From raising funds to providing essential medical equipment, brands and organizations are helping India to win the battle against Covid-19.
The second wave of the pandemic has hit hard, there is a huge surge in the number of Covid positive patients across the nation. The health institutions in India are running out of oxygen cylinders and other medical facilities.
In this scenario, Multinational Companies to startups are lending a helping hand to fight the crisis the country is facing.
Here are a few brands that are helping the nation during the testing times.
Hyundai: Hyundai Motor India Foundation (HMIF), the philanthropic arm of Hyundai Motor India, today announced its CSR Project ‘Back-to-life’ ensuring the uninterrupted delivery of lifesaving Medicare Oxygen equipment to most affected COVID -19 states – New Delhi, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Haryana and Telangana commencing this week. The entire project has been accelerated from procurement to delivery, thereby meeting the critical need of the hour and supporting affected patients to quickly transition from despair to normalcy.
Under its Hyundai Cares 3.0 COVID-19 relief initiative, HMIF has expedited purchase and supply of critical medical equipment to ensure a speedy turnaround in providing assistance to government hospitals with lifesaving Medicare Oxygen equipment like Oxygen Concentrators, High Flow Oxygen (HFO) Plants, High Flow Nasal Oxygen (HFNO) Machines and BiPap Ventilator Machines.
Investors Clinic: Investors Clinic, one of the leading real estate consultancy firms today announced that they are offering help to the Covid affected employees and their family members in Noida and surrounding areas.
The company has set up a dedicated team of 25 employees to take the initiatives ahead. The team has been able to help more than 1000 people, so far, with oxygen supply, medicine, food supplies, plasma donors, and concentrators. The company has bought 15 oxygen concentrators and is helping people wherever needed. Last year, during the first phase, Investors Clinic handed over a Disinfection Tunnel to Sector 135, Noida Police Station. It had also offered 100 rooms in its project Beetle Lap for the quarantine facility.
SUB-K IMPACT Solutions: SUB-K IMPACT Solutions rolled out some initiative to support all its stakeholders during this time of crisis. The firm has proposed to engage with employees, clients, partners, and community organizations to rise to the occasion to prevail over this crisis.
The firm is providing financial services to clients primarily based in rural and semi-urban areas. The company extended employee benefits by introducing free doctor on click services by partnering with Practo, Covid health insurance to cover the expenses arising on account of COVID-19 treatment under the company’s existing employee medical health insurance claim, incentive structure to protect income levels while enabling ethical business practices and unlimited leave policy for employees affected due to the virus.
Global Schools Foundation: Global Schools Foundation(GSF) has dispatched more than 500 oxygen concentrators to India for Covid-19 affected patients, as a timely gesture to help the South Asian nation deal with the medical crisis in the country.
Global Schools Foundation reached out to Sewa International – a huge network of social initiatives across India – to tap their deep local resources and get these oxygen concentrators to the small towns and villages deep inside the huge country. Through Sewa International, the concentrators will reach locations where Covid-19 patients are in urgent need of medical help.
Virtusa: Virtusa Corporation introduced its 24/7 COVID-19 Care portal with personalised features designed to help ensure the safety of employees during the pandemic.
Virtusa’s COVID-19 initiative includes its personalized approach towards each team member and their families, ensuring no one is left out. With 24/7 live support and assistance, the portal and call center tracks all queries logged and the data of team members as it relates to vaccinations.
CarDekho: CarDekho has announced a series of welfare initiatives for its 5600+ employees. At CarDekho, employees come first and the company is trying to ensure the least impact of the pandemic on its people.
In the unfortunate event that an employee succumbs to Covid-19, the deceased employee’s family would be entitled to 4X CTC payment.
The Company’s comprehensive health insurance covers all Covid-19 related complications and the benefits are extended to the declared dependents.
Honda India: Honda India Foundation, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of all Honda group companies in India is closely working with State Governments of Haryana, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat and has earmarked a sum of INR 65 million towards these relief measures in this phase.
