Over 14,000 under-privileged children will benefit from a corporate social responsibility initiative, jointly launched by Jammu and Kashmir Bank and PNB MetLife India in five districts of the valley.
The initiative was launched by Jammu and Kashmir Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather in presence of senior officials from the two companies, including Asia president of Metlife, Christopher Townsend.
"The CSR programme will focus on education and development of underprivileged children in the state. The two identified projects are with CRY - Child Rights and You, through project partners Jammu and Kashmir Association of Social Worker (JKASW) and KOSHISH," a PNB Metlife release said.
It said JKASW works across 1,823 households in the districts of Baramulla, Bandipora and Srinagar impacting 4,800 children while KOSHISH will work with 9200 children in 5,100 households across 25 villages in the district of Budgam and Ganderbal.
In addition, 15 more villages are being evaluated for this programme, the release said.
Speaking on the initiatives, Townsend said: "I am excited to be here today to launch PNB MetLife's CSR programme with our long-standing partner Jammu and Kashmir Bank, supporting education and development of underprivileged children".
He said Metlife will be spending USD 200 million over the next five years globally on various CSR initiatives focused on supporting and empowering local communities.
Chairman of Jammu & Kashmir Bank Mushtaq Ahmad said the bank has launched several CSR initiatives in the state focusing on education and healthcare.
"We are delighted to announce the launch of the CSR programme through this platform along with PNB MetLife. Today we jointly announce our programmes to work towards education and development of underprivileged children in J&K," he said.
CRY's CEO Puja Marwaha said the NGO was against institutionalising welfare measures for under privileged children and instead prefers mobilising communities for bringing lasting changes in their lives.
"Lack of access to schools and discrimination of girl children are few of the issues faced by children here. We work on mobilising the communities, its leaders and in tandem with government systems to bring about positive and lasting change in the lives of these children," she said.
