Cognizant to give $40 mn for relief

It is the first large-scale commitment by a private player in the state; Firm is one of Chennai's largest employers with 60,000 heads across 11 facilities

Information technology major Cognizant on Tuesday announced $40 million (Rs 260 crore) for relief and rehabilitation of Chennai flood victims. This will be the first large-scale commitment by a private player in the state. Cognizant is one of Chennai’s largest employers with more than 60,000 employees across 11 facilities. The company said it would take a multi-pronged approach to support relief and rehabilitation measures in the city.

Of Rs 260,  $10 million (Rs 65 crore) would be given to help the residents of Chennai through direct grants to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund, grants to NGOs, including AmeriCares India, and other charitable and relief organisations providing healthcare, housing and other support in the city.  Besides, Cognizant has committed $30 million (Rs 195 crore) to assist with immediate and longer-term recovery needs of its staff and business partners through direct grants and loans to staff, as well as other individuals who support Cognizant’s Chennai operations, consultation and disease prevention to staff and business partners. “Corporate support must play a vital role in providing immediate relief and helping to rebuild Chennai,” said Gordon Coburn, president.

“Corporate support must play a vital role in providing immediate relief and helping to rebuild Chennai,” said Gordon Coburn, president. “Chennai is home to tens of thousands of our employees and their families. We are committed to helping with the large challenge of rebuilding the city and addressing the health, safety and housing needs of the residents of Chennai. We’ve been overwhelmed by the support of our employees, clients and business partners and are working with them to direct their support to impactful relief causes. We encourage the larger Chennai business ecosystem to join us in the effort to quickly recover from this disaster.”