As part of this aid, the Foundation will be setting up temporary COVID Care isolation centers and Oxygen Production Plants. A 100-bed facility is being created at Honda’s warehouse facility in Manesar in Haryana and another 50-100 bed facility at the Government Girl School in Tapukara, Rajasthan. These temporary COVID-19 care centers are expected to commence operation from next week onwards. Similar isolation centers are being explored in other locations.
ICICI Lombard: Private sector non-life insurer ICICI Lombard said it will give up to two months’ gross salary in advance to all its COVID positive employees.
In order to ease the burden for its employees in the wake of the rapid spread of the coronavirus, the company has decided to provide up to two months’ gross salary in advance to every COVID positive employee, ICICI Lombard said in a statement.
Elanpro: Elanpro (Elan Professional Appliances Pvt. Ltd.), provided 2050 Oxygen Concentrators at zero profit. Available with different capacities, Elanpro has airlifted 2050 oxygen concentrators to distribute it across India in order to support people during these difficult times. Offering at a zero-profit price, the company is contributing to the betterment of society.
Elanpro has been reaching out to several NGOs and hospitals to lend a helping hand to the district and rural areas. Deepening its engagement with the government, Elanpro has also reached out to Gurugram District Commissioner’s office to contribute 100 units of Oxygen concentrators in COVID Centre at Gurugram.
HealthCube: HealthCube is enabling the distribution of medical oxygen cylinders and concentrators under an initiative called OxygenForIndia. The company is the distribution partner in this initiative started by a group of individuals and organizations from a variety of backgrounds to raise funds for the cause. Currently operating out of Delhi, it will be expanded across Kolkata, Ranchi, Guwahati, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru in the days to come.
Through OxygenForIndia.Org, the aim is to raise $1,200,000 for providing 3,500 cylinders and 700 concentrators to those who need it the most. Within seven days after it was initiated, OxygenForIndia has received $500,000 in contributions. Around 50 medical oxygen cylinders were delivered to patients in Delhi and 50 oxygen cylinders are on their way.
Bobble AI: Bobble AI, an Artificial Intelligence-powered innovation startup, introduced a section on the keyboard called “Covid 19 Resources” that has credible, real-time links providing nationwide information. All Android users who have default Bobble Indic keyboard across all 120+ Indic & international languages, along with IOS and users of Bobble’s regional keyboards (including Marathi, Malayalam, Bangla and Hindi keyboards) can access information with telephone numbers and addresses segregated into sections: oxygen cylinders, concentrators, ICU beds, ventilators, Remdesivir, plasma donors, etc. These are being collated on a real-time basis picked up from government sources and tweets based on Covid related keywords. All Bobble users can share the links with others
Meddo: One of India’s leading network clinic brands Meddo, has collaborated with Meddo foundation, Treebo, and Swiggy, to launch FREE Covid Care Facilities in Gurgaon. Being categorized as an L1 facility, these centers would cater to people in the early stage of the infection. The intent is to reduce the burden on hospitals by providing care to non-critical patients. These centers will offer beds free of cost to COVID-19 patients and will only charge overheads like medical consumables and diagnostics.
Blitzpools.com: BLITZPOOLS, fastest-growing skill-based fantasy sports platforms, pledged their support to the ongoing crisis in the nation. This initiative is a small contribution for the welfare of people and to help the nation fight the pandemic. Blitzpools.com intends to give back to the community and do its bit.
The multi-fantasy sports platform will raise funds with help of the users of BLITZPOOLS by donating money for every team entered in their COVID-19 relief pool. The brand encourages fantasy players to be a part of this initiative by creating teams on Free Pool which will be named ‘COVID19 Relief’.
