IBM ties-up with state for tribal development

As part of its Corporate Service Corps (CSC) programme, IBM has joined hands with Tribal Development Department of Gujarat for a development project aimed at upliftment of tribals in Sasan area of Gir forest.

IBM will help the government department scout appropriate private sector partner for setting up a theme resort at Sasan.

The Tribal Development Department of Gujarat government plans to set up a theme resort on a public private partnership (PPP) basis. The proposed resort is aimed at providing employment to Siddis, a tribe of African people brought 300 years ago from Africa by the Portuguese for the Nawab of Junagadh.

IBM will sign a service agreement with the State government, under which the IT sector giant will assist the department find suitable private sector partner and it will also help the government market the proposed tourism project.

The proposed project involving an investment of Rs. 10 crore will have 75:25 public and private equity. It will take around two years to start the project.

"So far, two rounds of training to Siddi tribals have been completed," said Pallavi Shukla, senior consultant to Tribal Development Department of Gujarat.

In fact, IBM is taking up development projects in association with NGOs and not-for-profit government organisations, some of them include Self Employed Women's Organisation (SEWA), Indicorps, Ashoka and Friends of Women's World Banking, India (FWWB-I).

"Over the last four months, 17 IBM professionals from 11 countries worked closely with these organisations to implement a variety of development projects," said Ramesh Narasimhan, director, general business, IBM India/South Asia.

Ashoka and IBM are working closely to provide affordable housing to urban poor in Ahmedabad. Around 700 houses are being constructed for urban poor each costing Rs. 3 to 6 lakh.

Apart from this, both the players plan to launch Home Improvement scheme for slum dwellers in the city.