Technopark's IT bosses shake a leg for charity

The CEOs of around 30 companies at Technopark, India's largest IT park, here, Tuesday stepped out of their boardrooms and proved they are just as skilled on the dance floor, during "Daan Utsav" celebrations, the country's annual Festival of Giving.

The IT bosses, including Technopark CEO K.G. Girish Babu, danced to thundering music and rousing cheers from a large gathering of employees at the IT campus.

"We wanted to attract the attention of all of the 45,000-plus employees in Technopark, to this noble cause, which is the reason the CEOs themselves hit the dance floor. I hope the message of 'Joy of Giving' is embraced by the larger society too," said Babu.

"Daan Utsav" which started off as the Joy of Giving Week in 2009, is a celebration of compassion, volunteering and the spirit of philanthropy. It is celebrated every year for a week starting on Gandhi Jayanti Oct 2.

GTech, the industry body of IT/ITes companies in Kerala, and Technopark joined hands this year to introduce the festival to the IT community here.

Among the attractions of the day was CEO bashing, a chance for employees to take a potshot at their bosses with water-soaked sponge bricks. There were plenty of takers for the Rs.100-a-throw offer, the proceeds of which will go to charity.

"This is a fun and spirited way of raising funds for a noble cause. The response to all activities has been overwhelming and shows that the IT workers will go all out to support the needy. All CSR initiatives of GTech have been very well received by the community," said Anoop P Ambika, secretary, GTech.

The celebrations also witnessed a Facebook photography contest on the 'Joy of Giving' theme.

Differently-abled children from a care home near the Technopark campus watched a screening of the Malayalam movie '1983' and interacted with its star Nivin Pauly.

The employees of various companies joined these children in pot-painting and other activities.

These products were auctioned at the Technopark campus.

Earlier, CEOs walked the ramp to raise funds for charity, as part of Daan Utsav.