JK Super Cement:
Acknowledging the need of the hour and taking forward the core values of JK Super Cement – Corporate responsibility towards the nation, courage, determination, and building a strong, safe nation, JK Super Cement’s latest plasma donation initiative #HumSeHaiSuraksha voices the plea of those in dire need of the life-saving treatment- Plasma Therapy. The video message is also being launched as a tribute to the employees of JK Cement Ltd. who succumbed to COVID-19 recently.
The Baker’s Dozen:
The Baker’s Dozen has conceptualized ‘The Dose We Knead’ as a campaign to lift people’s spirits and support the vaccination efforts by the government. As part of this campaign, the brand will appreciate and reward vaccinated individuals with a generous gift of freshly baked cookies specially curated by its Head Baker and Co-Founder, Ms. Aditi Handa.
https://covid.thebakersdozen.in/
BharatPe:
BharatPe, one of India’s leading fintech company for merchants, today announced the rollout of its unique campaign to further strengthen the Indian government’s vaccination drive against COVID19. Launched under ‘BharatPe Cares’, a corporate social responsibility initiative by BharatPe, this first-of-its-kind of programme aims to create awareness about Covid-19 vaccination amongst the company’s 6 million+ merchant partners and also encourage them to get vaccinated without delay. In India’s first vaccination Cashback program, BharatPe merchants will get a Rs. 300 instant cashback in their bank account by scanning their vaccination certificate via the BharatPe app.
The company also announced the launch of a Covid-19 Vaccine Tracker on its app to facilitate relevant information on Covid-19 vaccination. By using this Vaccine Tracker, the merchants can view details of the nearby Covid-19 Vaccination Centers, based on their location. Also, they can choose to get notified when a slot is available in their chosen area.
LG Electronics:
To support Govt. & citizens in the fight against COVID-19, LG Electronics is collaborating with Govt. Hospitals & NGO partners. India’s biggest medical facility AIIMS will be adding more beds to treat COVID-19 patients, the required infrastructure will be funded by LG Electronics. All these Makeshift hospitals will be made across Delhi NCR, Bangalore, Pune, Bhopal, Udaipur, Lucknow & other cities in association with various Government hospitals. LG Electronics will be working with implementation partners including People to People foundation across various states.
Vedanta:
As the Goa state battles the 2nd wave of Covid-19 pandemic with sudden surge in COVID cases, Vedanta Sesa Goa Iron Ore has committed to add 100-bed infrastructure capacity at Goa, to support the state Govt.in combating COVID pandemic. 100- Bed infrastructure will be rolled out as extension to Goa Medical College at Bambolim, Goa in order to enhance the healthcare facility at Goa state to tackle crisis situation posed due to COVID. Out of 100 beds, 80 would be oxygenated beds, 20 would be critical care beds and 5 ventilators with all related equipment and bed.
Additionally, all necessary equipment essential to run a full-fledged hospital will be provided. The committed infrastructure set up is expected to be complete in next 15-20 days’ time. Vedanta Sesa Goa has also committed its support to Goa Govt. and district administration for supply of 3 tons of free Liquid oxygen per day from Amona plant and has already supplied over 60 tons. Vedanta has also committed to provide 200 oxygen concentrators out of which, 100 have already been supplied.
Bacardi:
Bacardi announced a USD $100,000 contribution to Give India to help the country in its fight against the COVID-19 virus this week. Funding provided by Bacardi is earmarked to provide immediate assistance to local relief agencies working to mitigate the worsening impact of the coronavirus pandemic in the country. Additionally, the Bacardi team on the ground have provided funding for oxygen concentrators to be sent to a local NGO offering humanitarian aid to marginalized communities. To support its employees in-market, Bacardi offers free access to confidential counselling to ensure wellbeing is top of mind during these challenging times.
MakeMyTrip foundation:
MakeMyTrip foundation has launched CoviRide, an open, peer-to-peer community platform designed to help individuals, organizations and larger community to seek and provide transport related assistance during this difficult time.
