ashu. 12 year old Jitender and 9 year old Abid were thrilled as didi’s and bhaiya’s had lunch with them and made them feel so special.

For children of Gole Kuan and Swagat Kendra it was a delightful experience and they had invited their guests to pay a visit soon again.
As more and more companies realize that meeting CSR is an investment in social sector with multiple benefits to them as well, inequalities in this world will be reduced.