Available on mobile web and desktop, the community platform aims to solve for one of the biggest challenges of finding transport options (intercity or intracity) including ambulance services for COVID-19 infected patients. Additionally, it helps user locate a ride to a vaccination centre, drive through oxygen centres, to and from the hospital and for medical equipment transfer such as oxygen cylinder, concentrator, medicines, among others.
LEGO Group and LEGO Foundation:
The LEGO Group and the LEGO Foundation have announced a US$1 million donation to help Save the Children India support families and children most at risk in Delhi, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and West Bengal. It will be used to deliver learning to around 20,000 children aged 3-14 whose education has been disrupted by the most recent outbreak, ensure food security for families and provide COVID-19 Care Kits designed to reduce infection rates.
IndiGo Cares:
IndiGo has announced a host of initiatives to support its employees and their families in these trying times. From getting together a dedicated Covid Care Centre, to vaccination, IndiGo has put together holistic initiatives to help its people and families every step of the way. Details of those initiatives are appended below.
- Dedicated Covid Care Centre
- Vaccination Drive for all Employees
- Plasma Donor Bank
- The Wellness Corner” mobile application
- Launch of Central Taskforce & Regional Taskforce
- Tie-up with Hotels for Quarantine Facility
Facebook:
Facebook have made significant investments to remove accounts and content that violate our Community Standards or Ad Policies; reduce the distribution of misinformation and false news, and inform people by giving them more context on the posts they see — so people can decide what to read, trust, and share.
During the pandemic, the company removed more than 12 million pieces of harmful misinformation on COVID-19 globally from Facebook and Instagram, including falsehoods about approved vaccines. Facebook has put warning labels on over 167 million posts marked as false by third-party fact checkers. When people see warning labels, about 95% of the time they do not go on to view the original content.
InsuranceDekho:
InsuranceDekho, a leading Insurtech startup, today launched ‘COVID-19 Vaccination Slot Finder’ – a platform to help citizens across the country to check the availability of COVID-19 vaccination slots near them, as part of the company’s effort to fight the coronavirus pandemic.
Find available slots and get alerts if a slot opens up nearby your locality or in your city using COVID-19 Vaccine Slot Finder, by clicking https://www.insurancedekho.com/vaccine-slot-finder
RepIndia:
RepIndia has stepped up its efforts to aid not just its employees but the larger community as well amidst this unprecedented national crisis that we all are facing at the moment.
Chief amongst the initiatives taken is the inspiring coming together of current and former RepIndia employees, RepIndia alumni, employees from other leading advertising agencies and social influencers to create Covid-911 – an Instagram page that has joined the fight against COVID-19 by sharing verified resources and vital information. The purpose behind the formation of the Covid 911 page is to facilitate compassion, support and humanity for one and all – essentially working together to create a real difference in the lives of not just colleagues but everyday people, who in these desperate times are in desperate need for help.
TVS Credit:
In an effort to ensure employees’ well-being and safety amidst the Covid pandemic, India’s leading financial services provider TVS Credit Services Ltd extended additional financial assistance under “Parivaar”: an Employee Family Assistance Program (EFAP).
B4U Network:
B4U Network has partnered with various NGOS to launch Project Revive to help revive education, healthcare, employment and environment for different sections of society.
As a part of the project B4U network has partnered with multiple NGOs – CRY (Child Rights and You) to support children education programs, Disha Foundation to support migrant workers’ employment and healthcare, Sarthak Educational Trust to support specially abled people with upskilling and employment, Responsenet to support women empowerment projects and SankalpTaru Foundation for tree plantation.
Aachi Group:
Mr A. D Padmasingh Isaac, on behalf of Aachi Group of Companies, made a humble contribution of Rs.1 Crore towards the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund on the evening of 17th of May, 2021.
Amazon US:
Amazon US is sending critical medical equipment worth over $5 million to support hospitals and other COVID care facilities across India.
As part of this, critical life-saving equipment including 82 anaesthesia ventilators, 1238 BiPAP machines and 60 ventilators have already reached India. The medical equipment will be distributed to Amazon’s on-the-ground community partners such as the American India Foundation, ACT Grants and Swasth, who will distribute to verified hospitals and nonprofit organizations across the country to ensure it reaches communities where it is needed the most.
Additionally, Amazon is donating transportation services to the American non-profit organization India Association of Western Washington and working to support U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and other U.S. nonprofit organizations to help get medical supplies to India.
Matrimony.com:
Matrimony.com Founder and CEO, Murugavel Janakiraman, met Hon’bleTamil Nadu Chief Minister Mr.MK Stalin and handed over a cheque of Rs. 50 lakh towards the TN CM Public Relief Fund for Covid-19 relief.
Livspace:
To help employees get the best possible support during these challenging times, Livspace has recently launched the LivCare program.
The LivCare program is reflective of Livspace’s commitment towards employees’ health and wellbeing. It strives to bring an ecosystem of supportive resources for financial, emotional, physical, mental and medical needs.
Nivea:
Understanding that care goes beyond the skin, Beiersdorf, NIVEA India and United Way India have come together to distribute more than 2 lakh ‘Thank You’ NIVEA Creme tins. These will be given to the hospital frontline staff and police personnel to help keep their skin and hands well moisturised as they go about saving lives. Being on the frontline, their hands require extra care, protection and moisturization because frequent hand-washing and sanitizing can lead to extra dryness. The tins will be sent to various hospitals across the districts of Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Gujarat, West Bengal, Punjab and Delhi.
Petonic Infotech:
Petonic Infotech, one of the fast-growing mid-sized Indian management consultancy firm, has mobilized INR 2 Crore for COVID relief through its multinational partners, clients and associates. Petonic Infotech has partnered with NGOs like Open Innovation Lotus Foundation, Project India Foundation and many more for outreach to widespread rural India during the second wave of COVID crisis that India is going through currently.
Yulu:
Yulu, the e-mobility service provider in the country, has come forward to provide free medical grade oxygen concentrators to COVID-19 patients at their doorstep as part of its “Pranvayu” initiative. The initiative has been rolled out in Bengaluru with an initial set of 100 Oxygen Concentrators with an aim of expanding to major Indian cities shortly.
To get these Oxygen Concentrators one should visit https://pranvayu.yulu.bike/ and discuss with a Yulu staff to provide few basic details. After validation, Yulu’s on ground staff – Yulu Warriors will deliver the Oxygen concentrators at the patients’ doorstep, free of cost. A fully refundable deposit of Rs. 5000/- per concentrator is collected at the time of delivery.
Aviva India
Aviva has created Aviva War Room- a group of 50 volunteers who track leads for medical supplies in real time, verify them, answer distress calls and provide 24X7 real time assistance to the ones in need. With this initiative, Aviva empowers workforce of 1500+ employees in India & their dependents across locations in 60 cities. Additionally, the company is aiming to introduce “Happiness Campaign” to support employees’ well-being- physical and mental.
Truecaller:
Truecaller has partnered with MapmyIndia and FactChecker to further improve the Covid Healthcare Directory feature. This feature was launched for all Android users in April 2021 and with the added associations it will continue to provide easy access to a large set of updated information.
BMW Group India:
BMW Group India has pledged a total of INR 8 crore towards the COVID-19 pandemic. An additional contribution of INR 5 crore has been made on top of the company’s earlier commitment of INR 3 crore.
BMW Group India’s efforts are dedicated towards augmenting healthcare infrastructure and medical services in Gurugram (Delhi NCR) and Chengalpattu (Tamil Nadu). Associations with government and non-government organisations have been initiated for on-ground implementation. 150 oxygen concentrators have been imported by BMW Group India for critical care of COVID-19 patients. The concentrators will be utilised by an oxygen bank in Gurugram (Delhi NCR) operated by GiveIndia, a non-governmental organisation.
